Dozens of turtles, dolphins found dead in Guatemala, probe launched

Read Time:1 Minute, 15 Second

A handout picture released by Guatemala's National Council for Protected Areas on June 23 shows a dead dolphin recently found on — A handout picture released by Guatemala’s National Council for Protected Areas on June 23 shows a dead dolphin recently found on the country’s Pacific coast.

Dozens of turtles, dolphins and other marine species have been found dead on Guatemala’s Pacific coast, prompting an official investigation, authorities said Thursday.

As many as 65 turtles, most of them of the Olive Ridley variety, and 14 dolphins were discovered dead earlier this week, Guatemala’s National Council of Protected Areas told AFP.

The agency didn’t say where exactly the dead animals were found.

Officials at the agency believe the deaths could have been caused by heavy rains in recent days, which could have carried some toxic materials from the mainland into the sea.

Investigators are also looking into whether industrial fishing being developed offshore could have played a role.

Experts in this Central American nation will now study the animals’ remains to determine what caused the deaths.

Local officials together with volunteers were also looking to see if more dead species were to be found.

15 dead, half million impacted by heavy rains in Guatemala

Citation:
Dozens of turtles, dolphins found dead in Guatemala, probe launched (2022, June 24)
retrieved 24 June 2022
from https://phys.org/news/2022-06-dozens-turtles-dolphins-dead-guatemala.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.