Unprecedented number of porpoises wash ashore on the Wadden Islands

Dozens of dead adult porpoises have washed ashore since Thursday on the Wadden Islands, SOS Dolphin reported. An epidemic could be at hand, according to Omroep Fryslan.

Volunteers from the animal rescue have one day to gather all reports and remove the animals from the beach.

The porpoises have been washing ashore on the beaches on the north side of the islands of Vlieland, Ameland, Terschelling and Schmiermonnikoog. Almost all of the porpoises were in a state of decomposition, according to the Dutch governmental organization for forestry.

The recent north wind is responsible for driving the dead animals to the shore more quickly, but the number of stranded porpoises found within a short period of time is unprecedented, SOS Dolphin said.

“You regularly come across a dead porpoise a dolphin or dolphin”, Terschelling beachcomber Guus Schweigmann told Omroep Fryslan. “But so many, and also at the same time on the other Wadden Island, means there is more going on.” An epidemic was said to occur every 10 to 20 years, according to Schweigmann.

It was expected that more dead porpoises will be found in the upcoming days.

The University of Utrecht will conduct an autopsy of the cadavers.

Porpoises are fully aquatic marine animals that resemble dolphins. Their habitat is often threatened by industrial fishing and marine pollution. Additionally, some vessels create waves that attract porpoises which leads to some animals getting seriously injured or even killed by the propeller.