[Mike]

CAPE SAN BLAS, Fla. — State and federal scientists are stepping up
efforts to determine what has been killing bottlenose dolphins, fish
and horseshoe crabs in and near St. Josephs Bay.

The death toll has climbed to 22 over a three-day period.

Water samples will be tested for a possible toxin such as red tide
and post-mortem examinations were being conducted on the dolphins,
but it could be a couple weeks before biologists have an answer, said
Blair Mase, Southeast stranding coordinator for the National Marine
Fisheries Service.

The carcasses, some found up to a mile from shore in the bay and Gulf
of Mexico near the mouth of the bay, have been brought to a picnic
area at St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, where the post-mortem
examinations were being done.

The park is on Cape San Blas in the Florida Panhandle near Port St.
Joe.
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