Since first reporting on this issue, Marine Connection has been monitoring the situation surrounding a pod of 16 dolphins that that set up home in New Jersey's Shrewsbury-Navesink Rivers last year.

After many months, only five of original pod remained however it now appears that two of four bottlenose dolphins discovered dead in the New Jersey area in recent weeks probably were part of the original group. Based on dorsal fin comparisons it appears that a third dead dolphin probably was not part of the group and the origin of the fourth was unknown.

As yet, no cause of death has been established. So far, at least six of the 16 dolphins from the group last year are known to have died and there is every possibility that a new group could return as early June is the time of year when coastal migratory dolphins arrive in New Jersey after wintering in the Carolinas. If this is the case, they might be trying to expand their range north, which would explain why they periodically show up in the Shrewsbury River, a narrow tributary off Sandy Hook Bay that connects with the Navesink in Monmouth County.

The fate of the remaining dolphins from last year is unknown but we will continue to monitor sightings in the area.