Concerns Grow for Striped Dolphins in Hawaii

HONOLULU – Researchers at the University of Hawaii are raising alarms after three striped dolphins were found stranded on Oahu’s beaches over the course of a week. These dolphins tested positive for a bacterial infection known as Brucella ceti, which can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Scientists from the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Health and Stranding Lab (UHHSL) noted that this infection might indicate a more significant issue affecting dolphins and whales in Hawaiian waters.

Brucella ceti can lead to flu-like symptoms, neurological problems, and chronic arthritis in humans if left untreated. Two of the dolphins were discovered in Waimanalo on June 7 and 8, while the third was found in Waikane on June 15. Cultural practitioners assisted the UH response team during these incidents.

“Brucella ceti poses a risk to individuals who come in contact with infected marine mammals. It’s wise to be cautious and avoid handling stranded animals. We urge the public to report any distressed whales and dolphins whether they are at sea or on the shore,” said Kristi West, an associate researcher at UH Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR).

Researchers from CTAHR have determined that striped dolphins are particularly susceptible to Brucella ceti and have identified the bacteria in other species of stranded dolphins and whales.

Microbiologist Michael Norris, working with the UH Manoa School of Life Sciences, uncovered a new strain of Brucella ceti in Hawaiian marine mammals, likely responsible for the recent strandings. Research is still ongoing, with further investigations planned for the summer.

“Dolphins and whales serve as indicators of ocean health, providing us with insight about their environment. The stranding of three dolphins within such a short timeframe probably suggests that many more dolphins may have died and gone unnoticed at sea. This raises concerns about the status of the animals in their ecosystem,” added West.