Does Monterey Bay researchers say dolphins are causing porpoise deaths?”
MOSS LANDING — For the past five years, the growing number of dead harbor porpoises washing up on California shores has been a marine mystery — until now. In September, marine biologists with Okeanis, a nonprofit conservation group based in Moss Landing, captured the only video footage taken in Monterey Bay of bottlenose dolphins attacking and killing a porpoise. Scientists suspected dolphins, which have a relatively docile reputation, have been attacking the smaller porpoises because the porpoises have been washing up on the shore with rake marks and internal bleeding, but they never had any proof. “Now we know the how, but we still are unsure of the why,” said Daniela Maldini, president of the Okeanis board. “We have been observing the social structure of these animals and it has taken us 20 years to do that. This type of behavior is something new.” Maldini has been monitoring the same group of about 600 dolphins since 1990. Maldini said Okeanis believes in collecting a variety of da
MOSS LANDING — For the past five years, the growing number of dead harbor porpoises washing up on California shores has been a marine mystery — until now. In September, marine biologists with Okeanis, a nonprofit conservation group based in Moss Landing, captured the only video footage taken in Monterey Bay of bottlenose dolphins attacking and killing a porpoise. Scientists suspected dolphins, which have a relatively docile reputation, have been attacking the smaller porpoises because the porpoises have been washing up on the shore with rake marks and internal bleeding, but they never had any proof. “Now we know the how, but we still are unsure of the why,” said Daniela Maldini, president of the Okeanis board. “We have been observing the social structure of these animals and it has taken us 20 years to do that. This type of behavior is something new.” Maldini has been monitoring the same group of about 600 dolphins since 1990. Maldini said Okeanis believes in collecting a variety of da
