Health Status of Stranded Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Contamination by Immunotoxic Pollutants: A Threat to the Pelagos Sanctuary—Western Mediterranean Sea

Between 2019 and 2021, 21 bottlenose dolphins were found stranded dead along the Ligurian Pelagos Sanctuary coast (Italy). For 11 animals, out of a total 14 recovered, cause death was classified as natural, anthropic, or not determined based on gross histological pathology ancillary testing. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) examined in their blubber, results discussed according to toxicological properties. All specimens showed following trend: PCBs > DDTs >> HCB, levels cancerogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic organochlorine compounds (T-OCs) >50% OCs. Immunosuppressant compound (IS-OC) 10 animals above 50% PCB always exceeded threshold 17 mg/kg lipid weight for PCB-induced adverse health effects. The suggest that living undergo high level exposure pathogens OCs, betraying designation Cetacean and, consequently, region created conservation. Immune dysfunction infectious disease susceptibility appear be highly connected with OC xenobiotics. These data are useful understand mortality trends cetacean populations, well developing policies conservation management this important protected area Mediterranean.