Tag Archives | marine life

SeaWorld Fined For Killer Conditions

June 18, 2013

(CAPTIVE ANIMALS) ORLANDO —Three years after the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau at the Orlando theme park, SeaWorld has been fined $38,500 and labeled a repeat offender for continuing to employ trainers in unsafe working conditions. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has imposed the fine after a follow-up investigation of the safety procedures at SeaWorld. The drowning of Dawn Brancheau in 2010 by an aggravated whale named Tilikum was certainly not an isolated incident. Read on to learn more about the dangers of working in close proximity with wild animals and the problems with SeaWorld. — Global Animal

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Will Whale Wars See Its Next Season?

June 17, 2013

(WHALE WARS) It’s summertime in the Northern Hemisphere, and for the last five years, this has typically meant a new season of Animal Planet’s popular reality show, “Whale Wars.” This coming season, however, has been pushed back to fall, or possibly even early 2014. It will be the show’s sixth season on air, and will exhibit a new, exciting twist. Rather than an Animal Planet crew shooting on deck, it will stitch together episodes from footage the activists shot of themselves. Read on for more information on Sea Shepherd and the advancement of “Whale Wars.” — Global Animal

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Bleak Endings For Belugas At Marineland Canada

June 7, 2013

(MARINE PARKS) ONTARIO — The ocean life at Marineland Canada is subjected to a bleak environment consisting of glass barriers, screaming children, overstressed parents, and roller coasters. Last week, a park spokesperson confirmed speculation surrounding these unsafe conditions, specifically the deaths of two young beluga whales. This information was brought to light in October 18, 2012, when the Toronto Star reported the park suddenly lost two young belugas. Although no specific date of death has been given for either animal, Charlotte, a three-year-old beluga, died sometime in Fall 2012, and Luna, a one-year-old, died sometime earlier this year. Read on to learn more about the controversial history of Marineland Canada. — Global Animal

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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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Gulf Sperm Whales Considered “Special”?

April 13, 2013

(OCEANS) Even though sperm whales are currently listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced it will decide whether or not the 1,300 sperm whales in the Gulf of Mexico should be considered for special protection as a “distinct population segment.” Because sperm whales are genetically different than most whales and face unique threats in the Gulf area, the NOAA will now conduct a 12-month review to consider listing the whales as separate from whales outside of the Gulf—although it’s still unclear what protective measures might be taken. Continue reading to learn more about the reasons for the deliberation and the potential impact this status change could have on the whales as well as the environment. — Global Animal

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