Same thing has happened the last two times we've been out to
Catalina Island and it seems really odd. Being intelligent creatures it makes sense that they would play with
mooring lines and other "toys" under the surface, but why would they get their tails caught/tied-up in the sandline twice in less than a month so that they drown !?
The report was the same each time. Words to the effect that 'we have spotted a dead dolphin with the
mooring line wrapped around its tail and then up through the mouth'. Through the mouth makes sense as it struggles to free itself, but the
knot or tangle around the tail ? I can't even imagine how they would do that if they were trying.
We saw the second one when we went on a hike after the
radio report. The harbor patrol had notified whoever it is they have to talk to about the sea mammal fatality and then untangled it. It looked like it was average size as it was floating belly up in the kelp. A very sad sight even from 200' (?) up.
Maybe Asta has some ideas ?
-Sven