The Netherlands usually see between 200 and 900 porpoises washed up on their beaches every year. However, finding more than 100 dead animals in the same place within a week, as just occurred on the Wadden Islands, is far beyond the norm. And since they were all at a similar state of decomposition, it is very likely that they all died in the same area.
Investigations into the matter are already taking place. With the help of many volunteers, the local stranding network was able to freeze 22 of the bodies for later necropsies at the University of Utrecht. The necropsies will examine samples based on microbiology to check for viruses or bacteria, look into the animals’ overall health status and nutritional state, and whether there are any signs of trauma hinting on ship strikes, ultrasound or the like.
Meanwhile, the Dutch government investigates what kind of marine activities took place in the area during the past week.
Updates on the situation are to be expected by the end of the month.
The full article and further sources can be found here: What killed dozens of dead porpoises that washed up on a Dutch beach? | Euronews