Three dolphins, seal found killed in northeastern Aegean

A young Mediterranean monk seal and three striped dolphins have been found dead with obvious signs of violence in the northeastern Aegean in recent days, according to a marine conservation group that reported more seal killings earlier this month.

In its latest report, the Archipelagos Institute said that the dead seal had a rope wrapped around its hind flippers, while the three dolphins had their dorsal fins cut off. Experts believe that the dolphins were alive when they were mutilated and left to drown.

According to the institute, there have been increasing reports of striped dolphins approaching fishing trawlers in the Aegean as overfishing depletes their natural food sources.

"We believe that these particular dolphins - and who knows how many more - became trapped in the nets as they were being raised close to the surface. Based on their injuries, it is...