Killer Dolphins

Monterey Bay researchers say dolphins are causing porpoise deaths.

For the past five years, the growing number of dead harbor porpoises washing up on California shores has been a marine mystery — until now.

In September, marine biologists with Okeanis, a nonprofit conservation group based in Moss Landing, captured the only video footage taken in Monterey Bay of bottlenose dolphins attacking and killing a porpoise.

Scientists suspected dolphins, which have a relatively docile reputation, have been attacking the smaller porpoises because the porpoises have been washing up on the shore with rake marks and internal bleeding, but they never had any proof.

They may be "charismatic mega-fauna" but it doesn't change the fact that dolphins are also wild animals.