Peruvian biologist from an environmental organization warned the dolphin die-off was caused by a virus that could mutate to humans; a virus that could possibly cause a worldwide epidemic.
After a mysterious massive die-off of over 3,000 dolphins along the northern coast of Peru this year more than 1200 pelicans have been found dead in the past ten days in the same region. The deaths of the pelicans and dolphins, unexplained.
In the photo posted below one of the dead dolphins looks as if its skin was ‘scorched’.
[Photo-Image source, Peru 21]
The birds began to appear dead on the northern coast of the country for more than 10 days. Neither the Peruvian Sea Institute Sernanp neither could explain the phenomenon.
According to Francisco Nique, president of the Association of Fishermen of Puerto Eten, for about 10 or 12 days have found more than 1,200 dead pelicans along 160 kilometers, between Punta Negra, in Piura , and San Jose creek in Lambayeque .
He reported that seven dolphins were found stranded, which add up to more than 3,000 fish dead in northern Peru so far this year.
The 3,000 ‘dead fish’, dolphins.
On April 1, 2012, Peru 21 reported ‘so far this year’ 3,000 dead dolphins were discovered in Lambayeque. The deaths of the dolphins were originally attributed to sonar used in oil exploration.
On April 25, 2012, Peru 21 reported:
“Deputy Minister of Fisheries said there is no evidence linking the death of aquatic mammals in the north with seismic activities carried out by oil companies.”
By April 28th the Peruvian Sea Institute (IMARPE) theorized the dolphin die-off may have been a virus. The National Service of Protected Areas by the State (Sernanp) ruled out sonar while failing to find a cause behind the dolphins’ deaths. So far, both the pelican and dolphin die-offs are unexplained.