Scientists investigate dolphin deaths

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., March 6 (UPI) -- Researchers in Virginia are attempting to determine why seven dolphins have beached themselves on the state's shores in the past week.

One of the dolphins was dissected Wednesday by scientists searching for answers to the unexplained phenomenon, the Virginian Pilot reported Thursday.

Rescuers were unable to save any of the dolphins. Experts said it was previously a rare occurrence for a dolphin to become beached in Virginia.

"Up until now, mass strandings of any kind have been unusual in Virginia," said Sue Barco, a senior research scientist on the stranding team at the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. "Delphinus (dolphins), in the past couple years, seem to have been showing up in odd places at odd times."

Tissue samples from the necropsy are being analyzed.