Approximately 125 Atlantic white-sided dolphins became stranded off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on June 28, 2024. The largest single mass stranding event in the International Fund for Animal Welfare's (IFAW) history occurred at the Herring River Gut in Wellfleet. Ten dolphins had already died before IFAW arrived on the scene.
The Herring River, also known as 'The Gut,' is a difficult location to access due to its muddy terrain and shallow waters. The area is notorious for mass strandings of marine animals, including dolphins.
IFAW sent 25 staff members and 100 volunteers to assist in the rescue effort. They wore waders and personal flotation devices as they attempted to herd the remaining dolphins back out to deeper waters.
The tide was a crucial factor in the rescue operation. With low tide at 11:23 a.m., rescuers were able to reach the stranded animals on foot, but high tide, which peaked at approximately 4:56 p.m., worked in their favor as they used it to refloat the dolphins.
Three small vessels and underwater noise machines were employed to urge the dolphins in the right direction. The cause of the stranding remains unknown, but Cape Cod is a global stranding hotspot due to its unique geography and tidal fluctuations.
The rescue operation was ongoing as of Friday evening, with at least 115 live dolphins remaining. IFAW noted that there is no set explanation for why dolphins strand.
