Dolphins have gang rivalry too! 21 dolphins die after attack by rival species near Mexico beach

The dolphins had bite marks that suggest they had been attacked by bottlenose dolphins, rescuers said

By: Rakesh Jha |
February 15, 2018 4:58 pm

As many as twenty one dolphins died after they were washed ashore following an attack by a group of another species of dolphins near a beach in northern Mexico.

Dozens of dolphins were found stranded along the coast of Baja California Sur on Tuesday morning after they apparently came under attack by another species of dolphins, the Mexican environmental protection authority, Profepa, said in a statement.

A total of 54 of the short-beaked dolphins came onshore in the area of La Paz Bay, one of the largest beaching incidents in recent years.

Rescuers rushed to help the dolphins but managed to get only 33 of them back in the water alive, rest 21 died.

Marine experts are of the view that an attack by a group of bottlenose dolphins provoked the mass beaching.

The dolphins had bite marks that suggest they had been attacked by bottlenose dolphins, rescuers said.

An autopsy will be carried out on two of the dolphins for further analysis. The remainder will be buried, Profepa officials said.

Despite their cute and friendly reputation, some dolphins, including the bottlenose, are known to attack and even kill other dolphins.

The last big dolphin beaching, according to mexiconewsdaily was reported in 2015 when 23 specimens were found on San Lázaro beach in the municipality of Comondú.