Peru dolphin, pelican die-offs appear unrelated

Updated: Tuesday, 08 May 2012, 6:07 PM EDT
LIMA, Peru (AP) - The carcasses of dead pelicans still litter the beaches of northern Peru, even as the last of nearly 900 dolphins are slowly being cleared away.

The mass die-offs have Peruvian scientists searching for a cause and environmentalists raising questions about the government's ability to protect the Pacific nation's marine life, among the world's most abundant thanks to the Humboldt current that hugs most of its 1,500-mile (2,400-kilometer) coast.
After weeks of study, investigators say they think they know why the 4,450 pelicans have died: Hotter than usual ocean temperatures have driven a type of anchovy deeper into the sea, beyond the reach of many young pelicans.
But Peruvian scientists...   http://www.wishtv.com/dpps/green_living/world_green/peru-dolphin-pelican-die-offs-appear-unrelated_4167531

 

Alarm as Peru pelican and dolphin deaths rise

05/08/2012

 Peru’s northern beaches have been declared off-limits as scientists scramble to pin down what is causing the mysterious deaths of thousands of birds and dolphins.

Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus) in Paracas, Peru. Christoph Aistleitner

Since March some 4,000 birds, mostly pelicans and boobies, have been found dead along a 200-kilometer (120 mile) stretch of northern coastline reaching up to the border with Ecuador along with at least 900 dolphins.
The South American nation’s health ministry declared an alert at the weekend, urging the public to stay away from the beaches around Lima and on the northern coast until the cause of death is known.
For the time being, the state environment ministry has ruled out water contamination or damage from dragnet fishing, suggesting cautiously that wildlife may be falling victim to a virus...
http://www.omglobe.com/2012/05/08/science-news/alarm-as-peru-pelican-and-dolphin-deaths-rise/

Virus, Starvation, Pollution? The Mystery Of Peru’s Marine Deaths

May 8, 2012Tazi Phillips

(ANIMAL NEWS) With nearly 900 dolphins and 1,500 marine seabirds found dead on the northern coast of Peru, scientists are still scrambling for answers as to why. While some specialists blame pollution and pesticides for the deaths, others believe it could be seismic testing, disease, or starvation. Although government officials say that the two events are unrelated, there are overlapping factors, one of which is a common food source, anchoveta. Read on for further developments into this marine mystery, and what it could mean for sea life and people. — Global Animal ...  http://www.globalanimal.org/2012/05/08/virus-starvation-pollution-the-mystery-of-perus-marine-deaths/73788/