Cape Cod Sunset

Cape Cod Sunset

Monday, April 23, 2012

Dolphin Strandings Potentially Under-reported on Cape Cod

Dolphin skull in Wellfleet, MA, found in Indian Neck
marshlands remainder of the dolphin's skeleton was found
 approximately 20ft from skull's location. 

Stranding of whales and dolphins is common on Cape Cod and are parts of some of the earliest recorded history of the Cape. The recent mass standings of Dolphins on Cape Cod bayside beaches has few precidents in the area.  While their are stradings every year the number occuring this winter is unpredented in scope.  Since the middle of January their have been at least 114 dolphin strandings reported on Cape Cod.  The number is undobly higher in a normal year there are a number of unreported strandings that occure.
       Stradings are usally reported to IFAW (the International Fund for Annimal Welfare) by indivduals who spot the stranded dolphins though a 24 hour hot line (508-743-9548).   This means that in order for a dolphin strading to be reported it first must be spotted and then called in.  This envivity leads to unreported strandings because a number are not simply not spotted.  Cape Cod has an extensive bayside shoreline, attached marsh systems, and tidal areas. Not all of these areas are easily accessible.  This is partically true of the town Wellfleet in the winter with large sections of its bay-side uninhabited.



Potential areas in Wellfleet where a dolphin stranding
would be unreported are highlighted in red.







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