The Spring Wave of Dolphin and Whale Strandings

This spring, LMMN staff and volunteers have been kept busy responding to strandings in the state of South Carolina.

Historically, the spring season has the highest number of strandings compared to all other seasons (Krzewinski et al. 2024). This March through June 2026 have been filled with numerous calls to the hotline. Over 56 telephone calls have been answered, not including countless emails and direct messages over social media. There have been 13 documented strandings in that time: 7 adults, 1 fetus, and 5 neonatal/young of the year cetaceans consisting of 11 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphins (Te) and 2 Dwarf sperm whales (Ks).

We had the help of over 37 volunteers who were vital with coordination, response, and/or necropsy.  We were able to coordinate one of the Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin necropsies as a learning opportunity for Coastal Carolina University students.

One of the 13 documented strandings was a live animal who had a successful release, while the others were responses to deceased cetaceans. 

Spring season is also a peak time for dolphin calving. Therefore, with the increase of strandings this spring, compared to winter, it is not unusual for us to see more baby dolphins strand. Neonatal strandings have been seen historically in the spring, and more frequently in the Charleston area. It is estimated that a percentage of baby dolphins do not survive for many reasons such as poor maternal care, prey availability, contaminant offloading, and other threats (Krzewinski et al., 2024). 

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We have also been informed of Manatees in the area.  If you see these migratory Florida manatees, please fill out the online sighting form via South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to help scientists track their whereabouts.

It is very important that as boat traffic increases in our waterways that you go slow especially in these inland and coastal waterways.

Many of these creeks are narrow with little water to share between vessels and wildlife. Practice safe boating, and be sure to alert officials of any derelict fishing gear or crab pot buoys (contact SCDNR using this form) . We all play a part to keep our waterways safe for those who share it. 

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*All images from stranding work conducted under the MMHSRP Authorization

Reference Article:

Krzewinski, M., McFee, W., Young, R. (2024). Spatial and temporal trends of Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops erebennus) strandings in South Carolina, USA, 2006–2020. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 25, 2024.