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When Planet X entered the inner Solar System in late 2002 - early 2003, it was not just the Earth that reacted, as it did with an increase in earthquakes, volcanism and extreme weather, the animal life on Earth also started showing signs of the approaching monster.
The most noticeable symptoms were:
- Crazy Animal Behaviour: Reports of bizarre behaviour including animal attacks from normally passive creatures and spiders spinning webs over whole fields.
- Confused Animals: Whales and dolphins stranding themselves on beaches in droves or getting lost upstream in coastal rivers.
- Large fish and bird kills: Flocks of birds falling dead from the sky and shoals of fish dying and floating to the surface of lakes, rivers and washing up along coastlines.
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Crazy Animal Behaviour
Reports of crazy animal behaviour have included sheep that charged a farmer’s wife off a cliff, deer attacking a car and rabbits biting pedestrians. Spiders have spun webs over whole fields and caterpillar larvae have covered whole trees in silk.
As usual, the Zetas explain the true causes:
http://www.zetatalk.com/transfor/t154.htm (Jan 11th 2003)
Animal behavior also has been noted as almost crazed, where animals normally passive and seeking to avoid confrontation will attack with provocation, or fly in the wrong direction during migration. This is due to signals the animals or insects get from the core of the Earth, signals not known to man, but nonetheless there. [……] Spiders weaving webs to an extreme so that acres are covered under webs, get noted, but the base behavior is normal for a spider. EOZT
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Confused Animals
Other erratic behaviour among animals included a seeming loss of direction with whales and dolphins swimming inland and stranding themselves on beaches.
Unreliable Compasses (March 28th, 2009)
The compass is unreliable for the past few years, and lately has gotten very extreme in its variance. Many animals and insects have a biological compass, recording during migrations where that compass laid, and when taking a return trip relying on the recording to guide them back. If the Earth's N Pole swings away from the press of Planet X, which is increasingly pointing its N Pole at the Earth, then these animals are not given correct clues and aim for land or up a river. Sad to say, this will only get worse as the last weeks and the pole shift loom on the horizon. EOZT
Are due to the Magnetic Clash (July 1st, 2006)
The compass anomaly, swinging to the East, is indicative of the Earth adjusting to the approach of Planet X and the clash of their magnetic fields. The change is indicative of a clash in magnetic fields as Planet X comes ever closer to the Earth, their fields touching. It is the combined field that Earth must adjust to, and continue to adjust to, not the exact position of the N Pole of Planet X within these fields, and the Sun's magnetic field enters into the equation too. This dramatic change, noted by a conscientious tracker, checking dual compasses daily for years, indicates that the Earth is trying to align side-by-side with Planet X, bringing its magnetic N Pole to point toward the Sun, as Planet X is currently doing in the main. These adjustments are temporary, and change about, as magnets can make dramatic and swift changes in their alignment with each other. Put a number of small magnets on a glass, with iron ore dust, and move a large magnet about under them, and watch the jerking about they do. Are we saying the Earth's magnetic field is going to get more erratic in the future, dramatically so? There is no question that this will be one of the signs that will come, yet another not covered by the Global Warming excuse. EOZT
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Large fish and bird kills
Hundreds, if not thousands, of these events have taken place with the frequency increasing year on year. Poignant examples include the 20 tonnes of dead herring which washed ashore in Norway and 1200 pelicans found on a beach in Peru.
Earth Farts (January 9th, 2007)
We have explained, in great detail, that the stretch zone does not register great quakes when rock layers pull apart and sink, as this is a silent Earth change. Nancy has carefully documented breaking water and gas mains, derailing trains, dislocating bridge abutments, mining accidents, and outbreaks of factory explosions, showing that these have occurred in rashes on occasion, when the rock layers pulled apart. [……] In September-October of 2005, a smell of rotten eggs was sensed from LA to Thunder Bay on Lake Superior to the New England states and throughout the South-Eastern US. We explained at that time that this was due to rock layers being pulled apart, releasing gas from moldering vegetation trapped during prior pole shifts, when rock layers were jerked about, trapping vegetation. We explained in March of 2002 that black water off the coast of Florida was caused by this phenomena. Do these fumes cause people to sicken, and birds to die? Mining operations of old had what they called the canary in a birdcage, to warn the miners of methane gas leaks. Birds are very sensitive to these fumes, and die, and this is indeed what happened in Austin, TX. Were it not for the explosions associated with gas leaks, it would be common knowledge that gas leaks sicken, as the body was not structured to breathe such air for long. EOZT
Zetatalk Explanation (January 8th, 2011)
Dead fish and birds falling from the sky are being reported worldwide, suddenly. This is not a local affair, obviously. Dead birds have been reported in Sweden and N America, and dead fish in N America, Brazil, and New Zealand. Methane is known to cause bird dead, and as methane rises when released during Earth shifting, will float upward through the flocks of birds above. But can this be the cause of dead fish? If birds are more sensitive than humans to methane release, fish are likewise sensitive to changes in the water, as anyone with an aquarium will attest. Those schools of fish caught in rising methane bubbles during sifting of rock layers beneath them will inevitably be affected. Fish cannot, for instance, hold their breath until the emergency passes! Nor do birds have such a mechanism. EOZT
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sourabh kale
Wrong place, wrong time: European robin turns up thousands of miles...
Daily Express, UK
Sun, 21 Dec 2014 14:51
Photographers were awestruck by the sighting of a European robin in the Temple of Heaven
Take a peek at this week's photo and while the robin looks very much like your common-orgarden favourite, the way it was pictured in all its flame-toned glory has become the talk of the birdwatching world.
However this delightful individual has been holding court in Beijing's Temple of Heaven Park, creating the kind of scenes reminiscent of a rarity arrival on the Isles of Scilly or the north Norfolk coast.
How this robin arrived in the Chinese capital thousands of miles from its European home is open to conjecture. There is increasing evidence that small populations of migratory birds often take a "left-hand turn" and fly in the reverse direction in autumn as a survival technique against a possible disaster on their normal wintering ranges.
Whatever the reason for the robin's arrival in Beijing, its presence has been headline news and the talk among China's burgeoning birding community or, to be more accurate, bird photographers who have turned up in huge numbers to get the kind of close up that epitomises the festive season in the UK.
Beijing-based British birder Terry Townshend says that besides providing a fascinating subject for the photographers, the robin has also proven to be an exceptional diplomat for advancing the cause of bird conservation. "It's been a great chance to raise awareness among Beijingers about the importance of the city's parks for wild birds as well as highlighting the dangers they face from poachers," Terry tells me.
"Bird trappers are commonly encountered in the Temple of Heaven, even though taking any bird from the wild is illegal without a permit."
Terry, an independent consultant on environmental law who is aiding the development of Chinese legislation, also gave an exciting account of how a bird so common back home in Britain got his pulse thumping.
News of the robin broke when a Beijing photographer posted pictures of a "mystery bird" on a Chinese internet forum.
Sharp-eyed birders Huang Hanchen and Li Xiaomai raised the alarm and the following morning Terry and three young Chinese birdwatchers were in the Temple of Heaven Park.
"After a three-hour search, there was no sign of the robin until... I decided to walk one more circuit around an area of shrubs that looked the most likely spot for a robin," explained Terry.
"Along the last line of shrubs I suddenly heard a call, one that I immediately recognised. It was hard to believe and I almost felt embarrassed but my heart leapt.
"Little did we know what a fuss this bird would cause. On a single day that week there were more than 150 photographers."
Dec 23, 2014
SongStar101
500 crows found dead in Tarn Taran village, (Punjab, in northern India)
Dec 21
Nearly 500 crows have been found dead in the past four days at Baghiari village near Tarn Taran, which is close to a bird sanctuary at Sarai Amanat Khan. With bird flu causing deaths of geese at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, senior officials of the Animal Husbandry Department have responded quickly to take preventive measures in the area. The district administration is also on alert. “The reasons for the birds’ deaths could be the use of pesticide in fields, contaminated water or the cold wave. However, we have sent the carcasses of birds to Regional Diagnostic Laboratory in Jalandhar to know the exact cause of the deaths,” said Dr Raminder Monga, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry Department. He added that it would take six days to know the reason for such a high bird mortality,” said Dr Monga. Deputy Commissioner Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal met officials of various departments and constituted response teams. Amarinder Singh Tiwana, a PCS officer, has been made the point person to coordinate with all teams. Dhaliwal urged people in the area to stay alert and do not panic. “We are keeping a close watch on the areas where migratory birds land in a big number. We have collected blood samples of migratory birds from Harike Wildlife Sanctuary,” he said. Wildlife officials at the Harike sanctuary, spread over about 90 km, have gone into overdrive following the reports of avian influenza at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh. Harike Divisional Forest Officer Neeraj Gupta said the bird droppings had been sent for investigation to ascertain their health status. “We have also banned the entry of visitors to the lake. All steps are being taken as a precautionary measure following the bird flu scare,” Gupta said.
Dec 26, 2014
SongStar101
Two rare sea turtles found washed up on Britain's shores
Critically-endangered Kemp’s ridley turtles were found in Cumbria and Merseyside, 5,000 miles from their home
Two rare sea turtles have washed ashore on beaches in the North West, some 5,000 miles from their home in the Gulf of Mexico.
The critically-endangered Kemp’s ridley turtles were found in Cumbria and Merseyside, and it is feared that more could yet appear.
Rod Penrose, a Marine mammal expert, said that they could have been “cold-stunned” by a drop in ocean temperatures in the US, which would leave them unable to feed or swim against strong currents.
Rob Archer, who was walking with his girlfriend on Saturday when he found one of the turtles on Sefton Beach, near Formby, told the Liverpool Echo: “At first I thought it was a crab.
“It seemed in a stupor as if there wasn’t much life left in it.
“My first thought was to put it back in the sea so I walked out into some deeper water and it swam away.”
However, the turtle washed ashore again nearby on Monday afternoon and is now being cared for at RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire.
The turtle which washed ashore in Cumbria’s Walney Island on Sunday has been taken to the Lake District Coast Aquarium in Maryport.
Expert warn that the anyone who finds a turtle should call the RSPCA and not put it back in the sea.
Mr Penrose, who warned that there was likely more turtles struggling of the coast of Britain, told the BBC: “The sea temperatures on the east coast of the USA recently dropped causing large numbers of Kemp's ridleys to become cold-stunned.
"This condition leaves the turtles in a lethargic condition unable to feed or swim against strong currents.
"The two turtles currently in rehab are very likely as a result of this event."
The discoveries emerge just a day after a seal had to be rescued from a field more than 20 miles inland, also in Merseyside.
The adult seal, who is believed to have got lost, has now been transported almost 200 miles across the country from where he was found to the charity's specialist facility in East Winch, Norfolk. Centre manager Alison Charles said: "At the moment we are keeping him under close observation.
Dec 26, 2014
KM
http://www.thestate.com/2014/12/27/3895515_mass-starfish-stranding-...
Mass starfish stranding reported on Fripp Island, South Carolina.
BY REBECCA LURYE December 27, 2014
SUBMITTED PHOTO — Rick Stein
FRIPP ISLAND, SC — Thousands of starfish were stranded on Fripp Island on Christmas Eve, likely because of the day's stormy weather, according to a marine veterinarian.
Al Segars of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources said he had not looked into the stranding, but said strong winds could have caused the creatures, also known as sea stars, to wash ashore. Christmas Day beachgoers estimated that roughly 100,000 sea stars were on the beach.
The Sea Islands experienced the same thing last year, Segars said.
"I wouldn't say it's anything out of the ordinary," he said. "These guys are just sitting on the bottom, so if you've got a strong wave action, they can't fight the current."
George Sedberry, a science coordinator in national Office of Marine Sanctuaries, said he has not studied this stranding but offered other possible explanations for the sea stars' deaths.
The creatures have poor tolerance for water with low dissolved oxygen, which can wreck a population, Sedberry said. Those events are commonly reported in the Myrtle Beach area, but a dip in oxygen levels is unlikely to occur in the winter or as far south as Fripp, Sedberry said.
Some of the sea stars could also have been unintentionally caught by shrimp trawlers and then discarded, Sedberry said. He noted there may have been increased fishing to meet seafood demand for the holidays, as well as to prepare for the upcoming end of commercial shrimping season.
Segars said it's possible fishing played a role in the stranding, though he's seen similar events before when no trawling was occurring.
"I don't know how you would differentiate between the two (causes)," he added.
A wasting disease has decimated Pacific starfish populations in recent years, but Segars said he is confident a virus is not to blame.
"We haven't seen any evidence of that" in this area, he said.
Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/12/27/3895515_mass-starfish-stranding-...
Dec 30, 2014
SongStar101
One more Dead Whale found in Odisha Coast within a few days
http://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/updates/odisha-news/one-dead-whale-f...
In the second incident of its kind this month, the carcass of a large whale was found at the Gouda Nuagaon beach under Krushnaprasad block near Brahmagiri in Odisha’s Puri district today.
The dead whale measuring around 30 feet in length, 12-15 feet in girth and weighing approximately 10 tonnes was sighted by villagers at about 2 pm today.
Curious villagers have gathered in huge numbers on the beach to have a glimpse of the large aquatic mammal. Awestruck by the size of the dead creature, the villagers said they had never seen anything like in their lifetime.
Dec 31, 2014
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chen-society/scores-of-...
Scores of dead fish washed ashore
CHENNAI, January 1, 2015
Updated: January 1, 2015 03:14 IST
A large quantity of dead fish was washed ashore along the coastline from Srinivasapuram up to Ashtalakshmi temple in Besant Nagar on Wednesday.
Fisherfolk, dependent on the Adyar estuary for their livelihood, were shocked by this sudden surge of dead fish.
R. Suresh, a fisherman from Nadukkuppam, said release of untreated hazardous wastewater from a couple of hospitals could have caused the death of the aquatic life. “Since yesterday, we have been sensing a stench and then, this morning, saw the huge quantity of dead fish on the shore,” he said.
S. Palayam, president, Oorurkuppam Fishermen Cooperative Society, said he, along with five other fishermen, could earn nearly Rs, 2,000 by spreading their nets at the mouth of the estuary. Similarly, a good quantity of prawn was also caught in the bay, he said, adding that the release of untreated hazardous waste into the Adyar River had led to the death of fish.
“It not only affects the fish, but even the prawn fingerlings get wiped out due to contamination by polluted waste. So far, we have not had such a large-scale death of fish in our area,” he said. Mullet, sardine and milk fish were the three species found in abundance in the area, he added.
Pooja Kumar, of Coastal Resource Centre, Besant Nagar, said they got the call from fishermen around 3 a.m. on Wednesday about the dead fish washed ashore. A drainage pipe on the old Adyar bridge had got damaged in some portions, from which the sewage seems to have leaked into the river. Thus, the water passing through Adyar Creek before reaching the Bay of Bengal could have become contaminated, resulting in the mass death of fish, she explained.
Nearly five lorry loads of dead fish were collected by unidentified persons, who said they would sell them to units manufacturing poultry feed.
Mr. Palayam said that, on several occasions, the fishermen had complained to authorities about the release of untreated raw sewage into Adyar River. But, so far, no action had been taken. The rise of new hotels and residential apartments near the coast along Foreshore Estate exacerbated the issue, he said.
Sources with the fisheries department said eutrophication (presence of excessive nutrients due to increased presence of algae) could have caused the death.
Jan 1, 2015
Howard
Rare Ocean Sunfish Caught Off Pakistan (Dec 31)
According to WWF Pakistan, it was caught in a net by fishermen in Ormara town in Gwadar District of Balochistan.
They are commonly observed off the southern coasts of Africa, but never before in the northern Arabian Sea.
This particular fish was measured to be about 1.8 meters in length and weighed about 450Kg.
The fishermen released it back into the sea after 20 minutes.
Sources
http://www.geo.tv/article-170357-Rare-Ocean-Sunfish-discovered-for-...
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mola_mola/
Jan 2, 2015
SongStar101
Dead whale washed ashore in island, India
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/dead-whale-washed-...
A giant Blue Whale was found washed ashore on Valai island, one of the 21 islands in the Gu
lf of Mannar region.
Wildlife Warden, Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Deepak Bilgi said the marine mammal was found dead near the shore of the island two days back and initial studies revealed that it had died long back.
As the whale was found away from the shore, post-mortem could not be conducted immediately, he said, adding the whale was expected to hit the shore on Friday. A veterinary surgeon would be taken to the island, situated six km off Devipattinam near here, for conducting the post-mortem, he said.
The whale, measuring about 50 feet length, could weigh about six tonnes. The cause of the death would be known only after the post-mortem, he added.
Fishermen from Vedalai alerted the forest officials on Tuesday about ‘some giant black object’ floating near Valai island. Anti-poaching watchers swam close to the “object” and found it to be a whale, sources in the forest department said.
The carcass was found stuck in sand, the sources said. Anti-poaching watchers and guards were posted at the island for security.
They were constantly sending reports about the ‘movement’ of the dead whale to the higher officials, the sources added.
Jan 4, 2015
SongStar101
Beaches closed as sharks feed on whale carcass near shoreline on NSW South Coast,Australia
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-07/beaches-closed-sharks-spotted...
The young humpback whale was spotted off the rocks at the popular swimming beach on Wednesday morning, according to Stan Wall from Lifeguard Services Australia.
A 100m exclusion zone was set up around the whale and at one point a crowd of more than 300 people gathered to watch.
However, Mr Wall said, after some time, lifeguards in the area were unable to see any spray or air bubbles coming from the animal and it was presumed dead.
"We think it might have come into collision with a boat or maybe even hurt itself on the rocks that we saw it on this morning," Mr Wall said.
Jan 8, 2015
SongStar101
Spate of beaked whale deaths puzzle Scots experts
http://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/spate-of-beaked-whale-deat...
A SPATE of deaths of the world’s deepest-diving mammal around the west coast of Scotland has left marine experts baffled.
Scientists at the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust (HWDT) and Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) say an unusually large number of Cuvier’s beaked whales have been found dead over the past couple of weeks.
The species, also known as the goose-beaked whale, is rarely seen due to its hunting grounds being around 80 miles offshore, but five carcasses were found washed up on Scottish shores in December.
This amounts to a five-fold increase in the number of annual strandings reported for the species in each of the previous three years.
Last month’s “weather bomb”, an unidentified disease or even interference from sonar operations at sea have all been considered as potential causes, but scientists say evidence is conflicting since only a single species appears to have been affected. The badly decomposed state of the corpses has meant post-mortem examinations have also failed to provide any pointers.
“There are no obvious clues as to what is causing such a sudden increase in strandings of this species,” said Dr Conor Ryan, sightings and strandings officer for HWDT.
“While the very intense storms of mid-December may be partly to blame, this does not explain why we are finding just one deep-diving species in such high numbers.”
There was a similar unexplained spike in strandings during 2008, although there was a mix of deep-diving species among the 57 fatalities.
SMASS director Dr Andrew Brownlow said: “We don’t receive many reports of them and to receive so many over the western seaboard is unusual.
“First of all, do these have a single origin? Is there something that has happened at a single place that has cause a lot of deaths, and the bodies have gradually been moved by tides and currents and are now washing up on beaches?
“The recent massive storm surge and huge swell will have scoured the eastern Atlantic and brought things from a long way out to sea and dumped them on western shores.
“However, if it was simply a question of weather and we happened to be a catchment area because a westerly was pushing dead animals on to the beaches when normally they would sink, we would expect lots of other whales as well.
“This is making us believe that perhaps there is something specifically affecting this species.”
Dr Ryan said an Irish whale and dolphin group had also recorded similarly high deaths of Cuvier’s beaked whales, which can grow up to 23 feet long.
Five were found dead along the west and north coast in December, accounting for almost 10 per cent of all known strandings of the species since records began.
The SMASS has only recorded 37 strandings of the species in Scotland in the past 25 years – 17 of these during the 2008 spike.
Recent beachings were on the Isle of Mull, the coast of Sutherland and Borve Point on Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides.
The Cuvier’s whale holds the world record for the longest and deepest dive for a mammal – down to 2,992 metres for a staggering two hours and 17 minutes. The pressure at this depth is 300kg per square centimetre.
There are no global population estimates for the species, although they are generally thought to be one of the most abundant of the beaked whales.
Deepest diver can live for up to 40 years
Cuvier’s beaked whale (Ziphius cavirostris) is the only member of the genus Ziphius and is the most widely distributed of the beaked whales.
One animal has been recorded diving down to 9,816ft (2,992 metres) below the waves, which is around 6.75 times the height of the Empire State Building.
The creature has a robust, cigar-shaped body similar to other beaked whales.
It can grow up to 23ft (7 metres) long and can weigh 5,500lb (2,500kg).
The whale has a small dorsal fin and flippers to prevent drag while swimming.
It lives for around 40 years and feeds on different species of squid and deep sea fish.
Cuvier’s whales can be found in a number of different deep offshore waters from the tropics to cool seas.
It is thought there may be over 100,000 of the creatures in seas across the world.
The whale gets its name from the anatomist George Cuvier – who first described its imperfect skull, in 1804.
Jan 8, 2015
KM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2914141/There-s-jellyfishy-...
There's something jellyfishy going on: Thousands of Blue Blubbers spectacularly invade the Gold Coast waters
PUBLISHED: 00:13 GMT, 17 January 2015 | UPDATED: 00:46 GMT, 17 January 2015
A giant swarm of blue jellyfish has invaded the pristine waters of the Gold Coast, forming a spectacular display as the mass of creatures congregated in Queensland's iconic Surfer's Paradise.
Spotted just off Narrowneck, near the northern end of Surfer's Paradise beach, the school of jellyfish extended for 50 metres in circumference.
Photographer and lifesaver Grahame Long captured footage of the blue jellyfish as he patrolled the beach, about 400 metres offshore.
“I’ve seen plenty of jellyfish around before but this was certainly the thickest I’ve ever seen, Mr Long told The Gold Coast Bulletin.
'They were congregated in one area.'
Local residents have reported sightings of the jellyfish for several weeks, after the swarm blew in just after Christmas.
One Twitter user labelled it a 'jellyfish explosion', while others found the idea of the swarm either 'terrifying' or 'incredible'.
Local residents have reported sightings of the jellyfish for several weeks
source
Jan 17, 2015
SongStar101
14 whales and 16 turtles found dead in Baja California Sur
http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/in-english/2015/14-whales-and-16-turt...
14 gray whales and 16 sea turtles were found dead in the Baja California Sur coast, according to the Federal Attorney's Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa).
According to specialists, the death of cetaceans could be due to natural causes, as this is a breeding area for the mammals, so it is common the whale calves get lost or are abandoned by the mother, so they do not receive adequate nutrition and die.
Jan 19, 2015
SongStar101
314 turtles wash ashore dead on Chennai beaches in 20 days, India
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/314-turtles-wash-as...
CHENNAI: The nesting season for Olive Ridley turtles is barely 20 days old and already 314 turtles have washed ashore dead on the city's beaches. Conservationists say the turtles die after getting stuck in trawlers' fishing nets.
On Saturday morning, 60 turtles were found dead on the stretch between Neelankarai beach and Alamparai village in Kancheepuram district, according to Tree Foundation that patrols the stretch every year during the nesting season. "The numbers are alarmingly high this year and we are just into the second week of the season that will continue till March-end," said Tree Foundation founder-chairperson Supraja Dharini. Tree Foundation volunteers buried the dead turtles near the shore later in the night.
Members and volunteers of the Students' Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN), a group that patrols the coastline from Neelankarai to Napier's Bridge, including Marina and Elliot's beaches, reported 70 dead turtles were washed ashore. SSTCN coordinator V Arun said, "Considering that only 5-6% of the dead turtles are washed ashore, the real death toll could be many times higher."
According to turtle conservation groups, most of the deaths are caused due to the failure in implementing the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1983, which prohibits fishing trawlers from operating within 5 km of the shore.
"Female turtles on their way to the shore to lay eggs are trapped in fishing nets of mechanised boats, gill nets or ray fishing nets. Most fishermen who find dead turtles in their nets throw them back into the sea," said Dharini.
On Pattipulam beach, between Mamallapuram and Nemmeli, more than 20 dead turtles were found. Kodandapani, who found the carcasses, alerted the local turtle conservationist group.
"Most of the bodies were bloated. Eggs were falling out of a dead female turtle that had died after making it to the shore. I spotted dead turtles every 50 feet," said Kodandapani.
The state fisheries department now plans to conduct demonstrations of the Turtle Excluder Device (TED). "When fitted in fishing nets, it can facilitate escape of a captured turtle. Fishermen will be educated on using the device," said an official.
Turtles that need to breathe fresh air every 45 minutes die when trapped underwater in fishing nets.
The department, along with Tree Foundation, held a demonstration for Kasimedu fishermen on January 13, and another two-day session is planned on January 20 and 21.
On January 13, the fishermen agreed to not fish within 5 km of the shore and also promised to stay away from estuaries that teem with turtles during the season.
Jan 19, 2015
SongStar101
Another whale washes ashore on Broulee beach
http://www.batemansbaypost.com.au/story/2825214/another-whale-washe...
The dead whale was first spotted 300 metres out to see off North Head Beach, forcing lifeguards to close to beach for swimmers safety.
Around mid-day on Saturday the whale was found washed ashore on South Broulee Beach, which was then also closed.
Police attended the scene and taped off a 100-metre exclusion zone around the whale to keep onlookers away.
The whale looked as though it may have been dead for some time and had large chunks missing from its body.
A council spokeswoman said it was not the same whale that was towed out to sea by a fisherman after it washed onto the rocks at South Broulee Beach on January 7.
The spokeswoman said council staff buried the dead whale carcass on Saturday afternoon.
“Council staff buried the carcass in the dunes well away from Broulee Surf Club,” she said.
“The hole was dug with an excavator and the carcass was secured with chains and pulled up from the beach.”
It took the council staff six hours to move and bury the dead whale.
"It (burying the whale) was complete by 10pm," the spokeswoman said.
Both beaches were reopened on Sunday.
This is the third dead whale to be found on Eurbodalla beaches this summer.
Jan 20, 2015
SongStar101
Whale carcass washes up underneath busy Seattle,WA ferry dock
http://news.yahoo.com/whale-carcass-washes-underneath-busy-seattle-...
Transportation officials had wanted to move the carcass away from the ferry terminal before the busy evening rush hour.
"It's the smell," said Susan Harris, a spokeswoman with Washington State Ferries. "More than anything, it's upsetting for people to see."
Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would soon move the body again to a more remote pier to perform a necropsy and determine cause of death, she said.
The whale's body, discovered late on Wednesday, was estimated at between 25 and 35 feet (7.6 and 10.6 meters) long and apparently drifted in from open waters, lodging under the busy Colman Dock in Seattle.
There has been no impact on ferry service, used by thousands of commuters each day to reach jobs in Seattle.
The gray whale gets its name from its mottled gray skin, according to local whale research group, the Orca Network.
The whales live in the Pacific Ocean, traveling from Baja to the Pacific Northwest, and generally arrive in the Washington state area in late winter or early spring, the group said.
The population is protected under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, and because of their migration pattern along the busy West Coast, gray whales are vulnerable to collisions with boats, entanglement in fishing gear and pollution, NOAA said.
Gray whales were removed from the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in 1994 after it was determined their once dwindling population had recovered to near its original size, NOAA said.
Jan 23, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/about-fish-die-outside-lace...
About 4,500 fish die outside Lacey power plant
Posted: Thursday, January 22, 2015 6:07 pm
About 4,500 bunker fish have died this week in a small pool of water outside the Oyster Creek Power Plant in Lacey, a spokesman from the state Department of Environmental Protection said Thursday.
For unknown reasons, a few hundred thousand bunker fish left the Barnegat Bay and swam up a channel to the nuclear power plant. The water there is warm — which is why the fish are staying — but the pool is too small for all of them. Larry Ragonese, press director for the DEP, said there is too much oxygen and nitrogen in the water, resulting in a few hundred of the fish dying each day.
Ragonese said the nuclear plant is operating properly and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is aware of the situation.
Exelon Generation, which owns and operates the Oyster Creek Power Plant, said in a statement that it was working closely with the DEP and an independent fish pathologist to better understand what caused the death of the fish.
“There is no indication that this environmental anomaly is the result of plant operations,” the statement said.
Ragonese said there is not much the DEP can do about moving the fish out of the pool of water. Normally the fish would leave on their own, but Ragonese speculated they are comfortable in the warm water, even if it’s bad for their health.
“What we have is a strange seasonal anomaly,” Ragonese said. “There’s no rhyme or reason to it.”
Ragonese described the canal to the plant as a “one-way street” and said turning the fish around may be difficult because the water outside the pool is colder.
There is no way of knowing what moved the fish toward the plant. Ragonese said bunker fish swim in huge schools and tend to be skittish, so it’s possible a predator may have scared the fish and diverted them toward the plant.
Jan 23, 2015
Poli
The frilled shark is often termed a 'living fossil', being one of two remaining species of an ancient family dating back 80 million years.
Rarely sighted by humans, the shark is truly a creature of the deep - it has been caught as deep as 1,570m but is uncommon below 1,200m. This specimen, however, was caught at 700m.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/01/21/frilled-sh...
http://www.skynews.com.au/news/offbeat/2015/01/21/aussie-trawler-ca...
Jan 24, 2015
SongStar101
Dead whale washed ashore at Fairy Meadow,AU
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2838628/dead-whale-washed-...
A FIVE metre long whale carcass has been found washed ashore between Fairy Meadow and Towradgi beaches this morning.
The female adult pilot whale died at sea from natural causes according to the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA).
‘‘The whale was showing clear signs of illness, it was underweight and excessive lice was found in its mouth,’’ said ORRCA spokeswoman Shona Lorigan.
ORRCA members reported the whale's condition to the National Parks and Wildlife Service before working with Wollongong City Council to remove the body.
While there have been numerous recent reports of deceased marine life found ashore on the South Coast, there was nothing unusual about the beached carcass, according to ORRCA.
‘‘It’s actually quite common for whales to die of natural causes such as disease at sea and to be washed ashore,’’ Ms Lorigan said.
‘‘It’s important for people to let us know in these cases so we can get members down there and get information quickly through to the National Parks service.’’
The carcass is in the process of being buried.
Jan 26, 2015
SongStar101
Hundreds of Dead Birds in North Iceland
http://icelandreview.com/news/2015/01/25/hundreds-dead-birds-north-...
Hundreds of dead guillemots were recently found by farmer Gunnar Óli Hákonarson at Sandur in Aðaldalur, North Iceland. The birds, which were found on a beach east of the mouth of Skjálfandafljót river, are believed to have died from starvation due to bad weather in December. Foxes and ravens have been scavenging on the bird carcasses.
Böðvar Þórisson at the Natural Institute of the West Fjords told mbl.is this week that a large number of seabirds were found dead in Ísafjörður earlier this month. An increase in seagulls, which are more aggressive in their feeding habits, may be to blame, he said.
According to Róbert Á. Stefánsson at the Natural Institute of West Iceland, even seagulls have been hungry this winter.
Jan 26, 2015
SongStar101
Rare megamouth shark washes up in the Philippines
January 27 2015
http://www.earthtouchnews.com/oceans/sharks/rare-megamouth-shark-wa...
shark ever seen washed ashore this morning in Marigondon, a port in the Albay province of the Philippines. Initial reports suggest the shark (Megachasma pelagios) was approximately five metres (16 ft.) in length, but until a necropsy can be performed, the finer details about the animal (including the cause of death) will remain a mystery. Sightings like this are rare ... so rare, in fact, that when the first megamouth was spotted in 1976, a new shark family, genus and species had to be created!
These bizarre deep-diving animals are characterised by their bulbous snouts, loose skin, poorly calcified skeletons and (of course) their mega-mouths, which extend upward beyond the eyes. Only two living specimens have ever been studied by researchers, so every find is a big deal for science.
"The 6th shark offered the most important insights into the behaviour of this species," notes Florida Museum of Natural History's Carol Martins. Scientists were able to tag and follow the shark for two days – something that had never been done before! "One of the conclusions of these observations is that megamouth probably [spends] the daytime in deep waters and [ascends] to mid-water depths at night," she says, adding that this may have to do with the krill that make up the megamouth's diet, which migrate from deep to shallow water.
Now with fifteen sightings, the Philippines has recorded the second-highest number of megamouths of any country in the world (next to Japan), including this incredible 5.5-metre (18 ft), 900-pound behemoth, which has been carefully preserved at D' Bone Collector Museum by the museum's owner Darrell Blatchley.
Feb 1, 2015
SongStar101
Sick Sea Lions Wash Ashore at Alarming Rate
Already, 2015 is shaping up to be a dire year for sick sea lions.
http://patch.com/california/lagunaniguel-danapoint/sick-sea-lions-w...
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center will release a recently nursed-back-to-health sea lion back into the ocean at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach Tuesday.
The center usually doesn’t see any ill sea lions washing ashore this time of the year, but already more than two dozen have needed treatment by the only licensed agency in the county.
At most, two or three might end up on the beach and need a rescue, but the center has taken in 28 this month while 13 sea lion pups washed ashore in December, Executive Director Keith Matassa said.
Further alarming the center’s experts is an influx of varying species, Matassa added.
“The difference this year is we’re also seeing different species we don’t normally see down here,” Matassa said.
For instance, there have been sightings of fur seals who are usually seen further north, Matassa said.
The center’s officials are also concerned that adult sea lions are washing up ashore ill -- usually it’s only the young who require rescues, Matassa said.
In 2013, a record-setting year, the problem of sea lions coming ashore was limited mostly to Southern California, but now the entire coast is being affected, Matassa said.
One theory is that the fish the sea lions feed on have moved due to changing currents and temperatures. Sea lion mothers are “working double time to produce milk to nurse pups... and the milk’s not as nutritious,” Matassa said.
Most experts pin the problem on climate change affecting the habitat, creating a domino effect of problems, Matassa said.
Research has shown radiation from the meltdown of a nuclear power plant in Japan did not pose any issues for the sea lions, Matassa added.
The experts have also ruled out any diseases plaguing the sea lions, Matassa said.
“There just isn’t one smoking gun,” he said.
The influx of sick sea lions has put a heavy burden on the center, which doesn’t usually have to start ramping up services until the spring, Matassa said. The center expects it could be just as bad as 2013 because it’s an El Nino year, he added.
“This is even busier now than it was in 2013,” Matassa said. “All of this is putting a strain on our budget because we’re 100 percent donor funded.”
The center will receive a $10,000 donation Tuesday from a restaurant group -- The Deck on Laguna Beach, the Bungalows at Pacific Edge Hotel and Driftwood Kitchen.
Feb 1, 2015
SongStar101
Female killer whale washed up on beach in Co Waterford, Ireland
Biologists say 5 metre carcass is so large it must be cut up on beach before being removed
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/female-killer-whale-wash...
Marine biologists are working to remove the body of a killer whale which washed up on a beach near Tramore in Waterford on Friday morning.
The five metre whale was spotted by a passerby who alerted members of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG).
It is believed the predatory mammal may have died of malnutrition and was dead before it washed up on shore.
“It’s probably a youngish female, but its teeth are worn down which is kind of surprising. Looking at the teeth you’d think it’s a very old animal,” said Andrew Malcolm of the IWDG.
“When you see the teeth as worn down as that you would speculate that it could be malnourished, and that it wasn’t getting enough to eat.
“It doesn’t look particularly malnourished to me compared to some I’ve seen washed up, but we won’t be able to tell for sure until after the postmortem,” he added.
The large size of the creature means that it will have to be removed from the beach on a phased basis.
Members of the marine biology unit at Galway Mayo IT are currently working on extracting vital organs and blubber from the stricken animal. It is hoped its skeleton can be preserved and mounted in the local area following the postmortem.
“The cutting up of the animal would be done on the beach. If it was a smaller animal they’d probably stick it on a trailer and take it back, but because it’s such a big animal stranded on the beach means that it will have to be done on-site,” said Mr Malcolm.
Sightings of orca whales in Irish waters are rare and just 15 carcasses have been recovered from these shores over the course of the last century.
The last such record was at Tullaghan Bay, Co Mayo in 2010.
The whale’s location has perplexed some, given that virtually all killer whale sightings occur along the west and south west coast. Indeed, the last sighting in the Dunmore East area was recorded four decades ago, according to Mr Malcolm.
He says that although a pod of nine whales regularly visits the waters off Ireland’s west coast it is not thought the Tramore whale belongs to that group.
Saleen beach has been busy since the discovery was made with people visiting the site to look at the deceased animal.
“It’s pretty mad down here, there’s just a constant stream of people coming, taking selfies of themselves with the whale,” said Mr Malcolm.
He also cautioned against any physical contact with the whale’s remains, as it is not yet certain as to whether it died of some kind of contractible illness or disease.
Members of the IWDG are on site to protect the scene from vandals.
This follows the carving of names and initials into the body of a sperm whale which washed up in nearby Dungarvan two years ago.
Feb 1, 2015
Howard
Birds Mysteriously Dying in Oklahoma (Jan 30)
Friday morning, there were hundreds of dead grackle and starlings.
Some of the dead birds were stuck in the trees, others fell to the ground.
“I've lived in Oklahoma all my life and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Joel Seymour, a truck driver, who stopped in the Walmart parking lot.
“Just strikes you as odd. I don’t know what is going on,” Seymour said.
Source
http://www.koco.com/crime/Birds-mysteriously-dying-in-El-Reno/31019254
Feb 3, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://autimes.com.au/australia/western-australia/thousands-of-dead...
Feb 03, 2015 09:45:49
Thousands of passed fish found in WA’s Collie River
Photo:
Cobbler and redfin roost were among a class found passed in a Collie River.(Supplied: Department of Water)
Authorities are questioning either new complicated rainfall caused thousands of fish to die in a Collie River, in WA’s South West.
About 3,000 fish, including cobbler and redfin perch, have been found passed in a eastern bend of a river, about 7 kilometres from a Collie townsite.
People have been warned not to eat or hoop a fish.
Department of Water orator Adam Maskew pronounced initial exam formula were approaching after on Tuesday.
“At a moment, we’ve collected samples of a passed fish and marron and we’re endeavour pathology tests,” he said.
“Water samples have also been taken for research as well.”
Feb 3, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Wildlife-officials-probing-de...
Mass pigeon deaths alarm biologists; public asked for help
Updated 9:09 pm, Monday, February 2, 2015
An alarming increase in the number of dead and dying band-tailed pigeons along the California coast has prompted wildlife biologists to ask the public for help documenting the apparent decline of the only native pigeon left in the state.
At least 1,000 of the pigeons, which winter in Central and Southern California, have been found dead in Santa Clara and Santa Barbara counties since December, the apparent victims of a parasite spread by the common rock pigeon, said Krysta Rogers, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The sudden increase in mortality is disturbing, Rogers said, because the closest living relative to the extinct passenger pigeon has been struggling for decades to recover from rampant hunting, habitat loss and other environmental problems.
“The potential death of a thousand pigeons is very concerning, especially since they have a relatively low reproductive rate. A pair produces about one chick per year,” Rogers said. “When there is really high mortality like this, it can take the population years to recover. In addition to that, these mortality events with band-tailed pigeons have been reported with increasing frequency over the past 10 years.”
Feb 3, 2015
SongStar101
150 Sea Turtles Found Dead In A Lagoon Of Mexico
http://www.ecanadanow.com/science/2015/02/01/150-sea-turtles-found-...
According to Mexico News Daily, investigators with the federal environmental protection agency said Saturday the green sea turtles were found in the Ojo de Liebre lagoon, on the Pacific side of Baja California Sur state. The agency said it would be difficult to determine the exact cause of death due to the advanced state of decomposition of the remains.
The agency said a cold front that lowered temperatures in the region may have caused the deaths but investigators also would try to determine whether some sort of contamination might have played a role.
Green sea turtles move across three habitat types, depending on their life stage. They lay eggs on beaches. Mature turtles spend most of their time in shallow, coastal waters with lush seagrass beds. Adults frequent inshore bays, lagoons and shoals with lush seagrass meadows. Entire generations often migrate between one pair of feeding and nesting areas
It was the third time this year that dead marine life has been encountered in the area. On January 13, 14 dead gray whales were found but their deaths were not considered out of the ordinary in comparison with other
Feb 4, 2015
SongStar101
Scientists alarmed by rise in dolphin strandings on Irish shores
Nearly 20 dolphins have been found stranded on beaches since the start of the year
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/environment/scientists-alarmed-by-ri...
The number of common dolphins stranded throughout the country since October is close to the amount that should be expected for an entire year, according to marine biologist Dr Simon Berrow.
“The number of dolphins we’ve had washed up in the last few weeks is shocking in terms of conservation and management,” said Dr Berrow, a member of the Marine Biodiversity Research Group at Galway Mayo IT (GMIT).
“Last year it wasn’t such a big issue, but this year we’re back up to a big peak in strandings. A lot of them have ropes around their tails, they have marks that are consistent with being caught in fishing nets,” added the marine expert, who was part of a team that performed an autopsy on the carcass of a female killer whale found in Tramore on Saturday.
“We’ve had 10 strandings of the Cuvier’s beaked whale which is really, really rare. We usually get one every few years, but we’ve had 10 over the last few weeks, and they’ve had six or seven in Scotland as well,” he said.
The discovery of the orca whale’s remains was regarded as an intriguing novelty by researchers, but the alarming increase in dolphin and Cuvier’s whale strandings – where the animals found are usually dead – has caused some consternation in the scientific community.
Figures compiled by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) illustrate a marked increase in common dolphin strandings since 2010, when just five were reported here. There were around 100 sightings of stranded common dolphins in 2013, and following a lull early last year the numbers now appear to be on the rise.
Approximately 30 such incidents have been recorded since last October, according to Dr Berrow, but a lack of expertise means researchers can’t definitively say why the situation appears to be deteriorating once again.
Ireland is one of the few coastal EU countries which does not have a dedicated post-mortem system for deceased marine animals, despite it having one of the largest whale and dolphin populations on the continent.
“The big problem is that there’s no official post-mortem programme in Ireland, so when these things happen we don’t know the cause of death.
“These things get washed up and we say ‘wow, this is really, really unusual, something’s happened offshore’ but we can’t then follow up and say this is caused by fisheries interaction, pollution or anything else because we don’t know ... We need to address it to be honest because these animals are dying,” he said.
Latest estimates by the IUCN conservation red list puts the number of common dolphins on European continental shelf waters at just under 64,000. Conservationists have cautioned against the use of purse-seine nets by fishing trawlers, which can accidentally entangle and injure the animals.
Elsewhere, the body of a killer whale which appeared on a beach in Tramore on Friday has been removed, and its organs are now being examined by specialist researchers from GMIT and University College Cork.
It is now believed that the specimen was one of a mature rather than a young female but uncertainty remains over the cause of death, which was initially thought to be malnourishment.
Studies will be carried out on its intestines and blubber over the next few weeks, and it is hoped that the results will provide a rare insight into the marine environment in which the whales reside.
Feb 4, 2015
KM
http://www.newsnorthwales.co.uk/news/143785/video-thousands-of-dead...
VIDEO: Thousands of dead starfish wash up on Pensarn beach
THOUSANDS of dead starfish have washed up on a beach in Abergele after a period of stormy weather.
Shocked amateur photographer, Gordon McGookin, initially thought that Pensarn beach was covered in rubbish when he went out for a walk on Sunday.
On a closer inspection, he discovered thousands of starfish and razor clams out across 500 metres of sand.
Mr McGookin, aged 39 who lives in Pensarn, said: “I try to get out each day usually walking on the beach. It was Sunday when I spied them, just after the tide had gone out.
by Gordon McGookin
“There was thousands of them. I have never seen anything like it before. I was a bit concerned but I guess the recent rough sea and high tides over the last or two was probably the cause.”
Mr McGookin, who enjoys photography as a hobby, took some pictures and a video.
Charlie Lindenbaum, marine monitoring ecologist for Natural Resources Wales, said: “Unfortunately, this kind of event is relatively common along the coast of Wales. The recent stormy weather and strong, northerly winds will cause creatures like this to be washed on the shore so it is most likely a natural occurrence.
“We would ask that if people do see things like this to report it to us. We can then investigate to there is nothing else to blame for the event and it also gives us an opportunity to learn more about the fantastic species we have along our coast and does show the diverse and rich wildlife we have in Wales.”
Feb 4, 2015
SongStar101
Thousands of healthy starfish mysteriously wash up on South Padre Island, TX
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Thousands-of-...
It's thought that high winds and strong currents coincided exactly to wash up the creatures that had been close to shore feeding.
It's only the third time a case like this has ever been reported, the last being in 2009.
At first it was thought they were victims of the polar vortex, which swept the country during January but then investigators realised it was something else.
"These were healthy starfish," said Tony Reisinger, Cameron County Extension Agent for Coastal & Marine Resources with Texas Sea Grant at Texas A&M University. "Some of them were still alive when they were washed onto the sand. Once they are out of the water though, they pretty much die."
Reisinger credits Dr. David Hicks, chairman of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Texas at Brownsville, for figuring out what really caused it. "Now we have to check back for the weather and sea conditions the last time this happened and see if it matches up."
Grey sea stars are plentiful in the Gulf of Mexico and can also be found all along the coast of the Americas, from Virginia to Brazil.
"I wondered if this was nature's way of controlling the population," said Reisinger. "I knew we had them but I didn't realise there were so many out there," he said.
Feb 9, 2015
SongStar101
Dead whale washes ashore in Hulhumale’
http://www.vnews.mv/36454
A dead whale, approximately 70 feet in length, has washed ashore, in the beach area connecting Hulhumale’ and Hulhule.
Of a species of found in Maldivian waters, the corpse was rotten and damaged.
While it measures approximately 70-75 feet, discussions are now underway by HDC and the Police whether to bury the corpse or to take it out to open waters, as it lies at the East of Hulhumale’.
Some elderly people who have gathered to witness the event said that this is a sperm whale (the type of whale that produces ambergris). A number of people are now gathering at the beach to take a look at the whale.
Although the area where the whale has been washed ashore is not inhabited, the odor of the rotten corpse is now strong in the area.
Feb 9, 2015
SongStar101
Humpback whale found stranded on Outer Banks
http://hamptonroads.com/2015/02/humpback-whale-found-stranded-outer...
COROLLA, N.C.
Scientists today examined a dead female humpback whale that washed ashore Tuesday afternoon.
The juvenile was found near the Lighthouse Road beach access in Corolla with entanglement scars from fishing nets.
The whale, which was about 30 feet long and weighed 25,000 pounds, otherwise appeared healthy and had recently eaten menhaden, said William McLellan, the North Carolina State Stranding Coordinator.
Whale strandings -- especially this time of year -- are not uncommon and happen frequently on the Outer Banks, moreso than anywhere else on the East Coast, he said. There have been 100 whale strandings in 15 years, he said.
Humpback whales are an endangered species.
Scientists collected the head and tissue samples to find out how it died. They will also examine whether it was affected by cetacean morbillivirus -- which affects the lungs and brain -- suspected of killing dozens of dolphins in Virginia and North Carolina in 2013.
Feb 9, 2015
Derrick Johnson
Lock up your picnic baskets! Yellowstone says warm weather has caused bears to emerge from hibernation a MONTH early
Grizzly bears have emerged from hibernation far earlier than expected in Yellowstone.
The first confirmed report of grizzly bear activity in Yellowstone occurred on February 9, rangers confirmed today.
They usually emerge in first few weeks of March, prompting ranger to issue emergency warnings to visitors.
They blame the relatively mild winter weather for the early emergence of bears in the Greater Yellowstone area.
A grizzly bear was observed late in the afternoon, scavenging on a bison carcass in the central portion of the park.
'With bears emerging from hibernation hikers, skiers, and snowshoers are advised to stay in groups of three of more, make noise on the trail and carry bear spray,' the park said.
The same advice goes for those taking guided snowmobile trips in Yellowstone.
Bears begin looking for food soon after they emerge from their dens.
They are attracted to elk and bison that have died during the winter.
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2949791/Lock-picnic-...
Feb 12, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://endtimeheadlines.org/2015/02/hundreds-dead-fish-birds-found-...
Hundreds of dead fish and birds found in a lagoon in General Baldissera, Argentina
GENERAL BALDISSERA – A resident of this town on social media published a series of images of the nearby lagoon General Baldissera in which hundreds of dead fish and birds observed in moribund state. By the time the reason that generated this slaughter of animals in one of the most visited natural sites in the area is unknown. Photographs published in the dead fish floating on the surface, a large amount of algae, and other dead birds dying observed. The scenario is worrying and generated an alert among the residents of the rural area. The affected lagoon is located in the southeast of Cordoba, a few kilometers south of the town of General Baldissera. While it is not exploited the sheet of water for fishing, usually go for the activity groups informally. Since last week the lagoon shows part of his dead fauna. Witnesses thought the situation would be temporary motivated by some climatological question. However, as of last Monday a greater number of animals are observed lifeless. The journalist Ivan Ghi, FM Urban Monte Corn, published the photographs that reflect the situation in social networks. In the same dead fish and birds, and the surface of the fully enclosed lagoon vegetation are observed. This is the first time the lake has this problem, so some neighbors and regular fishermen agree that they could have thrown some chemical liquid in place that affected animals. Note that the gap is in the middle of a purely agricultural area in which soybean performed. A daily performing fumigation by region or ground equipment applied in seed lots planes are observed. At the moment, were not found in drums or containers of chemicals dumped area, although a complaint may be done for Environment of the Province to investigate the incident. From Prevention Network Monte Corn, developers tasks awareness of the health of people, they regretted what happened and alerted those who usually consumed in fishing and fish. May generate health problem in those taking these animals as they present an advanced state of putrefaction
Feb 13, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/66143584/Whale-pod-stranded...
Whale pod stranded on Farewell Spit
Up to 200 pilot whales are stranded on Farewell Spit at Golden Bay, near Nelson.
The Department of Conservation confirmed the number following earlier reports that up to 50 pilot whales became stranded earlier in the day.
DOC conservation services manager for Golden Bay Andrew Lamason said he had received a call notifying him that 24 of the whales had already died.
Due to the conditions, he said: "I expect that number to keep going up."
Members of DOC and the marine mammal rescue organisation, Project Jonah are assisting at the scene.
An attempt would be made to refloat the whales on the next high tide at 5.24pm.
Lamason said DOC would be looking for volunteers to assist them from tomorrow morning.
He said those keen to help with rescue efforts should meet at Triangle Flat at the base of the spit from 8am tomorrow.
If possible, volunteers should bring old sheets and a bucket and spade.
He stressed that those wanting to help needed to be fully independent and come equipped with their own food and water, warm clothing, sun protection and a raincoat.
Lamason warned that there was no guarantee there would be whales to rescue by tomorrow morning.
Feb 13, 2015
Poli
Almost 200 whales stranded on New Zealand shore:
“We’ve had plenty times in the past where the pods have gone out to sea and turned around and come back again,” said Andrew Lamason, the area’s Department of Conservation manager.
Why do whales and other cetaceans strand themselves? It turns out scientists aren’t totally sure ... Some strandings have been speculated to be related to anomalies in the magnetic field.
http://www.salon.com/2015/02/13/almost_200_whales_stranded_on_new_z...
Update: (german News) 140 whales are now dead.
Feb 14, 2015
Poli
Extremely rare catch in front of Australian coast.
Fishermen pulling prehistoric shark from the South Pacific. The prehistoric animals are usually at home far below the water surface. Their unusual anatomy at the top makes it distinctive.
Mainly they are to be found in Japanese waters - and even then only rarely. Researchers suggest, therefore, that the 1.2-meter-long juvenile gone astray in the ocean.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&a...
Feb 14, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://article.wn.com/view/2015/02/22/Dead_fish_found_floating_in_G...
Dead fish found floating in Ganga
KANPUR: Thousands of dead fish were found floating in Gangaat Dhabka Nullah and Dasheshwar Ghat in Jajmau on Friday. Experts attributed the death of fish to oxygen crisis in river water.
Feb 22, 2015
SongStar101
Thousands of small crabs wash up on O.C. coast in Balboa
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/crabs-651975-ones-balboa.html
“I’ll get the barbeque,” said Stringer, who has lived on Balboa Island for 47 years and has never seen the small crabs like the ones that showed up Saturday. “I like mine with butter.”
Thousands of mini crabs - which actually look like tiny lobsters or craw fish - created a rim of red along the shoreline, scattered on the sand along the sleepy seaside of Balboa Island in Newport Beach. Most washed up dead at high tide, but some were still alive and swimming near the shoreline.
Passerby stopped to marvel at the unusual sight, some people coming to the aid of the ones that still looked like they had some life to them.
The Pleuroncodes planipes, also known as pelagic red crabs or tuna crabs, showed up during the last king tide event - when tides are especially high - at the end of January.
But then, as quick as they showed up, they disappeared - until Saturday morning, when they came in by the thousands. Another king tide event, which only happens a few times each year, showed up again this week, though its unclear whether the two incidents are related.
Experts say the crabs - which are about 1-to 3-inches long - haven’t been seen in the area for decades, and said it’s the warm water that has been lingering near 60-degrees that brought them here. They normally life in Baja California, according to Register archives.
Balboa Island resident Brian Cummings and son Chandler, 9, spent the morning picking them up, one by one, and tossing them back to the sea.
“We try to throw back as many lives ones as we can ... We try and look for the bright red ones to throw them back in the water,” Brian Cummings said, picking one up and tossing it into the water, where it simply floated upside down.
When asked if he wanted to eat them up, Chandler looked skeptical.
“They probably don’t have any meat on them,” he said.
Visitor James Gutierrez, of Pomona, was fascinated by the sight.
“You don’t realize how much sea life is out there until you see something like this,” he said.
Aaron Roth, 3, had just one word to describe the sight: “Cooool.”
Resident Michael Brennan knew all about the crabs, doing as much research as possible after the last ones washed ashore about a month ago.
“They swim backwards,” he said to a group gathering near the shore.
The pelagic crabs are the latest in a year of odd sightings along the coast caused by unusual warm water experts say are signs of El Nino. A variety of whales like orcas, sperm and humpback have shown up in high numbers, along with odd sightings like hammerhead sharks and whale sharks in the area.
Other sightings like a glow-in-the-dark organisms called pyrosomes washed ashore in September, and before that a blue, jellyfish-like creatures known as “By-the-wind sailors,” invaded the coastline.
A wahoo - normally found in Mexico - was reeled in by fisherman in August, and anglers are still catching yellowtail of the coast, which are usually scarce during this time of year.
Feb 25, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/photos/thousands-of-dead-fish-found-...
Thousands of dead fish near Rio Olympics sailing venue on the edge of the Guanabara Bay
They say cleanup won't be met by the time the 2016 Olympics are held.
Dead fish and trash float in the polluted Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015. Rio de Janeiro’s state environmental agency is trying to determine why thousands of dead fish have been found floating where next year’s Olympic sailing events are to be held. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Feb 26, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
Mass fish deaths overnight hit Changi farmers hard
Thousands of fish have died in coastal farms off Changi, in a repeat of last year's nightmare for farmers.
Farmers woke up yesterday morning to the sight of their fish floating belly up - the mass deaths had occurred through the night, so they had no opportunity to try to save their fish.
Dead fish were also seen along the Pasir Ris shoreline.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) attributed the deaths to gill damage caused by plankton. Lab tests conducted so far did not detect biological toxins in the fish, and fish from local farms remains safe to eat, an AVA spokesman said.
At around the same period last year, 160 tonnes of fish died suddenly, also after being poisoned by plankton, and the 39 affected fish farms lost hundreds of thousands of dollars..
Yesterday, some despairing farmers told The Sunday Times that they hope to get more support and training in modern farming methods that can minimise pollution and bacteria growth, particularly since the authorities are encouraging the trade to help boost Singapore's self-sufficiency in food production.
AVA had advised farmers to take precautions since Feb 16, when there were elevated plankton levels detected in the East Johor Strait.
But the overnight deaths took most by surprise.
"I thought I was prepared this year. I even had aerated tanks to save the fish if a few started dying," said fish farmer Timothy Hromatka, 42, who studied marine biology.
"But it was too late," said Mr Hromatka, who lost most of his fish.
Fish farmer Phillip Lim, 53, noting that a few fish had started dying as early as mid-February, added dejectedly: "That was just the 'appetiser'. Friday night was the 'main course'."
The former president of the Singapore Marine Aquaculture Cooperative estimates that almost 50 farms were affected this time round.
"It could be worse than last year. This year, it looks like more fish died and the wild fish also died," added Mr Lim, who estimates his losses at more than $50,000. He reared popular species such as seabass, snapper and pomfret.
Fish farmer Daniel Wee, 40 is in the same predicament.
He had received tens of thousands of dollars from the AVA to kick-start his fish farm again after last year's mass deaths wiped out his stock, and spent another $20,000 on fish feed. But yet again, most of his 70,000 fish were wiped out. "It's a really, really tough business now," said Mr Wee, who estimates he lost $100,000.
"We need to learn new methods to take local fish farming to the next level,"
Mar 1, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://wate.com/2015/03/02/twra-investigates-dead-birds-found-on-ro...
TWRA investigates dead birds found on road in Spring Hill
SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is running tests after dead birds were found lying on a road in Spring Hill Saturday.
A viewer sent News 2 an image showing the birds on Northfield Lane in front of the General Motors plant that runs parallel with Highway 31.
Spring Hill Police spokesman Lt. Justin Whitwell confirmed around 50 to 100 birds were found dead, but wasn’t sure what caused their deaths.
The TWRA was called to the area to conduct tests, but further information wasn’t immediately available. It could take several weeks for the results to come back, officials said.
Mar 2, 2015
Jorge Mejia
URUGUAY – Hundreds of dead fish from the Montevideo coast to Atlantis
03.05.2015, 17:01 hs - UPDATED 18:28
The Municipality of Montevideo (IMM) up 20 tons of dead fish on Thursday and will continue with the cleanup on the shores of Montevideo, he told The Observer director of the Division of Cleanliness IM, Andrés Martirena. On Thursday morning appeared in the Montevideo coast hundreds of dead fish floating in the water. The situation drew the attention of the authorities of the National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Dinara), who sent a group of technicians who ran the promenade from the center to the Arroyo Carrasco and a significant amount of spice known as Lacha was observed.
"Since yesterday being cleaned beaches with machinery, we collect some 20 tons of rotting fish from Pajas Blancas to Paso Carrasco," said Martirena. In turn, explained that they were "hostages tide" which hampered a little more work and that the equipment normally used in season had to add a blade longer to perform the task. "The more time passes the worse. Luckily there were fish with certain hardness and could lift well, "he said.
Furthermore, since the division was requested will monitor the situation from the air to see if in the coming days could expect a new wave of these dead birds. "Being dead animals float and told us that no other can be seen offshore, so do not come closer to the coast," he said.
The work culminated in the coast of Pocitos and Buceo and the director explained that the places where there are still plenty of fish is on the rocks where machinery can not access. "You have to take with officials with the clothes and the right tools. That takes more time, "he said.
As for the causes that explain the appearance of dead fish from the Dinara is "ruled it an issue of pollution" and favors the theory that they were thrown into the sea as a ship discard.
Google Translation Link 1
Google Translation Link 2
Mar 6, 2015
Howard
More on Starr's report of Mar 1.
Mass Deaths of Marine Life off Singapore (Mar 1)
"We woke up and saw all the fish floating belly-up," he said. "It's devastating."
He was not alone. Hundreds of tonnes of fish - both farmed and wild - died over the weekend in the eastern part of the strait. Fish farmers lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in stock overnight.
Floating out at sea and washing up on the beaches and mangroves, dead sea creatures began to appear, from sea snakes and seahorses to squid and moray eel.
Nature guide and environmental biology student Sean Yap - who supplied some of these pictures to the BBC - said he was jogging along the eastern Pasir Ris beach on Saturday evening when he smelt a foul stench.
It came from what he described as a "mass grave" - thousands of dead fish washed up on shore.
"There were cleaners present on the shore on Sunday morning to deal with the carcasses, but when we returned at night the high tide had brought in a new batch of bodies."
Even species such as catfish and burrowing gobies, which are considered to be more resilient, were found dead. The deaths of "invertebrates like worms is also alarming, as it may mean that the base of the food chain is affected.
Source
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-31724554
Mar 7, 2015
Howard
Another Massive Fish Kill Near Singapore (Mar 7)
Thousands of fish were found washed up on shore at Lim Chu Kang jetty on Saturday in the latest in a series of mass deaths.
Breeds big and small, including catfish and mullets, were discovered on the beach near where several fish farms are situated in the Strait of Johor.
Both sea and farm fish were affected.
Farmer Ong Kim Pit, 65, said he first saw fish jumping out of the water on Friday night, adding that his baby mullets were worst hit.
"It happened within minutes," he said.
"My fish were jumping and jumping in the water. I don't know why."
Source
http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/environment/story/new-ma...
Mar 7, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://instantproductsgoldmines.com/FitnessandHealthyFood/mass-anim...
Mass Animal Deaths March 2015: Birds, Fish, Reindeer, Turtles, Swans & more DEAD!
March 13, 2015 at 11:42 pm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWg3rpWYVmc&t=126
9th March 2015 – Hundreds of dead turtles, plus hundreds of dead fish found in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
9th March 2015 – 250,000 birds killed due to avian flu in Monywa, Myanmar.
9th March 2015 – Hundreds of dead fish found on a beach in Tolu, Colombia.
9th March 2015 – 19 dead turtles found on Pulau Tiga Island in Malaysia.
9th March 2015 – 100+ cattle have died ‘due to suspected grass poisoning’ in Gujarat, India.
8th March 2015 – 550 dead animals (mainly deer) found, ‘due to snow and cold’ in Leon, Spain.
7th March 2015 – 1,450 Sea lion pups have washed ashore this year ill and dying – ‘possibly 10,000 have died’ in California, America.
7th March 2015 – Thousands of dead fish wash up in new die off in Lim Chu Kang, Singapore.
6th March 2015 – 600 TONS of dead fish due to algae in fish farms in the east of Singapore.
6th March 2015 – Massive die off of prawns, ’cause unknown’ in Aroor, India.
6th March 2015 – 15,000 turkeys dead due to avian flu in Minnesota, America.
6th March 2015 – Hundreds of cattle are dead due to drought in southern Ecuador.
6th March 2015 – 10,000+ cattle dead due to flooding of the river Ebro in Spain.
5th March 2015 – Thousands of dead fish wash up on beaches in Buenos Aires, Argentina.Fish dead in Argentina
5th March 2015 – 12 turtles stranded, 3 dead, on a beach in Abruzzo, Italy.
5th March 2015 – 9,000+ birds are dead due to another avian flu outbreak in Bauchi State, Nigeria.
5th March 2015 – Thousands of dead fish wash up along Derwent river in Tasmania, Australia.
5th March 2015 – Thousands of dead fish found in Cabo Frio, Brazil.
5th March 2015 – Millions of birds killed due to avian flu during past 6 months in South Korea.
5th March 2015 – 1,100 Birds killed due to avian flu outbreak in Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
4th March 2015 – 4.17 MILLION birds have been killed since January due to avian flu in Taiwan, China.
4th March 2015 – 300 Snow Geese have died this winter due to disease in Illinois, America.
4th March 2015 – Thousands of dead fish found on coast of East Java, Indonesia.
4th March 2015 – 23,500 Birds to be killed due to avian flu in Schwanewede, Germany.
4th March 2015 – INFO: 30 dolphins/whales and 54 turtles wash up dead during 2014 in Abruzzo, Italy.
3rd March 2015 – ‘Lots’ of dead turtles found on a beach in Piacabucu, Brazil.
3rd March 2015 – Thousands of dead fish, plus dead ducks found in a lagoon in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
3rd March 2015 – Large die off of fish ‘due to cold weather’ at 3 sites in Nova Scotia, Canada.
3rd March 2015 – Hundreds of dead fish found floating in a river in Hainan, China.
2nd March 2015 – 100,000 ducks killed due to avian flu in Fuzesgyarmat, Hungary.
2nd March 2015 – Thousands of TONS of shellfish have died off during past few years in Whangarei Harbour, New Zealand.
2nd March 2015 – 3 dead whales found washed ashore in Chennai, India.
2nd March 2015 – Hundreds of dead fish found in a pond in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
2nd March 2015 – Thousands of dead fish found washed up along Columbia River in Portland, America.
1st March 2015 – Dozens of birds drop dead out of the sky in Tennessee, America. Link
1st March 2015 – Masses of various marine creatures washing ashore dead on Pasir Ris beach in Dead creatures Singapore
1st March 2015 – Mass die off of fish and reptiles due to burst fuel pipe in Tabasco, Mexico.
28th February 2015 – 100 dead or dying turtles found in the Bellinger River in NSW, Australia.
28th February 2015 – 97 dead sea birds found along beaches of the North East coast of France.
28th February 2015 – Hundreds of dead fish found on the banks of a river in Uttar Pradesh, India.
27th February 2015 – 10,000 birds dead, 23,000 killed due to avian flu in Monywa, Myanmar.
26th February 2015 – Fish kill in 2 farm ponds in La Union, Philippines.
25th February 2015 – 5,000 Birds killed due to avian flu in Jigawa State, Nigeria.
25th February 2015 – Thousands of dead fish found, ‘no explanation’ in the port of Wolfersdorf, France.
AND MORE!
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mass-animal-deaths-on-the-rise-worldwide/
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mass-fish-die-off-in-southern-california/
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/up-to-600-tonnes-of-f...
http://www.end-times-prophecy.org/animal-deaths-birds-fish-end-time...
Mar 14, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://wtkr.com/2015/03/15/hundreds-of-dead-fish-wash-up-along-ches...
Hundreds of dead fish wash up along Chesapeake canal
Chesapeake, Va.- Over the weekend hundreds of fish washed up along the shore around the Deep Creek section of Chesapeake.
Local fisherman that live along the Gilmerton Canal in Chesapeake contacted Newschannel 3 Sunday morning about the wash up.
The fish were found on the shore stretching from the canal into the Deep Creek waterway. Hundreds more were also seen floating.
It is not clear the exact type of the fish, but fishermen believe a majority of them are trout.
Fishermen believe that the long and cold winter is to blame. Plus, a Dominion Power plant that used to discharge warm water into the area no longer runs. They referred to it as the hot ditch.
“Now that the power plant has ceased operation, there is no more warm water. There is no more hot ditch.”
Therefore, the fish aren’t surviving in the cold water.
They say their hope is that the fish will somehow adapt to the new temperature pattern of cold water.
“There is no replacing the hot water source,” said Czarny.
Mar 17, 2015
Starr DiGiacomo
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/17/us-usa-idaho-dead-geese-i...
Thousands of snow geese fall dead from sky in Idaho
SALMON, Idaho Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:14pm EDT
(Reuters) - Avian cholera is suspected in the deaths of at least 2,000 snow geese that fell dead from the sky in Idaho while migrating to nesting grounds on the northern coast of Alaska, wildlife managers said Monday.
Dozens of Idaho Department of Fish and Game workers and volunteers at the weekend retrieved and incinerated carcasses of snow geese found near bodies of water and a wildlife management area in the eastern part of the state, said agency spokesman Gregg Losinski.
Avian cholera is believed to be the culprit in the deaths mostly because of the way the birds died, he said.
“Basically, they just fell out of the sky,” said Losinski.
He said biologists were awaiting results from a state wildlife lab to confirm the birds died of the highly contagious disease, which is caused by bacteria that can survive in soil and water for up to four months.
Humans face a small risk of contracting the disease but the more immediate threat is to wildlife in the vicinity of contaminated carcasses, Losinski said.
About 20 bald eagles were seen near areas where snow geese carcasses littered the ground but a lengthy incubation period makes it unclear if the eagles were infected and would carry the ailment elsewhere, said Losinski.
It was not known where the snow geese – named for their white plumage and for breeding in the far northern corners of Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Siberia – contracted avian cholera during a migration that saw them wing north from wintering grounds in the American Southwest and Mexico, he said.
Outbreaks like the one found affecting the migrating snow geese in Idaho occur periodically in the United States and elsewhere, Losinski said.
Avian cholera is the most important infectious disease affecting wild waterfowl in North America, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Mar 17, 2015
SongStar101
Rare catch: Fishermen catch one of smallest whale species
http://tribune.com.pk/story/849068/rare-catch-fishermen-catch-one-o...
KARACHI: One of the smallest whales species, pygmy sperm, was found around 120 nautical miles southwest of Karachi. The fishermen caught the whale on Wednesday while they were fishing in the deep sea but the whale was already dead.
This is one of the smallest whales found in the outer continental shelf and considered to be very rare. Known to exist in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, this species is usually found dead on the shores.
The captain of the boat alFahim, Saeed Zaman, caught the pygmy sperm in gillnet used for catching tuna while they were fishing off the shelf area. The whale was enmeshed in the net and died when it was hauled onto the boat.
According to officials of the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan), the whale was 8.2 feet long and weighed about 400kg. “It is the first authentic record of its presence in our waters,” said Muhammad Moazzam Khan, WWF-Pakistan’s technical adviser.
Previously, there were two unconfirmed records of this whale’s presence in Pakistan after they were found stranded on Sonmiani beach in December, 1985, and dubious observations of a small school off Churna Island, added Khan.
According to him, whales and dolphins are sensitive animals and, in most cases, they die as soon as they become enmeshed in the fishing nets as they are unable to come to surface to breathe. He further pointed out that the pygmy sperm whale feeds on deep water squids and crabs.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2015.
Mar 17, 2015
SongStar101
Starving Sea Lions Washing Ashore by the Hundreds in California
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/13/us/starving-sea-lions-washing-ash...
Like more than 1,450 other sea lions that have washed up on California beaches this year, in what animal experts call a growing crisis for the animal, this 8-month-old pup was starving, stranded and hundreds of miles from a mother who still needed to nurse him and teach him to hunt and feed. Ribs jutted from his velveteen coat.
The pup had lain on the beach for hours, becoming the target of an aggressive dog before managing to wriggle onto the deck of a million-dollar oceanfront home, where the owner shielded him with an umbrella and called animal control. In came Ms. Leeds, an animal-care expert at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, which like other California rescue centers is being inundated with calls about lost, emaciated sea lions.
Many of the pups are leaving the Channel Islands, an eight-island chain off the Southern California coast, in a desperate search for food. But they are too young to travel far, dive deep or truly hunt on their own, scientists said.
This year, animal rescuers are reporting five times more sea lion rescues than normal — 1,100 last month alone. The pups are turning up under fishing piers and in backyards, along inlets and on rocky cliffs. One was found curled up in a flower pot.
Last week, SeaWorld San Diego said it would shut its live sea lion and otter show for two weeks so it could spare six of its animal specialists for the rescue-and-recovery effort.
“There are so many calls, we just can’t respond to them all,” Justin Viezbicke, who oversees stranding issues in California for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said on a conference call with reporters. “The reality is, we just can’t get to these animals.”
As the injured animals proliferate, their encounters with humans are growing. Some people offer misguided help such as dousing the pups with water or trying to drag them back into the ocean. Others take selfies with the stranded animals, pet them or let their children pretend to ride them, rescuers said.
As Ms. Leeds approached the quaking sea lion on Capistrano Beach, she frowned at a pile of tuna near his muzzle. “Has someone been trying to feed him?” she asked.
Many are sick with pneumonia, their throaty barks muted to rasping coughs. Parasites have swarmed their digestive systems. Some are so tired that they cannot scamper away when rescuers approach them with nets and towels and heft them into large pet carriers.
“They come ashore because if they didn’t, they would drown,” said Shawn Johnson, the director of veterinary science at Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. “They’re just bones and skin. They’re really on the brink of death.”
This year is the third in five years that scientists have seen such large numbers of strandings. Researchers say they worry about the long-term consequences of climate change and rising ocean temperatures on a sea lion population that has evolved over thousands of years to breed almost exclusively on the Channel Islands, relying on circulating flows of Pacific upwellings to bring anchovies, sardines and other prey.
“The environment is changing too rapidly,” said Sharon Melin, a wildlife biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service who found that pups on the Channel Islands were 44 percent underweight. “Their life history is so much slower that it’s not keeping up.”
Scientists said it was too soon to predict how these strandings and deaths could affect California’s sea lion populations, which stand at what scientists say is a healthy 300,000. As their mothers leave them to take longer, less productive foraging trips, the pups are simply not growing normally.
“We do expect the population to take a drop,” Dr. Melin said. “Probably not something catastrophic, but probably a really good hit. It is going to impact the overall population eventually if we continue to have these events back to back.”
For now, rescue and rehabilitation groups like Pacific Marine Mammal Center, in Laguna Beach, have the feel of big-city emergency rooms. Volunteers and staff members pull up with crates of freshly beached sea lions to be weighed and examined. They shave numbers into the animals’ brown coats, warm the coldest ones in saltwater baths, and try to coax them back to health with smoothies of herring, Karo syrup, Trader Joe’s brand salmon oil and other nutrients.
Many have rebounded, gaining weight and graduating from indoor holding pens and tube feedings to eating small fish and romping in outdoor pools. The gaunt new arrivals lie forlornly inside, lethargic and scrawny. The recovering ones loll outside like sunbathers on a crowded roof deck, rolling around in hose spray and occasionally flapping around the small pools in their pens. After four or five weeks, many should be ready to be released back into the ocean.
But the death rates are sobering, and staff members say they have to make quick and sometimes painful decisions to euthanize animals unlikely to survive. Of the 1,450 sea lions scooped up from the shores, about 720 are now being treated, Dr. Viezbicke of NOAA said.
Michele Hunter, the center’s director of animal care, said, “It’s very difficult to see so much death.”
On Capistrano Beach, Ms. Leeds hauled the quaking sea lion into a kennel, accepted a $20 donation from the homeowner who had called in the report and headed down the highway to a fishing pier where a lifeguard had spotted another pup in the sand.
This one was small and cool to her touch with ragged, unsteady breathing, so she piled both animals into the same kennel so they could keep each other warm. They seemed to bond quickly: When Ms. Leeds reached toward one, the other snapped at her hand. Within the hour, veterinary workers would decide that both pups were too starved and sick and had to be put down. For the moment, the two curled up together like a pair of brown socks for the ride back to the rescue center.
“It’s getting crazy,” she said.
Experts suspect that unusually warm waters are driving fish and other food away from the coastal islands where sea lions breed and wean their young. As the mothers spend time away from the islands hunting for food, hundreds of starving pups are swimming away from home and flopping ashore from San Diego to San Francisco.
Mar 17, 2015
SongStar101
The entire West Coast of the US is the issue, not just CA! As usual, disinfo is crossed out (ditto for links) but the actual data is just too huge to ignore.
Gov’t: It’s getting “even worse” on West Coast this year — Experts say over 35,000 baby sea lions could be dead; “This phenomenon is unprecedented in scale” — Hundreds of times more pups than usual at rescue center — Doctor: “Definitely indicates ocean not normal… Really, we should be worried”
http://enenews.com/govt-getting-worse-west-coast-experts-35000-baby...
NOAA, Feb 18, 2015 (pdf): We are seeing an unusually large increase of California sea lion pups stranding [that's] intensified over the last few weeks… it is very difficult to pinpoint what is causing the increase… [There are] warmer waters than usual, but an official El Nino has not yet been declared… [We are] preparing for the worst… health trends of marine mammals [inform] us about the health of the entire ecosystem… if the stranding numbers exceed the 2013 UME [facilities will be unable to] accept more animals… animals may be left on the beach [or] humanely euthanized.
Malibu Surfside News, Mar 3, 2015: The number of animals that can be rescued and rehabilitated is very small compared to the total number of pups in distress… in 2013, Federal officials estimated that 70 percent of the total number [~35,000 out of 50,000 newborns] may have died and experts say that the numbers may be even higher this year.
Quartz, Feb 27, 2015: This phenomenon is unprecedented in scale: in January… more than twice the highest number previously recorded… February has been even worse… Jim Milbury [of NOAA said] a total of 1,200 sea lions have reached California since the beginning of the year… [It was a] much less significant event in 2013.
Malibu Times, Feb 25, 2015: The California Wildlife Center [at this] time last year… had facilitated seven rescues. As of the beginning of this week, 129 rescues have been performed… CWC is also encountering many sea lions that have washed ashore dead.
The Oregonian, Feb 26, 2015: Oceana says thousands of sea lion pups… have died on the West Coast this year…
Press Democrat, Feb 25, 2015: A crisis [of] stranded pups and older animals arriving starved and sick on coastal shores has reached the Sonoma Coast, where six animals have been recovered in recent weeks, according to the Marine Mammal Center near Sausalito. All of them — four pups and two adults — later perished because of their weakened physical state.
Shawn Johnson, director of veterinary science at The Marine Mammal ..., Feb 16, 2015 (at 3:30 in): [It's] the third year we’ve seen an increased number of sea lion strandings… It’s definitely an indication that the sea is not its normal self… The sea lions are sentinels of the sea… it really indicates there’s a bigger issue happening in the ocean. – (at 13:00 in) At the MMC we have over 200 right now… which is incredibly abnormal. Normally this time of year we would have no sea lions pups. — (at 17:00 in) The sea lions are telling us that there’s a lack of fish. The cause of that is still being investigated… Really, we should be worried about what’s happening out there right now [it] could be directly related to… us in the future.
Mar 17, 2015