A team of Russian scientists has found the remains of 10 gray whales washed ashore in Russia's most northeasterly region Chukotka, the Marine Mammal Council said Friday.

The remains were discovered during an aerial survey of Chukotka's Arctic coast between September 1 and 8.

Stanislav Belikov, head of marine wildlife conservation at the All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Protection, said the 10 marine mammals had washed up on the 800-kilometer (500-mile) stretch of the coast.

"This is quite a few, especially considering that six of these whales were washed ashore within a coastal area of 120 kilometers. They were possibly wounded by hunters or attacked by killer whales. We also shouldn't rule out the possibility of a disease. In any case, reasons for this incident should be investigated," Belikov said.

According to the Marine Mammal Council, the number of recently deceased gray whales could be higher because not all dead whales wash up on shore.

Bengaluru: This year mango lovers need not wait till March/April to taste the local varieties of their favourite fruit. In many parts of the city, mango trees, especially the local species, which usually flower during December and January have surprisingly bloomed now, four months in advance.

This development has surprised farmers, but experts feel that in-depth scientific study is required to find out the exact reason.

Farmers said that in many parts of the city the mango tress, especially the local varieties, started blooming from August second week and now mango flowers can be seen. Even though they were not aware of the exact reason, they attribute it to the heavy rains the city has witnessed in the last three months.

Rajesh B Bhat, who owns a farm house near Magadi, told this newspaper that he was surprised to see flowers on mango trees from August second week. "I have never seen mango trees blooming in the month of August/September.

A rare deepwater whale found beached on the north Antrim coast has died as fears emerged over the high rate of strandings on coasts around the island of Ireland.

An Irish whale and dolphin expert has described the number of strandings as "truly shocking".

The juvenile Sei whale, which was some nine metres in length, was stranded on a beach beside Red Bay pier near Waterfoot early yesterday.

The animal was thought to be too weak to refloat.

Ian Enlander from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group was called to the scene yesterday morning to examine the whale.

He told the BBC that the Sei whale that was found stranded was "incredibly rare in this part of the world".

A whitetail deer die off is occurring again this year in Bennett County. At this point there have only been a few reports of dead deer, and all have been from the eastern part of the county.

The most likely cause of the die off is epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), which was the cause of the die off in 2012. At this point all of the deer reported dead in this area have been whitetails, but one mule deer was confirmed to have died of the disease in a different county.

Other counties north of us are also reporting losing whitetails. There are several strains of EHD, with some of the strains affecting whitetail deer, mule deer, antelope and elk. The strain that was present last year did kill some mule deer and some elk, although the primary loss was whitetails.

There were also some reports last year of cattle being infected in the area. Prior to last year, it was assumed that while cattle can carry the disease, they did not show any symptoms.

Weather conditions more than anything else will determine if the die off becomes severe again this year or whether the die off is limited. If the conditions remain hot and dry, the conditions are right for the breeding of the black gnats and midges, which carry the disease. If it turns cool, the breeding cycle may slow and the die off may not be as severe.

Hemorrhagic disease may kill deer within 72 hours of infection. Some deer will survive but will show signs of lameness, loss of appetite, and much reduced activity. A smaller proportion of animals may be disabled for weeks or months by lameness or emaciation.

We are monitoring the die off again this year and encourage anyone finding dead or sick deer in Bennett, Jackson, or Shannon Counties to report them to Conservation Officer Tom Beck at 685-6335.

The number of people "unaccounted for" in Larimer County has more than tripled, reports the Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Justin Smith said Saturday evening about 350 people are presently unaccounted for, up from about 100 earlier in the day.

County officials reported Saturday morning a possible fifth flood victim. A 60-year-old woman from the Cedar Cove area is presumed dead after her house was destroyed by flood waters, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office reported.

No other information was released about that case, but the Sheriff's Office said an investigations team was created to collect and track reports of missing people. A hotline was established at 970-498-5500 to collect reports about individuals who are out of contact with family or friends. The list grew to about 100 named by 11:30 a.m.

"We do estimate that potentially there will be other loss of life," said Nick Christensen, executive officer of the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, during a Saturday afternoon press conference.

One person was killed and 16 were injured Saturday when lightning struck a group of hikers in eastern China, officials said.

The tourists were apparently taking cover from a thunderstorm that moved into the mountain they were hiking in Zhejiang Province, officials in the Beilun District of Ningbo told China's Xinhua news agency.

The identities and nationality of the tourists were not immediately revealed. The injured were treated at area hospitals for burns.

One man died and two were injured after they were struck by lightning in Faithville, Ga., Monday morning, police said.

The men, described as farmers, were walking home in a rainstorm when they were struck, Capt. Liz Croley of the Decatur County, Ga., Sheriff's Office said.

Mauselio Gomes, 21, died from his injuries. His brother Elmer Gomes, 18, and Domingo Perez, 18, are in stable condition at Bainbridge Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge, Ga., the Tallahassee (Fla.) Democrat reported.

Two people died and one person was injured by a lightning strike while they were at a scenic overlook north of Jacob Lake in Arizona, sheriff's officials said.

The two dead were a married couple from outside the country, the Arizona Daily Sun reported Wednesday. The injured person was a teenager traveling with guardians. It was unclear if the teen was traveling with the dead couple.

"They were in the area of the overlook and several other people were also in the area where it occurred," Gerry Blair, spokesman for the Coconino County Sheriff's Office, said of the Tuesday incident.

The teenager was transported to a hospital and had non-life-threatening injuries, Blair said.

The identities of the two who were killed were not reported.

A bolt of lightning struck a dozen soldiers Wednesday afternoon at Fort Carson in Colorado, leaving one in critical condition, an Army spokesman said.

The 11 other victims were in stable condition, The (Colorado Springs) Gazette reported. It wasn't known if any were hit directly by the lightning.

The incident occurred 2-3 miles south of the Butts Army Airfield where the soldiers were taking part in training on a large, open field, Maj. Earl Brown, a 4th Infantry Division spokesman, told the newspaper. The soldiers were moving to shelter when the storm hit, the Army officer said.

"They were on their way to get to low ground, get into some vehicles and stuff, when they were struck by the lightning," Brown said.

"The cell basically built right over the top of Fort Carson."

It wasn't clear how much warning they had, he said.

"We have a big loud speaker and a siren goes off anytime there's a severe lightning warning in the area," he said.

Ten of the victims were taken to Evans Army Community Hospital and the other two to Memorial Central Hospital.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the families when something like this happens, but Colorado is no stranger to lighting strikes," Brown said. "This is an unfortunate event."

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Two people died and three others were injured when lightning struck a barn in Buckeye, Ky., an emergency official said.

Eight men were working in the barn hanging tobacco leaves to cure Wednesday when the lightning struck, CNN reported.

Garrard County EMS Supervisor Tim May said the two dead were Bobby Maggard, 29, and Scotty Elam, 25. The identities of the three men who were injured were not reported.

Of those injured, one was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, CNN said.

May said the eight men worked for tobacco producer Wilmot Farms.