Dolphins discovered in distress on Cape Cod

ORLEANS, Mass. -- Skaket Beach is the latest site where a number of dolphins have washed up on the shore.

So far, 15 dolphins have stranded themselves along Cap Cod Bay since Friday.

"We've had a total of 15 different animals strand, two of which restranded," said Sarah Herzig, of the Cape Cod Stranding Network. "And so, most of those animals have come in alive. Currently, four haven't made it, but the rest of them are out there."

Animal rescuers are doing everything they can to save the dolphins. However, with the recent strandings, it is difficult not to think back to last year.

In the first few weeks of 2006, there were 100 dolphin strandings on the Cape -- half of the annual average.

"It's January, and if anyone remembers back to last January, we were extraordinarily busy with dolphin strandings here on the Cape," said Katie Touhey, of the Cape Cod Stranding Network. "And we were, of course, in the back of our minds, afraid that we were beginning that trend again."

Common dolphins can grow between six and eight feet long. They are black on top with yellow or tan patterns on their sides.

According to the Cape Cod Stranding Network, where one of these animals is seen, there are typically others nearby.

"These animals are very socially cohesive," Touhey said. "They stick to large groups in the wild, which is great if you are hunting or evading large predators. But when one of them comes ashore, because of that group mentality, they tend to stick together."

The Cape Cod Stranding Network asks that anyone who comes across a stranded animal contact them. They can be reached at 508-743-9548.