2 Dead Bottlenose Dolphins Found In Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Two male bottlenose dolphins were found dead in Southampton Friday, according to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society.

According to the AMCS, the public reported finding both dolphins; an AMCS team arrived on scene around 5 p.m. Friday and worked with Southampton bay constables and Southampton Village trustees to secure the animals and conduct necropsies onsite.

One dolphin was found a quarter mile east of Old Town Road in Southampton and the other was located a quarter mile west of Flying Point Road, the AMCS said.

Initial measurements showed the animals were just under 5 feet in length; those lengths are estimates because the flukes were missing on both animals, AMCS said.

AMCS is looking into the stranding circumstances; because the flukes were missing, accurate length, weight, and age could not be determined, experts said.

Both animals appeared to be in good body condition upon examination; several samples were collected to screen for disease, biotoxins, and other possible factors that could have led to the strandings, a release rom the AMCS said.

Samples are being sent to a pathologist and results to determine the cause of death may take several weeks, the AMCS said.

The animals were buried on the beach.

Dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Under federal law, the public should stay a minimum of 50 yards away from these animals at all times as interaction can be dangerous to both the public and the animals. For additional information, click here.

While the necropsies were being performed, members of the public came by to learn more about what was going on and what to do in the event of a stranding, while also bringing marine debris they had collected on the local beach.

Other AMCS members and volunteers were out conducting beach cleanups on the East End, as well.

"Marine mammal sighting and stranding reports are of great importance to AMCS’s work, and allows them to conduct valuable research that helps the organization to promote conservation of the marine environment," the release said.

The public is urged to report sightings to AMCS online by clicking here.

Photo courtesy of AMCS.