Carcasses of Fraser’s Dolphins Wash Ashore on Oʻahu, DLNR Reports

Three carcasses of Fraser’s dolphins have washed ashore between Diamond Head and Waikīkī, DLNR officials reported earlier this week. State and federal marine officials are investigating the “unusual occurrence.”

The DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is warning oceangoers to exercise caution in nearshore waters on the southern coastline of O‘ahu. One of the dolphins appeared to have shark bites, according to a DLNR press release issued Monday, Dec. 6.

According to NOAA, the University of Hawai‘i Health and Stranding Lab will conduct post-mortem examinations, including the collection of tissues for laboratory analysis.

Fraser’s dolphins are typically found in deep, tropical waters and it’s estimated there are approximately 10,000 in Hawaiian waters, the release states.

Anyone encountering a live or deceased stranded marine mammal, is asked to call the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at 888-256-9840 or the DOCARE hotline at 808-634-DLNR.