Expert: Dolphin deaths in Peru still a mystery

[April 21, 2012]  LIMA, Peru (AP) -- A Peruvian official says authorities are still trying to unravel the mystery of why hundreds of dolphins ended up dead on beaches in the country over the past 2 1/2 months.

Deputy Environment Minister Gabriel Quijandria says studies are incomplete but officials hope to complete their research on the likely causes next week.

He said in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday that the carcasses of 877 dolphins and porpoises were found between February and mid-April on the beaches of northern Peru.

He says 90 percent were long-beaked common dolphins, while others were Burmeister porpoises.

Quijandria says officials suspect a virus may have been a factor.

[Associated Press]

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