Parasitism as a factor (?) in single strandings of southern California cetaceans

From 1970 to 1976 a total of 91 cetaceans was examined for parasites and associated pathology. Sixty of the animals were found stranded along a 100-mile section of southern California coastline while 31 were taken at sea. Parasites from 5 species of cetaceans are reported along with their possible role as a contributing factor in stranding behavior.