NOAA Says Dolphins Died From Spill

The federal government has finally admitted that dolphin deaths in the Gulf of Mexico are caused by the largest oil spill in US history, BP's Deepwater Horizon disaster. A study published Wednesday concluded that lesions found in dead bottlenose dolphins stranded on Gulf beaches betwen June 2010 and December 2012 are consistent with cronic exposure to petroleum after an oil spill. The study provides additional evidence of a scientific link between mass dolphin deaths in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi and the oil spill in 2010. A federal judge in New Orleans is still considering the dollar amount of the damages to be assessed against British Petroleum under the Clean Water Act.

The researchers analysed tissue samples collected from 46 dead dolphins in the area of the spill and compared them to 106 other dolphins that died elsewhere at different times. The oil damaged a third of the mammals' adrenal glands. Damaged adrenal glands cannot produce essential hormones and is fatal. A fifth of the Gulf dolphins had lung lesions caused by bacterial pneumonia. Inhalation of oil fumes is one of the most common causes of chemical injury to other animals. One of the veteranarians involved in the study said, "These dolphins had some of the most severe lung lesions I have ever seen in wild dolphins throughout the United States." Despite the latest scientific study, the grossly negligent company continues to deny that oil caused an increase in dolphin mortality. Some people deny the Holocaust--you decide which is more reprehensible.