Bacteria Suspected in Deaths of Hundreds of Baby Whales Off Argentina
Authorities counted 1,375 whale specimens this year, including nearly 400 calves, as veterinarians suspect erysipelas in the deaths.
- On Thursday, scientists in Argentina's Patagonia region identified a suspected bacterial infection behind the mystery deaths of hundreds of southern right whale calves washed up on beaches in Chubut province.
- Mariano Coscarella, a researcher at the Marine Mammals Laboratory of Conicet, suspects an outbreak of erysipelas, a serious disease caused by bacteria commonly found on whale skin.
- Authorities have counted 1,375 specimens this year, including nearly 400 calves, while a record 2,110 whales, including 800 young, were counted last year in the area.
- "The death rate is quite high this season in particular," Coscarella confirmed, noting "It seems to be a natural cause however we cannot completely rule out the influence of human activity."
- These deaths "do not constitute a medium-term danger" for the population, given the southern right whale's 60-year average life span, according to experts studying breeding grounds near Valdes Peninsula.
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Hundreds of walkers have died in southern Argentina. Marine scientists see a bacterial infection as a probable cause. However, there are open questions.
Investigators probe deaths of hundreds of whales in Patagonia,...
A bacterial infection is suspected of killing hundreds of baby whales in Patagonia, a marine mammal expert said Thursday, as scientists continue to investigate an unusually high mortality rate among southern right whale calves. This week, dozens of dead calves washed up on beaches in southern Chubut Province, continuing a disturbing trend that began in June. "The death rate [among young whales] is quite high this season in particular," said Mari…
Dead young whales have been washed off the coast of Patagonia for weeks. Argentinian researchers suspect a bacterial skin infection as a trigger. However, the scientists do not completely exclude human influences.
Investigators probe deaths of hundreds of whales in Patagonia
Bacterial infection suspected in deaths of whale calves in Patagonia; Hundreds of southern right whale calves have died this season, prompting scientists to investigate a possible outbreak of erysipelas along Chubut coast. Leer más
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