Animal rescuers successfully saved over 100 dolphins during a mass stranding event near Cape Cod over the weekend. Approximately 125 Atlantic white-sided dolphins had become stranded, but efforts led by the International Fund for Animal Welfare resulted in the rescue of most of them.
The nonprofit reported that despite the rescue efforts, 13 dolphins did not survive, and one had to be euthanized. This incident marked the largest mass stranding the organization has handled in its 26-year history in the area.
Cape Cod is known as a global hotspot for strandings due to its geographical features and tidal fluctuations. Rescuers discovered one group of 10 dolphins stranded in shallow waters early on Saturday and successfully guided them back to deeper waters. Another group of 25 dolphins was found near Eastham, and rescuers worked through the morning to prevent them from becoming stranded as the tide receded.
Tragically, ten dolphins had already perished on Friday at The Gut in Wellfleet, a site prone to strandings due to its shape and tides. Misty Niemeyer, the organization’s stranding coordinator, described the rescue efforts as challenging, involving difficult mud conditions and the dolphins spread out over a large area. Despite these challenges, the team persisted for 12 hours under the relentless sun to ensure the dolphins' best chance at survival.
The rescue operation utilized foot patrols initially to herd dolphins to deeper waters and later employed three small boats equipped with underwater pingers to guide them away from danger. More than 25 organization staff and 100 trained volunteers, along with support from various groups including Whale and Dolphin Conservation and the New England Aquarium, contributed to the extensive rescue effort.