Storms Dudley and Eunice Left Dolphins, Other Mammals Stranded and Dead Along Welsh Beaches

Stranded dolphins were left dead and stranded by the passage of Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice through the UK over the past week.

The storms have left not only dolphins washed-up and dead on Welsh beaches, but also seals and porpoises as well.

The natural phenomenon of storm surge, caused by the strong winds of storms Dudley and Eunice last week, is believed to be the reason behind the stranding of marine mammals on the Welsh coastal areas.

Dudley and Eunice battered the UK for several days over the past week, causing widespread damage.

Dead Dolphins and Other Marine Mammals

(Photo : Nicolas Tucat via Getty Images)

A total of 13 dolphins, seals, and porpoises have died after being washed ashore by the strong winds of Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice for several days.

The incident alarmed environmentalists of the repercussions of the storms on marine habitats and marine ecosystems.

Over the past week, the environmental group Marine Environmental Monitoring reportedly received 13 calls about washed-up and dead marine mammals, including dolphins, seals, and porpoises, along the Welsh coast, as per BBC news.

The calls were relatively higher than the average of two calls per week, indicating the incidents that occurred during the wake of the recent storms.

Also read: Hundreds of Starfish, Other Marine Animals Stranded on the Beach After Storm Arwen

Reported Incidents

In one of the incidents, a young dolphin was found dead when Storm Dudley passed through Ynyslas beach in Ceredigion, a county of Wales in the UK.

In addition, another dead dolphin was recovered in the village of Aberdesach, Wales, during the rampage of Storm Eunice.

Furthermore, a seal washed up dead in the town of Pembroke Dock.

Related incidents were reported in the coastal areas of Gwynedd County and Anglesey Island in Wales.

Moreover, thousands of starfishes were also found on the beaches of Pembrokeshire County after Storm Eunice.

Local authorities said the animals were most likely dead before reaching the shore or died on the coast due to inexperience when it comes to resisting strong waves during the storm, as per the Wales Online news.

Storm Surge

As local investigation started on the carcass of the marine mammals, initial reports reveal the dolphins, seals, and porpoises were washed up ashore by strong ocean waves caused by a storm surge from the strong winds of Storm Dudley, and Storm Eunice.

Last week, storms Dudley and Eunice brought heavy rain and flooding in multiple parts of the UK.

The two storms' strong winds have caused a storm surge, which pushed waters into coastal areas at an abnormal rate.

According to the National Hurricane Center - National Ocean Atmospheric Administration, a storm surge is the sudden and unprecedented rise of the water level generated by a storm. The sea-level rise is described to be above "predicted astronomical tide." 

Unfortunately, the occurrence of stranded marine mammals is common during a storm surge.

A storm surge affects not only marine mammals but also causes widespread and severe flooding in mainland areas near the coast.

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