2 dolphins die after 13 beach themselves in Eastham - Boston Globe

Besides the 11, two other stranded dolphins died, said Kerry Branon, media manager for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Why the dolphins came ashore on a 500-foot stretch of beach after 2 p.m. is unknown, Branon said.

As of 7 p.m. yesterday, the organization was still checking the health of the surviving mammals, which each weigh between 175 and 250 pounds, Branon said. The dolphins found to be healthy will be released in open water off Provincetown, but if any of the animals are too unhealthy to be released, they will be euthanized, Branon said.

Branon said people were eager to help with the rescue effort.

"It's a mob scene down here. We have staff members, volunteers, beachgoers helping out,'' Branon said. "There are people at the beach probably going about their normal day, but they're helping.''

The 11 dolphins were staying in a tidal pool off the beach, Branon said.

In 1999, amid stormy weather, 54 white-sided dolphins beached on the Cape Cod coast, from Wellfleet to Eastham, according to the New England Aquarium website.

"Although we don't know what specifically might set off a mass stranding event, we know that once animals start coming ashore, it's extremely difficult to stop the process from continuing and escalating,'' according to the website.

"Affected animals will relentlessly follow one another ashore, as if crippled by widespread panic, even when there is clear access to open water.''

Branon said she had no idea if Tropical Storm Irene played any role in yesterday's dolphin beaching.

Christopher Girard can be reached at cgirard@globe.com.