At least 14 dolphins have been found dead and countless others were left stranded on the coast of Mauritius after a fuel spill.
A Japanese ship reportedly spilled over a thousand tons of fuel last month, as per the Daily Mail.
Tests are being carried out to determine the cause of the dolphins’ deaths. Those that are still alive but were left stranded are described as “seriously” sick.
“This is a terrible day. We are seeing these dolphins swim up to the shore in distress and then die,” said environmental consultant Sunil Dowarkasing.
“We have never seen deaths of these very intelligent marine mammals like this. Never.”
It’s thought the fuel spilled into the ocean when the Japanese ship strayed off course and ran aground on a coral reef near the eastern coast of Mauritius in July.
The ship’s hull cracked the following month and fuel started leaking into the Mahebourg Lagoon.
More dolphins may have died out at sea and tests will be done to determine the cause of death of those found on shore, Sunil said.
“I think there are two possibilities: Either they died from tons of fuel spilled in the sea, or they were poisoned by the toxic materials on the bow of the ship that was sunk offshore,” he added.
The ship’s captain and first officer have been charged with “endangering safe navigation”, as per the Daily Mail.
Environmental group Greenpeace has called for an investigation warning the spill is likely to affect whales, turtles, seabirds and much of the marine life in the area.
This should never have been allowed to happen and I hope those responsible are punished accordingly.
Such a tragedy for our beautiful wildlife. Please share to show your support for justice being properly served.