“These strandings are common at this time of year”: dolphin found dead on English Channel beach

On Monday, December 23, 2024 afternoon, a common dolphin was found dead on the beach of Querqueville, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Manche).

A common dolphin was found dead on Monday, December 23, 2024 on the beach of Querqueville, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (Manche), reports Ouest-France.

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The Cotentin Cetacean Study Group (Gecc) first recovered the body, before transferring it to the National Stranding Network (RNE) of Pélagis in La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime).

As the autopsy could not be carried out on site, the dolphin was frozen until it can take place in the coming weeks. “We will examine its physical condition, in particular whether it was fat or thin, and whether it suffered before dying”, explains Gérard Mauger, president of the Gecc. The body, still “fresh”, seems to indicate that the animal did not die far from the beach.

A dozen strandings

Concerning the causes of death, Paula Méndez Fernandez, a research engineer at Pélagis, remains optimistic: “We are at the beginning of the stranding season, which will gradually increase until March. Today, counting the seals, we have already recorded about ten strandings, out of the 2,000 per year.”

“These strandings are frequent at this time of year, especially after storms. They push the animals towards the coast rather than letting them drift out to sea”, shares Gérard Mauger.

After Storm Darragh two weeks ago, Storm Enol blew through the Cotentin this weekend, with winds reaching 143 km/h, which could explain the presence of this dolphin on the beach.