Abstract: On May 8th,2013,we implemented pathological anatomy and external morphological measurements of two dead southern bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus),which were raised in Xiaodeng Recreational Fishing Village,Xiamen, to investigate the causes of their death. These two dolphins (Nos. 1 and 2)were males. The body lengths and weights
were 242 cm and 130 kg for dolphin No.1,and 240. 7 cm and 125 kg for dolphin No. 2,respectively. Their subcutaneous abdominal fat layers were 3 mm and 5 mm thick, respectively. No fatal pathological changes were detected in viscera organs such as hearts,livers,spleens,lungs,kidneys,testis,epididymides,etc. However,we found 9. 5 kg ulva (Ulva lactuca) mixed with mud in the fore-stomach of dolphin No.1,while there were 5.5 kg plastic packaging bags,swimming caps, stones,etc,in the fore-stomach of dolphin No.2. Therefore,the deaths of these two dolphins could be due to the fact that foreign matter choked up their fore-stomachs,making them unable to feed and digest normally for a relatively long time, thereby starving them to death.

Key words: Captivity, Cause of death, Death, Pathological anatomy, Southern bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus)

关键词: 南瓶鼻海豚, 人工饲养, 死亡, 病理解剖, 死因分析