Tag Archives: penguins

Magellanic Penguin Deaths in Brazil

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Magellanic Penguin Deaths In Brazil Being Investigated

July 16, 201

redOrbit Staff & Wire Reports – Your Universe Online

Biologists are investigating the deaths of hundreds of penguins that were discovered washed up on the beaches at Brazil’s southern Rio Grande do Sul state, various media outlets reported over the weekend.

Officials with the Center of Coastal and Marine Studies (Ceclimar) told AFP reporters on Friday that the 512 Magellanic penguin bodies were found on the coast between the towns of Tramandai and Cidreira.

They added that samples from the deceased birds had been taken to Porto Alegre University for further study. The results of that analysis were expected to be released in approximately one month’s time.

According to Nick Allen of the Telegraph, the penguins, which were migrating north from Argentina in order to find food in warmer waters, showed no signs of injury, hunger or oil stains. The massive amount of the dead birds coupled with the lack of injury or signs of exhaustion have veterinarians puzzled, he added.

“Autopsies are being conducted on some of the birds to determine the cause of death,” BBC News reported on July 13. “Similar incidents in the past have been blamed on shifting ocean currents and colder temperatures.”

“Last week dozens of young penguins were rescued from beaches in Rio de Janeiro after straying far beyond their normal range,” the British news organization added. “The birds delighted beach-goers, but scientists said their health was suffering in the tropical waters.”

Magellanic penguins are named after the Magallenes region in which they breed, and they typically mate in large colonies in southern Argentina and Chile, the AFP reported. Between March and September, they tend to migrate along the Rio Grande do Sul coast to head up to Sao Paulo, and their diet is made up mostly of tiny fish and marine crustaceans. Their primary foe, the French news agency said, is the southern sea lion.

from:    http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1112656677/magellanic-penguin-deaths-in-brazil-being-investigated/

Very Strong Antarctic Earthquake

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 Very strong earthquake near sub-antarctic Elephant Island

Last update: January 15, 2012 at 2:47 pm by By 

M 6.7      2012/01/15 13:40     Depth 13.0 km      SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS

09:40:20 AM at epicenter
Very strong earthquake approx. 100 km out of the coast of Elephant Island, an island which is often visited by Antarctica cruiseliners.
Elephant Island and the smaller islands around are all crowded with antarctic birds and animals. All kind of penguins like emperor penguins, seals, etc are common on these islands.
NO tsunami risk exist for populated islands (there are no people living within a radius of several hundred km). Additionally a M 6.7 earthquake is seldom generating a tsunami.
1003 km (623 miles) S (176°) from STANLEY, Falkland Islands
Update : The magnitude has been lowered by USGS to 6.5, a lot less energy than the initial 6.7. The earthquakes can be compared with the many earthquakes who are occurring at the South Sandwich Islands, islands with similar animals.
Update : We said earlier that these islands are a regular destination stop for Antarctica cruise ships.  This destination is not so common than the Antartic peninsula, but we would not be surprised that tourists were visiting the penguin population on one or more islands.
This text is part of the program of Antarctica espedition organizer Oceanwide Expeditions :
The Atlantic Odyssey offers a unique possibility to visit several of the remotest islands in the world. Besides the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, South Georgia and the South Orkney Islands, the Atlantic Odyssey visits Tristan da Cunha, St. Helena, Ascension Island and Cape Verde.
Update : As it is Antarctica summer and thus Tourist season, at least a couple of thousand people may have been walking on one of the many penguin islands of the Antarctic peninsula and may have felt the earthquake. A M 6.5 earthquake will be probably felt within a radius of several hundred km.
Update :  Very strong aftershock of M 6.2. We expect many more aftershocks to happen the following hours and days.

for more and updates, go to:    http://earthquake-report.com/2012/01/15/earthquakes-list-january-15-2012/