April 17th - Dolphin Stranding in the Kiawah River

This sub-adult/adult male bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) stranded in the Kiawah River on April 17th, 2023. With the help from colleagues at the National Marine Mammal Foundation, this animal was identified as a known resident to the Charleston area. Excessive tooth wear on the right side indicate this animal was likely a strand-feeder as they only strand on their right side.

This animal was significantly emaciated and in poor health. Necropsy results found evidence of pleural thickening of the lungs which could indicate pulmonary angiomatosis, which may have contributed to death. Samples were collected and are archived at the NOAA NOS Laboratory.

Thank you to Jake Feary and Captain Brad Schmoll with the Kiawah Island Golf Resort and to LMMN volunteers Valerie and Patrick Luzadder for their help with this response!