Tag Archives | marine animals

Swine Flu Strikes Seals

May 16, 2013

(ANIMAL SCIENCE) The swine flu virus has been found in elephant seals off the central coast of California, according to a recent study. The research is the first to report the H1N1 virus in marine mammals, which shows influenza viruses can be transferred among species. During the study, scientists encountered two northern elephant seals who were infected, and they discovered an additional 28 seals carrying swine flu antibodies. Keep reading for more information on the highly contagious virus and this enlightening study. — Global Animal

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Sea Turtles Get Caught In The Bycatch

April 28, 2013

(OCEANS) In a new study, Bryan Wallace and a team of researchers illustrate the relationship between sea turtle bycatch, (unwanted animals which are caught by fishing boats then discarded) and small-scale fisheries. Although there is little research backing bycatch and mortality rates in terms of endangered species like marine turtles, Wallace, in his research, learned that on average, the hardest places to be a sea turtle were in the East Pacific, Northwest, Southwest Atlantic, and Mediterranean. With such a vast number of sea turtles being killed in the bycatch of small-scale fisheries, it is critical for these small-scale fisheries to become a sustainable business. Read on to learn more about the informative study. — Global Animal

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Dolphins, The Ultimate Sleep-Swimmers

April 26, 2013

(OCEANS) The things that keep most of us up at night, may have dolphins sleeping easy. But interestingly enough, our marine mammal friends might not need it. Dolphins have a unique ability to sleep with only half of their brains, keeping the other half alert while they rest. This function allows dolphins to avoid predators, and surface for air, while they remain at rest. Continue reading below in order to find out more about this interesting study. — Global Animal

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One Student’s Plan To Take Out The Trash

April 25, 2013

(ACTIVISM) The world’s oceans may have just found their savior in the form of a 19 year-old Dutch student, Boyan Slat. At this moment, our oceans are filled with millions of tons of plastic waste. The waste from the oceans washes up on beaches all over the world, threatening countless marine species. Slat’s plan takes advantage of the ocean’s currents, collecting the debris at platforms, which then can be separated and recycled. Continue reading for more of the details on Slat’s plan and how his idea may save Earth’s precious marine life. — Global Animal

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New Sea Turtle Proposal Rocks Florida Beaches

April 1, 2013

(OCEANS) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has recently announced a proposal that may help preserve the loggerhead sea turtle’s natural habitat. If passed, the entire coastline of Palm Beach County and a portion of Broward County will be deemed critical habitat for the marine reptile. This designation on certain South Florida beaches does not mean public areas will be turned into wildlife preserves, but federal agencies will have to consult with the USFWS before embarking on projects that may affect protected areas. The critical habitat proposal has definitely stirred up controversy between environmental groups and land developers with both parties firmly standing behind their beliefs. Continue reading for more on the potential effects this new motion may have on sea turtles as well as Florida’s economy. — Global Animal

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Dolphin Mom Mourns Loss Of Calf (VIDEO)

March 28, 2013

(OCEANS) In a heartbreaking show of grief, a mother dolphin was recorded carrying her dead calf on her dorsal fin. Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari in California noticed the dolphin carrying her dead baby on her back off the shores of Dana Point. Read on to find out more about this tender and sad moment, and see the heart-wrenching video for yourself. — Global Animal

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California Rejects Navy’s Deadly Sonar Program

March 21, 2013

(OCEANS) Following pleas from several animal activists and environmental groups including the Whale & Dolphin Watch team, the California Coastal Commission has voted to reject the U.S. Navy’s plan to increase their use of sonar and underwater explosives during training off the Southern California coast. Opposed by several environmental groups including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Greenpeace, the Navy’s plan was unanimously ruled against for lacking sufficient evidence that the threat to marine life would be negligible. While the Navy estimates that the proposed program would kill 130 marine mammals and cause hearing loss in 1,600 animals over a span of five years, the Natural Resources Defense Council believe these numbers are stark underestimates. Read on to learn more about this ongoing issue and take a moment to give thanks to the activists involved in this grand victory. — Global Animal

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California Sea Lions In “State Of Emergency”

March 19, 2013

(OCEANS) In the midst of a recent upheaval of stranded California sea lion pups in need of medical assistance, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, CA has declared their organization in a “state of emergency.” As the only non-profit organization in Orange County licensed to retrieve and care for marine mammals, the center is calling on the public’s help, while encouraging individuals to keep their distance from sea lion pups. Continue reading to learn how else you can help the Pacific Mammal Center and find out what steps to take if you spot a stranded marine mammal on shore. — Global Animal

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