Dozens of turtles, dolphins and other sea creatures were found dead off Guatemala’s Pacific coast, prompting an official investigation, authorities said Thursday.
As many as 65 turtles, most of them of the Olive Ridley variety, and 14 dolphins were found dead earlier this week, Guatemala’s National Council of Protected Areas told AFP.
The agency did not say where exactly the dead animals were found.
Agency officials believe the deaths may have been caused by heavy rains in recent days, which may have carried some toxic materials from the mainland into the sea.
Investigators are also looking into whether the development of industrial fishing off the coast may have played a role.
Experts in this Central American nation will now examine the animals’ remains to determine what caused the deaths.
Local officials, along with volunteers, also searched for other dead species.
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