Dead dolphins, sea lions and turtles wash up on Chiclayo beaches (Peru)

Photo : Wilfredo Sandoval/El Comercio

January 20^th, 2014 (Terra Hall). Officials said several of the animals found were wrapped in fishing nets. They believe pollution could be the cause.

The beaches lining the coast of Pimetel, a district in the southern province of Chiclayo, have become a graveyard for a variety of marine life, reported El Comercio Sunday evening.

Beach goers, visiting the coastal city saw the washed up carcasses of dolphins, and turtles littering the beach, meanwhile dead seas lions were spotted on surrounding rocks. Many of the dolphins were covered in cuts and other flesh wounds.

They are also saw another life form on the beaches: scavengers feeding on the remains of dead marine life.

The Lambayeque Regional Government reported that it believes the animals may have died after being trapped in fishing nets, their dead bodies washing ashore. The agency also said pollution (Ed Sibylline : Petroplus is located in the area) could be the culprit.

This comes just days after 22 dolphins, 17 sea lions, and 23 sea turtles have been found along a stretch of 20 kilometers in Piura.

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