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USA Today
15-05-2025
- USA Today
A dolphin was decapitated in North Carolina. NOAA is offering a reward for any information.
A dolphin was decapitated in North Carolina. NOAA is offering a reward for any information. Editor's note. The contents of this story may be disturbing to some readers. A bottlenose dolphin was found decapitated in North Carolina, and federal officials are offering up to $20,000 for information related to its death. A citizen reported the deceased dolphin on April 15, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service. The carcass was recovered from Lea-Hutaff Island, an uninhabited area about 20 miles north of Wilmington. NOAA said when responders located the marine mammal, "its head had been removed." Decapitation violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act, officials say According to the agency, officials believe the dolphin was dismembered between April 16 and 18. A necropsy was performed, and NOAA reported that they suspect the dolphin had Brucella. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the bacteria can cause brucellosis, a disease that can spread through contact with contaminated animals. "This animal was intentionally decapitated, a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act," the agency said. "The remote location where the dolphin was found adds to the difficulty of investigating this incident and the cause of death. We are calling on your help to find those responsible." The NOAA Office of Law Enforcement is offering a $20,000 reward for information "leading to criminal conviction or the assessment of a civil penalty." Anyone with information is encouraged to call 800-853-1964. Wildlife: Viewers can see hundreds of rattlesnakes come out of den on new Pennsylvania webcam Man decapitates sea lion in California There was another similar case that recently made headlines. In March, NOAA announced a $20,000 reward for a man accused of decapitating a sea lion in Northern California. The agency said the animal was found dead last Christmas at Doran Regional Park in Bodega Bay, and the suspect was seen using "a black 8-inch knife to remove the sea lion's head, placing it in a clear plastic bag, and riding away" on an electric bike. Contributing: Gareth McGrath, Wilmington StarNews, Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Do dolphins call N.C coastal waters home year-round?
Dolphins are common sights along the N.C. coast, delighting tourists and residents alike as the intelligent and often social animals move through the state's coastal waters and Intracoastal Waterway within an easy camera shot of shore. But do the marine mammals call the Tar Heel State home year-round? The most common species, especially around Wilmington, is the bottlenose dolphin, with Atlantic spotted dolphins also often seen in the state's coastal waters. Another common sighting, at least along the northern half of the N.C. coast, is the short-beaked common dolphin. Smaller harbor porpoises, similar to dolphins but a different species, also are sometimes spotted in coastal waters around the Outer Banks, especially during the cooler months. More: How can I see the statue in the Cape Fear River near downtown Wilmington? | MyReporter Researchers have divided N.C.'s year-round dolphins into three groups − the Southern N.C. cluster, centered around the Cape Fear; the Beaufort cluster, around Bogue Banks; and the Pamlico Sound cluster, up and around the Outer Banks and into the Chesapeake. While there isn't a specific number, biologists say several hundred dolphins call North Carolina home. More: This woodpecker found in North Carolina is no longer on the endangered list. Here's why. While individual dolphins and pods are known to migrate along the coast in search of food or to give birth, dolphins can be regularly spotted along the coast throughout the entire year. The summer months, when water temperatures heat up, often see dolphins getting more active and playful. But it is often the calmer fall and winter months when most tourists have gone home and boating activity thins out that dolphins will be more easily visible and likely to venture into coastal waters. MyReporter: Find the answers to all your questions in one place While a bit of luck is always important, patience is key, especially if you spot a dorsal fin and then have to wait a bit to see where it might emerge again. Binoculars also are a good tool to have, especially if trying to spot them from the beach or in a large body of water like the southern stretch of the Cape Fear River. And if you are fortunate enough to see one up close or if they come near your boat, officials stress that dolphins are wild animals and should be viewed from a safe distance and not disturbed. Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@ or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Do dolphins call N.C coastal waters home year-round?
