Second-largest whale stranding event in New Zealand

Second-largest whale stranding event in New Zealand

416 pilot whales were found stranded at Farewell Spit in New Zealand's Golden Bay late Thursday, February 9, 2017. On Saturday, February 11, a new pod of 240 whales stranded on the beach, bringing the total number to 656 and making this the second-largest…

82 false killer whales dead after stranding in Florida Everglades

82 false killer whales dead after stranding in Florida Everglades

95 false killer whales, large members of the dolphin family, have stranded along Hog Key in the Florida Everglades this weekend. Attempts were made to try and herd the animals back out into deeper water but 82 have died and 13 are unaccounted for. To date, it is the…

Stellar sea lions in the western Aleutian Islands threatened by extinction

Stellar sea lions in the western Aleutian Islands threatened by extinction

The number of Stellar sea lions, Alaska's endangered population, continues to decline. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the recently conducted survey revealed the number of sea lions across Alaska is increasing, however,…

Military probes mysterious Arctic seafloor pinging sound, Canada

Military probes mysterious Arctic seafloor pinging sound, Canada

Following an official request by the Government of Nunavut, the Canadian Armed Forces conducted an aerial investigation into mysterious pinging sound, also described as a "hum" and "beep," coming from the seafloor in Fury and Hecla Strait, a…

Alarming decline in wilderness areas around the world over the last 20 years

Alarming decline in wilderness areas around the world over the last 20 years

A new study published today in the Cell Press journal Current Biology shows a catastrophic decline in wilderness areas around the world over the last 20 years. Researchers demonstrated alarming losses comprising a tenth of global wilderness since the 1990s, with the…

Widespread decline of amphibians requires prompt local conservation actions

Widespread decline of amphibians requires prompt local conservation actions

A new research conducted by the US Geological Survey (USGS) team of scientists indicates the worldwide severe decrease in the number of amphibian population cannot be stopped or reversed abruptly, and the key solution to this global phenomenon will lie in local…

Tons of dead fish washed ashore in central Vietnam

Tons of dead fish washed ashore in central Vietnam

Tons of various species of dead fish washed ashore along the central coast of Vietnam over the last couple of days. The fish bodies show signs of poisoning and an investigation is being carried out to investigate the issue. The local authorities claim such an…

More than 800 000 animals perished by dzud conditions in Mongolia

More than 800 000 animals perished by dzud conditions in Mongolia

While spring conditions slowly set in Mongolia, 20% of the country is still left under a snow blanket, and 23 districts are experiencing white dzud (extremely snowy winter) or very similar circumstances. Because the conditions are unseasonably cold, there are…

Slow-moving natural disaster kills more than 350 000 animals, Mongolia

Slow-moving natural disaster kills more than 350 000 animals, Mongolia

More than 350 000 farm animals have died in a slow-moving natural disaster known in Mongolia as a "dzud," International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reports. "Dzud" is a clinical slow-onset disaster unique to Mongolia…

Assessment of New Zealand southern right whale decline

Assessment of New Zealand southern right whale decline

The New Zealand southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) was particularly exploited in the nineteenth century when demand was high for oil extracted from its blubber. They were killed on the high seas and especially in sheltered bays where females were vulnerable…