Cape Cod dolphin stranding in June was ruled largest in U.S. history

Eric Williams, Cape Cod Times
Updated ·1 min read

The scene at the Gut in Wellfleet on June 28 was stunning and heartbreaking.

Dozens of stranded Atlantic white-sided dolphins were stretched along the flats at low tide, with volunteers and staff from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) rushing out to help them. Longtime responders said it was the biggest stranding they had ever seen.

Turns out, it was the "the largest mass stranding of dolphins in US history," according to a release from IFAW, which added that "this event marks the highest number of dolphins beached in a single stranding event."

According to IFAW, a recent review of aerial imagery and data from the event revealed "a total of 146 dolphins involved in this stranding." It is believed that 102 animals survived the stranding. Many of the dolphins were herded into deeper water as the tide rose, using small boats and help from the Wellfleet harbormaster's office.

146 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were stranded in Wellfleet on June 28, 2024 in what the International Fund for Animal Welfare called "the largest mass stranding of dolphins in US history."
146 Atlantic white-sided dolphins were stranded in Wellfleet on June 28, 2024 in what the International Fund for Animal Welfare called "the largest mass stranding of dolphins in US history."

IFAW responds to an average of 315 stranding cases per year on Cape Cod. That kind of experience came in handy on June 28. According to IFAW, "the preparedness and expertise that our rescue team has gained over 26 years in this region enabled us to scale up and apply what we know to this largest-ever event."

Some of the rescued animals, identified by temporary markings, have been recently sighted by whale watch vessels, swimming with large groups of dolphins, reported IFAW.

Eric Williams, when not solving Curious Cape Cod mysteries, writes about a variety of ways to enjoy the Cape, the weather, wildlife and other subjects. Contact him at ewilliams@capecodonline.com. Follow him on X: @capecast.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod dolphin stranding in June ruled largest in U.S. history