Freeze Kills Rare Pelicans in Dagestan

Rare Dalmatian pelicans, a threatened species, are dying of cold and hunger amid freezing weather in Russia’s usually warm Dagestan, where the birds are currently wintering.

Temperatures of minus 20-30 degrees Celsius have swept Russia’s southern latitudes, coating the Caspian Sea in a thick layer of sea ice. Some 500 Dalmatian pelicans out of the total population in Russia of about 1,400 were forced to take refuge at a shipyard on the Caspian Sea near Dagestan's capital Makhachkala.

According to information from the Dagestansky Nature Preserve, about 16 pelicans have died from hunger and cold on the Caspian shores of Dagestan.

An adult Dalmatian pelican requires at least 2.5 kg of fish daily, but the giant birds are unable to feed themselves from the ice-covered sea.

Staffers from the local environment ministry and the Dagestansky preserve along with volunteers from various public organizations are bringing fish to nourish the birds, although the authorities of the shipyard at first refused them entry onto the plant’s territory.

Yelena Denisenko, a spokeswoman for the local human rights center Memorial, voiced fears that without nourishment brought by people, their current amount of some 500 would shrink by half by the end of winter.

The Dalmatian Pelican or Pelecanus crispus is the largest of the pelicans averaging 160–180 cm (63-70 inches) in length, 11–15 kg (24-33 lbs) in weight with just over 3 m (10 ft) in wingspan. The bird with curly nape feathers is protected by the Red Book of Russia.

 http://en.ria.ru/Environment/20120220/171425936.html

Annual manatee death count shows cold weather an unusually big factor again

Manatee deaths high again

January 2011. A cold-related die-off of manatees in early 2011 set the stage for a third straight year with high numbers of deaths for the species. Biologists with the research arm of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) documented 453 manatee carcasses in state waters in 2011.

During the past three years, biologists documented the highest levels of cold-related manatee deaths, with the "cold stress" category accounting for 112 in 2011, 282 in 2010 and 56 in 2009. In the previous five years, cold stress accounted for an average of 30 manatee deaths per year.

2010 worst year
The total number of reported manatee deaths in 2011 was the second-highest on record. Biologists documented a record 766 manatee deaths in 2010 and recorded the third-highest total of 429 in 2009.

"We are concerned about the number of manatee deaths the past three years, including those resulting from exposure to cold weather," said Gil McRae, director of the FWC's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. "Over the next few years, we will use data from monitoring programs to better understand any long-term implications for the population. We will continue to work with our partners to enhance the availability of natural warm-water sites, which are important habitats for the species' survival," McRae said.

FWC researchers, managers and law enforcement staff work closely together to evaluate mortality data and identify necessary actions. Managers focus on actions that can reduce risks to manatees and protect foraging and warm-water habitats. The FWC's Division of Law Enforcement, in cooperation with partner agencies, uses knowledge of local boating habits, well-posted speed zones and up-to-date manatee information as part of its on-the-water enforcement operations. Informing boaters about manatee conservation and enforcing manatee-protection zones are priorities for the FWC.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/manatee-deaths011.html

Unusually cold weather killing Florida's manatees

(Reuters) - Unusually cold weather last winter killed Florida's endangered manatees at a record rate, a report said on Friday.


During 2010, a record 699 manatees have died in Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Research Institute.

Of those, 244 were attributed to cold weather and many of the 271 undetermined deaths were also likely caused by weather. In most years, the leading cause of manatee deaths is from collisions with power boats.

The latest surveys estimate there are only about 5,000 of the chubby marine mammals left in Florida waters.

"We are very concerned about the unusually high number of manatee deaths this year," Gil McRae, the director of the institute, said in a statement. "The cold-related deaths this past winter emphasize the importance of warm weather habitat to the Florida manatee."

The previous record of 429 manatee deaths was set in 2009 but only 56 of those were caused by cold weather.

Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the state of Florida has enacted laws to require slower motor boat speeds in some waters to prevent manatee accidents.

Manatees require warm, shallow water to survive. They often swim near power plants in the winter for warmth.

(Writing by Robert Green, editing by Greg McCune)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6B963X20101210

Unusually cold weather killing Florida's manatees

(Reuters) - Unusually cold weather last winter killed Florida's endangered manatees at a record rate, a report said on Friday.


During 2010, a record 699 manatees have died in Florida, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Research Institute.

Of those, 244 were attributed to cold weather and many of the 271 undetermined deaths were also likely caused by weather. In most years, the leading cause of manatee deaths is from collisions with power boats.

The latest surveys estimate there are only about 5,000 of the chubby marine mammals left in Florida waters.

"We are very concerned about the unusually high number of manatee deaths this year," Gil McRae, the director of the institute, said in a statement. "The cold-related deaths this past winter emphasize the importance of warm weather habitat to the Florida manatee."

The previous record of 429 manatee deaths was set in 2009 but only 56 of those were caused by cold weather.

Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the state of Florida has enacted laws to require slower motor boat speeds in some waters to prevent manatee accidents.

Manatees require warm, shallow water to survive. They often swim near power plants in the winter for warmth.

(Writing by Robert Green, editing by Greg McCune)

http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6B963X20101210