Comments on: LETTER: Save the Bottlenose Dolphins

By: Wayne Creed

Wayne Creed — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 12:32:38 +0000

Another stranding has occurred this week in Cape Charles as reported here (http://capecharleswave.com/gossip/). This brings the total strandings up over 180, and as we enter September, biologists are expecting that number to rise a bit. Please report any strandings to the Town first, but also notify Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach (757-385-7576)

By: Bruce Lindeman

Bruce Lindeman — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 11:17:38 +0000

(CNN) — The primary cause for hundreds of recent dolphin deaths along the East Coast is likely a virus, and there’s no way to stop its spread right now, federal officials say.

The virus, the cetacean morbillivirus, is similar to measles in humans or canine distemper in dogs, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

By: Kearn Schemm

Kearn Schemm — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 15:28:29 +0000

Thanks for an informative letter. What, if anything, can we in Cape Charles do to help the situation? Do our voices need to be heard someplace?

By: David Gay

David Gay — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 13:08:21 +0000

This summer I saw an amazing pod of dolphins about 1 mile off Plantation Creek. There were about 50 of them all around our boat. For anyone who has experienced these large mammals up close it is truly an exciting experience and another reason why I think Cape Charles is a great place to live.

In the past we would regularly see these pods but not in such great numbers. It would be a shame to see these beautiful creatures disappear. Thank you Wayne for providing some very useful information to the public regarding this issue.

By: Bruce Lindeman

Bruce Lindeman — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 12:20:00 +0000

Thanks, Wayne. I guess like any crime scene, the scientists want to preserve the corpse without contaminating the evidence. As witnesses to such beachings, most people want to get up close to the animal, take pictures, and even touch it. Nothing can be more harmful to an investigation into how that animal died, however. Please follow-up down the road and let us know if anything was learned from this event.

By: Deborah Bender

Deborah Bender — Sat, 24 Aug 2013 12:15:39 +0000

It really saddens me to know that all of these dolphins are dying. Usually when we go boating in the summer we will see at least one pod of dolphins. This summer we have not seen any dolphins at all.

Thanks Wayne for highlighting this problem in the Wave.