Eight dolphins that became stranded on the beach in Sea Isle City have died, according to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.
Officials said that two of the dolphins died earlier in the day. They say the other six had to be euthanized due to “deteriorating” health conditions.
“The decision was made to humanely euthanize the dolphins to prevent further suffering, as returning them to the ocean would have only prolonged their inevitable death,” the center wrote in a
Facebook post.
The dolphins have all been brought to the state lab for necropsies.
“We share in the public's sorrow for these beautiful animals, and hope that the necropsies will help us understand the reason for their stranding,” the center wrote.
This incident now makes 23 dolphins that have died after becoming stranded off the Jersey Shore.