Causes of mortality and parasites and incidental lesions in dolphins and whales from British waters

Abstract

Detailed post mortem examinations were carried out on 18 dolphins and whales found dead on the coast of the United Kingdom. The commonest causes of death were pneumonia and entanglement in fishing gear. Of the non-fatal conditions, parasitoses of various organs were common and there was a wide variety of other conditions. In total 124 diseases and other lesions were found, giving an average of 6.9 conditions per animal.