Eight dolphins dead after washing ashore in New Jersey

Vet determined that returning the animals to the ocean would prolong their deaths

First responders attend to beached dolphins in Sea Isle, New Jersey. AP

Eight dolphins died after being stranded on a New Jersey beach, according to an animal rescue group, and have been taken to a state lab for necropsies that could help explain why they washed ashore.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Centre, a non-profit group based in New Jersey that rescues and rehabilitates stranded marine mammals, reported the incident on Tuesday.

The aquatic animals, called common dolphins, beached themselves in Sea Isle City, about 50km south of Atlantic City.

The reason for the stranding was unclear.

The deaths come about a week after the group reported that two other dolphins died after washing ashore on a sandbar in Sandy Hook Bay, New Jersey, about 80km south of New York City.

The animals are not considered endangered.

The group said on Facebook that two of the creatures had initially died and the other six were euthanised “to prevent further suffering”.

A veterinary surgeon with the group determined that returning the animals to the ocean would only prolong their deaths.

A representative for the non-profit group was unavailable for comment on Wednesday by telephone or email.

Fujairah's first survey of whales and dolphins in 2022 — in pictures

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  Authorities in Fujairah have carried out the first dedicated survey of the year for whales and dolphins in the emirate. All images: Fujairah Environment Authority

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  The spinner dolphin is named for its acrobatic spinning.

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  Six species of dolphin were found during the five-day survey from March 21 to 25.

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  The survey was carried out by Fujairah Environment Authority, Fujairah Research Centre and Five Oceans Environmental Services.

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  The teams had 37 encounters with dolphins.

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  The authorities surveyed deep, offshore waters up to 70km off Fujairah.

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  The findings will contribute to work to establish the distribution and behaviour of whales and dolphins off Fujairah.