9 more dolphin strandings off Cape Cod this month

WELLFLEET, Mass. (AP) -- Animal rescuers on Cape Cod say nine more common dolphins have stranded this month, bringing the total to 189 in 2012.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare said Wednesday the March strandings are not considered part of a mass stranding in Cape Cod waters between Jan. 12 and Feb. 16.

But the group says the total this calendar year is far more than the annual average of 38 on Cape Cod.

Rescuers said three dolphins stranded Tuesday in Wellfleet. One was injured and had to be euthanized. The others were released off Herring Cove Beach. Six dolphins stranded March 1 at Eastham. Two died, and four were released off Herring Cove Beach.

Researchers aren't sure why there have been so many strandings. They say weather, water temperature, and behavior of the dolphins' prey could be factors.

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