Double mass stranding of 118 dolphins in Mozambique

The incident started with 32 spinner dolphins found stranded on the island of Bazaruto, Mozambique. Thanks to immediate action, seven could be successfully refloated by the NGO African Parks and samples were taken to investigate the cause.

Unfortunately, no clear conclusion had been reached by the time a second wave of now 86 spinner dolphins were beached just two nights later. By the time the group was found in the morning, no animal had survived.

The assessment showed that seismic events could be excluded as cause of stranding. The animals were found in a part of the island that they usually do not enter. So far, the stranding is most likely a result of a cyclone passing the area that might have caused navigation anomalies for the dolphins and led them to beach in unknown shallow water during low tide.

Of 118 stranded spinner dolphins, 111 did not survive.

The conversation teams will continue to assess the samples and monitor the area for further incidents.

Here are the official stranding report Update on Mass Dolphin Stranding in Bazaruto | African Parks

and the preliminary results of cause of death: Preliminary Results On The Cause Of Death Of 111 Dolphins In The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Province Of Inhambane | African Parks