Volunteers find hundreds of dead animals on Galveston beach

<p>Dead fish and other animals have washed on the beach in Galveston, Texas.</p>

Dead fish and other animals have washed on the beach in Galveston, Texas.

GALVESTON, Texas — Volunteers in southern Texas are trying to figure out why hundreds of birds, fish, dolphins and sea turtles have been found dead on a Galveston beach, the Galveston County Daily News reported.

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One volunteer found more than 100 dead fish while walking on the beach Wednesday, KVUE reported.

Volunteers also reported 50 dead pelicans in one day, according to Theresa Morris, Gulf program coordinator with the Turtle Island Restoration Network.

Morris said the large amount of carcasses could have something to do with the chemical fire in Deer Park in March, KSAT reported. The fire caused thick, black smoke to fill the air, while pollutants leaked into the air and waterways, the television station reported.

Biologists took water samples Wednesday, KVUE reported.

A spokeswoman with the Galveston Park Board said the agency could not substantiate the report in the Daily News, but added that the board would continue to investigate the incidents, KVUE reported.