Authorities investigate after dolphins are found with gunshot wounds in Gulf of Mexico

Authorities are investigating several attacks on dolphins in the northern Gulf of Mexico after some were found with gunshot wounds, cuts and missing jaws.

The Sun Herald reports that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a "heads up" directive.

That puts officials on alert for an increase in human interaction with dolphins in the waters across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

Authorities said cases of gunshot wounds, mutilations and other injuries have been detected.

Scientists from the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport have responded to four dolphin strandings. A team went to Deer Island and found a second dolphin dead with a portion of his jaw missing.

A dolphin found dead earlier near Gautier had a 9mm bullet wound.

AP