Marine mammal rescuers are monitoring dozens of bottlenose dolphins after the largest known stranding of the species in Massachusetts, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.<\/p>\n
\t\t![\"cape](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/321a800d-6102-4bac-90c4-ecbbeca16c95.jpg\"\/ "\\"Cape")
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\n\t\tLeslie Bracebridge\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRecord-setting dolphin stranding reported on Cape Cod as rescuers monitor surviving animals<\/p>\n
IFAW said its team responded to reports of approximately 28 to 30 dolphins stranded at First Encounter Beach in Eastham around 5:30 a.m. Monday. The animals returned to the water as the incoming tide reached the beach, but five or six dolphins died before rescuers arrived.<\/p>\n
The team planned to remain in the area Monday afternoon, watching the surviving dolphins and attempting to guide them away from shore before low tide at 5:13 p.m.<\/p>\n
Why Cape Cod is a stranding hot spot<\/p>\n
Bottlenose dolphins usually live farther offshore, but IFAW said the species has increasingly been spotted closer to Cape Cod in recent years. The organization described Monday\u2019s incident as the largest known bottlenose dolphin stranding off Massachusetts.<\/p>\n
The inner Cape, particularly the curved coastline around Wellfleet and Eastham, is considered a global hot spot for mass strandings. Large tidal swings and broad, shallow flats can make it difficult for dolphins to navigate back into deeper water once the tide begins to recede.<\/p>\n
IFAW warned beachgoers not to attempt a rescue on their own. <\/p>\n
“Dolphins can become injured and exhausted during a stranding event and should never be pushed or dragged back into the water,” IFAW said.<\/p>\n
What to do if you see a stranded dolphin<\/p>\n