Bodies of seven spinner dolphins were washed ashore at fishing hamlets in Tamil Nadu’s coasts on 13 March, Tuesday.
Earlier, five spinner dolphins were found dead in the same area on 12 March, Monday.
In total, about 14 dolphins have been found dead in the last 3 days, according to a Deccan Chronicle report.
Marine mammal specialist Supraja Dharini told DC that the dolphins could have all drowned after being trapped in Purse Seine fishing nets, found on steel boats used by fishermen in Cuddalore. Spinner dolphins need to resurface every 15-20 minutes to breathe.
TA Pugalarasan, Sea Turtle Protection Force (STPF) Member, quoted in a report in The Hindu, said that all the dolphins must have been trapped in the same net and died due to suffocation.
He also speculated that a few spinner dolphins could have escaped in a semi-conscious state, but could have then been carried away by strong ocean currents and would have eventually died.
Apart from the dolphins, the STPF also found two dead green turtles washed ashore in Cuddalore Chinna Kuppam.
The dolphins reportedly had all the characteristic features of spinners, including long and thin beak, dorsal fins which are triangular towards the end, dark stripes from eyes to flippers, dark lips and pointy beak tips.
Stranded dolphins and whales on the coasts are not an unusual sight as November to April is the migratory season. However, never before have dead dolphins been washed ashore in such large numbers.
“This is why we are convinced that the dolphins may have been trapped in a large net,” said Supraja to The Hindu.
(This story has been published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)