Dolphins Tested and Found to have Narcotics in Their Sytems!

The opioid epidemic just got even worse, and it may have finally reached a point that gets everyone concerned enough to find a solution.

More than two dozen bottlenose in the Gulf of Mexica have been found to have traces of fentanyl in their blubber. To really highlight the severity of the issue it was noted that this wasn't in one area, but the samples were actually from three different areas.

Out of 89 dolphins examined (83 alive and 6 deceased), almost 30 of them were found to have pharmaceuticals in their systems, and 18 of the live dolphins and all 6 dead dolphins tested positive for Fentanyl. While they can't be sure of how the dolphins were able to get fentanyl in their systems, we do know that pharmaceutical companies have become major contributors to global micropollutants.

Scientists are especially concerned about how these substances may affect the behavior, health, and survival rates of marine animals. Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, and even trace amounts can have significant physiological effects. For dolphins, which rely on complex social structures and communication to thrive, exposure to such substances could disrupt their natural behaviors, making survival even more challenging in already stressed marine environments.

The Gulf of Mexico experienced a terrible crisis in 2010 when the oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded. Now a diverse array of marine species is facing yet another challenge that requires immediate action. If there’s one takeaway from these findings, it's that humans are really making life in the oceans difficult for marine life.