The first Indo-Pacific common dolphin mass stranding in Iranian waters

In January 2011, a group of 11 Indo-Pacific common dolphins Delphinus capensis tropicalis stranded in the central estuary of Bandar-e-Jask in Hormozgan Province (near the entrance to the Persian Gulf), Iran. All of them were females and just one is believed to have survived. Two individuals were pregnant. All carcasses were examined for biometry and genetic samples were obtained for subsequent analysis. They all appeared to have been in a good state of health prior to death without any signs of human-related injuries. A comprehensive investigation into the possible causes for mortality could not be conducted. However, the available evidence suggests that the most likely reason for the stranding was the complex topographic and oceanographic conditions, which may have caused the animals to be trapped by the rapidly falling spring tide.