A team of veterinarians from the Institute of Animal Health and Food Safety (IUSA) has found a mask and other plastics inside the stomach of a dolphin that stranded in Arico (Tenerife).

This finding highlights the impact of garbage on marine species, which has added a new residue, the masks.

From the necropsy performed on the animal, a female common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), other residues were also extracted, such as disposable boots, fishing lines, textile threads, ropes and plastic bags that were housed in its main stomach. This finding highlights the enormous problem posed by the presence of rubbish and waste in the marine environment, mainly plastic materials, which have a great impact on marine species.

Previous studies carried out by the IUSA have revealed the scope of this problem in cetaceans stranded in the Canary Islands, demonstrating the presence of this litter in 7.74% of the cetaceans studied between 2000 and 2016.

These residues were responsible for the cause of death of the animal in 2.8% of the animals studied. The IUSA is a reference entity in the study of cetaceans and develops various projects related to their conservation and protection, the prevention of strandings and, in general, the knowledge of these animals in their habitat in Canarian waters.