Mass whale deaths have researchers puzzled

With nearly 100 carcasses washing ashore over several months, scientists scramble for answers

Anthrax outbreak grips Siberia

State media reports emergency is contained; 40 people hospitalized, over 1,200 reindeer dead

Mass bee die-off has officials scrambling for answers

Thousands of bees found dead along Oregon roadside; multiple theories as to the cause, yet still no concrete answers.

Thousands of fish perish at Pennsylvania hatchery

After days of study researchers remain uncertain as to the cause of the mass die-off.

Mass death of orcas remains a mystery

Nine killer whales were discovered dead on a southern beach of New Zealand in mid-February of this year, causing major concern amongst researchers. The orca pod, eight adults and one calf, were believed to have been spotted just off-shore the day before they were found beached, and scientists are baffled over what could have caused this event.

Mass blackbird die-off in rural township

Nearly 100 blackbirds were found dead along a Nokesville, Virginia [US] intersection on Thursday of this week, local health officials are reporting.

Animal control officers assert there is no threat to the public, while admitting they have yet to ascertain what caused this latest die-off; a handful of the deceased birds are being tested, in hope of acquiring an explanation.

Researchers were quick to state that while such situations are unusual they are not uncommon, especially with the various species of blackbirds.

They point the finger at nesting patterns and weather as the most common denominators, though critics note that these 'not uncommon' incidents seemed to have been quite uncommon no more than a few years ago.

A rural community of under 1,400 citizens, Nokesville serves as the hub for local farming concerns, while also being noted for its outdoor activities.

'Red tide' blamed for mass-deaths of manatees

A record number of manatees have been found dead in Florida over the past year, most of which killed via the phenomenon known as 'red tide.' Caused by large concentrations of aquatic microorganisms, algal bloom results in the water turning a murky, red color, giving the deadly anomaly its name.

Example of a 'red tide' event.

As of the end of October a total of 769 of the endangered species have perished in the toxic waters, a fifth of which being calves. Manatees are considered vital to the balance of coastal life in the Sunshine State, thus these latest reports have researchers very concerned.

Debate is on-going as to the root cause for this particular situation; while the majority asserts that human activity is the primary driver, others argue this is a strictly a natural occurrence. They are worried that it points to major earth-changes naturally - and relentlessly - taking place, with a rise of red-tide events across the globe since 2011 contributing to their evidence.

Photo: Alejandro Díaz [Wikipedia]

Mass poaching incident threatens ecosystem

Hwange National Park

At least 91 African elephants have been killed since May of this year in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, due to a large-scale poaching enterprise. The poachers poisoned 35 different salt licks, all of which were close to waterholes frequented by the giant mammals, with a cyanide/salt/water mixture. The animals are being illegally killed for their tusks, which are in high demand for 'folk medicines' in Asia.

Beyond the destruction of the animals themselves scientists are expressing concerns over the possibility of a 'spiral-effect' resulting from this incident. The cyanide-laden animal remains are fed upon by many carnivores in the park, including lions and vultures, which will likely be poisoned themselves.

African elephant

Adding to the dire situation is the fact the carcasses have been discovered near the aforementioned water-holes, which not only poisons drinking-water sources for dozens of species but also poses a threat to the groundwater. Researchers fear these combined could adversely affect the entire ecosystem for years to come, turning it into a major, long-term crisis.

Poachers have been using such vile tactics for years, and Zimbabwe's Hwange has always been a target for those in the illegal trade. There has been speculation that well-connected Zim cartels are responsible for this latest incident, though no definitive proof has been provided. The park, which Authority in the African nation considers a national treasure, has some of the planet's largest herds of this particular species of elephant.

Mysterious mass deaths of endangered antelope

In an unusual mass die-off, approximately 3,000 saiga mysteriously perished earlier this month, with no explanation for why it occurred being articulated. The diminutive species of antelope, standing no taller than three feet high at the shoulders, is on the critically-endangered list, due largely to human activity.

A male saiga

These odd-looking animals can only be found in pockets of central and western Asia at this time, with estimates suggesting there being no more than 50,000 left on the planet. If this be true it represents a 6% die-off of the entire species, a disturbingly high volume; to give perspective, if the same percentage of the species homo sapiens were to expire in the span of a few days it would equal the passing of over 420,000,000 people.

The saiga, despite its endangered status, is normally regarded as a hearty species, noted for its adaptability to rugged terrains; only the actions of people appear to threaten its vitality. Since human behavior has been ruled out as an explanation in this case, researchers speculate it was either an unknown viral infection or a serious imbalance in the overall environment which caused this incident to occur. Since the former is considered unlikely many are leaning toward the latter, which has them concerned that these deaths could be be an indicator of a larger, wider-ranging event in the weeks or months to come.

'Zombie pigeons' frighten Moscow citizens

For the second time in three years the city of Moscow is experiencing an epidemic of pigeon deaths. Unlike the September 2010 situation (where the birds would quickly turn around, then randomly die), unnerved witnesses to the current crisis describe the fowl demonstrating "zombie-like behaviors' before falling dead. This includes them blankly wondering while ignoring cars and people, walking stiffly and indiscriminately, completely outside of normal pigeon behavior.

Initial reports from Russian Authority advised citizens that the birds had contracted Newcastle disease, a dangerous bird flu which can be transferred to humans. They quickly revised that assessment once public concern grew, claiming it was salmonellа poisoning, another bird-to-human virus. By the end of the day a third revision was issued, assuring frightened citizens that the birds were actually expiring from a common intestinal infection, one which cannot be transferred to humans.

Skeptics were quick to note, however, that the latest diagnosis does not explain away the birds' bizarre shenanigans. In another point of contention, the same reports meant to calm people's fears also stress the importance of not handling the dead birds in any capacity, and to thoroughly clean (while wearing surgical gloves) any outdoor surfaces where they are found dead.

Though considered rare, there are viral infections (such as prion diseases) which can manifest zombie-like behaviors, in both animals and humans. According to Authority's third revision, however, that is not the case with the 'zombie' pigeons; there is no word if a fourth revision is forthcoming.

Dozens of dead birds fall from skies

In the city of Winnipeg on Wednesday more than 50 birds literally fell dead from the skies above. Residents in the North End of the Canadian municipality reported seeing hundreds of black birds - later identified as common grackles - flocking in an erratic manner around 8:00 AM local time, haphazardly converging atop and around trees, automobiles, and roadways.

A few hours later the bewildered black birds began dropping to the ground without any warning, littering the landscape with both the disoriented living and the hopelessly dead. About a dozen of those still alive were captured for study, and - while unable to walk or fly - were described by scientists as being active and alert.

Researchers are at a loss to explain why or how the event occurred; they assured reporters, however, there would be a perfectly logical explanation forthcoming, despite being utterly clueless as to what caused it. Sudden mass bird deaths can cause a variety of illnesses in humans, including West Nile virus, SARS virus, smallpox, tuberculosis, typhus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, yellow fever, and malaria.

Scientists bewildered by mass dolphin deaths

Scientists with the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are at a loss to explain several dozen dead dolphins washing ashore over the last month along the eastern seaboard. The states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia have all reported beached carcasses, with the latter of the five taking the brunt of the event.

Many within the scientific community note it is reminiscent of the mass deaths of 1987, when at least 740 dolphins were discovered along the east coast. That situation was eventually blamed upon a virulent strain of morbillivirus; while researchers suspect this is what is responsible for the current situation, there is yet no proof to confirm or deny this hypothesis.

This shadows a Florida situation reported last month, where at least 54 dolphins mysteriously died within the Indian River Lagoon over a period of seven months; scientists do not currently believe, however, that the two events are related. NOAA issued a "Unusual Mortality Event" warning on Wednesday, in response to recent rash of unsolved deaths.