Cetacean strandings have typically been classified into two types: 1) single strandings (including a mother/offspring pair); and 2) mass strandings. Singly stranded cetaceans have been reported world-wide wherever populations of…
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) suppress immunity, and may have exacerbated the effects of recent morbillivirus epizootics in harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba). To test the hypothesis that…
Since 1987, morbillivirus infections have caused serious disease outbreaks with high mortality among aquatic mammals. Baikal seals (Phoca sibirica) in Siberia were involved in an outbreak caused by a virus…
In 1988 and 1989, thousands of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) died in the North Sea from phocine distemper infection. The morphology of thyroid glands from 40 harbor seals found dead…
In 1990, 74 dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) and 10 Burmeister's porpoises (Phocoena spinipinnis) were examined for the presence of hyperpigmented marks and pinhole lesions on the skin (tattoo lesions) at…
Eighty-one dead cetaceans of a variety of species and from British waters were examined for evidence of skin disease and 69% were found to be affected. The most common conditions…
The medical treatment of a 4-year-old female Harbour porpoise which was stranded on the Dutch coast is described. The animal was emaciated on arrival at Harderwijk, and survived for 3…
Gastrointestinal helminths of the cetaceans Cephalorhynchus eutropia and Phocoena spinipinnis accidentally entangled in gill-nets off the coast of Queule, Chile, were identified from 1989 to 1990. Pseudoterranova sp., Polymorphus (Polymorphus)…
Detailed post mortem examinations were carried out on 41 harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) found dead on the coast of the United Kingdom. The commonest causes of death were entanglement in…
In March 1988 three Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) were stranded on the Dutch coast and sent to the Harderwijk Marine Mammal Park for rehabilitation. The following parameters were recorded during…