Indonesian national park officials remove dead dolphins from shallow waters off the coast of Banten Province.
Residents living nearby who witnessed the incident informed park officials.
In total seventeen dolphins died after becoming trapped in the shallow waters - though it is not clear why.
One wildlife activist said the dolphins may simply have lost their way.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) WILDLIFE REHABILITATION ADVISOR FEMKE DEN HAAS, SAYING:
"And what happened was that, maybe, one of the family members, had for example, lost their navigation and got too far away from the group. The sonar was maybe interrupted by something. Sometimes if it's a flat beach, like here, they assume that this is deeper water."
Another six dolphins survived the incident and park officials said they would continue to patrol the waters to ensure their safety.
They are Atlantic Spotted Dolphins found in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean waters as well as in gulfs and river mouths around the world.
Sunita Rappai, Reuters
