Dear colleagues, On behalf of my co-authors, I am pleased to share with you our new publication in the Journal of Wildlife and Zoo Medicine:
McKenzie R. Munday, Mackenzie L. Russell, Cristina Díaz Clark, Martha A. Delaney, Michael J. Kinsel, Ruth H. Carmichael, and Jennifer C.G. Bloodgood "FOUR CASES OF SEVERED PEDUNCLES IN BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS (TURSIOPS TRUNCATUS) ALONG THE ALABAMA COAST," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 55(2), 521-530, (13 June 2024). https://doi.org/10.1638/2023-0126 Abstract: Alabama (AL) is a hotspot in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) for human interaction–related cetacean strandings, including harassment, vessel strikes, and fisheries interactions. We examined four bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) stranded dead along the AL coast during 2012–2017 with severed peduncles suspected to be related to human interaction (HI). Evidence from each case, including photographs, gross necropsy results, and histopathologic findings when available, was reviewed to determine the mode of severance and whether it contributed to death. In each case, the severance site had smooth, clean edges on at least one side, indicating the use of a sharp instrument to remove the caudal peduncle and flukes. Three cases also had evidence of fisheries interactions, including linear impressions around the rostrum, fins and/or flukes, indicating that these animals may have been entangled in fisheries gear prior to death. Histopathology in one of these cases revealed that the severance occurred perimortem; speculatively, the caudal peduncle and flukes may have been cut off to facilitate removing the dolphin from its entanglement. Although cases of amputation and mutilation are not uncommon globally among stranding reports, few cases have been described and analyzed in the literature. This paper is the first to document and compare multiple cases of severed peduncles with evidence of HI, including fisheries, in the GoM. This case series enhances our understanding of the types of HI occurring in bottlenose dolphins and highlights the need for continued public education, policy, and management to address cases like these. Please reach out with any questions. Best, McKenzie Munday Tufts Masters of Conservation Medicine '22 Tufts DVM Candidate '27 mckenzie.mun...@tufts.edu
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