dolphins.
Animal lovers were in an uproar when two dolphins, Shadow and Chemlers, died suddenly at Switzerland's Connyland Amusement park in 2011. Originally, loud techno music from a nearby rave was blamed for the animals' unfortunate demise, but now an in-depth investigation has turned up a more surprising cause of death: drugs. According to Time magazine, traces of buprenorphine, a semi-synthetic opioid used to manage heroin dependency, was found in the the urine of both dolphins. Based on the amount of the drug present in the dolphins' systems, the professionals who performed the autopsy and prepared the toxicology report believe that the heroin substitute was fed to the animals by party-goers of ...
LIMA, (AFP) -- Officials in Peru said Thursday they are investigating what caused the deaths of nearly 900 dolphins that have washed up on its northern coast over the past four months. Authorities said they suspect a virus may be responsible, but are awaiting test results to know whether they can rule out environmental pollution or other factors in the deaths of the marine mammals. RELATED: Check out the Causes Page "So far that's the most likely hypothesis," Deputy Environment Minister Gabriel Quijandria told local radio. Ninety-five percent of the deaths affected bottlenosed dolphins, which since January have washed up along a 170-kilometer (100-mile) stretch of coastline. RELATED: ...
Dolphins won a major victory this month with Switzerland's newly announced import ban on captive dolphins for zoos and marine parks. Even though the deaths of two dolphins following a rave at Connyland dolphinarium last year were caused by antibiotics and not poisoning, the incident sparked outrage and debate about keeping these intelligent and sensitive cetaceans in captivity. RELATED: Dolphins Exposed to Oil Seriously Ill Liberal Green Isabelle Chevalley introduced the ban on captive dolphins and was assisted by Sea Shepherd Switzerland and the Swiss Cetacean Society (SCS) in introducing her motion. The House passed a ban on captivity, but the Senate rejected it and instead enforced ...
10 Cutest Bionic Animals
Every animal could use a helping paw now and again, but some critters need it a little more literally than others. These animals are all sporting an artificial body part, but that doesn't mean there is any less to love. In fact, after reading these stories, you may find yourself feeling some extra affection for these wild…
Celebs Share Their Spirit Animals
Was it cat-loving novelist J.D. Salinger or glitter glamazon-cum-Humane Society Ambassador Ke$ha who once noted, "We're all animals?" (Trick question: It was both!) We caught up with some famous furriends to find out which creatures dwell deep inside of them. "You know I think I can be a lot of things. I can…
LIMA, (AFP) -- At least 264 dead Bottlenose Dolphins have washed ashore over the past three days on Peru's northern coast, officials said Friday as they seek to discover what killed the marine animals. The dead dolphins were found over a 103 kilometer (64 mile) stretch of sandy beach, said Edward Barriga, an official with Peru's Oceanic Institute (IMARPE). "We have taken samples to determine the cause of death," said Barriga, speaking from the city of Lambayeque, adding that vast quantities of dead anchovies had also been found in the region. RELATED: Ohio Officials Hunt For Escaped Exotic Animals The dolphins may have been killed by the impact of off-shore oil exploration and drilling in ...