diseased seals update

Northern Pinniped Unusual Mortality Event (UME)
Update February 2013 --

"preliminary results confirm cesium 137 levels in control and four diseased seals are similar to historical levels observed in seals sampled in the mid – 1990’s in Alaska. Testing for the remaining seal samples has not been completed and gamma analysis is ongoing."

"Public concern about the Fukushima nuclear plant accident in Japan has prompted tissue testing for radionuclides. Preliminary qualitative screening showed radiation levels within typical background levels for Alaska. As a follow up muscle tissue from control (n=11) and a few diseased seals (n=7) have been provided to the University of Alaska Fairbanks for gamma analysis. Gamma analysis of control and four diseased seal samples have been finalized in January ; preliminary results confirm cesium 137 levels in control and four diseased seals are similar to historical levels observed in seals sampled in the mid – 1990’s in Alaska. Testing for the remaining seal samples has not been completed and gamma analysis is ongoing. An interim report is being prepared on these preliminary findings, which will be made available."

• http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seals/ice/diseased/ume_update0213.pdf
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  Diseased Ice Seals in Northern Alaska

  alaskafisheries.noaa.gov

  Diseased seals in northern Alaska (Arctic and Bering Strait Regions). Information, news releases and public service announcements; NOAA Fisheries National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Alaska Region

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Sea Lions Found Stranded on Central Coast of California

KION, March 14, 2013: "Rescue groups along the Central Coast are scrambling [...] Biologists are still investigating why the malnourished sea lion pups are stranding. [...] NOAA Researchers said more than 517 emaciated sea lions have been found in Southern California and 39 have been picked up along the Central Coast. [...]"

Marine Mammal Center Manager Sue Andrews: “This year they are for some reason coming out of the rookery underweight, underfed and emaciated, low energy some with already having infection.”

Wired Science, March 15, 2013 (Emphasis Added): "[...] In late January, scientists surveying Channel Island sea lion rookeries reported something worrying: Pups out there were in bad shape. [...] Now, hundreds of these little animals have been admitted to rescue centers between Santa Barbara and San Diego. For a non-El Niño year, the numbers are much too high, too early. Something is going badly wrong offshore, and no one knows what it is yet. “We’re in the process of trying to understand what is actually causing this,” said Sharon Melin, a wildlife biologist with the National Fisheries Service. “The stranding centers in Southern California are being inundated with animals. It hasn’t hit the northern centers yet.” As of Mar. 13, 517 pups had been admitted to five Southern California rescue centers. That total is higher than the total for some entire years, said Sarah Wilkin, regional strandings coordinator with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “And we’re only two months and a week in.” [...] The pace of admissions is still accelerating, Wilkin said, noting that both Los Angeles County and Orange County admissions doubled last week. [...] “We anticipate it will only get worse in the coming months,” Melin said. [...]"

From Thursday: "Hidden NOAA animation shows ocean all along U.S. West Coast contaminated with Fukushima cesium by end of March 2011 (VIDEO)"

http://enenews.com/reports-from-california-something-is-going-badly-wrong-offshore-stranding-centers-inundated-with-animals-video

Reports from California: “Something is going badly wrong offshore” — Stranding centers inundated with animals (VIDEO)

enenews.com

Wired Science, March 15, 2013 (Emphasis Added): [...] In late January, scientists surveying [California's] Channel Island sea lion rookeries reported something worrying: Pups out there were in bad shape...

Sea Lions Found Stranded on Central Coast - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

Mar 14, 2013

MOSS LANDING, Calif. -- Rescue groups along the Central Coast are scrambling to take care of dozens of baby sea lions that have been found over the last couple of weeks.

Most of the sea lion pups have been found stranded in Southern California near the Channel Islands because that's where most of the breeding happens. Now some of the mal-nourished animals are starting to show up here.

One of the babies was rescued on Thursday. Marine Mammal Center Manager Sue Andrews said she believes the pup was born last June. "This year they are for some reason coming out of the rookery under weight, underfed and emaciated," said Andrews.

Sue said it's not just baby sea lions that are being found emaciated. "We have a weaned baby elephant seal pup, so probably a January baby," said Andrews.

Marine Mammal Centers bring the emaciated pups to a vet hospital to get them checked out. Afterwards the animals get taken to stranding centers for rehabilitation. Most of the animals that get sent to rehab centers are re-released back into the wild. If an animal is not able to go back into the ocean, it is sent to non-profits who take care of the animals for life.  

Biologists are still investigating why the malnourished sea lion pups are stranding. Moss Landing Marine Laboratories Trainer, Stefani Skrovan said there could be a lack of food available and El Nino could be the reason why all the animals are showing up sick and starved. "El Nino is a very common and very silical pattern where almost all normal weather patterns shift and the prevailing winds die allowing the other winds to come with and actually reverse the ocean weather patterns," said Skrovan.

NOAA Researchers said more than 517 emaciated sea lions have been found in Southern California and 39 have been picked up along the Central Coast.  

If you see an animal that may appear stranded, do not try to help it. Instead call one of the Marine Mammal Centers:

San Diego County - (800) 341-7325

Orange County - (949) 494-3050

Los Angeles County - (310) 548-5677

Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties - (805) 687-3255

San Luis Obispo - Mendocino Counties - (415) 289-7325

Humbolodt - Del Norte Counties - (707) 822-8839

> Sea Lions Found Stranded on Central Coast - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

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see also / previous:
update on diseased seals & Radionuclide Exposure
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2012Preliminary Assessment of Radionuclide Exposure - 2011 Northern Pinnipeds Unusual Mortality Event --- "No radiation levels were found in these samples that would directly cause the symptoms seen in the pinnipeds. Test results show radiation levels are within the typical background range for Alaska."

whats up: tag = seals