Pakistan Whale Shark's Death a Mystery

Video of a dead whale shark being pulled from the sea off of Pakistan raises more questions about the school-bus-size fish's demise than it answers, scientists say.

Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune posted video on Tuesday (Feb. 7) of a crane hauling a whale shark carcass onto a pier in Karachi. According to the newspaper, the owner of the nearby Charai Fishery, spotted the animal floating "unconscious" 10 days earlier, 93 miles (150 kilometers) from the fishery. 

But sharks don't fall unconscious, said Bob Hueter, the director of the Center for Shark Research at Mote Marine Laboratory in Florida. And if they stop swimming for any reason, they aren't likely to bob along with the currents.

"If and when they die, they don't float, they sink," Hueter told LiveScience. "So to have one just kind of wash up is very rare. I can only think of a few cases over the years around the world where this is happened."

Continued:  http://www.livescience.com/18376-pakistan-whale-shark.html

Rare Irrawaddy dolphins found in Indonesian waters

Jakarta, Indonesia - Vulnerable Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) have been discovered for the first time in West Kalimantan, a part of Indonesian Borneo that best known for its dense tropical forests and rich wildlife.  

WWF-Indonesia and the Regional Office for Marine, Coastal & Resources Management Pontianak  (BPSPL) found the rare dolphins while conduicting a study in the narrow straits and coastal waters of the Kubu Raya and Kayong Utara regencies in the western part of Borneo.
“The presence of Irrawaddy dolphins in West Kalimantan waters was previously unknown, so we are excited with the results of this preliminary study and hope this will help reveal information on the  population and distribution of this unique species,” said Albertus Tjiu, WWF-Indonesia’s Conservation Biologist, and one of the study’s lead scientists. 

The team also encountered a group of Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the area,  showing strong scientific evidence of the rich biodiversity in Kalimantan waters, which originate in the highlands of the Heart of Borneo.  

Conservation challenges
“The results of this study indicate the importance of protecting the dolphins’ habitat, from the origins of the rivers in the Heart of Borneo, to the  lower rivers of the island, including waterways of Batu Ampar mangroves and nypah forests, the narrow straits and the coastal areas of Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan,” Albertus Tjiu said.

But he also cautions that the continued growth of charcoal production in West Kalimantan is threatening the area’s mangrove forests, one of the dolphins key habitats. Over one hundred small and medium-sized charcoal producers are now operating in Kubu Raya, and additional threats from increased boat traffic in waterways and forest conversion are posing further challenges to the growth of the species.
 
“WWF calls on all companies that operate in West Kalimantan waters to apply sustainable practices in their business, and with regards to this dolphin study, to carefully look at their wood supply to help avoid the destruction of mangrove forests,” said Albertus Tjiu. 

How many dolphins?
With a global population of around 6000 individuals, Irrawaddy dolphins are found in many of Southeast Asia’s estuaries and mangrove areas. Close to 5,800 of the vulnerable dolphins live in the costal waters of Bangladesh along the Bay of Bengal, and the nearby Sunderbarns mangove forests. The remaining population is scattered throughout Southeast Asia and can be found in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and the northeastern coast of Australia.  

Irrawaddy dolphins are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN, but in some areas - including the Mekong River, the Ayeyawardi River and the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan - the species is listed as critically endangered. 

 “Kubu Raya and Kayong Utara waters are located downstream from the Heart of Borneo in West Kalimantan. Conservation of forests in the Heart of Borneo is considered critical to ensure the proper protection of the Irrawaddy dolphins fresh water habitat in the lower reaches of the river,” said Tri Agung Rooswiadji, WWF-Indonesia’s Fresh Water Conservation Program Coordinator. “As a unique species that live in fresh, salt and brackish waters, this mammal serves as an indicator of the healthiness of the water ecosystem in the area,” Tri Agung added. 

“The dolphin survey we conducted in Kubu Raya and Kayong Utara waters is only a preliminary survey, and we are hoping to continue studying the species in other rivers in the upper parts such as in Kapuas, Sejenuh and Mendawa river, “ said Tri Agung. “With comprehensive information on the population and habitat of the dolphin, it is expected that the future policy on the protection of the species can be identified and implemented,” he added. 

Kris Handoko, Head of Conservation at the Regional Office for Marine, Coastal & Resources Management Pontianak  (BPSPL) said, “We are very supportive of this study. We will continue working with WWF-Indonesia and other relevant partners on monitoring the dolphins as well as identify other actions to enhance the species protection.”
http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?203431/Rare-Irrawaddy-dolphins-found-Indonesian-waters

Irrawaddy dolphins sighted

KIEN GIANG — A school of about 20 Irrawaddy dolphins has been sighted around the Ba Lua Archipelago in the protected Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve.

The population was discovered by a group of six researchers from the Centre for Biodiversity and Development run by the Institute of Tropical Biology and HCM City University of Natural Sciences.

Vu Long, one of the researchers, said the number of dolphins sighted was larger than schools in the Malampaya Channel in the Philippines and the Mekong River, where populations of between seven and 10 were sighted.

Little research on the Irrawaddy dolphin has been conducted in Viet Nam and they are not listed in the country's Red Book of endangered species, Long said.

On Thursday, the researchers will travel to Thailand to work with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to work out a detailed plant to protect the dolphins, he said.

In the meantime, researchers have joined hands with local fishermen to track the population of dolphins in the Ba Lua Archipelago.

Five populations of Irrawaddy dolphin, whose scientific name is Orcaella brevirotis, were thought to be living in Vietnamese waters.

The IUCN lists the dolphin in its Red book of vulnerable species. — VNS

http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Environment/219504/irrawaddy-dolphins-sighted.html

Philippines creates haven for endangered duck

The Philippines has created a protected area to save a species of endangered wild duck, with just 5,000 of the birds remaining, government documents released on Monday said.

The 27 hectare (67 acre) "wetland critical habitat" was set up for the Philippine duck, a species found only in the Philippines whose numbers have been falling due to hunting and habitat destruction, the documents said.

The environment department order created the protected area in the largely-agricultural Cabusao district in the east of the country.

"Ensure that existing ecosystems in the critical habitat are preserved and are kept in a condition that will support the perpetual existence of the Philippine duck," the department order instructed local authorities.

The Philippine duck, whose scientific name is "Anas luzonica", is rated as "vulnerable" by the conservation group BirdLife International, which estimated in 2005 that as few as 5,000 of them may be left.

On its website, BirdLife said the main threats to the species were excessive hunting and the use of its habitats for drainage and aquaculture - the farming of aquatic organisms - and excessive use of pesticides in rice farms.

The duck is described as having a blue-grey bill, a "rusty cinnamon" head and neck, and brown and grey feathers. It feeds on fish, shrimps, insects, rice and other plants.

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/philippines-creates-haven-for-endangered-duck-2349949.html

Count of rare Australian cockatoo reveals 2,000-strong population in South Australia

More than 70 volunteers involved in censusAugust 2011: A recent census of Southern Australia's vulnerable yellow-tailed black cockatoos has found a 2,030-strong population across the Mount Lofty Ranges and Fleurieu Peninsula.
Conducted with the help of more than 70 community volunteers, this year's census was initiated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DNER) to collect information on the population and distribution of the cockatoo.

DENR Adelaide ecologist Jason van Weenen said: ‘The census has provided a benchmark from which future population trends can be assessed.

First reliable population estimate for the species‘The finds are extremely significant as it gives us the first reliable population estimate for the species in the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges (AMLR) region. The survey results indicate that we have approximately 2,030 yellow-tailed black cockatoos, with more than half of the population found in one flock (1,250 birds) on the Fleurieu Penisula and more than 95 per cent of the population contained within just three flocks.'

Volunteers spread from Gawler and Williamstown in the north, to Cape Jervis and Goolwa in the south, joined by ten DENR staff members to conduct the census in May, which was chosen because it is when the cockatoos have finished breeding and congregate into fewer and larger flocks, making counting easier and double counting less likely.

‘The survey revealed that the population is likely to be heavily reliant on forestry Radiata Pine plantations and stands of Aleppo Pines during the winter non-breeding period,' Mr van Weenen said.

We must maintain its natural habitat‘We have to ensure that our native heathy bushland habitats containing foods critical to the cockatoo's diet remain healthy and productive, so that any reliance on exotic plants is not exacerbated.

‘Protecting heathy bushland areas from weeds, livestock and fungus will improve their quality for cockatoos.

‘The birds are charismatic and are regularly observed across the region,' Mr van Weenen added. ‘Community members are very interested in this species and this was reflected in the high volunteer participation in the recent survey. Without that level of involvement, the survey would have been far less thorough.'

As a result of this year's census, DENR will promote the planting of native food plants for the cockatoos and also repeat the census next year to see how the population is faring.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/cockatoo-australia.html