Scientists are continuing to perform necropsies in an effort to determine what has caused the deaths of over 400 baby dolphins since February 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared the deaths “an unusual mortality event” that has caused a significant loss of the marine mammal. While many are quick to blame the April 2010 BP oil spill, scientists have not yet been able to determine the cause of the deaths. In addition to an increased number of dolphin deaths, over 100 endangered sea turtles (Kemp’s Ridley and Loggerhead) have died or been stranded along the shores of the Gulf since the beginning of 2011. Tests are being conducted to determine the cause of the turtle deaths, which may be due to harmful algae blooms common in the Gulf of Mexico.
