US scientists examine possible link between dolphin deaths and BP oil spill

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Scientists are looking for a possible link between a surge in deaths among baby dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico and the BP oil spill.

So far this year, 29 newborn dolphins have washed up on the northern shores of the Gulf of Mexico, far higher than seen in typical years.

US government scientists said it was too early to conclude that there is a link with the explosion at BP's well last April, which dumped 4.9m barrels of oil into the Gulf, but that it was a definite possibility.

There are suggestions that the timing of the spill may have been a contributory factor. As most of the dolphins were conceived before last April and their gestation period is 11 or 12 months, some experts have speculated the spill compromised the pregnancies and the development of the calves. A number of press reports have also said that one or two of the dolphin corpses appeared to be covered in oil.

However, scientists cautioned that the deaths – entirely among one species – could be caused by disease, a decrease in food supply, or a sudden dip in water temperature.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/25/gulf-of-mexico-dolphin-deaths

[onethatcares]

1. and today here in Floriduh

dolphins splashed their tails so hard to attract humans to rescue a dog that fell into a canal and was close to drowning.

meanwhile back on the ranch, ronnie reagan is voted best president ever.

something is fucking so wrong with this country.

[defendandprotect]

2. Obviously, Dophins are smarter than we are -- !!!

Capitalism's war on nature is suicidal --

And Mother Nature will be playing the final cards --

[Booster]

3. Duh, ya think????

[Booster]

4. Duh, ya think????

[Booster]

5. Now I know how duplicate posts are done. LOL

[Blandocyte]

6. And another step taken toward the US becoming the world's

toxic waste dump. Eventually the only jobs available here will be toxic waste dump attendants.

[Marnie]

7. In addition to the chemcals there is also the possibity

that the mothers normal food sources are gone or severely diminished and they physically cannot support the fetus so have spontaneously aborted.

[Peace Patriot]

8. I know dolphins have no rights but I think there is sufficient evidence to presume sentience in...

...dolphins, that is, to presume intelligence and self-awareness, and to behave toward them accordingly.

So, in my opinion, BP will have these additional murders on their list of crimes, if these scientists can pinpoint the cause to the BP spill. I also know that there will be no consequences for BP executives, managers and investors and U.S. policymakers and agency leaders who are responsible for this entire disaster and for its consequences to human beings, to other sentient beings and to other life. I wish I could sue them all on behalf of the dolphins. Maybe humans should create a World Court for Sentient Beings--which would investigate the sentience in certain critters whom we have previously thought of as mere animals, but for whom there is increasing evidence of intelligence and self-awareness, and any criminal proceedings related to this. Some day we are going to meet sentient beings from other places than Earth and they are not likely going to look like us, communicate like us or live like us. Are we going to kill first and ask questions later? We really, REALLY need to become more responsible citizens of the Cosmos, and even a hint of sentience should be a flashing alarm bell that we must presume sentience, even on slight evidence (to us), rather than make the horrible mistake of treating sentient beings as subhuman.

[glowing]

9. To think we have averted disaster is ridiculous!!!

The exxon valdez spill is still causing problems 20 yrs later. I'm noticing a lot of weird things with our soil and plants and even pollen.

[OnyxCollie]

10. REPENT.

THE END IS EXTREMELY FUCKING NIGH.