Published by admin on 31 Jul 2008 at 12:24 am
Penguins Washing Ashore in Brazil
Photo courtesy of Associated Press
According to the Associated Press, hundreds of penguins have been washing ashore in Brazil this year, both dead and alive. Approximately 300 penguins have been found in recent days alone along the shoreline.
Biologists are not exactly sure why this is occurring, but they do have theories. Some biologists believe that “stronger-than-normal ocean currents have pulled the birds north” (Associated Press). Others believe that the penguins are being forced to swim farther out to search for food due to overfishing in Antarctica and Patagonia.
This isn’t the first time penguins have been spotted off the shore of Brazil. It is fairly common for a few sightings of the birds a year, however, the number of sightings this year are extremely high. Most of the birds getting washed ashore are babies who aren’t strong enough to fight against the currents of the water.
The environmental authority in Brazil is telling residents if they spot a healthy, uninjured penguin to leave it alone so it can swim back home. Rescued penguins are swamping their bird rescue centers and 90 have since died.
