3rd Dead Dolphin Found in N.J. River
Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 | Updated 10:34 AM EST
Federal officials decided against any rescue effort for 12 wayward dolphins swimming in New Jersey's Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers.
A third dolphin has been found dead in the Shrewsbury River near the Route 36 bridge between Sea Bright and Highlands.
The discovery came during an incoming tide before 8 a.m. Friday.
Workers on the bridge sighted the animal and immediately reported the incident to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.
The animal has been preliminarily identified by the stranding center as a common dolphin.
Authorities are arranging for a necropsy to determine the cause of death. No further details were available.
Twelve bottlenose dolphins constitute the group currently residing in the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers.
The wayward dolphins have been at the center of a tug-of-war between animal rescuers and federal wildlife officials over whether the dolphins should be removed.
