News

August, 2008

• 6 August

  Controversial Edmonton Sea Lion Attraction Won’t Face Review Until 2009

  

  (From cbc.ca)- A controversial new attraction that allows visitors to swim with sea lions at the West Edmonton Mall won”t be reviewed until next year, according to the association that certifies zoos and aquariums in Canada. An animal rights group is already predicting next year”s review will be meaningless. “Lots …
• 6 August

  2 Dolphins Rescued After Stranded By Edouard

  

  (From click2houston.com)- Two dolphins that were rescued after Tropical Storm Edouard will be released back into the ocean, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday. They believe the two dolphins were brought in by the storm and became stranded on the beach.They were in good condition and able to swim on their …
• 6 August

  Fishing Takes Toll on Shark Populations

  

  (From kpbs.org)- A new study says sharks are necessary for healthy oceans, but commercial fishing is taking a toll on their populations. Each year, tens of millions of sharks are caught only for their fins. Sharks have been swimming in the world”s oceans before dinosaurs roamed the Earth. But whether they”re …
• 6 August

  Local Pelicans Injured by Fishing Lines

  (From abclocal.go.com) Capitola, CA – The Capitola Wharf is closed to fishing after a wave of pelican injuries. All human fishermen and women were kicked off the Capitola Wharf, at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning to keep the pelicans safe. Several pelicans were bloodied and maimed after getting caught up …
• 6 August

  ‘Net Losses’ for South African Seabirds

  (From birdlife.org)- A study of trawl fishing in South Africa suggests that around 18,000 seabirds may be killed annually in this fishery, highlighting trawl fisheries as a major threat to seabirds, especially several species of albatross already facing a risk of extinction. The vessels were trawling for hake, and the …
• 6 August

  Costa Rica Proposes New Shark Finning Law

  

  (From costaricapages.com)- Finning in Costa Rica may finally become illegal. Unfortunately, the proposed Shark Finning Prohibition Law states that the whole shark must be killed and used instead of cutting off the fins and throwing the animal back in the water where it is left to agonize and die anyway. …
• 6 August

  Endangered Pelicans Thrive, Hitting 40-year Peak

  (From marinij.com)- The endangered brown pelican, which faced extinction in California 50 years ago, is returning in record numbers to the Farallon Islands, according to the Point Reyes Bird Observatory. The bird observatory – now known as PRBO Conservation Science- has been monitoring wildlife on the islands since 1968, when …
• 6 August

  Whale Stuck in Shallow Waters Loses Fight for Life

  (From news.scotsman.com)- A sperm whale, trapped in the shallow waters of the inner Moray Firth for two days, died last night, conservationists said. The 45ft whale was left lying in 6ft of water by the retreating tide near Chanonry Point on the Black Isle yesterday.Campaigners fear they could all be …
• 6 August

  Clark Island Sea Lion Likely Has Brain Damage From Toxin

  (From bellinghamherald.com) – A California Sea Lion that hauled itself onto a Ferndale family”s boat off Clark Island Sunday, Aug. 3, is likely suffering the poisoning effects of a toxin found in algae, marine mammal rescuers say. The sea lion, a 2- or 3-year-old female, has shown unusual and erratic …
• 5 August

  New Killer Whale at Risk From Antarctic Warming

  (From timesofindia.indiatimes.com)- A new study has indicated that two newly identified types of killer whales that hunt prey off of Antarctic sea ice risk losing food sources to global warming and melting. “If there are changes in the amount of ice cover (in the Antarctic) then it means there are …
• 5 August

  National Parks Seeks to Consolidate Mission

  

  (From journalcr.com) Costa Rica-  Las Baulas is located some 274 km northwest of San Jose, and it’s considered the most important leatherback nesting site remaining in the eastern Pacific Ocean, as this species is in critical danger of extinction. Just like leatherback turtles, many other species living in Costa Rica’s …
• 5 August

  Sharks Are Friends Not Food

  (From news.medill.northwestern.edu)- Sharks are a valuable catch in the U.S., not for their meat, but for their fins. The lucrative market for shark fins is driven by the increasing demand for shark fin soup, a delicacy in China and some other Asian countries. “Shark finning” is catching a shark, cutting …