It seems very implausible that Fukishima is to blame. Despite some lies
spreading on the internet, only trace amounts of radioactive material have
been found meaningful distances from Japan, and no abnormal numbers of
marine deaths near the plant have been found. These shearwaters are
feeding thousands of kilometres away, and feeding on animals near the
bottom of the food chain that don't have a chance to accumulate high levels
of metals. Let's not forget they were healthy enough to fly from Japan to
Australia, where presumably any effect would have been much greater.
I think it seems most likely that this is just a natural fluctuation, but
if any environmental issues are involved, climate change is the most
obvious.
Jeremy
Discussed the same thing with Nikolas Haas this weekend, surely a
*possibility* of correlation with these ranges, has anyone tested the
corpses for increased radiation levels?
Tom
On Sun, Nov 10, 2013 at 2:55 PM, Tim Jones <> wrote:
> I wonder if the stuff I have read about regarding potential ecological
> disaster in the pacific linked to Fukushima has anything to do with this.
> After all this seems to relate to a large part of their wintering range?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On 10 Nov 2013, at 4:59 pm, "Debbie Lustig" <
>
> wrote:
> >
> > The same thing was happening at St Kilda on the same day (Saturday
> 9/11), albeit on a slightly smaller scale. The strong birds were gliding
> and swooping over the waves while the rest either bobbed about, resting,
> doing nothing to avoid the numerous kite-surfers, or lay dead on the sand.
> I watched one weak bird pounded and dragged about in the waves for a
while,
> and felt that it was worth trying to rescue. I sought help from an animal
> rescue professional. He arrived and we debated the options of who to take
> it to. Several phone calls later, we learned the following:
> > Melbourne Zoo and the DEPI's protocol is to euthanise any ST Shearwaters
> > A Frankston carer had 40 ailing birds handed in and none survived longer
> than three hours. Apparently, they can't handle the stress of being
rescued
> and being in captivity
> > All the birds handed in were well below their normal weight and had
> breastbones 'like razors' ie they were wasted and starving
> > There are some wildlife rehab people who specialise in seabirds but none
> near the inner city beaches
> > Someone in St Kilda (illegally) rescued two birds, which died soon after
> > None of this should put people off trying to rescue other injured birds.
> The hard part can be finding an experienced carer to nurse them back to
> health. All vets are supposed to at least assess injured or sick animals
> and hopefully send them to an appropriate wildlife carer. Or you can try
> Wildlife Victoria, who do a good job but are overworked.
> > I share Richard's sadness at this awful situation, and wish we could
> help. But it seems we can't. All I can suggest is we go out and watch the
> birds that are still capable of flight, and enjoy the spectacle of them
> while we can. If I'm not mistaken, you need to get right out on the ocean
> to see ST Shearwaters, normally.
> >
> >
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--
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Tom Tarrant
Kobble Creek, Qld
http://www.aviceda.org
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