The nation’s fentanyl epidemic is not only taking a toll on humans—it’s also affecting wildlife. In a groundbreaking study, researchers detected fentanyl in the blubber of dolphins from the Gulf of Mexico.
The study, conducted by a team from Texas A&M University in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Precision Toxicological Consultancy, analyzed 89 dolphin blubber samples. Of these, 83 were collected through live-animal biopsies and six from deceased dolphins. Pharmaceuticals were detected in 30 dolphins, with fentanyl found in 18 of them.
Researchers studied dolphins from three Gulf of Mexico locations: Redfish Bay and Laguna Madre in Texas, and the Mississippi Sound, where 12 tissue samples were collected.
“Pharmaceuticals prevent and treat diseases, yet inappropriate intake can result in harmful effects including mortality. Contaminants have become recurrent public and wildlife health concerns,” researchers wrote.
This isn’t the first time fentanyl has harmed animals. Emily’s Hope has also reported on dogs who have overdosed from the potent synthetic opioid.
