The document summarizes mass deaths occurring in dolphin populations, particularly bottlenose dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico. While the BP oil spill is not believed to be the cause, localized increases in strandings and deaths have been observed. The cause of the unusual high counts of illnesses and deaths among bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf remains a mystery, as investigators have not identified a reason for the issue. Other possible explanations mentioned include abnormal weather, toxic algae blooms, parasites, pollution, and disorientation from ships or oil spills.

1. Shawna Tankersley
Period 2

2. Mass death in dolphins
 Isn’t because of BP’s massive oil spill
 The cause remains a mystery.
 No evidence indicating worldwide multi-species
crash.
 Localized areas, stranding and death increased.

3. • Unusual high counts of illnesses & death in
bottlenose dolphins towards the gulf.
• Bottlenose dolphins in the northern part of the
gulf are dying at a higher rate than bottlenose
dolphins elsewhere.
• No reason found for the issue yet.
• We know for a fact humans impact the
dolphins life everyday.

4. • When a mass death happens the whole group could
be wiped out.
• Not only are “ocean-going” dolphins suffering from the
mass deaths, the Chinese river dolphin (baiji) was
declared extinct in 2006.
• This probably happened because of humans.. Fishing
gear, underwater explosions or excessive noise that
would harm them.

5. Other possible causes
 Dolphins cant handle abnormal weather.
 Toxic algae blooms in the water are very harmful.
 Parasites or pollution can easily kill the food they
eat.
 Disorientation from ships or oil spills can physically
hurt the dolphins

6. Source :)
 http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46994682/ns/technol
ogy_and_science-science/