Four Pantropical Spotted Tropical Dolphins, a species rarely seen in the Mississippi Sound, were found beached on Petit Bois Island Saturday.
© Institute of Marine Mammal StudiesFour Pantropical Spotted Tropical Dolphins, a species rarely seen in the Mississippi Sound, were found beached on Petit Bois Island Saturday.
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) reports that four dolphins were found dead on Petit Bois Island Saturday.

IMMS says their staff responded to a 'stranding event' on the island after a group of dolphins was discovered and reported to their Stranding Hotline.

IMMS collected photographs and tissue samples in the field. To their surprise, the dolphins were Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, a species rarely seen in Mississippi waters.

IMMS says these dolphins usually inhabit deeper waters, so it was a surprise to find four together on one of the barrier islands.

Each animal was brought back to IMMS for further analysis. Necropsies— animal autopsies— are being performed, in collaboration with the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, to determine the causes of death.