Animals
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337 whales beached in biggest stranding known to science, Patagonia, Chile

Brian Clark Howard
National Geographic
Fri, 20 Nov 2015 18:31 UTC

The cause of the massive die-off, discovered in remote waters off Patagonia, Chile, is being investigated. Scientists say they are most likely sei whales, which are endangered.

Scientists made a startling discovery on an observation flight over a remote fjord in southern Chile's Patagonia: 337 dead whales. That is the biggest single whale stranding event known to science.

Because of the remoteness of the area and the roughness of the seas, scientists have not been able to examine the whales directly, but aerial and satellite photography identified 305 bodies and 32 skeletons in an area between the Gulf of Penas and Puerto Natales, toward the southern tip of the continent.

Many of the remains were in advanced states of decay so it's unclear what species they are, says lead scientist Carolina Simon Gutstein of the Universidad de Chile and Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales in Santiago. But based on their size and location, they are probably sei whales, she says.

Massive fish kill on Sanibel beach, Florida

Michael Colaianni
nbc-2.com
Thu, 19 Nov 2015 14:39 UTC

Fish kill on Sanibel Island

A massive fish kill on Sanibel Island could keep beachgoers out of the water and off of the sand.

Before walking out on the beach at Gulfside City Park Wednesday night, you could certainly smell that something fishy was going on as thousands of dead fish have washed ashore.

When Erin Neitzlt and her friend Joyce Nardo made their way to the Gulfside Beach, they were looking for a little getaway.

"I just like the sea air. It smells good out here, listening to the waves. It's a good way to relax out here and beat some stress," said Neitzlt. "To relax, hear the waves, I love it here."

They likely didn't expect to find thousands of dead fish strewn across the beach, which could likely be the result of red tide.

The latest reports released Wednesday by Florida Fish and Wildlife indicate the algae bloom, which is common in November, has made its way to Southwest Florida.

Super rare lancetfish from the deep ocean found on New Plymouth shore, New Zealand

Jeremy Wilkinson
stuff.co.nz
Thu, 19 Nov 2015 20:28 UTC

The lancetfish is no Finding Nemo but one has been found a long way from home.

A lancetfish - usually found around 1000 metres deep - has been found just offshore at Fitzroy beach in New Plymouth.

Nik Pyselman was running with his friend Cam Twigley along Fitzroy beach on Wednesday evening when he saw an iridescent blue shape in the water.

"It looked like it had been washed in and was sruggling to swim back out to sea," he said.

"I've heard of people catching them on long lines but I've never seen one myself."

"I've also heard them called cannibal fish before because they eat their own kind."

Comment: See also: Rare, mysterious deep sea fish washes ashore along North Carolina coast

Twenty cows die of mysterious disease in Chuka, Kenya

Gathoni Jemimah
Citizen Digital
Sun, 15 Nov 2015 17:38 UTC

Over 20 cows have been reported dead after a mysterious disease hit a village in Chuka Igambang'ombe Constituency.

Villagers, especially farmers in Kiang'ondu, are now a worried lot, claiming the government has done little to help them and are calling on the national and county governments to step in and stop the disease from spreading. Among those affected is Mutwiri Mutegi, a farmer, who claimed that a county livestock department representative had toured the village once but did not enforce quarantine in the face of the deadly disease.

"This disease has been here close to a month now and some symptoms such as the cows legs swelling are easily noticeable," said Mutegi. He claimed that when they reported the matter, the officers demanded bribes, which they could not afford.

On their part, veterinary officers who toured the region said the signs and symptoms portrayed by the animals could be those of ramp skin and anthrax, a deadly disease that is highly contagious. Reports indicated that over the last one week, 20 cows have died and more than 30 households have animals that are already infected.

The farmers are now demanding for an apology from the livestock department due to the loses they have incurred so far, while at the same time urging the county government for assistance following the tragedy that has befallen them.

Family's pit bull kills 11-month-old boy in Oneida County, New York

Elizabeth Doran
syracuse.com
Mon, 16 Nov 2015 18:12 UTC

An 11-month-old boy was attacked and killed by the family's pet pit bull last night, according to Oneida County Sheriff Robert M. Maciol. The incident occurred about 7:15 p.,m. at a home at 2700 State Route 12B in the town of Marshall in Oneida County.

The 2-year-old pit bull named Diesel was in the family's living room playing with Lisa M. Cittadino's three daughters ages 7, 10 and 12, police said. Cittadino, 32, toid police she turned her back momentarily and then heard screams from her son and daughters.

Cittadino said she saw the dog attacking her son, and began to frantically try to get the dog to release his grip on her child, police said. Once the dog let go, she called 911 and began giving her son first aid, police said.

Comment: From the website Dogs Bite Decatur Al:

2015 - U.S. DOG BITE RELATED FATALITIES - 30 (12 CHILDREN - 18 ADULTS)

PIT BULL - 19

FREDERICK MD -
WEST MIFFLIN PA
WHEELING WV
JEFFERSON COUNTY AR
PAHRUMP NV
DALLAS TX
CHICAGO IL
LAWTON OK
PECOS TX
HENDERSON COUNTY NC
SHAKER HEIGHTS OH
REDBIRD OK (4 dogs-3 pit bulls and 1 rottweiler)
SPARTANBURG SC
MOCKSVILLE DAVIE COUNTY NC
NORTHSHORE RIVERSIDE COUNTY CA
BAKER HEIGHTS WV
VIDOR TX
OKLAHOMA CITY OK
ELMONT NY
MARSHALL NY

PIT BULL MIXES - 2

BROOKSVILLE FL
COLLEGE SPRINGS PAGE COUNTY IA

3 DOGS:

AMERICAN BULLDOG, RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK, LAB MIX??? - 1 ATTACK
MIAMI DADE FL

ROTTWEILER - 2

SULPHUR SPRINGS TX
MADISON COUNTY TN

UNKNOWN BREED DOGS - 5

COAL HILL JOHNSON COUNTY AR (RUMORED TO BE HIS SON'S PIT BULL MIXES)
ROSEBUD INDIAN RESERVATION SD
WASHINGTON GA (RUMORED TO BE PIT BULLS)
CANYON LAKE TX
AUTAUGA CO AL - FB PIC SHOWED A LARGE PIT BULL AND 2 OTHER DOGS ONE OF
WHICH WAS TIED UP AT THE TIME OF THE MAULING - SHEPHERD MIX?? AND A LAB MIX

Animal-loving man killed by newly adopted dog

Katherine Burgess
Freep
Tue, 17 Nov 2015 18:23 UTC

A central Tennessee man was attacked and killed by a Rottweiler dog, just hours after adopting it from the county pound, according to the Madison County Sheriff's Office.

Anthony Riggs, 57, had adopted the Rottweiler from Jackson-Madison County Rabies Control, which is a part of the health department, Thursday morning. The dog attacked and killed him later that same day, according to the Sheriff's Office.

After leaving the county animal facility Thursday around 10:30 a.m., Riggs took the Rottweiler to show it to his son Thomas Riggs, according to Adrienne Riggs, Anthony's ex-wife. Father and son had made plans for the holidays, hugged and said they loved each other, she said.

Comment: Animal Rescuer in Georgia Killed by Own Dogs

Dead sperm whale found at Cape Conran, Australia

Jonathon Kendall
blogs.abc.net.au
Mon, 16 Nov 2015 12:32 UTC

Big shark feeding on dead whale at Cape Conran shows biodiversity of East Gippsland marine ecosystem

Have you ever thought the waters off Gippsland are relatively shark free? It's true, we have nowhere near as many shark attacks as further north...but the sharks are here.

And if you want evidence, there was plenty of it at Cape Conran yesterday.

A large sperm whale beached itself at Salmon Rocks and an opportunist shark turned up for a feed.

Weird glowing blue sea slug washes up on Australian beach

Ross Logan
Daily Mirror, UK
Sun, 15 Nov 2015 19:33 UTC

A strange and seldom-seen sea creature has made a rare public appearance.

This is the Blue Dragon - or glaucus atlanticus - which was caught on camera after washing up on Australia's Gold Coast.

The bizarre-looking creature is in fact a sea slug, and feeds on blue bottle jellyfish - otherwise known as Portugese Man O' War.

While the jellyfish has a powerful sting that can severely injure humans, the Blue Dragon is unaffected by the venom.

In fact, the Blue Dragon packs a fairly nasty sting of its own.

Signs and Portents: Three-eared cat found in Norfolk, UK

Kate Royall
Eastern Daily Press
Thu, 12 Nov 2015 15:48 UTC

Brian, who has three ears, is believed to be between four and ten years old.

Staff at a Norfolk rescue centre were equally perplexed when one intrepid feline arrived sporting an extra ear.

As Feline Care Cat Rescue in East Harling continue to care for the moggie, it is hoped its owner will now step forward. Brian, as he has been affectionately called, arrived at the centre on Monday after being caught in one of the centre's traps after setting off security alarms at a nearby business.

Manager of the centre, Molly Farrar, said: "We expected it to be one of our own cats who'd been causing problems so this handsome, mature gentleman was quite a surprise to us.

"We've cared for plenty of cats with one eye, three legs or six toes and several cats with no tail left, but this is our first three-eared cat.

The centre is hoping that Brian has not been dumped but has simply got lost.

Meet the newest police dog on the force — a pit bull

New York Post
Fri, 13 Nov 2015 10:45 UTC

The new rookie at one New York police department weighs 60 pounds, has a big, lolling tongue, a soft caramel coat and a chance to fight stereotypes in addition to crime.

When she graduates Friday from K9 training school, Kiah will be one of just a few pit bulls to serve as a police dog. It's a job usually given to breeds that don't come with the pit bull's reputation — deserved or not — as a savage animal fit only for the company of criminals.

"The breed isn't important," said Brad Croft, who trains dogs for law enforcement and the military and found Kiah in a Texas animal shelter after her previous owner was arrested for animal cruelty. "It's what's inside of the dog that's important."