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    Scientists think that they have found the cause for the tragic mass Magellanic penguin death in Brazil. According to CNN, researchers at Brazilian Center for Coastal Studies at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil believe the 750 birds died due to natural causes. The massive amount of deceased penguins washed up on shore over the past months and have been investigated since their discoveries.

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    Scientists that studied the dead birds and performed autopsies recorded that most of the animals were young and showed no serious injuries or encounters with oil. After examining the penguins and ruling out outside factors, researchers say the birds fell victim to natural selection. 

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    Coastal Studies Center biologist Mauricio Tavares told CNN that penguins are very vulnerable in their first years of life. A young penguin's inexperience and weakness puts it at a greater risk of falling victim to one of many natural threats. Tavares also mentioned that the washed-up birds seem to be smaller than normal, which probably affected the situation.

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    Those working at the center were especially diligent when examining the birds due to the large number of deceased penguins. It is expected by the center that some penguins would be found washed up on the beaches or injured during summer, since this is the penguin's natural time for southern migration, but 750 was an alarming figure. 

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    The center is monitoring the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, where the penguins were found, on a weekly basis to keep on top of any potential hazards. This precaution is even more important after recent reports of mass penguin deaths due to starvation in Peru.

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    Magellanic penguins have also been discovered on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. Luckily, most of these animals were able to be rescued and rehabilitated. It is unusual to see penguins this far south, since it is far from their migratory area. Scientists believe that the birds strayed away from the path and became lost and confused in the warmer waters.

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    Next: Learn More About Penguins!

    For now, researchers are continuing to perform a more detailed analysis on a selected group of the beached birds. They hope to find a more in-depth answer to how natural causes are killing these penguins, and what could possibly be responsible for the animals' smaller size.