Striped dolphins in the Mediterranean face threats from pollution, bycatch, disease, and boat disturbance, with morbillivirus epidemics causing mass mortality events.
Striped dolphins dying in morbillivirus epidemics experience acute respiratory disease, neurological symptoms, and progressive debilitation before death. Pollution-compromised immune systems increase morbillivirus lethality and reduce recovery capacity. Bycaught dolphins drown in fishing gear. Noise pollution from vessel traffic causes behavioural disruption and may contribute to strandings from acoustic disorientation. The combination of these pressures in the semi-enclosed Mediterranean creates chronic welfare burden for dolphins that cannot escape to less polluted waters.