Consultancy Report Client: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
TRENDS IN CETACEAN STRANDINGS AROUND THE UK COASTLINE AND MARINE MAMMAL POST-MORTEM INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE YEAR 2002 (CONTRACT CRO 238)
Authors:
R. C. Sabin, P. D. Jepson, R.J. Reid, P. D. J. Chimonides, R. Deaville I.A.P. Patterson, C.J. Spurrier
For the attention of: John Clorley
May 2003 Report No. ECM 516F00/03
NHM Consulting Environment: Coastal & Marine Sector Tel: +44 (0) 207 942 5636 The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Rd, London SW7 5BD, U.K. CONTENTS
General introduction to the joint report 3
Abstract 4
Part A: Trends in cetacean strandings around the UK coastline for the year 2002 6
Introduction 6 Results 8 Distribution of cetacean species 11 Balaenoptera acutorostrata 11 Delphinus delphis 11 Delphinus delphis/Stenella coeruleoalba 14 Globicephala melas 14 Grampus griseus 15 Lagenorhynchus acutus 15 Lagenorhynchus albirostris 16 Orcinus orca 16 Stenella coeruleoalba 16 Tursiops truncatus 17 Unidentified dolphins 17 Phocoena phocoena 17 Kogia breviceps 20 Physeter catodon 21 Mesoplodon bidens 21 Ziphius cavirostris 22 Unidentified odontocetes and other cetaceans 23
Part B: UK cetacean and marine turtle post-mortem investigations for the year 2002 24
Introduction 24 Results 26 Causes of death 26 Bycatch 26 Physical trauma 26 Infectious disease mortality 28 Starvation 28 Live-stranding 28 Tumours 28 Novel cavitary lesion disease 28 Other causes of death 28 Causes ofmortality in marine turtles 29 Trends in UK-stranded cetacean bycatch (1990-2002) 33 A: Englandand Wales 33 Bycatch in harbour porpoises 33 Bycatch in common dolphins 36 Bycatch in other species 38
The Natural History Museum 1 B: Scotland 38 Toxicology data from UK-stranded harbour porpoises 39 Harbour porpoise molecular genetics study 39
Publications for the year 2002 40
References 41
Appendices 42
Appendix 1: Distribution maps – UK cetacean strandings, 2002 42
Appendix 2: Stranded cetacean lengths by species, 2002 57
Appendix 3: Guidelines for the post-mortem examination and tissue sampling of cetaceans 60
Appendix 4: UK-stranded marine mammals and marine turtles examined at post-mortem during 2002 65
The Natural History Museum 2 GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE JOINT REPORT
This report is based on research conducted under contract to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) between 1st January and 31st December 2002. The following organisations were contracted or subcontracted under these agreements:
Organisation Contract no.
The Natural History Museum (NHM) CRO238 Cromwell Road South Kensington London SW7 5BD Tel: 020 7942 5155 Fax: 020 7942 5572 Subcontract no.
Institute of Zoology (IoZ) ZRT C S047 516 COa Regent’s Park London NW1 4RY Tel: 020 7449 6691 Fax: 020 7586 1457
Wildlife Unit ZRT CS047 516 COb SAC Veterinary Science Division (Inverness) Drummondhill Stratherrick Road Inverness IV2 4JZ Tel: 01463 243030 Fax: 01463 711103
The authors involved in the production of this report are as follows:
R. C. Sabin, P. D. J. Chimonides and C.J. Spurrier (NHM) P. D. Jepson and R. Deaville (IoZ) R.J. Reid and I.A.P. Patterson (SAC)
The Natural History Museum 3 ABSTRACT
Data compiled by The Natural History Museum give a detailed overview of numbers of cetacean strandings (by species) for 2002 and continue to provide a valuable and historical insight into the temporal and geographical patterns of cetacean strandings in the UK. The data show that 655 cetaceans were reported stranded in 2002, the highest number recorded within the UK since records began in 1913. The last three years (1999-2002) have seen progressively increasing numbers of UK-stranded cetaceans, predominantly due to increasing winter strandings of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) in Southwest England. Although the frequency and distribution of cetacean strandings are highly correlated with strong onshore winds, the increasing number of harbour porpoise and common dolphin strandings in Southwest England in recent years appears to reflect a genuine increase in (predominantly bycatch-related) mortality of these two species.
There were no unusual mass mortality events or cases of morbillivirus infection in cetaceans or marine turtles during 2002, which are consistent with findings in recent years. In mid-August, the 2002 European phocine distemper virus (PDV) epizootic reached the UK. The common seal (Phoca vitulina) population in the Wash was most severely affected with over 2000 dead seal reports recorded from the region. Although cases of PDV-positive common and grey (Halichoerus grypus) seals were also identified in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, little or no increased seal mortality was observed in these regions. The DEFRA-funded investigation into the impact of the PDV epizootic on UK seal populations will be completed in 2003.
Consistent with previous years, the most common UK-stranded cetacean species in 2002 was the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) of which 347 were recorded. The most common causes of mortality of the 119 UK-stranded harbour porpoises examined at post-mortem in 2002 were attack from bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) (n=24), entanglement in fishing gear (bycatch) (n=24) and pneumonias due to combinations of parasitic, bacterial and fungal infections (n=21). All cases of fatal attack from bottlenose dolphins occurred in Northeast Scotland and Wales where porpoise and resident bottlenose dolphin populations are sympatric. Most harbour porpoise bycatches stranded around Southwest England. The number of harbour porpoises killed by bottlenose dolphins has increased significantly in West Wales between 1999-2002. As in previous years, bycatch was the most common cause of death in UK-stranded common dolphins accounting for 29 of the 44 examined in 2002. Of these common dolphin bycatches, 28 stranded in Southwest England in December or between January-April.
A review of the data relating to UK-stranded cetacean bycatches that occurred from September 1990 to December 2002, has been carried out. Within England and Wales, bycatch was the most common cause of mortality accounting for 156 (30% of established causes of death) individual harbour porpoises and 176 (66% of established causes of death) common dolphins. Harbour porpoise bycatches frequently demonstrated external injuries consistent with wide-meshed monofilament gillnet- type fishing gear and these strandings had a wide spatial and temporal distribution within England and Wales. In contrast, common dolphin bycatches almost exclusively stranded in Southwest England between December-April thus demonstrating a strong
The Natural History Museum 4 spatio-temporal correlation with winter mid-water pelagic trawl fisheries operating off the south-west coastline of England. The number and proportion of by-caught harbour porpoises stranded within Wales/Northwest England and along the East coast of England peaked in the mid-1990s and declined markedly thereafter, whereas the number of stranded harbour porpoises and common dolphins diagnosed as bycatches in Southwest England increased annually between 1999 and 2002. In Scotland, only 14 stranded cetaceans bycatches were diagnosed between 1992-2002 consistent with the very low fisheries effort in Scottish waters during this period.
During 2002, data on contaminant levels (organochlorines, heavy metals, butyltins and polybrominated flame retardants) in a number of UK-stranded harbour porpoises stranded between 1996-2001 were completed by the CEFAS Burnham Laboratory, Essex. Statistical investigations into potential relationships between such contaminants and the health status of stranded harbour porpoises were delayed until early 2003 due to the priority given to the investigation of the impact of the 2002 PDV epizootic on UK seals.
The Natural History Museum 5 Part A TRENDS IN CETACEAN STRANDINGS AROUND THE COASTLINES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR 2002
Introduction
The Natural History Museum (NHM) has been recording and investigating incidents of cetacean strandings from around the coasts of the United Kingdom for more than 100 years. The work was formalised in 1913 when an agreement was made with the British Board of Trade, giving the Museum first claim to the carcasses of dead, stranded cetaceans for scientific investigation and subsequent incorporation into the Museum’s research collections.
Since 1990, the work has been funded by the Department of the Environment (DoE, later DETR), now the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Under the terms of the current contract with DEFRA, the Natural History Museum co-ordinates and investigates cetacean strandings in the United Kingdom as part of a partnership with the Institute of Zoology (IoZ), London, and the Scottish Agricultural College Veterinary Science Division (SAC), Inverness.
All strandings information recorded by the NHM since 1913 has been entered onto computer database at the Museum, allowing the rapid extraction, detailed analysis and interpretation of the data.
The Natural History Museum continues to use the knowledge and expertise gained through the UK Cetacean Strandings programme to participate in the production of the ASCOBANS (Agreement on the Conservation of Small Cetaceans Of the Baltic And North Seas) Annual National Report. Data for the 2002 report were submitted in February 2002. The NHM continues to be a member of the DEFRA Cetacean and Marine Turtle Group, which meets twice yearly and is responsible for implementing five UK Species Action Plans for cetaceans and marine turtles.
Ten members of staff from the Natural History Museum were responsible for retrieving the carcasses of 22 cetaceans from locations around the country for post- mortem analysis in 2002. Staff from the NHM also carried out on-site retrieval of tissue samples from the carcasses of four cetaceans too large to be transported elsewhere for examination.
The year 2002 saw the highest number of stranded cetaceans reported around the United Kingdom since records began in 1913. From 1st January to 31st December 2002, 655 reports were received, exceeding the previous highest annual total (for 2001) by 106. The main area of increase was seen in the number of reported harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) – 347 in 2002 compared with 259 in 2001. Numbers of reported common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were comparable with 2001, but
The Natural History Museum 6 were still significantly higher than previous years (see Table 3). Additionally, the number of reported dolphins that were too damaged or decomposed for identification to species, doubled in 2002. Numbers of other cetacean species reported were comparable with previous years.
In 2002, the carcasses of 25 cetaceans were reported as seen floating dead at sea, at distances of between 300 metres to several kilometres from shore. In these instances, the NHM collects as much descriptive information as possible, then waits for approximately 1 to 2 weeks before adding the reports to its records. Wind speed and direction are taken into account over this period, and notes are made regarding where carcasses may eventually beach. Reports received of cetaceans stranded in those areas highlighted in the 1 to 2 weeks after the initial sightings, are compared with the original reports to check for possible similarities. In addition, most volunteers working to gather information on behalf of the NHM have developed tagging and marking techniques to ensure that the same carcass is not recorded more than once by different individuals. The NHM has established these checks in order to ensure as far as possible that no duplication of records is made, and would rather under-estimate numbers.
Increased publicity for the DEFRA-funded cetacean strandings programme since 1997 has led to an increase in reporting effort nationally, and a corresponding increase in the number of animals recorded. However, records held by the NHM indicate that over the past 3 years, broadly the same range of individuals and organisations have been responsible for reporting cetacean strandings.
The success of the UK Cetacean Strandings programme relies heavily upon the efforts of the countless numbers of individuals and organisations that make regular reports to the NHM. The Natural History Museum continues to be greatly helped in its work by H. M. Coastguard, the Cornwall Wildlife Trust (for strandings in Cornwall), Brixham Seawatch, Devon Wildlife Trust and the National Marine Aquarium (for strandings in Devon), Durlston Marine Project and Hampshire Wildlife Trust (for strandings in Dorset and Hampshire), Marine Environmental Monitoring (for strandings in Wales) and the Ulster Museum (for strandings in Northern Ireland).
The year 2002 saw the continuing development of the Natural History Museum’s ‘UK Cetacean Strandings’ website. The website, developed with the approval of DEFRA, presents background information about the Museum’s work, provides an historical overview of the UK Cetacean Strandings Programme, has a ‘Recent Events’ section detailing strandings of particular interest, an identification guide and a searchable limited-access database which allows visitors to the site to investigate recent reports for their area. The website also contains an up-to-date electronic copy of the NHM’s reporting form 136, which has now been circulated widely to UK Coastguard Stations via the Receiver of Wreck. The website can viewed at the following address:
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/zoology/stranding
The Natural History Museum 7 Results
In 2002, a total of 655 reports were received by the Natural History Museum relating to strandings of dead cetaceans, strandings and sightings of live cetaceans, reports of carcasses seen floating dead at sea and cetacean bycatch:
Table 1: Report categories Stranded, dead cetaceans 596 Live-strandings 29 Carcasses seen floating at sea 25 Observed cetacean bycatch 5 Total 655
Records for the year 2002 include details of at least 14 cetacean species:
Table 2: Reported cetacean strandings etc. in the UK for 2002 by region and species
ENGLAND, SCOTLAND NORTHERN TOTAL WALES IRELAND & ISLE OF MAN
BALAENOPTERIDAE Balaenoptera acutorostrata 513-18 DELPHINIDAE Delphinus delphis 111 8 - 119 D. delphis/ S. coeruleoalba 52 -7 Globicephala melas 15 6 - 21 Grampus griseus 37111 Lagenorhynchus acutus 22 -4 Lagenorhynchus albirostris 25 -7 Orcinus orca 1--1 Stenella coeruleoalba 45 -9 Tursiops truncatus 42 -6 Unidentified dolphins 49 2 - 51 PHOCOENIDAE Phocoena phocoena 283 60 4 347 PHYSETERIDAE Kogia breviceps 1--1 Physeter catodon -4 -4 ZIPHIIDAE Mesoplodon bidens 1--1 Ziphius cavirostris 21 -3
Unidentified toothed whales 14 4 - 18 Unidentified cetaceans 23 4 - 27 TOTALS 524 125 5 655
The total for the year 2002 shows a clear increase when compared with UK records for previous years (see Figure 1 and Table 3):
The Natural History Museum 8 Figure 1. Total number of reported UK strandings etc. 1990 to 2002
700 655
600 549
500
418 421 400 386 366 369 344 348 320 Totals 300 265
191 200 144
100
0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Table 3. Numbers of all cetacean species stranded around the UK, 1992 - 2002
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 BALAENOPTERIDAE Balaenoptera acutorostrata 7153107151116191418 Balaenoptera borealis ------1- Balaenoptera physalus 1 -12 - -1 -4 - - Megaptera novaeangliae ------2- DELPHINIDAE Delphinus delphis 1724743204246434465126119 D. delphis/ S. coeruleoalba 2 -145466137 Globicephala melas 371081812161416162721 Grampus griseus 797894141211611 Orcinus orca --104-1---11 Lagenodelphis hosei ----1------Lagenorhynchus acutus 4720810171651444 Lagenorhynchus albirostris 21 11 15 16 11 9 8 8 8 14 7 Lagenorhynchus sp. 315 -3 -2132 - Stenella coeruleoalba 7 4 9 11 9 4 17 17 13 14 9 Tursiops truncatus 10 10 5 6 1 2 6 10 5 9 6 Unidentified dolphins 219201315171613232951 PHOCOENIDAE Phocoena phocoena 114 150 167 119 186 178 178 177 197 259 347 PHYSETERIDAE Kogia breviceps -1---2-2--1 Physeter catodon 551848884664 ZIPHIIDAE Hyperoodon ampullatus -2121 -1 -13 - Mesoplodon bidens 6-3-2-11331 Mesoplodon densirostris -1------Ziphius cavirostris -31----2--3 Unidentified odontocetes 413206 51516177 418 Unidentified cetaceans 161291417101113252227 TOTALS 418 320 366 265 344 348 369 386 421 549 655
The Natural History Museum 9 Table 3 shows the totals for each species recorded from 1992 to 2002. Minor fluctuations in numbers remains a feature for most species represented across this period. The most significant increase for 2002 can be seen in the number of harbour porpoise reported, which exceeds the total for 2001 by 88 records.
Figure 2. Reported cetacean strandings etc. for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, compared with Scotland, 1998 – 2002
England, Wales, N. Ireland, I. of Man Scotland 600
530
500
413 400
300 281 Totals 249 235
200
137 140 136 134 125
100
0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Figure 2, shows the reported number of cetacean strandings etc. for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man compared with those for Scotland. The number of reports for Scotland has remained fairly consistent over the past five years, with little variation in the number of species recorded - 11 in 2002 compared with 13 in 2001. The most commonly reported cetacean in Scotland in 2002 was the harbour porpoise, with 60 records received (see Table 2).
In Northern Ireland, only 5 cetaceans were reported, the same number as 2001. Here too, the harbour porpoise was the most commonly reported cetacean (Table 2).
The marked increase in the English and Welsh data is primarily the result of higher numbers of unidentified dolphins and harbour porpoise being reported (see Tables 2 and 3) along the coasts of Wales and Southwest England.
Map 1, shows the distribution of all cetaceans reported to the Natural History Museum in the year 2002. Overall, species distribution continues to be similar to previous years, with concentrations of strandings found around the coasts of Cornwall, west Wales, the Outer Hebrides and scattered along North Sea coasts from central East Anglia to the Shetland Islands.
The Natural History Museum 10 Distribution of cetacean species
Balaenoptera acutorostrata (minke whale or lesser rorqual)
Eighteen minke whales were reported stranded around the UK in 2002, a figure consistent with previous years (see Map 2 and Tables 2 & 3). Whilst the majority of minke whales continue to be reported from the north of the UK, the distribution pattern for 2002 differs slightly compared to previous years, with fewer animals seen along the North Sea coast. Four strandings were reported from the Western Isles and four from Strathclyde, whilst three strandings occurred in the southwest of England and one on the coast of North Wales (see Appendix 2, table 2.1). The dates of stranding illustrated by the data broadly support field observations made by the Sea Watch Foundation. Their work has detailed the presence of groups of minke whales in coastal waters of the northern North Sea primarily from May to October each year (Evans, 1995; p.12).
Growth parameters established for North Atlantic populations of minke whales give the mean length at sexual maturity for males at 6.75 metres and females at 7.2 metres (Christensen, 1980). Using these parameters, the data in Appendix 2 indicate that two of the minke whales stranded at Strathclyde in January 2002 may not have reached sexual maturity (SW.2002/14a & 26b).
One minke whale was reported stranded alive at Portland Harbour in Dorset on the 27 December 2002 (SW.2002/387). The animal became stranded on rocks near the harbour wall but was able to free itself with the rising tide. The animal was later seen returning to the open sea, although in a rather weakened state, and suffering from extensive abrasions to its underside and flanks.
Delphinus delphis (common dolphin)
In 2002, 119 common dolphins were reported to the Natural History Museum (Map 3). The total for 2002 is comparable with 2001 (see Table 3), and is the second- highest figure recorded since the bycatch-related mass mortality event of 1992, described by Kuiken et al (1994; p. 81-89).
In the first three months of 1992, one hundred and eighteen common dolphins were reported stranded on the coast of Cornwall and Devon. Figure 3, shows the breakdown of numbers by month and region for 2002; the majority of common dolphins reported in 2002 were found stranded around the south-west of England (Cornwall including the Isles of Scilly, and Devon = 86), continuing the distribution trend seen in previous years. Although the numbers of animals reported monthly were comparatively low for each region represented, and are not comparable with data for 1992 (Jan-Mar 1992 = 118; Jan-Mar 2002 = 71), January, March/April and December 2002 show a marked increase for the south-west of England. Outside of Devon and Cornwall, the only other English counties which saw strandings of common dolphins in 2002 were Dorset, Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight) and West Sussex.
The Natural History Museum 11 Data collected in 2002 also indicate that bycatch-related strandings of common dolphins are not an issue in Welsh and Scottish waters, where 5 and 8 animals were recorded respectively, none of which had cause of death diagnosed as bycatch.
Figure 3. Strandings etc. of common dolphin by month for 2002
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Cornwall Devon Rest of England Wales Scotland
Previous reports have commented on the possible effects of the annual mid-water pelagic trawl fishing activities around the south-west of England, which are believed to commence at the beginning of December, and the seasonal movements of common dolphin populations bringing large numbers of them into the English Channel and Western Approaches. Data collected by the NHM in 2002 add to these earlier discussions and broadly reflect other observational data, suggesting that the critical period for this interaction between humans and dolphins is from November/December to March/April each year. In 2002, of the 44 common dolphins retrieved for post mortem examination, 29 had bycatch diagnosed as cause of death (see Table D in Part B of this report). This represents approximately 65% of common dolphins examined at post mortem that year, compared with 57% in 2001.
Since the publication of the paper by Kuiken et al, in 1994, awareness of the bycatch issue and its possible effects on dolphin populations has become widespread amongst cetacean workers around the UK. Using his own observations and the published observations of others, Kuiken (1994; 84) classified distinct categories of lesions which were suggestive of capture in fishing gear:
1. Traumatic lesions specific for capture in fishing gear: (a) cleanly cut-off fin or tail fluke (b) incision wound in abdominal cavity (c) circumscribing skin abrasions on beak, fin or tail fluke (d) multiple evenly spaced parallel incision wounds in the skin 2. Traumatic lesions not specific for capture in fishing gear: (a) subcutaneous, intramuscular or subpleural haemorrhage (b) skull fracture
The Natural History Museum 12 These two general categories have been widely adopted and the physical appearance of the lesions listed are now recognised by many workers. As a result, the Natural History Museum receives many reports of dolphins whose state of preservation may not make them entirely suitable for post-mortem analysis, but whose condition remains complete enough for possible bycatch-related lesions to be visible. The Museum records these reports on its database as ‘unconfirmed’ or ‘suspected bycatch’, i.e. not established by post-mortem or through direct observation of capture.
The NHM has recently started to receive digital images of stranded dolphins, allowing wider and more informed assessments to be made. Many images regularly show entanglement in fishing nets, trauma to the tip of the rostrum or smashing of the lower jaw, amputated pectoral flippers or tail flukes and evenly spaced incision wounds to the skin. The number of unconfirmed bycatch records for common dolphins in 2001, using criteria described in Kuiken et al (1994) was fifteen, all from the south-west of England. In 2002, 27 common dolphin reports were received from the south-west of England where observational data detailed gashes, incisions, decapitation and other categories which were suggestive of possible bycatch activity. Map 3, shows records of all categories of common dolphins for 2002, including those listed as suspected and confirmed bycatch, and those seen floating dead at sea.
Figure 4. Cumulative monthly totals of common dolphins stranded, 1998-2002
120
100
80
60 Count
40
20
0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month
Figure 4, shows cumulative monthly totals of common dolphins stranded from 1998 to 2002. The data indicate the presence of common dolphins around the UK throughout the year, but shows an increase in overall numbers from November to April. The peak period for strandings is shown as January to April. Figure 5, shows length data by month for common dolphins recorded during the period 1998-2002. Neonatal length is given as 80 to 90 centimetres by most authors (Evans, 1994; p.204). NHM cumulative data shows the presence of dolphins of neonatal length in UK waters from May to August. Geographical variation in maximum length of fully mature adults has been noted for this species (Evans, 1994), but the range given for the eastern North Atlantic is 1.6 to 2.6 metres (Evans, 1995).
The Natural History Museum 13 Figure 5. Common dolphins length by month, 1998-2002
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5 length in metres
1
0.5
0 012345678910111213 Month Female Male Gender unknown
Delphinus delphis/Stenella coeruleoalba (common dolphin/striped dolphin indeterminate)
In 2002, 7 strandings were recorded as common/striped dolphin indeterminate, with 4 occurring in Wales, 2 in Scotland, and 1 in England (Tables 2 & 3, Map 4). Numbers of these records vary each year depending upon the condition and accessibility of specimens. Of the 7 specimens, 5 were described as decomposed/very decomposed. In terms of general body size and shape, common and striped dolphins are quite similar. Once decomposition or scavenging has destroyed identifiable external characteristics, distinguishing between the two species can be difficult. Fortunately, the common dolphin has two well-defined palatal grooves on the ventral surface of the rostrum which are absent in the striped dolphin. These can usually be identified through touch, by applying gentle pressure to the roof of the mouth.
Globicephala melas (long-finned pilot whale)
Twenty one long-finned pilot whales were recorded in 2002 (Tables 2 & 3, Map 5), compared with 27 in 2001. Numbers of these animals vary each year, although their presence has been recorded annually since at least 1990. The total for 2002 includes three animals seen floating dead at sea, two approximately 40 miles south-west of Plymouth on the 5th January, and one approximately sixteen miles south of Looe, Cornwall on the 24 October. The distribution of long-finned pilot whales observed for 2002 is comparable with recent years, predominantly along the western coasts of Britain from the Western Isles to Cornwall. The distribution data for 2002 support the sightings data for this species in UK waters (see Evans, 1995). One live stranding was recorded, unusually in the northern North Sea at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland on the 16th May. The animal was successfully refloated, and was seen joining a group of 5 other pilot whales before swimming away.
The Natural History Museum 14 The range of lengths given for adult pilot whales are 5.0 to 6.1 metres for males and 4.05 to 4.72 metres for females (Evans, 1994; p.250). Neonatal length is given as 1.75 to 1.78 metres (Evans, 1995; p. 15). Appendix 2, table 2.2, suggests that 5 of the animals whose lengths were recorded may have been very young or juveniles, with the remainder being adult. Unfortunately, the majority of long-finned pilot whale carcasses washed up around the UK are often too decomposed for detailed examination.
Grampus griseus (Risso’s dolphin)
Eleven reports were received for Risso’s dolphin in 2002 (Tables 2 & 3, Map 6). This figure is higher than that for the year 2001, but is comparable with recent years, representing an expected annual fluctuation for this species. The distribution data in Appendix 2, table 2.3, show a geographical spread along the western coasts of the United Kingdom, from Orkney and the Western Isles, across to Antrim in Northern Ireland down to Anglesey and Cornwall. The single record from Northern Ireland relates to an adult animal, 3.4 metres in length, stranded at Dunseverick Harbour on 25th February 2002. The strandings distribution data are consistent with sightings data for the UK, (see Evans, 1995; p.17). The range of lengths given for adults of this species is 2.8 to 3.3 metres, with a neonatal length of 1.2 to 1.5 metres. Data collected by the NHM shows Risso’s dolphins present in UK waters from February to November 2002.
Lagenorhynchus acutus (white-sided dolphin)
Only four records were received for the white-sided dolphin in 2002, the same number as 2001 (Tables 2 & 3). Map 7, shows the distribution of white-sided dolphin strandings for 2002. The locations and dates of stranding are broadly comparable with sightings data, i.e. seen around the Northern Isles and west of the Outer Hebrides in large numbers from July to September (see Evans, 1995; p.17). One unusual stranding occurred on 15th June 2002 at Newhaven in East Sussex at the eastern end of the English Channel, outside the expected distribution range for this species see Appendix 2, table 2.4). An adult male, 2.55 metres in length stranded alive after swimming in Newhaven Harbour for two days, and was later euthanased. Cause of death was determined as live stranding. A second southerly record was received from Cei Bach, Ceredigion, on 25th September 2002, although this species has been recorded in Welsh waters in previous years. The range of lengths given for adult white-sided dolphins is 2.0 to 2.8 metres (Evans, 1995).
Plate 1. SW.2002/210: Lagenorhynchus acutus, adult male, 2.55 metres, stranded at Newhaven, East Sussex, 15/06/2002. Photo: J. Chimonides, The Natural History Museum.
The Natural History Museum 15 Lagenorhynchus albirostris (white-beaked dolphin)
Seven records were received for this species in 2002, fewer than 2001, but comparable with records from previous years (Tables 2 & 3). Five of the records were from Scotland (Appendix 2, table 2.5). Map 8, shows the distribution of strandings for 2002. Most of the strandings occurred along the east coast of Scotland and the north east coast of England, with a single stranding record for Cornwall. This distribution is consistent with data from previous years and supports recent sightings data (Evans, 1995). The single Cornish record was reported as white-beaked dolphin with a damaged dorsal fin, approximately 1.98 metres in length, in a good state of preservation, found at Portwrinkle on 1st December 2002. Unfortunately, the carcass was washed out to sea before it could be retrieved.
The range of lengths given for adult white-beaked dolphins is 2.5 to 2.7 metres, with a neonatal length of 1.2 to 1.6 metres (Evans, 1995; p.17).
Orcinus orca (killer whale)
Only one killer whale was reported to the NHM in 2002 (Tables 2 & 3), only the second stranding of this species to be recorded in the UK since 1997. On 25th December 2002, a killer whale, approximately 6 metres in length, stranded alive near power station outflow pipes at Grimsby, Humberside. The animal was observed by the RSPCA and H.M. Coastguard trying to free itself by ‘wriggling’ back to the water’s edge, and eventually returned successfully to sea on the rising tide. Since 1913, 84 records of killer whale strandings have been received by the NHM. Our records show that most strandings occur around the north and west coasts of Scotland, but killer whales have washed ashore along the North Sea and English Channel coasts, as well as west Wales and the north west coast of England. Killer whales are widely distributed in the North Atlantic and sightings are recorded in all months of the year in UK waters (Evans, 1995; p.15). These data are supported by the NHM strandings records.
The range of lengths given for adult killer whales is 4.5 to 6.6 metres for females and 5.7 to 9.5 metres for males. Neonatal length is given as 2.06 to 2.50 metres (Evans 1995; Dahlheim and Heyning, 1999; p. 287). Of the 84 killer whale records held by the NHM, 66 have total length measurements. Of these, 17 are in the range 2.36 to 3.35 metres, and can be assumed to be new-born to juvenile in age.
Stenella coeruleoalba (striped or euphrosyne dolphin)
In 2002, 9 striped dolphins were reported to the NHM, 5 in Scotland and three around the south west of England (Tables 2 & 3). The distribution of striped dolphin strandings for 2002 can be seen in Map 9, and is similar to previous years. Most strandings occur along the western coasts of the UK, from Shetland to Cornwall (Appendix 2, table 2.6). Live sightings of striped dolphins off the Atlantic seaboard of the UK are rare (Evans, 1995; p.21), but sightings records do exist for this species in coastal UK waters, mainly between July and September. Records held by the NHM show that strandings of striped dolphins occurred throughout the year in 2002.
The range of lengths given for adult striped dolphins is 1.95 to 2.4 metres and 1.0 metres for new-born animals (Evans, 1995; p.21).
The Natural History Museum 16 Tursiops truncatus (bottlenose dolphin)
In 2002, 6 bottlenose dolphins were reported to the NHM (Tables 2 & 3), a figure comparable to previous years. Distribution of strandings around the north and east coasts of Scotland and the west coast of Wales, is also comparable with recent years (Map 10). Unlike 2001, which saw an absence of bottlenose dolphin strandings around the south-west coast of England, two were recorded floating off Dorset and North Devon. One animal, stranded at Llanon, Ceredigion on 28 July 2002, was a possible neonate, 1.07 metres in length with unerupted dentition.
Sightings reports received directly from Sussex, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Wildlife Trusts recorded the presence of this species throughout the year. The sightings data for the bottlenose dolphin outlined by Evans (1995; p.21) are supported by the NHM’s strandings data. Appendix 2, table 2.7, shows the sex and length data for bottlenose dolphins stranded around the UK in 2002. The maximum length given for this species in the eastern North Atlantic is 3.81 metres for males and 3.50 metres for females (Perrin and Reilly, 1984). Neonatal length is given as 0.98 to 1.30 metres (Evans, 1995).
Unidentified dolphins
There were 51 unidentified dolphins reported in 2002 (Tables 2 & 3), compared to 29 in 2001. These reports relate to carcasses that were too decomposed, incomplete or inaccessible for examination and retrieval. The majority of these reports relate to carcasses washed up around the south-west of England (Map 4), many of which displayed injuries/lesions suggestive of bycatch.
Phocoena phocoena (harbour porpoise)
The harbour porpoise was the most common cetacean species to strand in UK waters in 2002 (see Tables 2 & 3). Consistently, this species represents around 50% of all cetaceans reported annually (Figure 6). In 2002, a total of 347 harbour porpoise were recorded, representing an increase of 88 on the previous year. For England and Wales, 283 animals were recorded (2001 = 191), whilst for Scotland, the total was 60 (2001 = 64). Four records were also received from Northern Ireland (Figure 7; Map 11).
The UK harbour porpoise total for 2002 is the highest yet recorded, and represents an increase of approximately 30% on the year 2001. Figure 7, shows the distribution of harbour porpoise strandings by month for 2002.
The annual summer peak in strandings of this species noted by Muir et al (1999), thought to be associated with the peak months for parturition, is clearly visible for Wales, but is less apparent for the rest of the UK. Figure 7 also shows the increase in numbers of harbour porpoise reported stranded around the south-west of England during the winter months and into early spring. From January to March 2002, 16 harbour porpoise found stranded around Southwest England, had bycatch diagnosed as cause of death. This corresponds with data for common dolphin bycatches, 24 of which stranded in Southwest England from January to April.
The Natural History Museum 17 Figure 6. Total numbers of reported UK cetacean strandings etc., 1990 – 2002, compared with annual numbers of harbour porpoise.
All species Harbour porpoise 700 655
600 549
500
418 421 400 386 366 369 344 348 347 320 Totals 300 265 259
191 197 186 178 178 200 167 177 144 150 114 119 92 100 48
0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
Figure 7. Strandings etc. of harbour porpoise by month for 2002
60
50
40
30
20
10
0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Cornwall Devon Rest of England Wales Scotland N. Ireland
The Natural History Museum 18 Figure 8, shows the number of harbour porpoise stranded by month from 1998 to 2002. A correlation in peak months for summer strandings can be seen in Figures 7 and 8.
Figure 8. Cumulative monthly totals of harbour porpoise stranded in the UK, 1998-2002
160
140
120
100
80 Count
60
40
20
0 012345678910111213 Month
Figure 9, shows the range of lengths recorded by month for the harbour porpoise from 1998 to 2002:
Figure 9. Harbour porpoise length by month, 1998-2002
2.5
2
1.5
length in metres 1
0.5
0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 month Female Male Gender unknown
The Natural History Museum 19 The range of lengths given for adult harbour porpoise are 1.35 to 1.80 metres, and 0.67 to 0.90 metres for new-born animals (Evans, 1995; p.21). The cumulative length data in Figure 9, show an increase in the number of harbour porpoise in the range 0.5 to 1.0 metres from May through to September, with a peak occurring between June and August. These data can be taken to represent an increase in the number of new-born animals, and further establishes the summer months as the peak time for parturition in this species.
Map 11, shows the distribution of harbour porpoise strandings, confirmed bycatch, suspected bycatch and animals seen floating at sea around the UK in 2002. The data are similar to previous years. The small cluster off the coast of Humberside, represent the incidental capture of 5 harbour porpoise from July to September 2002. The records were received as part of the observer programme operated by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU).
Kogia breviceps (pygmy sperm whale)
A single stranding of this species was reported at Thurlestone, Devon on 3rd January 2002, the first to be recorded in the UK since 1999. The animal, a female measuring 2.88 metres in length, showed external abrasions and other signs consistent with live stranding. Healed scars on the tail flukes (Plate 3) appeared to have been the result of a bite from another pygmy sperm whale. Extensive samples were taken from the carcass by staff from the NHM, and parasites were removed from the blubber around the right scapula. Subsequent examination of the skull at the NHM (Plate 4) revealed extensive pathological deterioration of the occipital bone to the right of the foramen magnum, possibly a factor in the cause of death of the animal.
Since the NHM began keeping records in 1913, 9 pygmy sperm whales have been recorded, all of which have occurred in the past 37 years (see Appendix 2, table 2.8). Map 12, shows the distribution of all pygmy sperm whale records received since 1966 (including Eire). The distribution data show strandings on the south-west coast of Scotland, south-west of England, South Wales and the west coast of Eire. NHM data also show that the majority of strandings occurred in the late autumn and winter months, with 6 of the strandings occurring in October.
Plate 2. SW.2002/2: Kogia breviceps, Plate 3. Healed ‘bite mark’ on the adult female, 2.88 metres, stranded at overlapping tail flukes of SW.2002/2 (dorsal Thurlestone, South Devon, 02/01/2002. aspect). Photo: R.C. Sabin, The Natural Photo: R.C Sabin, The Natural History History Museum. Museum.
The Natural History Museum 20 Plate 4. Skull of SW.2002/2 (rear view) showing pathological deterioration of occipital bone. Photo: R.C. Sabin, The Natural History Museum.
Pygmy sperm whale sightings are rare, as these animals are difficult to identify at sea. However, some sightings data suggest that there may be a population located in the Bay of Biscay. Adult animals can range in size from 2.7 to 3.4 metres, whilst length at birth is thought to be approximately 1.2 metres (Jefferson, et al, 1993: 71).
Physeter catodon (great sperm whale)
In 2002, 4 sperm whale records were received, all from Scotland (Tables 2 & 3, Appendix 2, table 2.9). This figure is comparable with recent years. The distribution of sperm whale strandings around the north and west coasts of Scotland (Map 13) is also similar to previous years. One record was received from the east coast of Scotland at South Queensferry, Lothian on 28th June 2002. The range of lengths given for adult sperm whales is 8.3 to 11.00 metres for females and 11.0 to 15.8 metres for males (Evans, 1995; p.15).
Mesoplodon bidens (Sowerby’s beaked whale)
Only one record of a Sowerby’s beaked whale stranding was received in 2002 (Tables 2 & 3), a figure comparable to recent years. The animal, a female, 4.44 metres in length, was found in an excellent state of preservation at Hendra, Cornwall on 7th June 2002. Post-mortem examination revealed that the stomach of the animal was empty. Cause of death was determined as live stranding.
Sowerby’s beaked whales are not often sighted or stranded off the south-west of England, but are usually recorded along the north and east coasts of Scotland (Map 14). Occasional strandings do occur along the North Sea coast of England.
The range of lengths given for adult Sowerby’s beaked whales is 5.0 to 5.5 metres (Evans, 1995; p.13).
The Natural History Museum 21 Plates 5 & 6. SW.2002/201: Mesoplodon bidens, adult female, 4.44 metres, stranded at Hendra, Cornwall, 07/06/2002. Plate 5 (above) shows detail of the ventral surface; Plate 6 (left) shows detail of the head. Photographs courtesy of VLA, Polwhele, Cornwall.
Ziphius cavirostris (Cuvier’s beaked whale)
In 2002, three records were received for this species (Tables 2 & 3; Appendix 2, table 2.10). Cuvier’s beaked whale is one of the less-common species occurring in UK waters, and is often absent from NHM annual strandings data. In the past 10 years, strandings have been recorded on the north and west coasts of Scotland, the west coast of Wales and the south-west of England.
In 2002, a notable stranding occurred at Ostend near Happisburgh, Norfolk (Map 14). On 20th June, a male Cuvier’s beaked whale, 5.65 metres in length, stranded alive. Unfortunately, after several attempts to refloat the animal had been made by the RSPCA and British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the animal died. The stomach was found to be empty and cause of death was determined as live stranding.
The range of lengths given for adult Cuvier’s beaked whales is 7.5 metres for males and 7.0 metres for females (Jefferson, et al, 1993: 83).
Plates 7 & 8. SW.2002/222: Ziphius cavirostris, adult male, 5.65 metres, stranded at Ostend, Norfolk, 20/06/2002. Plate 7 (left) shows detail of the head; Plate 8 (above) shows detail of the ventral surface. Photographs courtesy of Caroline Still, UEA.
The Natural History Museum 22 Unidentified toothed whales and other cetaceans
In 2002, there were 18 strandings of unidentified toothed whales, and 27 that were not identified as toothed or baleen whales (see Map 15). It is often not possible to identify such carcasses owing either to their inaccessibility or to their advanced state of decomposition.
The Natural History Museum 23 Part B
UK Cetacean and Marine Turtle Post-mortem Investigations 2002
Post-mortem investigations of UK marine mammal and turtle strandings have been co- ordinated in England and Wales by the Institute of Zoology (IoZ) at the Zoological Society of London since 1990 and in Scotland by the Scottish Agricultural College in Inverness (SAC) since 1992. Both organisations liaise closely with the Natural History Museum, London (NHM). Tissue samples collected from post-mortem examinations of UK-stranded marine mammals are archived by IoZ, SAC and NHM. The Poseidon central strandings database is held jointly by IoZ and SAC and stores pathological and other data derived from the post- mortem investigations of UK-stranded marine mammals. Most of the data currently held in the Poseidon database was generated under contract to the UK Government (DEFRA) although some data was generated independently by research collaborations with non- DEFRA-funded individuals or organisations.
During 2002, 189 stranded or by-caught cetacean carcasses were examined at post-mortem in the UK (Table A). Of these, 59 carcasses were examined in Scotland (Table B) and 131 were examined in England and Wales (Table C). The annual number of UK-stranded cetacean post-mortem examinations has increased annually from 1999-2002 and is predominantly due to an increase in common dolphin and harbour porpoise strandings within the Southwest of England during the winter. Two marine turtles (a loggerhead Caretta caretta and a green turtle Chelonia mydas) were also examined during 2002.
Table A: UK Cetacean and Turtle Post-mortem Investigations during 2002
Species Number Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) 119 Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)44 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)6 White sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus)4 White beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)4 Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)3 Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus)2 Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)2 Pilot whale (Globicephala melas)1 Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps)1 Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens)1 Sperm whale (Physeter catodon)1 Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris)1
Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)1 Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)1
Total 191
The Natural History Museum 24 Table B: Post-mortem Investigations conducted in Scotland during 2002
Species Number Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)36 White beaked dolphin (Lagenorhynchus albirostris)4 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)4 Minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)3 Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)3 Risso’s dolphin (Grampus griseus)2 White sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus)2 Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)2 Pilot whale (Globicephala melas)1 Sperm whale (Physeter catodon)1
Total 58
Table C: Post-mortem Investigations conducted in England and Wales during 2002
Species Number Harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)83 Common dolphin (Delphinus delphis)41 White sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus)2 Striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba)2 Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps)1 Sowerby’s beaked whale (Mesoplodon bidens)1 Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris)1
Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)1 Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)1
Total 133
The Natural History Museum 25 Results of UK marine mammal and turtle post-mortem examinations in 2002
Causes of death
Table D summarises the causes of death of 189 cetaceans and 2 marine turtles examined at post- mortem in the UK in 2002. These cause of death data are grouped into individuals that stranded in Scotland (Table E) and England and Wales (Table F) to enable comparison with data reported for these regions in previous years. It was not possible to establish the cause of death of ten harbour porpoises, six common dolphins, two bottlenose dolphins, an Atlantic white-sided dolphin and a pygmy sperm whale. Causes of cetacean mortality
Entanglement in fishing gear (Bycatch) Of the 29 harbour porpoise bycatches diagnosed following post-mortem examination in the UK in 2002, 5 were carcasses retrieved directly from fishing vessels as part of observer-based research co-ordinated by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (University of St. Andrews). Twenty-four harbour porpoises stranded in England and Wales and four harbour porpoises in Scotland were diagnosed as bycatches during 2002. Twenty-nine UK-stranded common dolphins were also diagnosed as bycatches following post-mortem examination, all but one of which occurred within the Southwest of England (Cornwall, Devon and Dorset). The distribution of these stranded harbour porpoise and common dolphin bycatches in 2002 are shown in Figure 1.
The external lesions associated with bycatch in harbour porpoises and common dolphins generally differ, with porpoises tending to show lesions consistent with wide-meshed monofilament-type gear whereas common dolphins have injuries usually more consistent with smaller-meshed gear such as trawl netting. However, many of the harbour porpoise bycatches examined during the first quarter of 2002 lacked the usual monofilament-type net-marks. These porpoises may have been by-caught in smaller-meshed mobile gear (trawl netting) since they often stranded in the same areas and in a similar state of decomposition to large numbers of common dolphins that were diagnosed to have died due to bycatch.
A retrospective analysis of spatial, temporal and other patterns of UK-stranded cetacean bycatches between 1990-2002 is included within this report.
Physical trauma (including fatal attack from bottlenose dolphins) Twenty-six UK-stranded harbour porpoises and a common dolphin died due to physical trauma (excluding bycatch) during 2002. Within the porpoises, 24 had lesions consistent with fatal attack from bottlenose dolphins comprising nine Scottish strandings (generally between the Moray Firth and Firth of Forth areas) and 15 in West Wales (Figure 2). Fatal attack from bottlenose dolphins was one of the most common causes of death diagnosed in UK-stranded harbour porpoises in 2002. The cases diagnosed in Wales in 2002 continue a trend of increasing annual numbers of cases diagnosed from 1999-2002 (Figure 3). As in previous years, most porpoises killed by bottlenose dolphins were juveniles.
The Natural History Museum 26 2 2
1 1
0 0
9 9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1 Harbour porpoise n=24 Common dolphin n=29 Bottlenose dolphin killed porpoises n=24 0 0 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 -2-10123456
Figure 1 Spatial distribution of harbour Figure 2 Spatial distribution of 24 UK- porpoise and common dolphin bycatches 2002 stranded harbour porpoises killed by bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in 2002
16
14
12
10 No. 8
6
4
2
0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Year
Figure 3 Annual number of stranded harbour porpoises killed by bottlenose dolphins in England and Wales (1990- 2002)
The Natural History Museum 27 Infectious disease mortality During 2002, 36 stranded cetaceans comprising 29 harbour porpoises, four common dolphins, two striped dolphins and a single Risso’s dolphin died from infectious diseases. Parasitic infections of the lungs resulting in either severe airway obstruction, acute pulmonary haemorrhage, parasitic pneumonia or secondary bacterial or fungal infections caused the death of 21 harbour porpoises and generalised bacterial infections accounted for the death of another three porpoises. Other causes of harbour porpoise infectious disease mortality were gastric parasitism and associated gastritis (n=3), pyelonephritis (n=1) and bacterial meningoencephalitis (n=1). These findings are similar to those identified in UK-stranded harbour porpoises in previous years.
Two common dolphins died of pneumonia (bacterial), one died of orchitis and peritonitis and one of heavy gastric parasitism. Two striped dolphins died of Brucella meningitis and a Risso’s dolphin died of meningoencephalitis. There were no cases of distemper due to morbillivirus infection in any UK-stranded cetacean carcasses in 2002 and none have been identified since 1990.
Starvation Starvation was attributed as the cause of death in animals that were severely emaciated in the absence of any other underlying disease processes that could explain the poor nutritional status. The death of 17 harbour porpoises (including 8 neonates), two striped dolphins, a Cuvier’s beaked whale and an Atlantic white-sided dolphin was attributed to starvation. Live stranding Live stranding was attributed as the cause of death in animals that were known or suspected (from post-mortem examination) to have live stranded while in good health and nutritional status. The cause of death of diseased or emaciated animals that live stranded was attributed to the disease process rather than the live stranding event. Live stranding was attributed as the cause of death of four harbour porpoises, four white- beaked dolphins, two Atlantic white-sided dolphins, two striped dolphins, a common dolphin, a pilot whale, a Sowerby’s beaked whale and a sperm whale. Tumours No malignant tumours were recorded in any UK-stranded cetaceans within 2002. Novel cavitary lesion disease Two common dolphins that stranded in Cornwall, England, died of a novel disease process involving the development of macroscopic and microscopic cavitary lesions within the liver and kidneys respectively. Similar pathology predominantly involving the liver has been rarely described in other UK-stranded cetaceans in previous years. The lesions appear unique to cetaceans and are being investigated further prior to publication.
Other causes of death The other remaining causes of death of stranded cetaceans examined in 2002 are detailed in Tables D, E and F and Appendix 4.
The Natural History Museum 28 Causes of mortality in marine turtles A live-stranded loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) died of starvation and hypothermia. A green turtle (Chelonia mydas) that live-stranded in Lancashire in 2001 was stored frozen and examined in 2002. Post-mortem examination of this green turtle revealed gastro-intestinal impaction with plastic and other debris (Figure 4A and 4B).
Figure 4A Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) Figure 4B Remains of rubber balloon, plastic and other debris causing impaction in stomach of green turtle
The Natural History Museum 29 Table D: Cause of death categories of marine mammals and turtles stranded in the UK in 2002
Species Cause of death category No.
Phocoena phocoena Bycatch* 29 Physical Trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) 24 Pneumonia, Parasitic 15 Starvation 9 Starvation (neonate) 8 Others 5 Live Stranding 4 Pneumonia, Parasitic and Bacterial 4 Gastropathy&/or Enteropathy 3 Generalised Bacterial Infection 3 Physical Trauma 2 Pneumonia, Parasitic and Mycotic 2 (Meningo) encephalitis 1 Not Established 10
Delphinus delphis Bycatch 29 Others 4 Gastropathy&/or Enteropathy 1 Live Stranding 1 Physical Trauma 1 Pneumonia, Bacterial 2 Not Established 6
Stenella coeruleoalba Live Stranding 2 (Meningo) encephalitis 2 Starvation 2
Lagenorhynchus acutus Live Stranding 2 Starvation 1 Not Established 1
Lagenorhynchus albirostris Live Stranding 4
Balaenoptera acutorostrata Entanglement 2 Dystocia & Stillborn 1
Grampus griseus Dystocia & Stillborn 1 (Meningo) encephalitis 1
Tursiops truncatus Not Established 2
Globicephala melas Live Stranding 1
Kogia breviceps Not Established 1
Mesoplodon bidens Live Stranding 1
Physeter catodon Live Stranding 1
Ziphius cavirostris Starvation 1
Caretta caretta Starvation 1
Chelonia mydas Impaction 1 * Of the 29 harbour porpoise bycatches reported here, 5 were carcasses retrieved directly from fishing vessels as part of observer- based research conducted by the Sea Mammal Research Unit. The post-mortem investigations of these carcasses were conducted in collaboration with the Sea Mammal Research Unit.
The Natural History Museum 30 Table E: Cause of death categories of marine mammals and turtles stranded in Scotland in 2002
Species Cause ofDeath No.
Phocoena phocoena Physical Trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) 9 Pneumonia, Parasitic 6 Bycatch 4 Starvation 4 Pneumonia, Parasitic and Bacterial 3 Starvation (neonate) 3 Gastropathy&/or Enteropathy 2 Others 2 (Meningo) encephalitis 1 Physical Trauma 1 Not Established 1
Lagenorhynchus albirostris Live Stranding 4
Stenella coeruleoalba Live Stranding 2 (Meningo) encephalitis 2
Balaenoptera acutorostrata Entanglement 2 Dystocia & Stillborn 1
Delphinus delphis Pneumonia, Bacterial 2 Not Established 1
Grampus griseus Dystocia & Stillborn 1 (Meningo) encephalitis 1
Lagenorhynchus acutus Live Stranding 2
Tursiops truncatus Not Established 2
Globicephala melas Live Stranding 1
Physeter catodon Live Stranding 1
The Natural History Museum 31 Table F: Cause of death categories of marine mammals and turtles stranded in England and Wales in 2002
Species Cause ofDeath No.
Phocoena phocoena Bycatch 25 Physical Trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) 15 Pneumonia, Parasitic 9 Starvation 5 Starvation (neonate) 5 Live Stranding 4 Generalised Bacterial Infection 3 Others 3 Pneumonia, Parasitic and Mycotic 2 Gastropathy&/or Enteropathy 1 Physical Trauma 1 Pneumonia, Parasitic and Bacterial 1 Not Established 9
Delphinus delphis Bycatch 29 Others 4 Gastropathy&/or Enteropathy 1 Live Stranding 1 Physical Trauma 1 Not Established 5
Lagenorhynchus acutus Starvation 1 Not Established 1
Stenella coeruleoalba Starvation 2
Kogia breviceps Not Established 1
Mesoplodon bidens Live Stranding 1
Ziphius cavirostris Starvation 1
Caretta caretta Starvation 1
Chelonia mydas Impaction 1 * Of the 29 harbour porpoise bycatches reported here, 5 were carcasses retrieved directly from fishing vessels as part of observer-based research conducted by the Sea Mammal Research Unit. The post-mortem investigations of these carcasses were conducted in collaboration with the Sea Mammal Research Unit.
The Natural History Museum 32 Trends in UK-stranded cetacean bycatch (1990-2002)
A) England and Wales
Bycatch in harbour porpoises
Between Sept 1990 and December 2002 inclusive, 589 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) which had stranded on the coastline of England and Wales and 45 which were retrieved directly following entanglement in commercial fishing gear (bycatch) were examined at post-mortem using standardised methodology. Entanglement in fishing gear (bycatch) was the most common cause of death accounting for 156 (26.5%) of the 589 stranded harbour porpoises in addition to the 45 by-caught porpoises retrieved directly from fishing vessels. By-caught harbour porpoises frequently presented with thin, linear cutaneous cuts or depressions on the leading edges of the pectoral fins, tail flukes and dorsal fin, or had similar lesions that sometimes partly or completely circumscribed the head (Figure 5 & 6). These lesions were seen in both stranded porpoises and in those retrieved directly from fishing vessels and are consistent with the use of bottom-set wide-meshed monofilament gillnet-type fishing gear. Of the 201 harbour porpoise bycatches in total, 123 were juveniles compared to 65 adults, 7 neonates and 6 juvenile/adults.
The spatial distribution of stranded harbour porpoises diagnosed as bycatches between 1990-2002 is shown in Figure 7. Stranded harbour porpoise bycatches were most frequently recorded in Wales, Cornwall and along the North Sea coastline from Northumberland to Humberside. Most bycatches in Southwest England stranded during the period January to March (Figure 8), which was significantly different to the more year-round distribution of harbour porpoise bycatches in Wales/North-west England (Figure 9) and North Sea coast of England (Figure 10).
The annual number of stranded porpoises in England and Wales that were diagnosed as bycatches between 1990-2002, together with the annual percentage of established causes of death that were attributed to bycatch in the same period, are shown in Figures 11-12. The annual numbers of bycatches diagnosed, and the percentages of established causes of death attributed to bycatch in both the east coast of England (Figure 13 & 14) and Wales/Northwest England (Figure 15 & 16) increased from 1990 until the mid-1990’s, and then declined thereafter. In contrast, the annual number of stranded porpoise bycatches in Southwest England generally increased between 1990 to 2002 (Figure 17) and the annual proportion of stranded porpoise bycatches was also higher than other regions within most years of the study (Figure 18).
The Natural History Museum 33 Figure 6 By-caught harbour porpoise. Figure 5 By-caught harbour porpoise. Lesions on tail fluke consistent with Circumscribing net-mark around the head. entanglement in monofilament fishing gear.
30
25
20 No.
15
10
5
0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month
Figure 7 Spatial distribution of harbour Figure 8 Seasonal distribution of by-caught porpoises stranded in England and Wales that harbour porpoises stranded in south-west were diagnosed as bycatch (1990-2002) England (1990-2002)
The Natural History Museum 34 10 12
10 8
8 6 No. No. 6
4 4
2 2
0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month Month
Figure 9 Seasonal distribution of by-caught Figure 10 Seasonal distribution of by-caught harbour porpoises stranded in Wales and harbour porpoises stranded on the east coast north-west England (1990-2002) of England (1990-2002)
25 100
20 80
15 60
10 40
5 20 % by-catch (Eng by-catch % & Wales) No. & Wales) (Eng by-caught
0 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Year Year
Figure 11 Annual number of stranded Figure 12 Annual % of established causes of porpoises in England and Wales diagnosed as death attributed to bycatch in porpoises bycatches (1990-2002) stranded in England and Wales (1991-2002)
16 100
14 80 12
10 60
8
40 6
4 20 % by-catch (N. by-catch % coast) Sea
No. by-caught (N. by-caught No. Sea coast) 2
0 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Year Year Figure 13 Annual number of porpoises Figure 14 % of established causes of death stranded on the east (N. Sea) coast of England attributed to bycatch in porpoises stranded on diagnosed as bycatch (1990-2002) the east (N. Sea) coast of England (1990-2002)
The Natural History Museum 35 16 60
14 50 12 40 10
8 30
6 20 4 10 2 Eng) (Wales/NW by-catch % No. by-caught (Wales & NW Eng)
0 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Year Year
Figure 15 Annual number of porpoises Figure 16 % of established causes of death stranded in Wales and NW England diagnosed attributed to bycatch in porpoises stranded in as bycatch (1990-2002) Wales and NW England (1990-2002)
16 100
14 80 12
10 60
8 40 6
4 by-catch (SW Eng) % 20 No. by-caught (SW by-caught No. Eng) 2
0 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 Year Year
Figure 17 Annual number of porpoises Figure 18 % of established causes of death stranded in SW England diagnosed as bycatch attributed to bycatch in porpoises stranded in (1990-2002) SW England (1990-2002)
Bycatch in common dolphins
Between September 1990 and December 2002, 302 common dolphins found stranded around the coastline of England and Wales were analysed at post-mortem using standardised methodology. Entanglement in fishing gear (bycatch) was the most common cause of death accounting for 175 (57.9%) of the 302 stranded common dolphins. Some of the characteristic findings on post-mortem are illustrated in Figures 19 & 20. The annual number of common dolphin bycatches in England and Wales is shown in Figure 21. The vast majority of these bycatches (167 or 95.4% of the total number of by-caught common dolphins) occurred in Southwest England (Cornwall, Devon and Dorset) (Figure 22) on an annual basis. Common dolphin bycatch appeared to be highly seasonal, with the majority occurring in the first three months of each year (Figure 23). Most of these bycatches had injuries consistent with entanglement in small-meshed mobile gear (trawl netting).
The Natural History Museum 36 Figure 19 Stranded common dolphin showing Figure 20 Skin abrasion, netmark and fracture signs of carcass mutilation of beak in by-caught common dolphin
2
50 1
40 0
30 9 No.
8 20
7 10
6 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 5 Year
4 Figure 21 Annual number of common Frequencies dolphins diagnosed as bycatch in England and 3 1 - 3 Wales 1990-2002
4 - 6 2 7 - 9 50 45 1 10 - 12 40 13 - 18 35 0 30 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 25 20 Number of 15 Figure 22 Spatial distribution of stranded 10 bycaught common dolphins common dolphins diagnosed as bycatch in 5 England and Wales 1990-2002 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month
Figure 23 Seasonal distribution (number) of stranded common dolphin bycatches in England and Wales 1990-2002
The Natural History Museum 37 Bycatch in other species
Within England and Wales, bycatches of white beaked dolphin (n=5), striped dolphin (n=4), Risso’s dolphin (n=1), Atlantic white-sided dolphin (n=1), bottlenose dolphin (n=1) and pilot whale (n=1) were also recorded between 1990 and 2002.
B) Scotland
There have only been 14 cases of bycatch diagnosed in stranded cetaceans (comprising 11 harbour porpoises, two Risso’s dolphin and one Atlantic white-sided dolphin) within Scotland between 1992-2002. This is consistent with the low levels of fishing effort within Scottish waters during this period (SEC 2002). The spatial distribution of the Scottish bycatches is shown in Figure 24.
2
1
0
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1 Harbour porpoise bycatch Risso's dolphin bycatch Atlantic white-sided dolphin bycatch 0 -2-10123456
Figure 24 Spatial distribution of cetacean bycatches stranded in Scotland 1992-2002
The Natural History Museum 38 Investigations of relationships between environmental contaminants and health status and reproductive function
Tissue samples for toxicological analyses continued to be collected and archived from all stranded marine mammals and turtles examined during 2002. A number of samples taken from UK-stranded cetaceans were sent to the CEFAS Burnham Laboratory, Essex (CEFAS) for toxicological analyses during 2002.
Toxicology data from UK-stranded harbour porpoises
During 2002, toxicology data on a number of UK-stranded harbour porpoises between 1996- 2001 was completed by CEFAS. The data included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) (n=118), organochlorine pesticides (n=50), butyltins (n=116) and heavy metals (n=116). A comprehensive analysis of these data in conjunction with pathological and other biological data derived from the source animals was planned for the latter half of 2002. Unfortunately, the emergence of PDV in UK seals in August 2002 and subsequent epizootic resulted in these analyses being delayed until early 2003.
Investigations of relationships between endocrine disrupting chemicals and testicular development in harbour porpoises
During 2002 samples of testes from UK-stranded harbour porpoises continued to be analysed for stages of testicular development at the Institute of Zoology using immunohistochemical techniques. The main aim of the research is to produce qualitative and quantitative indices of testicular development and fertility in harbour porpoises and to test for correlations between these parameters and exposure to persistent environmental pollutants such as PCBs. These analyses form part of a research programme (funded by World Wide Fund for Nature-UK) investigating potential relationships between endocrine disrupting chemicals and fertility using tissues generated through the UK Marine Mammal Strandings Project. The research should be completed in 2003.
Harbour porpoise molecular genetics study
In 2001 a NERC-funded PhD studentship was funded to investigate the population structure of harbour porpoises in UK-waters using genetic (microsatellite) markers. The research is designed to develop a more robust understanding of the population structure of porpoises in UK and European waters and which should help to define management units for conservation purposes (e.g. mitigation of bycatch in specific regions or fisheries). The research will also progress to investigate host genetic factors in resistance to parasitic and other diseases using novel molecular techniques. The research is being conducted and supervised jointly by the Institute of Zoology and Cambridge University.
The Natural History Museum 39 Publications for 2002
Collins, M. D., Hoyles, L., Foster, G., Falsen, E. and Weiss, N. (2002) Arthrobacter nasiphocae sp. nov., from the common seal (Phoca vitulina). International Journal of Systematic and Applied Microbiology 52:569-571
Deaville, R., P.M., Bennett, P.D., Jepson, J.R., Baker, V.R., Simpson, R.S., Penrose and T. Kuiken (2002) A review of post-mortem investigations of cetacean strandings around the coastline of England and Wales between 1991 and 2001 Proceedings of the sixteenth annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Liege, Belgium, 7-9 April 2002
Foster, G., MacMillan, A. P., Godfroid, J., Howie, F.E, Ross, H. M., Cloeckaert, A., Reid, R. J., Brew, S. and Patterson, I. A. P. (2002) A review of Brucella sp. Infection of sea mammals with particular emphasis on isolates from Scotland. Veterinary Microbiology 90:563- 580.Geoff Foster
Gonzalez, L., Patterson, I. A.P, Reid, R. J., Foster, G., Barberan, M., Blasco, J. M., Kennedy, S., Howie, F. E., Godfroid, J., MacMillan, A. P., Schock, A. and Buxton, D. (2002) Chronic meningoencephalitis associated with Brucella sp. infection in live-starnded striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). Journal of Comparative Pathology 126:147-152.
Jepson, P.D., P.M., Bennett, R., Deaville, J.R., Baker, V.R., Simpson, R.S., Penrose and T. Kuiken. Trends in causes of mortality of 492 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded on the coasts of England and Wales (1990-2001). Proceedings of the sixteenth annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Liege, Belgium, 7-9 April 2002.
Parsons, K.M, Noble, L.R., Reid, R.J., Thompson P.M. (2002) Mitochondrial genetic diversity and population structuring of UK bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): is the NE Scotland population demographically and geographically isolated?. Biological Conservation 108: 175-182
Patterson, I.A.P., Reid, R.J., Schock, A., Howie, F.E. Neoplasia in cetaceans from Scottish waters. Proceedings of the sixteenth annual conference of the European Cetacean Society, Liege, Belgium, 7-9 April 2002
Santos, M.B., Pierce, G.J., Garcia-Hartmann, M., Smeek, C., Addink, M.J., Kuiken, T., Reid, R.J., Patterson, I.A.P., Lordan, C., Rogan, E. and Mente E. (2002) Additional notes on stomach contents of sperm whales (Physeter catodon) stranded in the north-east Atlantic. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK. 501-507
The Natural History Museum 40 References
Christensen, I. (1980) Catch and effort in the Norwegian minke whale fishery in the 1978 whaling season. Report of the International Whaling Commission 30: 209-212.
Dahlheim, M.E. and Heyning, J.E. (1999) Killer Whale. In: The Handbook of Marine Mammals Vol.6 – the Second Book of Dolphins and the Porpoises. S. Ridgway and R. Harrison (eds). Academic Press, London.
Evans, W.E. (1994) Common Dolphin. In: The Handbook of Marine Mammals Vol.5 – the First Book of Dolphins. S. Ridgway and R. Harrison (eds). Academic Press, London.
Evans, P.G.H. (1995) Guide to the Identification of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises in European Seas. Sea Watch Foundation Publication, Oxford, 1995.
Jefferson, T.A., Leatherwood, S. and Webber, M.A. (1993) Marine Mammals of the World. United Nations Environment Programme, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome 1993.
Kuiken, T., Simpson, V.R., Allchin, C.R., Bennett, P.M., Codd, G.A., Harris, E.A., Howes, G.J., Kennedy, S., Kirkwood, J.K., Law, R.J., Merrett, N.R. and Phillips, S. (1994). Mass mortality of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) in Southwest England due to incidental capture in fishing gear. Veterinary Record 134: 81-89.
Muir, A.I., Chimonides, P.D.J. & Spurrier, C.J.H. (1999) Trends in Cetacean Strandings on the British Coastline, 1998. The Natural History Museum, London.
Perrin, W.F. & Reilly, S.B. (1984) Reproductive parameters of dolphins and small whales of the family Delphinidae. In: Reproduction in Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises (Eds W.F. Perrin, R.L. Brownwell and D.P. DeMaster) pp.97-133. Rep. Int. Whal. Comm, Spec. Issue No. 6, Cambridge.
SEC (2002) 376. Subgroup Fishery and Environment Incidental catches of small cetaceans. http://europa.eu.int/comm/fisheries/doc_et_publ/factsheets/legal_texts/docscom/en/sec_2002_376_en.pdf
The Natural History Museum 41 Map 1. All UK records of cetacean strandings etc., 2002
The Natural History Museum 42 Map 2. Balaenoptera acutorostrata
The Natural History Museum 43 Map 3. Delphinus delphis
The Natural History Museum 44 Map 4. Indeterminate Delphinus delphis/Stenella coeruleoalba and other unidentified dolphins.
The Natural History Museum 45 Map 5. Globicephala melas
The Natural History Museum 46 Map 6. Grampus griseus
The Natural History Museum 47 Map 7. Lagenorhynchus acutus
The Natural History Museum 48 Map 8. Lagenorhynchus albirostris
The Natural History Museum 49 Map 9. Stenella coeruleoalba
The Natural History Museum 50 Map 10. Tursiops truncatus
The Natural History Museum 51 Map 11. Phocoena phocoena
The Natural History Museum 52 Map 12. Kogia breviceps – all records for UK and Eire, 1966 to 2002.
The Natural History Museum 53 Map 13. Physeter catodon
The Natural History Museum 54 Map 14. Mesoplodon bidens and Ziphius cavirostris
The Natural History Museum 55 Map 15. Unidentified odontocetes and other unidentified cetaceans
The Natural History Museum 56 Appendix 2. Stranded cetacean lengths by species, UK, 2002
* = approximate length ** = cumulative data, 1966-2002
2.1. Balaenoptera acutorostrata
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/11 07/01/2002 Cornwall - 7.60* 2002/14a 09/01/2002 Strathclyde F 5.05 2002/26b 19/01/2002 Strathclyde F 2.78 2002/58g 27/01/2002 Strathclyde - 7.30 2002/72 29/01/2002 Gwynedd F 8.80 2002/87b 04/02/2002 Cornwall - 9.10* 2002/188a 18/05/2002 Highland - - 2002/221b 19/06/2002 Lothian F 7.55 2002/242a 30/06/2002 Shetland - - 2002/277a 24/07/2002 Western Isles M - 2002/297b 20/08/2002 Western Isles - - 2002/300a 22/08/2002 Strathclyde M - 2002/313b 09/09/2002 Highland M 8.25 2002/321b 24/09/2002 N. Yorkshire - 6.00* 2002/334c 07/10/2002 Highland - - 2002/341c 20/10/2002 Western Isles - 5.00* 2002/341d 20/10/2002 Western Isles - 5.00* 2002/387 27/12/2002 Dorset - 6.00*
2.2. Globicephala melas
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/7 04/01/2002 Cornwall - 4.20* 2002/8a 05/01/2002 Devon - - 2002/8b 05/01/2002 Devon - - 2002/9a 06/01/2002 Devon - - 2002/61 28/01/2002 Dorset - 3.60* 2002/96d 10/02/2002 Cornwall - 4.70* 2002/107 03/03/2002 Cornwall - 4.80* 2002/123b 17/03/2002 Western Isles - - 2002/166b 09/04/2002 Western Isles - 4.57 2002/167h 13/04/2002 Western Isles M - 2002/188 16/05/2002 Northumberland - - 2002/195 30/05/2002 Pembrokeshire - - 2002/200a 05/06/2002 Cornwall - 4.00* 2002/212 16/06/2002 Gwynedd - 4.80 2002/240 27/06/2002 Pembrokeshire - 4.50 2002/279c 26/07/2002 Western Isles - 1.85 2002/293a 14/08/2002 Strathclyde M 3.50 2002/321d 24/09/2002 Western Isles - 5.55 2002/342 24/10/2002 Cornwall - - 2002/342a 25/10/2002 Devon F 4.80* 2002/384 24/12/2002 Devon F 1.40*
The Natural History Museum 57 2.3. Grampus griseus
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/9 06/02/2002 Cornwall - 3.15 2002/104b 25/02/2002 Antrim - 3.40 2002/154 04/04/2002 Cornwall - 2.40* 2002/187e 13/05/2002 Strathclyde - - 2002/191c 24/05/2002 Western Isles M 3.06 2002/244a 03/07/2002 Orkney F 3.18 2002/303a 30/08/2002 Orkney - 3.05 2002/333 07/10/2002 Anglesey - 2.20 2002/336a 11/10/2002 Shetland F 2.60 2002/341a 17/10/2002 Western Isles - 2.70* 2002/351b 14/11/2002 Strathclyde - 3.05
2.4. Lagenorhynchus acutus
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/191a 23/05/2002 Western Isles M 2.50 2002/210 15/06/2002 East Sussex M 2.55 2002/322 25/09/2002 Ceredigion M 2.63 2002/394a 28/12/2002 Strathclyde M 1.47
2.5. Lagenorhynchus albirostris
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/199e 02/06/2002 Grampian M 2.63 2002/211b 15/06/2002 Grampian M 1.55 2002/213 17/06/2002 Grampian F 1.71 2002/256a 12/07/2002 Lothian M 2.72 2002/279e 28/07/2002 Strathclyde - - 2002/325 27/09/2002 Northumberland - 3.30* 2002/359 01/12/2002 Cornwall - 1.90*
2.6. Stenella coeruleoalba
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/21a 17/01/2002 Highland F 1.52 2002/21b 17/01/2002 Highland F 1.60 2002/51 26/01/2002 Dorset F 2.10 2002/88 05/02/2002 Cornwall M 1.37 2002/104e 26/02/2002 Shetland F 1.94 2002/255 11/07/2002 Devon - 1.30* 2002/304 31/08/2002 Cornwall F 2.16 2002/363a 09/12/2002 Strathclyde - 1.80 2002/374b 16/12/2002 Shetland F 1.60
The Natural History Museum 58 2.7. Tursiops truncatus
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/82 02/02/2002 Merseyside M 3.30* 2002/105c 01/03/2002 Grampian - - 2002/199a 02/06/2002 Dorset - - 2002/278a 25/07/2002 Highland - - 2002/279b 28/07/2002 Ceredigion - 1.07 2002/315 12/09/2002 Devon - 3.00
2.8. Kogia breviceps**
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 1966/17 24/04/1966 Clare (Eire) - 2.48* 1980/35 22/10/1980 W. Glamorgan F 2.74 1985/48a 06/10/1985 Galway (Eire) M 2.90 1993/119 03/10/1993 Devon - 1.90* 1997/9 12/02/1997 Devon - 3.00* 1997/159 17/10/1997 Dyfed F 2.76 1999/185d .1 18/10/1999 Stranraer F 2.68 1999/185d .2 18/10/1999 Stranraer - 2.08 2002/2 03/01/2002 Devon F 2.88
2.9. Physeter catodon
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/91f 06/02/2002 Western Isles - - 2002/123a 17/03/2002 Orkney - - 2002/241b 28/06/2002 Lothian M 10.05 2002/301a 26/08/2002 Western Isles M 12.90
2.10. Ziphius cavirostris
SW. number Date of stranding County/Region Sex Total length (metres) 2002/125a 18/03/2002 Strathclyde F 6.25 2002/222 20/06/2002 Norfolk M 5.65 2002/247 07/07/2002 Cornwall - 5.00*
The Natural History Museum 59 Appendix 3
GUIDELINES FOR THE POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION AND TISSUE SAMPLING OF CETACEANS
CONTENTS
a) Introduction b) Basic measurements c) External examination d) Examination of abdominal organs (except G.I. tract, pancreas, and spleen) e) Examination of organs of head, neck and thorax f) Examination of the G.I. tract, pancreas and spleen
a) Introduction
These guidelines are meant primarily as an aid to veterinary surgeons carrying out post- mortem examinations on stranded cetaceans in the U.K., as a part of the DoE-funded marine mammal projects in England, Wales, and Scotland. They are based partly on guidelines written by Dr John Baker, University of Liverpool, and partly on the protocol produced at the European Cetacean Society workshop on cetacean pathology, held in Leiden, The Netherlands, in September 1991.
All structures must be examined visually and by palpation, making incisions into the organs. A full post mortem record must be kept, preferably on the standard "cetacean post-mortem report" form.
Lesions in any organs should be described, photographed and sampled. The description should include the size, location, colour, texture, shape, and the nature of the transition from normal to abnormal tissue. Photographs should include a ruler or similar object to indicate the size of the lesion. According to the suspected etiology of the lesion, samples should be collected for bacteriological examination (especially if the lesion is of a purulent nature), for virological examination, and for parasitological examination. In all cases, a sample of the lesion should be preserved for histopathological examination.
Any parasites found, regardless if they are associated with pathological lesions or not, should be preserved in 70% ethanol for identification. An attempt should be made to estimate the total number of parasites. Some predilection sites for parasites are indicated in the text.
If the state of decomposition of the carcass is advanced (condition code 4 or 5, see below), only the basic measurements, organ weights (when possible), and a limited number of samples (epidermis, skull, teeth, food remains, gonads) should be taken.
The post-mortem examination need not take place in the order described below. However, samples for bacteriological and virological examination need to be taken as early as possible. Also, examination of the G.I. tract should be left until last to prevent cross-contamination with enteric micro-organisms.
The Natural History Museum 60 b) Basic measurements photographs Photographs should be taken of the lateral views of the whole body, from both sides. Particularly in bottle-nosed dolphins, photographs should be taken of the dorsal fin, also from both sides. In baleen whales, the ventral side of the tail flukes should be photographed. Photographs should also be taken of any lesions of interest found during the post-mortem. body condition Estimate the body condition, that is the state of decomposition of the carcass, using the categories of the condition code1 . body weight Weigh the carcass. If this is not possible, the body weight can be estimated from the heart weight2 . body length Measure the body length by placing the carcass on its belly, holding a measuring tape or ruler next to the carcass in a straight line parallel to the longitudinal body axis and measuring the distance between the notch in the tail flukes and the tip of the upper jaw. Measure the body girth body girth at the level of the anterior insertion of the dorsal fin.
c) External examination nutritional state Indicate the nutritional state of the carcass, using one of the following three categories: -good: the aspect of the upper flanks on either side of the dorsal fin is rounded; -moderate: the aspect of the upper flanks on either side of the dorsal fin is sloping; -poor: the aspect of the upper flanks on either side of the dorsal fin is hollow (in these animals, one can make out the transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae, and there is an indentation dorsally just behind the head). body orifices Examine the body orifices (mouth, eyes, ear openings, blow-hole, anus, genital slit and mammary slits) for lesions and any discharge. Collect and preserve left and right eyes separately in 10% formalin (only if both eyes are fully intact). epidermis Examine the animal for external lesions and sample these accordingly. Examine the skin carefully for any ectoparasites. These are most likely to be found in or near the body orifices and next to the fins and flukes. Take a 4 cm2 piece of epidermis down to the blubber for DNA- studies, and freeze. milk Massage the skin in the area cranial to the mammary slits in a caudal direction to express any fluid present in the mammary glands. If fluid can be pressed out, collect a sample for organochlorine analysis in a hexane-washed glass container and freeze. If the lid is made of plastic, separate the sample from this with aluminium foil. Note the volume, colour, and consistency of the fluid. blubber Cut a transverse strip of blubber about 2 cm wide from the anterior insertion of the dorsal fin, from the mid-dorsal to the mid-ventral region. Make sure to cut at right-angles to the surface of the skin. Measure the thickness of the blubber strip with a ruler 2cm lateral to the dorsal mid- line, mid-laterally, and 2cm lateral to the ventral mid-line. (Using this method, the tension of the blubber tissue is relieved before measuring.)
Cut a strip of blubber a few cm wide and a few cm long at the level of the caudal insertion of the dorsal fin. Make sure to cut at right-angles to the surface of the skin. From this blubber strip, take 2x20 g cross-sectional samples of blubber for organochlorine analysis. It is important to take samples of the whole layer, from the skin to the muscle. Wrap them in hexane-washed aluminium foil and freeze. Alternatively, they can be placed in Sovirel glass tubes. muscle Take 2x20 g muscle samples for toxicological analysis, at the same location as and directly below the blubber sample, at the level of the caudal insertion of the dorsal fin. Wrap them in hexane-washed aluminium foil and freeze. Alternatively, they can be placed in Sovirel glass tubes.
The Natural History Museum 61 With the animal on its right side make a mid-line ventral incision from the symphysis of the mandible to a short distance posterior of the anus, circumventing the genital slit and anus. From the posterior end of the ventral incision make a second one almost to the dorsal mid-line. Reflect the skin and blubber off the uppermost side. Any parasites in the blubber should be noted and collected. They may occur as white cysts less than 1 cm in diameter, often in the ano-genital region or the dorsal aspect of the chest wall. mammary gland In females, examine the mammary gland for pathological changes and parasites. Collect a cross- sectional slice of about 1 cm thick from halfway along the length of the left mammary gland for histopathological examination, and place in 10% formalin. subcutaneous tissue Examine the subcutaneous tissue for the presence of bruises and parasites. scapula Remove the left scapula for (future) morphometric analysis and freeze.
d) Examination of abdominal organs (except G.I. tract, pancreas, and spleen) rib Remove the left abdominal wall, freeing the testis or ovary and uterus. Any parasites in the abdominal wall (for instance cysts under the peritoneum) should be collected. Remove the left thoracic wall, for example with bone shears. Remove the fifth left rib and freeze a 5 cm section of it. virology samples Before handling the internal organs, take a 1 cm3 sample of lung tissue from the cranio-ventral part of the left lung and a 1cm3 sample of kidney tissue from the left kidney for virological bacteriology samples examination. Also take a sample of lung tissue from the cranio-ventral part of the left lung, a sample of kidney tissue from the left kidney and a sample of liver tissue from the left lobe of the liver for bacteriological examination.
Sever the intestine close to the anus and the oesophagus close to the diaphragm. Working forward along the dorsal aspect of the abdominal cavity, remove the stomach, intestines, pancreas, spleen and mesenteric lymph node, attached to each other, from the carcass. Leave the examination of the G.I. tract to the end of the post-mortem examination to prevent cross- contamination of other tissues with enteric micro-organisms. urinary bladder Open and examine the bladder in situ, noting the contents, if any. Preserve a 1cm3 sample of the bladder in 10% formalin (for histopathology). female repr. tract In females remove the entire reproductive tract, open the vagina and uterus, note any corpora lutea, corpora albicantia or follicles on each ovary and then place the ovaries separately in 10% formalin for reproduction studies. Preserve a 1cm3 sample of the uterus in 10% formalin (for histopathology). foetus If a foetus is present of sufficient size to examine the individual organs, a post-mortem examination and tissue sampling of the foetus can take place in the same way as for cetaceans after birth. If it is too small for a full post-mortem examination, the whole foetus and its placenta can be wrapped in hexane-washed aluminium foil and stored frozen for organochlorine analysis. male repr. tract In males remove the testes and weigh them separately after removing the epididymis. After incision and examination, place the testes in 10% formalin for reproductive studies. If they are heavier than about 50 g each, place a cross-sectional slice about 1 cm thick from mid-way along the length in 10% formalin. Examine the penis and preputium. adrenal glands Remove and examine the adrenal glands, and place them separately in 10% formalin. kidneys Remove the kidneys from the body cavity and weigh them. Incise both kidneys longitudinally, and if possible, strip the capsule. Then, take 2x20 g samples for toxicological analysis from halfway the length of the left kidney. These samples should be cross-sectional and include both medullary and cortical tissue. Wrap them in hexane-washed aluminium foil and freeze.
The Natural History Museum 62 Alternatively, they can be placed in Sovirel glass tubes. Preserve 1 cm3 from a kidney in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. liver Remove and weigh the liver. Examine both surfaces and make multiple incisions into the substance. Examine the bile ducts for parasites. Then, take 2x20 g for trace metal analysis. These samples should include approximately equal amounts of tissue from the edge of the left lobe, the edge of the right lobe, and the hilus of the liver. Wrap them in hexane-washed aluminium foil and freeze. Alternatively, they can be placed in Sovirel glass tubes. Place 1 cm3 of liver tissue in 10% formalin for histopathological examination.
e) Examination of organs of head, neck and thorax thyroid Carefully remove the superficial muscles overlying the trachea and larynx to expose the thyroid gland. Examine this tissue and preserve 1 cm3 of tissue in 10% formalin for histopathological examination.
Incise along the internal aspects of both mandibles and free the tongue. Once the tongue is free reflect it backwards and cut the hyoid bones close to the skull.
Free the larynx from the sphincter muscle holding it in place and pulling the tongue backwards incise along the neck to free the trachea and oesophagus. Then, incising dorsally and ventrally in the thoracic cavity, free the heart and lungs. Note any attachments of the lungs to the thoracic walls. This procedure should give you the tongue, larynx, trachea, oesophagus, thymus, heart and lungs all still fastened together. tongue Examine the surface of the tongue. oesophagus Open the oesophagus longitudinally and check for lesions or parasites. respiratory tract Open the larynx, trachea and major bronchi longitudinally. Make multiple incisions into the substance of both lungs. Any parasites should be collected. Two pieces of lung (about 1 cm3) from the hilus and periphery of the left lung, and the same from the right lung, should be collected in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. The samples should include part of the major bronchial tree. Open all major branches of the pulmonary veins and examine for the presence of parasites. Examine the bronchial and so-called "pulmonary associated" lymph nodes. The latter can be found about halfway along the ventral edges of each lung. Cut a 1 cm thick cross-sectional slice from the middle of the left pulmonary associated lymph node, and place it in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. thymus Examine and weigh the thymus, if present (noting the presence of any macroscopic cysts). Place 1 cm3 of thymus in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. serum Collect any blood present in the heart lumen, to obtain serum for serological examination. The serum, acquired by centrifugation, should be stored frozen. Even if it is haemolytic, it is still of value. heart Separate the heart from the lungs by cutting through the major blood vessels where they enter the heart. Open the left and right ventricles and atria for examination and to take out any blood clots present. Any parasites should be collected. Weigh the heart. Cut a 1 cm thick slice of heart tissue, to include a piece of the wall of the left ventricle and of the atrioventricular septum, and place it in 10% formalin for histopathological examination.
Examine the tympanic bullae (which in cetaceans are not part of the skull but lie free just behind tympanic bulla the mandibles). Carefully dissect each tympanic bulla (and associated cochlea) free of their connective tissue attachments to the skull. Examine the internal cavity of each bulla and recover any nematodes present (with forceps). Preserve the left tympanic bulla/cochlea and right tympanic bulla/cochlea separately in 10% formalin.
The Natural History Museum 63 teeth If possible, remove two sets of (at least) 4 teeth from the middle of the lower jaw for ageing, and (baleen plates) store frozen (separately). (In baleen whales, cut off 2 baleen plates as near as possible to their basis and store frozen.) brain In freshly dead carcasses (condition code 2), open the skull, and examine the brain.
The skull can be opened by making a vertical cut parallel and about 2 cm posterior to the transverse dorsal ridge which is clearly visible and palpable on top of the skull. The second cut should be made in the horizontal plane, through the occipital condyles, making sure to leave the posterior portion of the condyles on the skull, so that the condylo-basal length can still be measured. Both cuts should be extended until they meet each other. The separated piece of skull can then be pried loose using a chisel or flat-bladed screwdriver, and the brain can be removed.
Take a 1 cm3 sample of brain for virological examination. Place the rest of the brain in 10% formalin for at least a week. To allow faster fixation, a longitudinal incision can be made in the cerebrum to expose the lateral ventricles. When it is fixed, make multiple slices into the tissue to look for pathological lesions, including the presence of parasites. Take 1 cm3 samples of the cortex, midbrain, cerebellum, and medulla, for histopathological examination. Dissect the pituitary gland from the pituitary fossa (located in the cranial floor) and preserve in 10% formalin. skull In more decomposed carcasses, leave the skull intact. Both opened and completely intact skulls should be stored frozen for morphometrics studies.
f) Examination of the G.I. tract, pancreas and spleen spleen Examine and weigh the spleen and put a piece (about 1 cm3), including a section of capsule, in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. One often finds smaller accessory spleens near to the main spleen. pancreas Examine the pancreas. Look for parasites, particularly in the pancreatic ducts. Place a 1 cm3 piece of pancreas tissue in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. mesenteric ln. Examine the mesenteric lymph node and put a 1 cm thick cross-sectional slice from halfway its length in 10% formalin for histopathological examination. stomach Open the cardiac section of the stomach. Collect any fish bones, otoliths and other food remains and preserve in 70% ethanol or freeze for prey studies. Any parasites should be collected. Describe any lesions, including the distribution and size of any ulcers.
Open the fundic and pyloric sections of the stomach. Any food material and parasites should be preserved as for the cardiac section. Any nodules in the walls of the fundic and pyloric sections should be noted and, if they are found, attempts should be made to express the contents. Any parasites found in the contents should be collected. intestine Open the intestinal tract at several points along its length. Make note of any contents and/or lesions and collect any parasites that are found.
1. The body condition, or state of decomposition of a carcass, can be described using the following condition code: 1) live (becomes code 2 at death) 2a) extremely fresh (as if just died, no bloating, meat is considered by most to be edible) 2b) slight decomposition (slight bloating, blood imbibition visible) 3) moderate decomposition (bloating, skin peeling, penis may be extended in males, organs still intact, excluding post-mortem damage) 4) advanced decomposition (major bloating, skin peeling, penis extended in males, organs beyond recognition, bones exposed due to decomposition) 5) indeterminate (mummified carcass or skeletal remains, no organs present) 2. The body weight can be estimated from the heart weight using the formula log W = (log H + 2.2) / 0.984, with H = heart weight and W = body weight, both in kg.
The Natural History Museum 64 Appendix 4: UK-stranded marine mammals and marine turtles examined at post-mortem during 2002
NHM ref. PM no. Species Sex Length Date found Location County Cause of death ______SW2002/2 EXTERNAL Kogia breviceps F 288 03/01/02 Thurlestone Devon not established SW2002/3 XT010/02 Phocoena phocoena F 122 04/01/02 Swansea Swansea physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/4 S2041 Phocoena phocoena F 139 04/01/02 Prestatyn Gwynedd pneumonia, para., bact. and fungal, generalised bacterial and fungal infection SW2002/5 XT009/02 Phocoena phocoena F 157 04/01/02 Felixstowe Suffolk starvation SW2002/9B M002/02 Phocoena phocoena F 106 06/01/02 Findochty Grampian physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/10 XT018/02 Phocoena phocoena M 141 07/01/02 Kessingland Suffolk gastritis, parasitic (cardiac section); gastric parasitism (heavy) SW2002/11A M003/02 Phocoena phocoena M 154 07/01/02 Uiskentuie Strathclyde pyelonephritis SW2002/12 M39/01/02 Phocoena phocoena F 139 08/01/02 Crinnis Beach Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/13 M38/1/02 Phocoena phocoena M 129 09/01/02 Duporth Beach Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/14A M005/02 Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 505 09/01/02 Sannox Bay Strathclyde physical trauma, entanglement SW2002/16 M61/1/02 Phocoena phocoena M 131 14/01/02 Trenarren Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/17 M60/1/02 Phocoena phocoena M 152 14/01/02 Lowland Point Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/18 XT079/02 Delphinus delphis M 211 15/01/02 Wembury Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/19 XT075/02 Phocoena phocoena M 142 16/01/02 Lowestoft Suffolk pleuropneumonia, generalised bacterial infection (Salmonella sp.), gastric parasitism SW2002/21A M009/02A Stenella coeruleoalba F 152 17/01/02 Glenelg Beach Highland meningitis (Brucella) SW2002/21B M009/02B Stenella coeruleoalba F 160 17/01/02 Glenelg Beach Highland live stranding SW2002/22 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 219 18/01/02 Tregantle Cornwall nephropathy SW2002/23 M91/1/02 Phocoena phocoena F 180 19/01/02 Praa Sands Cornwall parasitism pulmonary, heavy SW2002/24 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 213 19/01/02 Thurlestone Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/25 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis F 200 19/01/02 Thurlestone Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/26B M010/02 Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 278 19/01/02 Ormsary Strathclyde stillborn SW2002/27 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 187 20/01/02 Salcombe Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/28 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis F 184 20/01/02 Bantham Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/29 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 210 20/01/02 Thurlestone Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/30 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis F 210 20/01/02 Thurlestone Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/31 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis F 194 20/01/02 Seaton Cornwall hepatopathy
The Natural History Museum 65 NHM ref. PM no. Species Sex Length Date found Location County Cause of death ______SW2002/33 EXTERNAL Phocoena phocoena M 130 20/01/02 Tregantle Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/33A EXTERNAL Phocoena phocoena U -9 20/01/02 Bantham Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/35 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 199 22/01/02 Salcombe Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/39 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 195 23/01/02 Durley Chime Dorset physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/40 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 226 23/01/02 Durley Chime Dorset physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/41 EXTERNAL Phocoena phocoena F 130 23/01/02 Looe Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/44 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 210 24/01/02 Durley Chime Dorset physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/46 EXTERNAL Phocoena phocoena F 140 24/01/02 Beesands Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/47 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 202 24/01/02 Newton Ferrers Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/50 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 178 25/01/02 Southbourne Beach Dorset live stranding SW2002/54 XT214/02 Phocoena phocoena F 106 26/01/02 Heacham Norfolk pneumonia & pulmonary haemorrhage (parasitic), pulmonary and gastric parasitism SW2002/55 M140/1/02 Delphinus delphis F 196 27/01/02 Boscombe Dorset not established SW2002/56 M139/1/02 Delphinus delphis F 193 27/01/02 Kimmeridge Bay Dorset physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/56A EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis F 188 27/01/02 Kimmeridge Bay Dorset physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/58B EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 155 27/01/02 Freathy Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/63 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 178 28/01/02 Portwrinkle Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/65 M138/1/02 Phocoena phocoena F 163 28/01/02 Salcombe Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/66 199666 Phocoena phocoena M 161 28/01/02 Bosham Hoe West Sussex pneumonia, parasitic SW2002/68 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 167 28/01/02 Hope Cove Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/69 M137/1/02 Delphinus delphis M 192 28/01/02 Bantham Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/70 EXTERNAL Delphinus delphis M 220 29/01/02 Slapton Sands Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/75F M015/02 Phocoena phocoena M 104 29/01/02 Coulport Strathclyde bycatch SW2002/83A M11/2/02 Delphinus delphis F 175 02/02/02 Sennen Cove Cornwall not established SW2002/85A M49/2/02 Phocoena phocoena F -9 04/02/02 Monmouth Beach Dorset physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/88A M36/2/02 Stenella coeruleoalba M 137 06/02/02 Kynance Cove Cornwall starvation SW2002/89 M164/2/02 Delphinus delphis M 232 06/02/02 Cogden beach Dorset physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/91E M018/02 Phocoena phocoena M 144 06/02/02 Largo Bay Fife parasitism, gastric SW2002/95 XT248/02 Phocoena phocoena F 156 07/02/02 Blackpool Lancashire pneumonia (para. & mycotic), pulmonary haemorrhage (para.); pulmonary parasitism SW2002/101 M89/2/02 Delphinus delphis F 200 16/02/02 Marazion Beach Cornwall gastric parasitism (heavy) SW2002/102 XT268/02 Phocoena phocoena F 130 19/02/02 Borth Ceredigion pneumonia, parasitic and mycotic
The Natural History Museum 66 NHM ref. PM no. Species Sex Length Date found Location County Cause of death ______SW2002/103 XT267/02 Phocoena phocoena M 117 21/02/02 Minis Bay Kent pneumonia, parasitic and bacterial SW2002/104 XT285/02 Phocoena phocoena M 90 22/02/02 Aberaeron Ceredigion starvation SW2002/104E M022/02 Stenella coeruleoalba F 194 26/02/02 Yell Shetland meningitis (Brucella) SW2002/105C M025/02 Tursiops truncatus U 0 01/03/02 Spey Bay Grampian not established SW2002/105D M027/02 Phocoena phocoena F 133 01/03/02 Invermessan Dumfries & Galloway parasitism, pulmonary and purulent pneumonia (E. coli) SW2002/105E M028/02 Delphinus delphis F 190 01/03/02 Queensferry Fife not established SW2002/110B M034/02 Delphinus delphis F 178 07/03/02 Lerags Strathclyde pneumonia SW2002/112 XT298/02 Phocoena phocoena F 118 09/03/02 Point Clear Essex cutaneous wound (chronic, large, granulating), chronic blood loss SW2002/112A M035/02 Phocoena phocoena F 97 09/03/02 Levenwick Beach Shetland starvation/hypothermia SW2002/113 M51/3/02 Phocoena phocoena M 140 12/03/02 Praa Sands Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/114 XT309/02 Phocoena phocoena M 109 13/03/02 Whitehaven Harbour Cumbria physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/115 M64/3/02 Phocoena phocoena M 145 14/03/02 Port Melon Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/116 M66/3/02 Delphinus delphis M 204 14/03/02 Swan Pool Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/117 M75/3/02 Delphinus delphis M 230 18/03/02 Grebe Point Cornwall not established SW2002/118 M76/3/02 Phocoena phocoena F 130 18/03/02 Tolcarne Cornwall not established SW2002/123C M045/02 Phocoena phocoena U 124 17/03/02 Balgownie Links Grampian physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/128 M91/3/02 Delphinus delphis M 213 20/03/02 Summerleaze Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/130C M046/02 Phocoena phocoena F 114 20/03/02 Balgownie Links Grampian physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/134 M103/3/02 Phocoena phocoena M 151 24/03/02 Porthpean Beach Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/137 M104/3/02 Phocoena phocoena M 148 25/03/02 Porthpean Beach Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/140 M3/4/02 Phocoena phocoena F 164 27/03/02 Porthpean Beach Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/142 M4/4/02 Phocoena phocoena M 140 28/03/02 Pentewan Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/143 M5/4/02 Delphinus delphis M 175 29/03/02 Carne Beach Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/149B M049/02 Phocoena phocoena M 116 02/04/02 off South Sutor Highland physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/151 XT409/02 Phocoena phocoena M 137 03/04/02 Pwllheli Gwynedd physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/153 M14/4/02 Delphinus delphis F 195 03/04/02 Marazion Cornwall old age SW2002/159 XT419/02 Phocoena phocoena F 95 07/04/02 Solway Estuary Cumbria live stranding
The Natural History Museum 67 NHM ref. PM no. Species Sex Length Date found Location County Cause of death ______SW2002/160 XT418/02 Phocoena phocoena M 116 07/04/02 Blyth Northumberland live stranding SW2002/165 M45/4/02 Delphinus delphis F 188 09/04/02 Porthallow Cornwall not established SW2002/169A M050/02 Phocoena phocoena M 151 16/04/02 Speybay Grampian physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/170 XT425/02 Phocoena phocoena M 124 17/04/02 Porth y Post Anglesey physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/174 XT433/02 Delphinus delphis F 209 22/04/02 Bovisands Devon physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/177 M145/4/02 Phocoena phocoena M 154 25/04/02 Riviere Towans Cornwall parasitism (multiple sites, heavy) SW2002/178 XT440/02 Phocoena phocoena M 112 27/04/02 Fairbourne Gwynedd physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/179 XT435/02 Phocoena phocoena F 135 28/04/02 Tan-y-bwlch Ceredigion physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/181 M7/5/02 Delphinus delphis M 180 30/04/02 Harlyn Bay Cornwall not established SW2002/184 223053 Phocoena phocoena F 95 02/05/02 Pagham West Sussex starvation SW2002/186 XT484/02 Phocoena phocoena F 151 08/05/02 Caister Beach Norfolk parasitism, pulmonary (heavy) and old age SW2002/187A M061/02 Phocoena phocoena F 119 09/05/02 St Davids Harbour Fife starvation/emaciation SW2002/187B M062/02 Phocoena phocoena F 108 11/05/02 Balmedie Grampian starvation SW2002/191A M069/02 Lagenorhynchus acutus M 250 23/05/02 Rubha Ardvule Western Isles live stranding SW2002/191D M070/02 Phocoena phocoena M 128 25/05/02 St Combs Grampian possible bycatch SW2002/192 XT521/02 Phocoena phocoena F 166 27/05/02 Pendine Carmarthenshire starvation SW2002/194 M120/5/02 Phocoena phocoena F 120 26/05/02 Polkerris Beach Cornwall not established SW2002/194A M072/02 Phocoena phocoena F 76 27/05/02 Forvie Grampian starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2002/194B M073/02 Phocoena phocoena M 139 29/05/02 Skeld Shetland physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/196A M074/02 Phocoena phocoena M 84 30/05/02 Balmedie Grampian starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2002/197 S2042 Phocoena phocoena F 79 31/05/02 Pembrey Country Park Carmarthenshire starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2002/198 S2043 Phocoena phocoena M 134 01/06/02 Borth Ceredigion physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/199D M076/02 Phocoena phocoena F 155 01/06/02 Skeld Shetland pneumonia, parasitic (reinfection) SW2002/199E M075/02 Lagenorhynchus albirostris M 263 02/06/02 Forvie Grampian live stranding SW2002/200B M079/02 Phocoena phocoena M 143 06/06/02 Nairn Beach Highland physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack)
The Natural History Museum 68 NHM ref. PM no. Species Sex Length Date found Location County Cause of death ______SW2002/201 M20/6/02 Mesoplodon bidens F 444 07/06/02 Praa Sands Cornwall live stranding SW2002/203 S2044 Phocoena phocoena F 154 09/06/02 Borth Ceredigion not established SW2002/204 S2045 Phocoena phocoena F 150 10/06/02 Aberdovey Gwynedd physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/209B M085/02 Phocoena phocoena M 147 14/06/02 Scalloway Harbour Shetland physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/210 XT567/02 Lagenorhynchus acutus M 255 15/06/02 Newhaven Harbour East Sussex not established SW2002/211 XT1519/02 Phocoena phocoena F 77 15/06/02 Aberdovey Gwynedd physical trauma (possible bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/211B M082/02 Lagenorhynchus albirostris M 155 15/06/02 Blackdog Grampian live stranding SW2002/213 M083/02 Lagenorhynchus albirostris F 171 17/06/02 Pethudden Grampian live stranding SW2002/214 XT604/02 Phocoena phocoena F 133 18/06/02 Tal-y-bont Gwynedd physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/218 XT600/02 Phocoena phocoena F 169 25/06/02 Tal-y-bont Gwynedd not established SW2002/221B M086/02 Balaenoptera acutorostrata F 755 19/06/02 off Dunbar Lothian physical trauma, entanglement SW2002/222 EXTERNAL Ziphius cavirostris M 565 20/06/02 Walcott Norfolk starvation (aged) SW2002/224 XT599/02 Delphinus delphis F 133 22/06/02 Rainham Kent generalised abscessation (sequel to bycatch) SW2002/225 XT601/02 Phocoena phocoena M 79 22/06/02 Tywyn Gwynedd live stranding, euthanased SW2002/228 XT607/02 Phocoena phocoena M 77 23/06/02 Tywyn Gwynedd starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2002/229 XT606/02 Phocoena phocoena M 124 23/06/02 Ynyslas Ceredigion generalised bacterial infection (Salmonella sp.)/pleuritis SW2002/230 XT605/02 Phocoena phocoena M 110 23/06/02 Tywyn Gwynedd physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/232 S2046 Phocoena phocoena M 145 24/06/02 Barmouth Gwynedd not established SW2002/239A M088/02 Phocoena phocoena F 164 25/06/02 Newton Shore Strathclyde physical trauma SW2002/239B M089/02 Phocoena phocoena M 147 26/06/02 Westport Strathclyde hepatic failure SW2002/241 S2048 Phocoena phocoena F 70 28/06/02 Tan-y-Bwlch Ceredigion starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2002/244A M096/02 Grampus griseus F 318 03/07/02 Stromness Orkney ruptured uterus SW2002/250 XT667/02 Phocoena phocoena F 152 09/07/02 BYC. off Bridlington Humberside physical trauma, bycatch (known) SW2002/251 S2047 Phocoena phocoena F 84 09/07/02 Hells Mouth Gwynedd physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/254 S2049 Phocoena phocoena M 131 11/07/02 Tywyn Gwynedd not established SW2002/256A M098/02 Lagenorhynchus albirostris M 272 12/07/02 Drum Sands Lothian live stranding
The Natural History Museum 69 NHM ref. PM no. Species Sex Length Date found Location County Cause of death ______SW2002/262A XT736/02 Phocoena phocoena F 117 15/07/02 BYC. off Bridlington Humberside physical trauma, bycatch (known) SW2002/265 XT738/02 Phocoena phocoena M 144 16/07/02 BYC. off Bridlington Humberside physical trauma, bycatch (known) SW2002/273 S2050 Phocoena phocoena M 122 21/07/02 Gilfach-yr-Halen Ceredigion physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/278A M106/02 Tursiops truncatus U -9 25/07/02 Ballone Castle Highland not established SW2002/279 S2051 Phocoena phocoena M -9 26/07/02 Aberystwyth Ceredigion not established SW2002/279D M108/02 Phocoena phocoena F 66 27/07/02 Broughty Ferry Tayside starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2002/281 M17/8/02 Delphinus delphis M 216 02/08/02 Praa Sands Cornwall orchitis and peritonitis SW2002/285 XT1517/02 Phocoena phocoena M 77 05/08/02 Aberaeron Ceredigion starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2002/290 XT1502/02 Phocoena phocoena F 81 12/08/02 Aberystwyth Ceredigion starvation/hypothermia (neonate) SW2002/293A M129/02 Globicephala melas M 350 14/08/02 Balephuil Bay Strathclyde live stranding SW2002/294 XT1267/02 Phocoena phocoena M 94 14/08/02 Trearddur Bay Anglesey physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/294E M130/02 Phocoena phocoena F 120 15/08/02 Kames Bay Strathclyde pneumonia, parasitic SW2002/295 XT1195/02 Phocoena phocoena M 137 19/08/02 Dovercourt Essex cutaneous wound (chronic, large, granulating), chronic blood loss SW2002/297 XT1235/02 Phocoena phocoena M 89 20/08/02 Borth Ceredigion live stranding SW2002/297A M155/02 Phocoena phocoena M -9 20/08/02 Arbroath Tayside physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/301A M172/02 Physeter macrocephalus M 1290 26/08/02 Breasclate Western Isles live stranding SW2002/304 M7/9/02 Stenella coeruleoalba F 216 02/09/02 Perran Sands Cornwall starvation SW2002/308 XT1283/02 Phocoena phocoena F 157 02/09/02 BYC. off Bridlington Humberside physical trauma, bycatch (known) SW2002/309 XT1284/02 Phocoena phocoena M 141 02/09/02 BYC. off Bridlington Humberside physical trauma, bycatch (known) SW2002/310 XT1317/02 Phocoena phocoena M 125 04/09/02 Great Yarmouth Norfolk parasitism, pulmonary (heavy) SW2002/311A M203/02 Phocoena phocoena F 150 06/09/02 Blairmore Strathclyde pneumonia, parasitic SW2002/313A M205/02 Phocoena phocoena M 146 08/09/02 Ardentinnie Strathclyde pneumonia, parasitic and bacterial SW2002/315A M214/02 Delphinus delphis M 212 12/09/02 Achmel Vich Bay Highland pneumonia, bacterial
The Natural History Museum 70 NHM ref. PM no. Species Sex Length Date found Location County Cause of death ______SW2002/320 XT1331/02 Phocoena phocoena M 100 17/09/02 Viking Bay Kent haemorrhage, pulmonary (parasitic) SW2002/321C M243/02 Phocoena phocoena F 160 23/09/02 East Links Lothian pulmonary thrombus- parasitic SW2002/322 S2055 Lagenorhynchus acutus M 263 25/09/02 Cei Bach Ceredigion starvation (aged) SW2002/323 S2054 Phocoena phocoena M 124 25/09/02 Tresaith Ceredigion physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/324 S2053 Phocoena phocoena M 144 25/09/02 Borth Ceredigion physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/326 XT1364/02 Phocoena phocoena M 96 27/09/02 Gilfach-yr-Halen Ceredigion physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/328 XT1363/02 Phocoena phocoena F 163 28/09/02 Llanrhystud Ceredigion physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/336A M323/02 Grampus griseus F 260 11/10/02 Shetland meningo-encephalitis SW2002/341B M356/02 Phocoena phocoena M 115 19/10/02 Portessie Grampian physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/346 XT1456/02 Phocoena phocoena F 145 29/10/02 Fairbourne Gwynedd physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/348 EXTERNAL Phocoena phocoena M 136 04/11/02 Tan-y-Bwlch Ceredigion physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/350C M445/02 Phocoena phocoena M 99 11/11/02 Lundin Links Fife pneumonia, parasitic and bacterial SW2002/351C M502/02 Phocoena phocoena F 166 22/11/02 Otter Ferry Strathclyde pneumonia, parasitic SW2002/352 XT1501/02 Phocoena phocoena M 120 23/11/02 Jaywick Essex starvation (sequel to oesophageal impaction); parasitism, pulmonary (heavy) SW2002/356A M546/02 Phocoena phocoena F 149 29/11/02 Eswick Beach Shetland pneumonia, parasitic SW2002/361C M580/02 Phocoena phocoena F 135 04/12/02 Balemore Western Isles pyloric stenosis-parasitic- partial SW2002/362 S2069 Delphinus delphis F 217 06/12/02 Poppit Sands Ceredigion physical trauma (possible bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/364 XT1571/02 Phocoena phocoena M 146 10/12/02 Great Yarmouth Norfolk starvation (aged) SW2002/365 M75/12/02 Delphinus delphis F 172 10/12/02 Porthallow Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/366 M74/12/02 Delphinus delphis F 180 10/12/02 Porthallow Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/367 M83/12/02 Delphinus delphis F 197 10/12/02 Porthallow Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch
The Natural History Museum 71 NHM ref. PM no. Species Sex Length Date found Location County Cause of death ______SW2002/368 M82/12/02 Delphinus delphis F -9 12/12/02 Coverack Cornwall physical trauma, bycatch SW2002/372A M590/02 Phocoena phocoena M 152 11/12/02 St Andrews Fife meningoencephalitis (E. tarda), pneumonia, parasitic and bact. SW2002/372B M594/02 Phocoena phocoena F 109 11/12/02 Pitenweem Fife starvation SW2002/372C M604/02 Phocoena phocoena M 104 13/12/02 Balmedie Grampian physical trauma (bottlenose dolphin attack) SW2002/374A S2070 Phocoena phocoena M 143 16/12/02 Pwllheli Gwynedd parasitism, pulmonary (heavy); gastritis, parasitic (fibrous thickening fundic stomach) SW2002/374B M609/02 Stenella coeruleoalba F 160 16/12/02 Scalloway Shetland live stranding SW2002/375 M107/12/02 Phocoena phocoena M 125 18/12/02 Church Cove Cornwall not established SW2002/382 XT276/03 Phocoena phocoena M 123 24/12/02 Heacham Norfolk parasitism, pulmonary and cardiac (heavy) SW2002/385 M140/12/02 Phocoena phocoena F 126 24/12/02 Bosloggas Cornwall not established SW2002/394A M635/02 Lagenorhynchus acutus M 147 28/12/02 Loch Crianan Strathclyde live stranding SW2002/394B M664/02 Phocoena phocoena U -9 29/12/02 Stonehaven Grampian not established SW2002/239A M088/02 Phocoena phocoena F 164 25/06/02 Newton Shore Strathclyde physical trauma T2001/24 XT1531/02 Chelonia mydas F 47 30/12/01 Knot End Lancashire gastrointestinal impaction (plastic) T2002/20 XT1553/02 Caretta caretta F 23 04/07/02 Perran Sands Cornwall starvation/hypothermia ______
The Natural History Museum 72