2 dolphins die on SC coast; biologist investigates - WCIV-TV | ABC News 4 - Charleston News, Sports, Weather

2 dolphins die on SC coast; biologist investigates

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) -- A biologist is investigating the deaths of two dolphins this week in the May River near Bluffton.

The Island Packet of Hilton Head reports that Jimmy McIntire of Bluffton was fishing from his boat Tuesday when he noticed a dead dolphin floating in the water. McIntire says it appeared to have been bitten by a shark. That dolphin's body has not been recovered.

Later the carcass of a badly decomposed dolphin was found downstream.

Wildlife biologist Wayne McFee says the deaths are investigated to see if mammals died because of interaction with people -- such as being hit by a boat -- or from some sort of disease.

About 50 dead dolphins are found along the South Carolina coast each year.