Chetumal, Q.R. — The death of two more dolphins that were found washed up in a Chetumal lagoon, remains a mystery says biologist. The Network for Attention to Stranding of Marine Mammals says they were unable to determine the cause of death of two bottlenose dolphins found last week in Chetumal Bay.
On August 21, a female adult and male calf were discovered at Laguna Guerrero. The one-meter long calf and a 2.2-meter-long female were subjected to studies a few days ago at the University of Quintana Roo (Uqroo), however, specialists could not find any evidence of the cause death.
In their report, the Network said “in the internal review it was observed that the digestive system was empty, skin and muscle samples were collected for subsequent analysis,” adding that both mammals, which were found 20 kilometres apart, were “without epidermis and the intestine was found empty.”
Staff from several agencies including the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo, participated in the collection and sampling of the mammals. The dolphins were buried in the university’s marine animal cemetery under the classification of “undetermined” death.
In July, several dead marine species were found washed up on Chetumal shores, one of which was a manatee. Biologists say that cause of death also remains a mystery.
