Unfortunately, many of the animals that are stranded on our beaches, arrive extremely weak and sick, or already dead. In the cases of those animals that present in a good state of preservation, post mortem exams are conducted to try to find the cause of death. The anatomopathological studies are conducted in collaboration with the service of Pathological Anatomy of the Universidad Autónoma of Barcelona and the CReSA, directed by the University Professor of Pathological Anatomy, Mariano Domingo.

After conducting the post mortem examinations, in which it is first attempted to recognize injuries to the organs (through a macroscopic exam), the histological studies are conducted, in which it is possible to observe injuries to the tissues at a microscopic level. In addition, specific tests are routinely performed to detect the presence of viruses and bacterias (like morbilivirus or toxoplasma) that affect populations of dolphins in the Mediterranean. All this is done in an attempt to learn a little more about the illnesses that affect these species, about which there is still much to learn.