MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) -- Scientists are trying to figure out why 11 dolphins and one beaked whale have washed ashore in the past two weeks.
The animals were found between Volusia County and Sebastian Inlet.
Some were so decomposed that finding a cause of death could be impossible, so biologists from Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute in Orlando hope to recover the next victim sooner.
The whale was found in Melbourne Beach on Jan. 27. Its tissue sample tests are expected to return next week.
Research scientist Wendy Noke says the victims all seemed to have lung complications, but that's common when whales and dolphins strand themselves.
"We're hoping things slow down," Noke says.
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Information from: Florida Today, http://www.floridatoday.com
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