presence
04-06-2013, 08:12 PM
“Dead sea lions everywhere”
an event that’s already surpassed the total number of sea lion pups strandings for an average year.
What could be causing a massive die off across multiple species; seals, walruses, sea lions, plus polar bears, which is affecting whole populations of seal life from the tip of Alaska to the border of Mexico.
Experts in Alaska have been quoted as saying the problem is not caused by bacteria, virus, is not a poison, and is not related to their food supply. No red tides have been associated with this die off. Adults seals, walruses and polar bears are being found with lesions on the skin and
their hair is falling out.
They are acting lethargic and their immune systems are compromised.
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2013/03/70-of-all-sea-lions-dying-in-california.html
“Radiation epidemic” killing So. California sea lions? Gov’t experts now checking animals for contamination from Fukushima Daiichi
http://enenews.com/feds-radiation-epidemic-could-be-cause-of-sea-lion-die-off-in-so-california-experts-now-checking-for-contamination-from-fukushima-daiichi
NOAA investigates: natural die-off, radiation?
A team of experts assembled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency is looking into radiation from Japan’s nuclear disaster as one of several possible causes of the ongoing sea lion stranding along Southern California beaches. [...]
Sea lions keep washing ashore, many in more critical condition than in the weeks before.
[...] All sea lions present similar symptoms, including dehydration and starvation. Some are also showing secondary infections. In Ventura County, mammal centers are finding a high amount of lice. [...]
“The radiation epidemic could be a potential cause,” [Sarah Wilkin, NOAA's California stranding coordinator] said. “We need to look at what’s different in 2013 as compared to 2012, 2011 and 2010. “We will work with lab tests that look at radionuclide signatures. Scientifically, we don’t think radiation is the cause but without testing and data we can’t say for sure. We need to rule it in or out.” [...]
“Marine mammals are sentinels of the eco system,” Wilkin said. [...]
Federal gov’t declares rare Unusual Mortality Event in So. California — 70% of all newborn sea lions may be dying — Testing for toxins, infectious agents (VIDEO)
KPBS (http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/mar/28/federal-officals-research-sea-lion-troubles/), March 28, 2013 at 3:00p ET: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined the current number of sea lion strandings warrants an investigation. The agency is calling the situation an unusual mortality event. [...] Any number of things could be causing problems, said [Stephanie Venn-Watson works at the National Marine Mammal Foundation in San Diego], including infections, toxins or simply not enough food.
http://enenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/csl_strandings_graph-300x202.jpg (http://enenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/csl_strandings_graph.jpg)
NOAA (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/californiasealions2013.htm): Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (as amended), an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) has been declared for California sea lions in California from January 2013 through the present. Beginning in January 2013, elevated strandings of California sea lion pups have been observed in Southern California (Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties). The area with the highest reported stranding rates is currently Los Angeles County, followed by Orange County, and strandings are increasing in San Diego County. [...] As part of the UME investigation process, an independent team of scientists (investigation team) is being assembled to coordinate with the Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events (Working Group) to review the data collected and to determine potential next steps. The group will focus on the immediate response and develop the investigative plan.
San Diego 6 (http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/Sick-Sea-Lion-Pups-Stranding-on-Southern-California-Beaches--200373151.html): The National Marine Fisheries has declared an Unusual Mortality Event, that’s something that’s rarely done in the Southern California area. It’s a formal declaration that there’s a serious problem that needs immediate attention. Susan Chivers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says because the animals are starving, researchers are examine their food source. She says they are also investigating whether a bacteria or virus could be to blame. “It’s hard to know what comes first because a starving pup is more susceptible to disease,” Chivers said.
Wired (http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/03/sea-lion-pups-norcal/): The total number of rescues at those centers, as of Mar. 24, is 948 pups, [...] The number of rescued pups is just a fraction of the sea lions in trouble, with scientists estimating that mortality rates in the sea lions’ offshore rookeries could reach as high as 70 percent. [...] The cause of the mass stranding? Still unknown. But the magnitude of the mass stranding has prompted NOAA Fisheries to declare it an “Unusual Mortality Event,” a declaration that mobilizes federal resources for use in the ongoing investigation. Soon, an independent team will begin coordinating the investigation’s next steps, which could include additional necropsies, tissue sampling, and testing for potential biotoxins or infectious agents in the area.
Watch local news coverage of the Unusual Mortality Event here (http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/Sick-Sea-Lion-Pups-Stranding-on-Southern-California-Beaches--200373151.html)
TV: Crisis of epic proportions for California sea lions — Suffering abscesses, seizures — Exponentially higher numbers washing up (VIDEO) (http://enenews.com/crisis-of-epic-proportions-for-california-sea-lions-suffering-abscesses-seizures-exponentially-higher-numbers-washing-up-than-before-video) April 2, 2013
CBS Los Angeles: “Dead sea lions everywhere” — Rescuer: I’ve never seen anything like this… we never would have imagined the numbers — Expert: No oceanographic explanation for what we’re seeing (VIDEO) (http://enenews.com/cbs-los-angeles-dead-sea-lions-everywhere-rescuer-ive-never-anything-like-never-imagined-numbers-expert-oceanographic-explanation-video) March 30, 2013
Captain's Log: Young California Sea Lions Are Suffering and Dying by the Scores (http://www.noozhawk.com/article/040513_captains_log_young_california_sea_lions_suf fering/) Noozhawk - Apr 5, 2013
It is tough times for young California sea lions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a special statement and is sending a team of researchers to figure this out. I do hope they ask fishermen and women because we have knowledge ...
Sea Lion Pup Strandings to Be Investigated (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Sea-Lion-Pup-Strandings-southern-California-investigated-201503511.html) NBC Southern California - Apr 4, 2013
Federal scientists are trying to figure out why more than 1,000 sick sea lions -- mostly pups -- are being found on Southern California beaches. Here, a pup sits on the edge of a pool during a feeding at the Marine Mammal Center on April 1, 2013 in Sausalito, ...
Starving Sea Lion Pups Still Washing Up by the Hundreds in California (http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/04/starving-sea-lions-pups/) Wired - Apr 5, 2013
There's no indication the ocean plans to stop littering Southern California's shores with the tiny bodies of starving sea lion pups any time soon. For three months, these frail animals have been found stranded along California's waterfront. As of Apr. 4, roughly ...
Hunger May Be Driving Spike in Sea Lion Strandings (http://www.livescience.com/28455-hunger-california-sea-lion-strandings.html) LiveScience.com - Apr 4, 2013
Nearly 1,100 sickly sea lion pups that should still be with their mothers have stranded in southern California since the beginning of this year, officials say. Biologists still don't know exactly what's causing the unusually high number of young animals to wash ...
Emergency Status Unlocks Sea-Lion Aid (http://www.lagunabeachindependent.com/2013/04/05/emergency-status-unlocks-sea-lion-aid/) Laguna Beach Independent - Apr 5, 2013
With the federal government declaring the extraordinary number of starving sea lion pups along the Southern California coastline an “unusual mortality event,” the door is opened for possible emergency funding for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, a center ...
NOAA Declares Unusual Mortality Event for Sea Lions (http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/NOAA-Declares-Unusual-Mortality-Event-for-Sea-Lions-201501551.html) NBC 7 San Diego - Apr 4, 2013
Unusual Rate: NOAA. Sea Lion Strandings Increase. The increase of sea lion strandings has intensified over the last few weeks. NBC 7's Megan Tevrizian reports on NOAA's investigation into what's hurting the sea lion population in Southern California.
NOAA Assembles Team To Investigate Ailing Sea Lion Pups (http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/06/noaa-assembles-team-to-investigate-ailing-sea-lion-pups/) CBS Local - 9 hours ago
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Radiation from Japan's nuclear disaster is being looked at as one possible cause for what some experts are declaring an “unusual mortality event” after hundreds of ailing sea lion pups washed ashore in Southern California.
Foundation offers challenge grant for sea lion care (http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/05/sea-lion-stranding-grant-seaworld/) U-T San Diego - Apr 5, 2013
Marine mammal centers in Southern California have taken in more than 1,000 starving sea lion pups this year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. The agency declared a “marine mammal unusual mortality event” for ...
Starving Seal Pups Arriving at California Beaches (http://www.earthweek.com/2013/ew130405/ew130405c.html) Earthweek - A Diary of the Planet - Apr 4, 2013
Unprecedented numbers of starving sea lion pups are swimming to shore in California, straining local animal care centers and puzzling marine biologists who have yet to determine what is ailing the sea mammals. According to marine biologists at the ...
Experts have theorized that
80% of all radioactivity released by Fukushima
went into the ocean,
Could radiation in their mothers cause young seal pups to experience malnutrition? "High-dose breast radiation for the therapy of breast cancer can decrease or eliminate subsequent milk production in the treated breast....."
See also:
Thread: Fukushima meltdown appears to have sickened American infants (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?409910-Fukushima-meltdown-appears-to-have-sickened-American-infants)
an event that’s already surpassed the total number of sea lion pups strandings for an average year.
What could be causing a massive die off across multiple species; seals, walruses, sea lions, plus polar bears, which is affecting whole populations of seal life from the tip of Alaska to the border of Mexico.
Experts in Alaska have been quoted as saying the problem is not caused by bacteria, virus, is not a poison, and is not related to their food supply. No red tides have been associated with this die off. Adults seals, walruses and polar bears are being found with lesions on the skin and
their hair is falling out.
They are acting lethargic and their immune systems are compromised.
http://agreenroad.blogspot.com/2013/03/70-of-all-sea-lions-dying-in-california.html
“Radiation epidemic” killing So. California sea lions? Gov’t experts now checking animals for contamination from Fukushima Daiichi
http://enenews.com/feds-radiation-epidemic-could-be-cause-of-sea-lion-die-off-in-so-california-experts-now-checking-for-contamination-from-fukushima-daiichi
NOAA investigates: natural die-off, radiation?
A team of experts assembled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency is looking into radiation from Japan’s nuclear disaster as one of several possible causes of the ongoing sea lion stranding along Southern California beaches. [...]
Sea lions keep washing ashore, many in more critical condition than in the weeks before.
[...] All sea lions present similar symptoms, including dehydration and starvation. Some are also showing secondary infections. In Ventura County, mammal centers are finding a high amount of lice. [...]
“The radiation epidemic could be a potential cause,” [Sarah Wilkin, NOAA's California stranding coordinator] said. “We need to look at what’s different in 2013 as compared to 2012, 2011 and 2010. “We will work with lab tests that look at radionuclide signatures. Scientifically, we don’t think radiation is the cause but without testing and data we can’t say for sure. We need to rule it in or out.” [...]
“Marine mammals are sentinels of the eco system,” Wilkin said. [...]
Federal gov’t declares rare Unusual Mortality Event in So. California — 70% of all newborn sea lions may be dying — Testing for toxins, infectious agents (VIDEO)
KPBS (http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/mar/28/federal-officals-research-sea-lion-troubles/), March 28, 2013 at 3:00p ET: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration determined the current number of sea lion strandings warrants an investigation. The agency is calling the situation an unusual mortality event. [...] Any number of things could be causing problems, said [Stephanie Venn-Watson works at the National Marine Mammal Foundation in San Diego], including infections, toxins or simply not enough food.
http://enenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/csl_strandings_graph-300x202.jpg (http://enenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/csl_strandings_graph.jpg)
NOAA (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/californiasealions2013.htm): Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (as amended), an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) has been declared for California sea lions in California from January 2013 through the present. Beginning in January 2013, elevated strandings of California sea lion pups have been observed in Southern California (Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties). The area with the highest reported stranding rates is currently Los Angeles County, followed by Orange County, and strandings are increasing in San Diego County. [...] As part of the UME investigation process, an independent team of scientists (investigation team) is being assembled to coordinate with the Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events (Working Group) to review the data collected and to determine potential next steps. The group will focus on the immediate response and develop the investigative plan.
San Diego 6 (http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/Sick-Sea-Lion-Pups-Stranding-on-Southern-California-Beaches--200373151.html): The National Marine Fisheries has declared an Unusual Mortality Event, that’s something that’s rarely done in the Southern California area. It’s a formal declaration that there’s a serious problem that needs immediate attention. Susan Chivers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says because the animals are starving, researchers are examine their food source. She says they are also investigating whether a bacteria or virus could be to blame. “It’s hard to know what comes first because a starving pup is more susceptible to disease,” Chivers said.
Wired (http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/03/sea-lion-pups-norcal/): The total number of rescues at those centers, as of Mar. 24, is 948 pups, [...] The number of rescued pups is just a fraction of the sea lions in trouble, with scientists estimating that mortality rates in the sea lions’ offshore rookeries could reach as high as 70 percent. [...] The cause of the mass stranding? Still unknown. But the magnitude of the mass stranding has prompted NOAA Fisheries to declare it an “Unusual Mortality Event,” a declaration that mobilizes federal resources for use in the ongoing investigation. Soon, an independent team will begin coordinating the investigation’s next steps, which could include additional necropsies, tissue sampling, and testing for potential biotoxins or infectious agents in the area.
Watch local news coverage of the Unusual Mortality Event here (http://www.sandiego6.com/news/local/Sick-Sea-Lion-Pups-Stranding-on-Southern-California-Beaches--200373151.html)
TV: Crisis of epic proportions for California sea lions — Suffering abscesses, seizures — Exponentially higher numbers washing up (VIDEO) (http://enenews.com/crisis-of-epic-proportions-for-california-sea-lions-suffering-abscesses-seizures-exponentially-higher-numbers-washing-up-than-before-video) April 2, 2013
CBS Los Angeles: “Dead sea lions everywhere” — Rescuer: I’ve never seen anything like this… we never would have imagined the numbers — Expert: No oceanographic explanation for what we’re seeing (VIDEO) (http://enenews.com/cbs-los-angeles-dead-sea-lions-everywhere-rescuer-ive-never-anything-like-never-imagined-numbers-expert-oceanographic-explanation-video) March 30, 2013
Captain's Log: Young California Sea Lions Are Suffering and Dying by the Scores (http://www.noozhawk.com/article/040513_captains_log_young_california_sea_lions_suf fering/) Noozhawk - Apr 5, 2013
It is tough times for young California sea lions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a special statement and is sending a team of researchers to figure this out. I do hope they ask fishermen and women because we have knowledge ...
Sea Lion Pup Strandings to Be Investigated (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Sea-Lion-Pup-Strandings-southern-California-investigated-201503511.html) NBC Southern California - Apr 4, 2013
Federal scientists are trying to figure out why more than 1,000 sick sea lions -- mostly pups -- are being found on Southern California beaches. Here, a pup sits on the edge of a pool during a feeding at the Marine Mammal Center on April 1, 2013 in Sausalito, ...
Starving Sea Lion Pups Still Washing Up by the Hundreds in California (http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2013/04/starving-sea-lions-pups/) Wired - Apr 5, 2013
There's no indication the ocean plans to stop littering Southern California's shores with the tiny bodies of starving sea lion pups any time soon. For three months, these frail animals have been found stranded along California's waterfront. As of Apr. 4, roughly ...
Hunger May Be Driving Spike in Sea Lion Strandings (http://www.livescience.com/28455-hunger-california-sea-lion-strandings.html) LiveScience.com - Apr 4, 2013
Nearly 1,100 sickly sea lion pups that should still be with their mothers have stranded in southern California since the beginning of this year, officials say. Biologists still don't know exactly what's causing the unusually high number of young animals to wash ...
Emergency Status Unlocks Sea-Lion Aid (http://www.lagunabeachindependent.com/2013/04/05/emergency-status-unlocks-sea-lion-aid/) Laguna Beach Independent - Apr 5, 2013
With the federal government declaring the extraordinary number of starving sea lion pups along the Southern California coastline an “unusual mortality event,” the door is opened for possible emergency funding for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, a center ...
NOAA Declares Unusual Mortality Event for Sea Lions (http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/NOAA-Declares-Unusual-Mortality-Event-for-Sea-Lions-201501551.html) NBC 7 San Diego - Apr 4, 2013
Unusual Rate: NOAA. Sea Lion Strandings Increase. The increase of sea lion strandings has intensified over the last few weeks. NBC 7's Megan Tevrizian reports on NOAA's investigation into what's hurting the sea lion population in Southern California.
NOAA Assembles Team To Investigate Ailing Sea Lion Pups (http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/06/noaa-assembles-team-to-investigate-ailing-sea-lion-pups/) CBS Local - 9 hours ago
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Radiation from Japan's nuclear disaster is being looked at as one possible cause for what some experts are declaring an “unusual mortality event” after hundreds of ailing sea lion pups washed ashore in Southern California.
Foundation offers challenge grant for sea lion care (http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/apr/05/sea-lion-stranding-grant-seaworld/) U-T San Diego - Apr 5, 2013
Marine mammal centers in Southern California have taken in more than 1,000 starving sea lion pups this year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. The agency declared a “marine mammal unusual mortality event” for ...
Starving Seal Pups Arriving at California Beaches (http://www.earthweek.com/2013/ew130405/ew130405c.html) Earthweek - A Diary of the Planet - Apr 4, 2013
Unprecedented numbers of starving sea lion pups are swimming to shore in California, straining local animal care centers and puzzling marine biologists who have yet to determine what is ailing the sea mammals. According to marine biologists at the ...
Experts have theorized that
80% of all radioactivity released by Fukushima
went into the ocean,
Could radiation in their mothers cause young seal pups to experience malnutrition? "High-dose breast radiation for the therapy of breast cancer can decrease or eliminate subsequent milk production in the treated breast....."
See also:
Thread: Fukushima meltdown appears to have sickened American infants (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?409910-Fukushima-meltdown-appears-to-have-sickened-American-infants)