Mozambican authorities have begun an investigation into the mysterious deaths of no fewer than 111 spinner dolphins on an island in the country.

The dolphins, all of the same species – Stenella Longirostris, were found dead at the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, Inhambane Province, southern Mozambique.

Mozambique’s Ministry of Land, Environment and Rural Development said the 25 deceased dolphins were first discovered on Sunday and another 86 on Tuesday, 23 February 2021.

The ministry added that the cause of the deaths is still unknown but a probe has begun.

“The team from Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in Inhambane province found 86 lifeless dolphins on the west coast of Bazaruto Island,” a ministry statement said.

“They most likely beached during the night,” the park’s Facebook post said. “So far, a total of 111 dolphins have died. We are continuing to take samples.”

Meanwhile, the park’s head of inspection, Tomás Manasse, said initial autopsy did not indicate any “problem with the skin, tongue or intestines” but samples had been sent to a laboratory in the capital, Maputo.

Experts say last week’s cyclone Guambe, that caused unrest in the waters of the island of Bazaruto, may be one of the causes of the dolphins death.

Members of the park will monitor the area in the coming days to prevent more stranding. The protected waters of the national park are home to dolphins, whales and dugongs.

A Dutch Appeal Court has ordered Shell to pay compensation to Niger Delta farmers over the damage inflicted by oil leaks. News Central Breakfast spoke with environmental activist Nnimmo Bassey who revealed that he once visited Ogoni and quizzed the children swimming in the polluted water. He asked them why they were playing and dancing in the water, to which they responded that they had no alternative as that is the only river nature has provided for their recreation.

On further inquiry, he figured that only one out of the about 20 kids aspires to be a nurse. The rest said they want to be Politicians in the future because they perceive Politicians to be rich people who control everything. “This shows the extent of damage that the pollution has had on the psychology of the children of these communities so how do you compensate children who have never seen clean rivers and farmlands?”

In conclusion, Mr. Bassey said: “My personal belief is that the companies actually benefit from allowing the pollution to go on. Whenever there is pollution (whether it’s oil theft or sabotage), the oil companies have a duty to clean up the environment and for over 60 years, there is not one spill that has been properly cleaned up in the Niger Delta.”

Days after more than 700 pelicans died in a UNESCO Heritage site in Senegal, the Mauritanian government on Saturday also reported the death of over 200 pelicans.

The mortality was recorded on Mauritania’s national park, situated on the border with northern Senegal.

Carcasses of the birds were found on the Diawling National Park’s protected wetlands, sitting on the delta of the River Senegal. The Park hosts more than 250 species of birds.

The Mauritanian government has since closed the park and ordered a suspension of tourism activities in the area.

Senegal had earlier in the month reported the death of chickens on a farm in the Thies region. The cause of the mortality was found to be the H5N1 virus, which primarily affects poultry.

While investigations are going on as to the link between both outbreaks, strong connections are yet to be discovered.

H5N1 is a virus that affects birds and with Mauritania’s death of more than 200 pelicans, it means almost 1,000 pelicans have died in January alone.