Over the last two days at least eight common dolphinsDelphinus delphis have been found dead on the beaches of Achill Island, Co. Mayo. Unconfirmed reports suggest that there is another dead dolphin on a nearby island and another may have been buried on the beach.
IWDG don’t have full details to hand as yet but photos sent to us by local people show most of the dolphins died very recently although there are no reports of any live strandings there over the last few days. So far, dead common dolphins are confirmed at Keel Beach, Keem Beach and Dookinella. While there are occasionally live strandings involving groups of dolphins, it is very unusual in this country to see this number of dead dolphins washed ashore over a 10km area. Updates will be added here as and when we have further information.
Source: IWDG