Ocean Sentry
Scientists with the VaquitaCPR conservation project announced they succeeded in locating and rescuing a highly endangered vaquita porpoise yesterday, but in an abundance of caution the vaquita, which was a calf, was released. Less than 30 are left in the world.
October, 2017
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24 October
Dead North Atlantic right whale found on Nashawena Island
The carcass of a North Atlantic right whale has been found on the coast of Nashawena Island, marking the 16th known death of the rare animals this year, according to a Facebook post Monday by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
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23 October
Right whales could be 20 years away from certain extinction, say scientists
Scientists at an annual meeting for North Atlantic right whales estimate the species has a little over two decades left to survive unless changes are made immediately.
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14 October
At least 3 whales dead in mass stranding on Kauai’s south shore
Five of the whales were pushed back out into the ocean, but two others died. Then late Friday afternoon, the body of a third whale washed ashore in the same area, and officials say there could be more.
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12 October
‘Killer’ toothaches likely cause misery for captive orca: Whales chew concrete and steel tank surfaces
An international research team has undertaken the first in-depth investigation of the teeth of captive orca (killer whales) and have found them a sorry state, which raises serious concerns for these majestic mammals’ overall health and welfare.
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12 October
Seal pups get separated from their mums by icebreaker ships
Icebreaker ships may be splitting endangered seal mothers from their pups at a critical point in their development.
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12 October
Bycatch responsible for decline of endangered New Zealand sea lion
Getting caught in fishing nets is a major cause of death for the increasingly endangered New Zealand sea lion, according to new research from New Zealand’s University of Otago, Massey University and the University of Toronto.
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11 October
The Cove turns to blood as Risso’s and rough-toothed dolphins slaughtered
Today, 38 rough-toothed dolphins were driven into the Cove, a lone pilot whale amongst them.
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11 October
Study identifies whale blow microbiome
A new study by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and colleagues identified for the first time an extensive conserved group of bacteria within healthy humpback whales’ blow—the moist breath that whales spray out of their blowholes when they exhale.
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10 October
Taiji shows more cruelty with a small pod of Risso’s dolphins
An unfortunate family pod of 6 Risso’s dolphins was swimming along the coast of Taiji at the wrong time today.
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6 October
Mexico launches Vaquita roundup to prevent extinction of tiny porpoise
Wildlife officials in Mexico next week will attempt to capture and protect some of the last vaquita on Earth in a desperate effort to save these small porpoises from extinction.
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6 October
Container ship docks with 46-foot whale on bow
A dead whale estimated to be 46 feet (14 meters) long was carried into New Zealand’s Port of Tauranga on the bow of a Maersk container ship on Wednesday.