(OCEAN NEWS) By the year 2017, the 1,192 islands of the Maldives will be a marine reserve. The plan was announced recently at the Rio+20 UN Conference of Sustainable Development, and will make the country the largest protected area of ocean life in the world. With increasing threats to marine life and environments, this positive step will hopefully highlight the importance of the ocean’s survival. Read on for more on the proposed plan. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL NEWS) CANADA — People of British Colombia held a touching funeral for a young humpback whale that died after washing up on White Rock beach. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is now trying to track the owner of the fishing net that the endangered animal was tangled in. Although they believe that it was an accident, marine experts want to take all precautions to make sure whales are better protected in the future. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL NEWS) A judge ruled today that SeaWorld is responsible for the death of orca trainer Dawn Brancheau. The SeaWorld trainer died during a show in 2010 when Tilikum, a male orca, pulled her underwater until she drowned. Charges were brought against SeaWorld by the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA). This ruling is a step in the right direction and could change the conversation about orcas and other marine animals in captivity. Read on for more on the judge’s decision and the safety protocols that it will be forced to revise. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL NEWS) CALIFORNIA — Bluefin tuna caught off the coast of San Diego are carrying radiation contamination from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. It is the first case of a large migratory fish species carrying radiation over a large distance, startling some researchers. With bluefin tuna already suffering from overfishing, read on to find out what could be in store for this marine species and others that could be contaminated. — Global Animal
(MARINE ANIMALS) CANADA — The Vancouver Aquarium is currently raising over 400 paralava, teeny tiny translucent baby squid that are no bigger than a grain of rice. Just like newborns, the squid are requiring a lot of attention. The little guys have to be fed continuously while they are learning to eat in order to grow to their average size of about a foot long. In the wild they breed off the coast of California and can be found all the way from Mexico to Alaska. Look below to watch the video and get up close and personal with these baby opalescent squid. — Global Animal
(SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY) When scientists discovered the fossilized ink sacs of a cuttlefish-like creature that had been dry for over 160 million years, they were amazed to find the Jurassic ink was nearly indistinguishable from the ink found in cuttlefish today. The fact that the ink hasn’t changed over the millennia suggests the defensive weapon hasn’t evolved much either. Read on for more on this discovery and how it could aid in the further understanding of extinct species. — Global Animal
(CRUSTACEANS) MAINE — A lobster caught off Winter Harbor, Maine is a 1-in-30 million find, even more rare than the 1-in-a million blue lobsters. The calico lobster is dark with bright orange and yellow spots, and is currently living at the New England Aquarium for the Biomes Marine Biology Center in Rhode Island. This lucky lobster’s spots ensure him a life that does not end in a boiling pot of water. Read on for more information on this rare crustacean. — Global Animal
(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
and a portion of your purchase – in any department – is donated to Global Animal Foundation.
