The aftermath of Hurricane Isaac has washed ashore tens of thousands of dead 'swamp rats,' invasive species whose rotting corpses are now presenting a health hazard in Mississippi.
The drowned rodents, known as nutria, are a stark reminder of the effects of hurricanes on wildlife, which can range from mass death to - surprisingly enough - dolphin baby booms. In the case of the nutria, the drownings may be a blessing for the Gulf Coast, where the beaver-like creatures wreck havoc on native marsh vegetation.
The clean-up, though, is proving unpleasant.
'They're actually starting to swell up and bust,' Hancock County Supervisor David Yarborough told local news station WLOX. 'It smells really bad.' [See Photos of the Nutria Washed Ashore]
Animals and hurricanes
Nutria aren't the only animals to suffer after hurricanes. A study of alligators in southwest Louisiana after Hurricane Rita hit in 2005 found that the reptiles were physically stressed a month after the initial storm surge inundated their marshy habitat. Blood tests on the gators showed elevated stress hormones as well as other signs of ill health, the researchers reported in February 2010 in the Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A: Ecological Genetics and Physiology.
Research on Florida manatees has suggested that docile 'sea cows' die more frequently during years with extreme storms, perhaps due to immediate causes like getting swept out to sea, or perhaps due to post-hurricane environmental changes such as cooling in coastal waters, according to a 2006 paper published in the journal Estuaries and Coasts. That study tracked a handful of manatees through the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons and found that the animals tended to 'ride out' the storms in place rather than attempt to avoid them.
Other studies have found changes in fish populations right after hurricanes, as well as changes in phytoplankton, the algal basis of the ocean food chain, though these changes are short-lived. Sometimes, though, hurricane effects echo over long time periods. A 2010 study on bottlenose dolphins found that two years after Hurricane Katrina, the number of baby dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico suddenly skyrocketed. [Photos: World's Cutest Baby Animals]
Some of the jump could be explained by dolphin mamas getting pregnant sooner than usual after losing their previous calves in the storm, the researchers reported in the journal Marine Mammal Science. But the storm had another effect: It destroyed a significant chunk of the Gulf of Mexico fishing fleet. Fewer fishermen meant more food for dolphins and their young, the researchers concluded.
Nutria death zone
Mississippi's nutria population took a hit from Isaac. Sanitation workers have been cleaning up the carcasses with pitchforks and front-end loaders.
'Estimates are there will be over 20,000 carcasses, but that is unclear now,' Robbie Wilbur, a spokesman for the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, told LiveScience. 'Eventually, the totals will be numerated in tons when they're all disposed.'
The carcasses are being sent to the Pecan Grove landfill in Harrison County, Miss., Wilbur added.
'It's starting to get bad,' said Mark Williams of the Department of Environmental Quality's Solid Waste Management branch. 'It's heated up over the last two or three days, and of course that really expedites the degradation process.'
Nutria are native to South America, but the rodents were brought to North America in the late 1800s and farmed for their fur. Escaped and released nutria established themselves in the marshes of the Gulf Coast, where they gnaw the roots of marsh plants, destroying the vegetal web that keeps the marshes from washing away.
Hurricane Isaac likely won't set Mississippi's nutria population back for long. Nutria can produce litters with as many as 13 babies, and they're capable of reproducing twice a year starting at as early as four months of age. Baby nutria begin supplementing their mother's milk with marsh vegetation within hours of birth.
Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas or LiveScience @livescience. We're also on Facebook & Google+.
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Tigers take to the night - for peaceful coexistence with humans
In an ideal ecosystem, each species has its own niche - a different "job description": what it does, what it eats, where it sleeps, and more.
But world is often not an ideal place. In many instances, two species may live in the same spot, yet overlap in some of their roles or needs. They may both compete for the same tree-holes or caves for dwelling, or they may eat the same food. It is not necessary for the two species to be aggressive toward each other, but it is likely that one of the species will be more efficient in gaining the resource than the other.
What is the "loser" to do?
But world is often not an ideal place. In many instances, two species may live in the same spot, yet overlap in some of their roles or needs. They may both compete for the same tree-holes or caves for dwelling, or they may eat the same food. It is not necessary for the two species to be aggressive toward each other, but it is likely that one of the species will be more efficient in gaining the resource than the other.
What is the "loser" to do?
Schematic of possible human+tiger distribution in the Chitan National Park in Nepal
This article is brought to you by MATCH.
Tigers Work the Night Shift in Nepal
In the forests of Nepal, daytime belongs to humans, but the night is the time of the tigers, a new study finds. The results may reveal how people and predatory cats manage to coexist.
A two-year study of video from more than 70 motion-activated cameras near Chitwan National Park in south-central Nepal finds that endangered tigers aren't necessarily driven from their forest habitats when humans share the same space. Instead, the tigers restrict their usual round-the-clock activity to nighttime.
'This has highly important implications,' said study researcher Jianguo Liu, a sustainability researcher at Michigan State University. 'In the past, people were always thinking we needed to have tigers and people separate across space. This study indicates they can share the same space.'
Chitwan National Park is home to the greatest number of Nepal's tigers, though the big cats are rare: A 2010 survey by the Nepalese government and conservation organizations National Trust for Nature Conservation and WWF-Nepal found that about 125 tigers live in Chitwan and its surrounding areas. Tiger attacks on humans are rare, though a 17-year-old was killed by a tiger in Chitwan in April after going into the park to cut grass.
Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are likely fewer than 2,000 of these tigers in the wild.
For the most part, Liu said, tigers steer far clear of humans. The camera footage revealed that inside the park, 80 percent of tigers caught on film were roaming at night. Outside the park, that number was 95 percent.
'In other areas, tigers actually have more activity during the day, so that means these tigers are forced to be more active at night due to human activity,' Liu told LiveScience.
Liu and his colleagues report their findings Monday (Sept. 3) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers aren't yet sure whether being forced into a night-owl existence is bad for the tigers. They plan to research that question further, Liu said.
Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas or LiveScience @livescience. We're also on Facebook & Google+.
This article is brought to you by FREE PERSONALS.
A two-year study of video from more than 70 motion-activated cameras near Chitwan National Park in south-central Nepal finds that endangered tigers aren't necessarily driven from their forest habitats when humans share the same space. Instead, the tigers restrict their usual round-the-clock activity to nighttime.
'This has highly important implications,' said study researcher Jianguo Liu, a sustainability researcher at Michigan State University. 'In the past, people were always thinking we needed to have tigers and people separate across space. This study indicates they can share the same space.'
Chitwan National Park is home to the greatest number of Nepal's tigers, though the big cats are rare: A 2010 survey by the Nepalese government and conservation organizations National Trust for Nature Conservation and WWF-Nepal found that about 125 tigers live in Chitwan and its surrounding areas. Tiger attacks on humans are rare, though a 17-year-old was killed by a tiger in Chitwan in April after going into the park to cut grass.
Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are likely fewer than 2,000 of these tigers in the wild.
For the most part, Liu said, tigers steer far clear of humans. The camera footage revealed that inside the park, 80 percent of tigers caught on film were roaming at night. Outside the park, that number was 95 percent.
'In other areas, tigers actually have more activity during the day, so that means these tigers are forced to be more active at night due to human activity,' Liu told LiveScience.
Liu and his colleagues report their findings Monday (Sept. 3) in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The researchers aren't yet sure whether being forced into a night-owl existence is bad for the tigers. They plan to research that question further, Liu said.
Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas or LiveScience @livescience. We're also on Facebook & Google+.
- Gallery: Tiger Species of the World
- Camera Trapped: Elusive Wildlife Caught in Photos
- 10 Species You Can Kiss Goodbye
This article is brought to you by FREE PERSONALS.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
5 beached whales doing better at Florida center
MIAMI (AP) - Veterinarians fed fish drinks to five rescued pilot whales Sunday and kept a close eye on them, trying to nurse the mammals back to health so they can one day return to the ocean.
The five whales were among a group of 22 whales beached in South Florida on Saturday. The rest died of natural causes or had to be euthanized.
The two calves and three juveniles were brought to Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Institute for rehabilitation. Experts said the animals were worn out, but mostly doing well.
'They've all been through a pretty stressful ordeal. We've seen each of them, at one point or another, have a little bit of trouble and need a little bit of help,' said Dr. Michelle Davis, senior veterinarian for SeaWorld Orlando.
Some of the whales have been breathing faster than usual at times, causing them to float away from the group and become less active, she said.
Several organizations were working together to care for the whales. About 10 people monitored them around the clock and one person was assigned to each whale to watch it constantly. The whales are being fed fish smoothies through a feeding tube every four hours.
Wildlife experts believe the youngest whale - a female under the age of 2 - was still nursing. Her mother did not survive.
'The baby is swimming around the group, calling and whistling for the mother, so we're working to become the mom,' said Stephen McCulloch, Harbor Branch program manager.
Experts are teaching her to drink formula from a bottle.
Davis said it was not clear why the whale pod stranded at Avalon Beach State Park in St. Lucie County.
Allison Garrett, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries service, said it's possible one of the animals became sick and the rest of the pod followed it onshore.
'They won't leave (a sick whale). They'll stay together,' she said.
The five survivors have only minor injuries and scrapes. The goal was to get the five whales strong enough to survive a roughly two-hour trip to their new home at SeaWorld, which could take about a week.
Davis said she did not know how long it would be before the whales could be released back to the ocean. Until they get better, the whales will rehabilitate together in a pool.
'Even now in the pool, most of them are staying together and swimming around together all the time. That's definitely a way to decrease their stress level,' she said.
Hundreds of residents came to the beach to help Saturday, flipping the animals upright so they could breathe better. Volunteers covered the whales with moist towels and poured water over them.
By evening, it was clear that most of the whales would not make it. Necropsies will be performed on them.
___
Associated Press writer Norman Gomlak in Atlanta contributed to this report.
This news article is brought to you by GOING GREEN NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
The five whales were among a group of 22 whales beached in South Florida on Saturday. The rest died of natural causes or had to be euthanized.
The two calves and three juveniles were brought to Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Institute for rehabilitation. Experts said the animals were worn out, but mostly doing well.
'They've all been through a pretty stressful ordeal. We've seen each of them, at one point or another, have a little bit of trouble and need a little bit of help,' said Dr. Michelle Davis, senior veterinarian for SeaWorld Orlando.
Some of the whales have been breathing faster than usual at times, causing them to float away from the group and become less active, she said.
Several organizations were working together to care for the whales. About 10 people monitored them around the clock and one person was assigned to each whale to watch it constantly. The whales are being fed fish smoothies through a feeding tube every four hours.
Wildlife experts believe the youngest whale - a female under the age of 2 - was still nursing. Her mother did not survive.
'The baby is swimming around the group, calling and whistling for the mother, so we're working to become the mom,' said Stephen McCulloch, Harbor Branch program manager.
Experts are teaching her to drink formula from a bottle.
Davis said it was not clear why the whale pod stranded at Avalon Beach State Park in St. Lucie County.
Allison Garrett, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries service, said it's possible one of the animals became sick and the rest of the pod followed it onshore.
'They won't leave (a sick whale). They'll stay together,' she said.
The five survivors have only minor injuries and scrapes. The goal was to get the five whales strong enough to survive a roughly two-hour trip to their new home at SeaWorld, which could take about a week.
Davis said she did not know how long it would be before the whales could be released back to the ocean. Until they get better, the whales will rehabilitate together in a pool.
'Even now in the pool, most of them are staying together and swimming around together all the time. That's definitely a way to decrease their stress level,' she said.
Hundreds of residents came to the beach to help Saturday, flipping the animals upright so they could breathe better. Volunteers covered the whales with moist towels and poured water over them.
By evening, it was clear that most of the whales would not make it. Necropsies will be performed on them.
___
Associated Press writer Norman Gomlak in Atlanta contributed to this report.
This news article is brought to you by GOING GREEN NEWS - where latest news are our top priority.
Humpback whales rebounding on Brazil's coast
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - An institute that tracks the population of Humpback whales that reproduce along Brazil's coast says the number of the once-threatened mammals has tripled over the last 10 years.
The Humpback Whale Institute says in a news release there are now almost 10,000 humpbacks off the Brazilian coast. In 2002, the institute counted approximately 3,000 whales.
Institute chief Milton Marcondes says the whales' fat once was used as fuel for public lighting and in construction. Hunting was banned in 1966, when only about 1,000 whales were left.
Marcondes says restoration efforts have helped the species recover in spite of global warming, accidents with boats and fishing nets.
This news article is brought to you by ADVANCED DATING ADVICE - where latest news are our top priority.
The Humpback Whale Institute says in a news release there are now almost 10,000 humpbacks off the Brazilian coast. In 2002, the institute counted approximately 3,000 whales.
Institute chief Milton Marcondes says the whales' fat once was used as fuel for public lighting and in construction. Hunting was banned in 1966, when only about 1,000 whales were left.
Marcondes says restoration efforts have helped the species recover in spite of global warming, accidents with boats and fishing nets.
This news article is brought to you by ADVANCED DATING ADVICE - where latest news are our top priority.
Endangered Rhino Born at Texas Zoo
The Fort Worth Zoo is asking for the public's help in naming a newborn female greater one-horned rhinoceros.
The calf, which was born Aug. 16, is an endangered species, making the birth all the more special, said Michael Fouraker, executive director of the zoo.
A list of five names were chosen to reflect the calf's 'heritage and personality.' A poll will be open on the zoo's Facebook page until Sept. 30.
Among the most popular names so far: Asha, meaning 'hope' and Kumari, meaning 'princess.'
The greater one-horned rhino is named for a single horn atop its head, measuring between eight and 24 inches. The species has two distinct skin folds on its body, giving the appearance it is wearing armor.
The calf is the fifth successful offspring for Shanti, a 25-year-old rhino on loan from the San Francisco Zoo.
Arun, a 22-year-old rhino, however, was made a father for the 27th time.
Also Read
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Saturday, September 1, 2012
Pod of pilot whales comes ashore on Florida beach
FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) - More than 20 pilot whales came ashore on a South Florida beach on Saturday, triggering a daylong effort by state and national officials, nearby residents and others to save them.
By evening, five pilot whales - two calves and three juveniles - had been transported to Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Institute for rehabilitation. The rest had died of natural causes or had to be humanely euthanized, said Allison Garrett, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries service.
'It was not possible to rehabilitate them,' she told the Associated Press.
The pod of 22 whales came ashore Saturday morning at Avalon Beach State Park in St. Lucie County. They ranged from calves and juveniles to adult whales.
Garrett said it was unclear why the whales became stranded.
'Pilot whales are very social animals,' she added. 'One scenario could be one of the animals was sick. They won't leave (a sick whale). They'll stay together.'
For this reason, it's useless to push pilot whales back into the ocean, Blair Mase, stranding coordinator for NOAA's Southeast Region, told TCPalm.com (http://bit.ly/TJA0D2 ).
'If you push them into the water, they'll just keep coming back and stranding themselves again,' said Mase, who was surfing in the area when he noticed people running toward the beached whales.
TCPalm.com reports that hundreds of residents came to the beach to assist with the rescue, helping the animals turn upright so they could breathe better. Volunteers covered the whales with moist towels and poured water over them. Red Cross volunteers helped ensure that volunteers stayed hydrated in the hot sun.
'I think that people want to help animals,' said Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisth, a Harbor Branch volunteer who worked with others to tend to juveniles in a shaded inflatable pool. 'Especially whales and dolphins, because they are our counterparts in the seas. They're mammals, they're intelligent, they're social. They're a lot like us.'
Still, there was a sad undercurrent to the efforts, with rescuers aware that most of the whales were dying.
Garrett said there was no obvious sign of trauma or injury to the whales, but that necropsies would be performed on them. She said officials and volunteers spent the day assessing the health of the whales to see which could be rehabilitated, and then making the others comfortable.
She said the last such beaching in the area came in May 2011, on the Florida Keys.
___
Associated Press writers Kelli Kennedy in Miami and Norman Gomlak in Atlanta contributed to this report.
This news article is brought to you by WOMEN'S BLOG - where latest news are our top priority.
By evening, five pilot whales - two calves and three juveniles - had been transported to Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Institute for rehabilitation. The rest had died of natural causes or had to be humanely euthanized, said Allison Garrett, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries service.
'It was not possible to rehabilitate them,' she told the Associated Press.
The pod of 22 whales came ashore Saturday morning at Avalon Beach State Park in St. Lucie County. They ranged from calves and juveniles to adult whales.
Garrett said it was unclear why the whales became stranded.
'Pilot whales are very social animals,' she added. 'One scenario could be one of the animals was sick. They won't leave (a sick whale). They'll stay together.'
For this reason, it's useless to push pilot whales back into the ocean, Blair Mase, stranding coordinator for NOAA's Southeast Region, told TCPalm.com (http://bit.ly/TJA0D2 ).
'If you push them into the water, they'll just keep coming back and stranding themselves again,' said Mase, who was surfing in the area when he noticed people running toward the beached whales.
TCPalm.com reports that hundreds of residents came to the beach to assist with the rescue, helping the animals turn upright so they could breathe better. Volunteers covered the whales with moist towels and poured water over them. Red Cross volunteers helped ensure that volunteers stayed hydrated in the hot sun.
'I think that people want to help animals,' said Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisth, a Harbor Branch volunteer who worked with others to tend to juveniles in a shaded inflatable pool. 'Especially whales and dolphins, because they are our counterparts in the seas. They're mammals, they're intelligent, they're social. They're a lot like us.'
Still, there was a sad undercurrent to the efforts, with rescuers aware that most of the whales were dying.
Garrett said there was no obvious sign of trauma or injury to the whales, but that necropsies would be performed on them. She said officials and volunteers spent the day assessing the health of the whales to see which could be rehabilitated, and then making the others comfortable.
She said the last such beaching in the area came in May 2011, on the Florida Keys.
___
Associated Press writers Kelli Kennedy in Miami and Norman Gomlak in Atlanta contributed to this report.
This news article is brought to you by WOMEN'S BLOG - where latest news are our top priority.
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