Four dolphins were found dead on the Mississippi coast over the weekend, according to a Facebook post from the Institute of Marine Mammal Research (IMMS).
The dolphin, identified as a pantropical spotted dolphin, died after being stranded in the sand of Petit Bois Island.
IMMS found it surprising that four were found together on one of the barrier islands, as this species is rarely seen in Mississippi waters and typically lives in deep water. .
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The Institute of Marine Mammal Research (IMMS) reported that four dolphins were found stranded on the shore over the weekend. (Marine Mammal Research Institute (IMMS))
Staff responded quickly and collected photographs and tissue samples before transporting the animal for further analysis by a veterinary team at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
The team is working to determine the cause of the dolphin's death.
This dolphin, identified as a pantropical spotted dolphin, is rarely seen off the coast of Mississippi due to the depth of the water. (Marine Mammal Research Institute (IMMS))
IMMS thanked the quick-thinking person who spotted the dolphin on the beach.
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