Mystery of mass dolphin deaths in Puntland deepens
On the beach in Puntland, an autonomous region of Somalia, the sea washed ashore more than 100 dead dolphins. The cause of their death remains unknown, and local authorities are conducting an investigation.
The Minister of Fisheries, Abdirisak Abdulahi Hagaa, informed that biologists have taken samples from the dolphins' bodies. "So far, we know that their deaths were not caused by entanglement in nets, as they had no wounds or cuts," Hagaa reported.
Some of the marine mammals were saved. Those in the best condition were transported back to the water.
Only dolphins were affected
Researchers suspect that the cause could have been toxic substances in Somali waters. However, Hagaa noted that if this were true, other marine species would also have suffered.
The ministry conveyed that there might have been a change in the conditions of the seawater, leading to food shortages. Dolphins, or the fish they fed on, might also have been suffering from a disease. Another potential cause considered was marine noise, which could have affected the behaviour of the mammals and forced them to seek peace in shallower waters. A special investigation has been initiated.
