Thread: Gulf of Mexico oil spill: dead dolphins found washed up on US coast

Gulf of Mexico oil spill: dead dolphins found washed up on US coast - Telegraph

US wildlife officials are investigating whether the deaths of six dolphins on the Gulf Coast are related to the massive oil spill.



Blair Mase of the National Marine Fisheries Service said that dolphin carcasses had been found in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama since May 2. Samples have been sent for testing to see whether the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico was to blame for their deaths.
Mr Mase and animal rescue coordinator Michele Kelley in Louisiana said that none of the carcasses had obvious signs of oil. Mr Mase also said it's common for dead dolphins to wash up this time of year when they are in shallow waters to calve.

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It is very hard to believe that there are not thousands of dolphins and birds and turtles that are being effected by this spill and the thousands of gallons of dispersants being poured into it.
I was in the Coast Guard and spent one year on Grand Isle La doing search and rescue when i wasn't working i was most likely fishing or on the beach. I have fond memories of the gulf coast dolphins.
When i walked the beach to town there was two that usually followed me just off shore as i walk through the sand..they would turn on their sides and flip water at me and were very intelligent. When i would be fishing most often standing in the surf they would come to play..they would watch and go grab my bobber and throw it up in the air..not going for my bait..but to play.
One day while standing out there a group of three came rushing by right in front of me spaced out evenly in a line. I noticed it was two adults and a baby. They rushed by..their fins ripping through the water and made a arching turn and came back at me. They slowed as they approached and one went by in front and the baby and the other adult swam behind me...the baby was the closest. I could hear the bubbles coming out of their blowholes.
They were amazing and very very friendly creatures..and most inquisitive.

It saddens me that they are being harmed.

oh no! now i am really, really sad.

At this point it will be difficult to know what actually caused the deaths unless there is some way, post mortem, to find out.