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Updated: 11:24 PM EDT Jul 15, 2026
Rescuers guide stranded dolphins to safety on Cape
BREWSTER, Mass. —
Rescuers on Cape Cod worked tirelessly to save 34 bottlenose dolphins stranded between First Light Beach and Ellis Landing, where about six had already died.
Brian Sharp, director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s marine mammal rescue, described the challenges of the area.
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“The eastern side of Cape Cod Bay is very treacherous — a lot of sandbars and mudflats. It’s easy for boaters to get confused and run aground, same for dolphins,” Sharp said.
Dolphin strandings continue for second day on Cape Cod
Traditionally, rescuers assess stranded dolphins onshore and carry them individually on stretchers to deeper water. However, with such a large group, the goal was to provide supportive care until the tides could refloat them.
As the dolphins began moving north toward Wellfleet Harbor, a notoriously tricky area, staff and volunteers monitored their progress from the shoreline and boats.
“Our team was able to assess the animals via the vessel — get an idea of their behavior and their condition with the vessel as well as with drones,” said Kira Kasper, an IFAW animal rescue biologist. “And then began guiding the animals south.”
“We’ve been using our vessel to carefully herd them into deeper water, kind of like a sheepdog would herd sheep,” Sharp said.
More than 70 professionals and volunteers have been working since the first stranding last week to save three different species of dolphins. Experts believe the pods were chasing their food source when they became stranded.
At last check, the pod was north of Sandy Neck in about 66 feet of water and doing well.
If you see a stranded dolphin or other marine mammal, please call the IFAW hotline at 508-743-9548.
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