The number of dolphin strandings over the past 8 days along the coast of Cape Cod has now reached 90, as volunteers and marine mammal specialists from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) managed to rescue 5 of 7 beached animals on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, IFAW, working with the harbormaster at Wellfleet, successfully diverted an estimated 100-300 dolphins from entering shallow waters where low tides increase the chance of stranding.
Exactly what causes the beachings is unknown, but because dolphins are social animals and travel in pods, if one dolphin ventures into shallow water, others are likely to follow.
What makes Cape Cod a frequent site for strandings is the hook-shaped Cape, making it easy for animals to unknowingly enter shallower, bayside waters rather than remaining on the deeper, ocean side.
After beached mammals are reported, rescuers check for signs of stress and other health conditions, then transport them to the ocean side of the Cape where they can be safely released. Some are tagged so that their future locations and travels can be electronically tracked.
Thus far, six IFAW staff and as many as 300 volunteers have been involved in rescue efforts.
