A pod of about 10 dead bottlenose dolphins has washed ashore along the sea border of Wilpattu National Park. Fishermen suggested that the dolphins might have become entangled in fishing nets, while others argue that it is unlikely for so many dolphins to get caught in a single net.
Wildlife officers who visited the Kollan Kanaththa area have sent samples to the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Peradeniya, and the results are awaited. The Magistrate of the Puttalam Court has also been informed.
Wildlife veterinarians Chandana Jayasinghe and W.L.U. Madhuwanthi from the Anuradhapura Wildlife Veterinary Office conducted post-mortem examinations, but have not yet determined the cause of death.
There have been similar incidents in the past. For example, in 1987 and 1988, over 740 bottlenose dolphins washed ashore on the East Coast of the United States. Scientists believe that a combination of naturally occurring “red tide” toxins, along with bacterial and viral infections, caused those deaths.
In 2013, another significant die-off of bottlenose dolphins occurred along the East Coast, with 124 dolphins washing ashore. Researchers determined that a virus called morbillivirus was responsible for many of these deaths.
