NMLC Staff Assist IFAW With Dolphin Stranding

The National Marine Life Center Staff had the opportunity this week to help a fellow stranding organization.  The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)  Marine Mammal Rescue  Team called the NMLC to request their assistance with the removal of a stranded  dolphin from Taylor’s Point in Buzzards Bay.  Being just around the corner we were happy to be of assistance. Both IFAW and the NMLC are part of the North East Region Stranding Network. We both play different roles in the network but occasionally get the chance to work together!

The dolphin  found on Taylor’s Point was a Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis). Please click on the link to the American Cetacean Society’s Common Dolphin Fact Sheet to learn more about this species of cetacean. The deceased dolphin was transported to IFAW’s facilities where a necropsy (animal autopsy) will be conducted to try and determine the cause of the stranding.

IFAW is the designated beach response organization for stranded marine mammals in the Cape Cod Area. If you come across a sick, injured or dead seal, dolphin, or whale, you should report it to IFAW immediately by calling their 24 hour stranding hotline at 508-743-9548.