Mauritius: Anger and questions as 17 dead dolphins washed ashore

At least 17 dead dolphins have been found off the coast of Mauritius, sparking debates over whether a recent oil spill was to blame.

Environmentalists say the deaths were caused by the oil spill from a Japanese ship, or by authorities that sank part of the ship.

But the fisheries minister said “at first glance” the dead appeared not to be connected to the game.

He said at least two of the dolphins had shark bites.

The corpses are currently undergoing a post-mortem.

It is rare that so many dead dolphins are found at one time. Two were found in May 2019.

These are the first reported deaths of dolphins since the shipwreck. So far, many fish and crabs have been found dead.

The sight of the dolphins caused anger among residents.

“Waking up this morning to witness so many dead dolphins on our coast is worse than a nightmare,” resident Nitin Jeeha told the BBC.

“I have seen about eight to 10 dead dolphins. Are there more in the lagoon?”

Although many of the dolphins were found dead, some weak or dying were discovered off the coast.

Environmental activists told the BBC they thought so.

The MV Wakashio landed on July 25 at Coral Reef near Pointe d’Esny, a famous sanctuary for rare wildlife.

The area contains wetlands designated as a site of international importance by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Oceanographer Vassen Kauppaymuthoo said the dolphins smelled of fuel.

“In my opinion, this situation will continue to worsen over time,” he was quoted as saying by local media.

Environmentalist Sunil Dowarkasing said the bulk carrier’s oil spill as the sinking of its bow caused death last week.

“The nesting has probably disturbed marine mammals in their natural habitat. There will be side effects, and this is just the beginning,” Dowarkasing said.

Greenpeace Africa has warned that “thousands” of animal species “run the risk of drowning in a sea of ​​pollution, with dire consequences for the economy, food security and health of Mauritius”.

But Sudheer Maudhoo, the nation’s fisheries minister, said initial tests on the dolphins indicated there was no link between the oil spill and its death.

He determined that there were shark bites on at least two of the mammals, but further tests would be needed to identify the cause.