ZANZIBAR, Tanzania (28 April 2006) -- Dozens of dead dolphins washed ashore on a beach in Zanzibar overnight, residents said on Friday, but the cause of the deaths was unknown. A resident said the dead dolphins were on a two to three mile stretch of beach called Kendwa and Mkokotoni, in the north of Zanzibar that is populated by several tourist hotels. "I've been counting them, and I'm sure there will be hundred-plus," Abdulsamad Melhe, a hotel owner, said. Another resident said he first saw the dolphins on Thursday. "We started noticing them last night. All are adult dolphins. We could do nothing but photograph them," a hotel owner who preferred not to be named said. Nariman Jidawi, a researcher at Zanzibar-based Institute of Marine Science at the University of Dar es Salaam, cited several possible reasons that could have led to the dolphins dying. "We suspect oil pollution, eating red seaweed or simply being left behind when the tide recedes," Jidawi said. The species of dolphin could not be immediately determined, but the Indian Ocean is a migratory path and home for several species, including the Indian Ocean Bottlenose and Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin. A witness said Zanzibar residents were seen taking dolphin meat home for feasting. Visitors to the Indian Ocean Island often enjoy dolphin tours and scuba diving. | 
