One dolphin found dead, another in danger of beaching

BOSTON -- Experts are trying to figure out why a young female dolphin got stranded on the beach and died in Fairhaven.

A second dolphin, an adult, spent the day swimming near the carcass that was discovered today (Friday) on the South Shore.

Charles Harry of the Cape Cod Stranding Network says the region does not have a permanent dolphin population, and it is likely that the two were passing through.

The dead dolphin did not have any external injuries. Its body will be taken to the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for a necropsy to try to determine why it died.

The older dolphin is not currently in danger of stranding and is being monitored from shore.

The two dolphins were first spotted Thursday night swimming together near West Island.

A volunteer responded to the scene but was unable to see the dolphins after dusk. 

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