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Hundreds of Penguins Found Dead in Rio

Cause of influx mysterious

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 19, 2008 2:37 PM CDT

(Newser) – More than 400 penguins, most of them only babies, have been found dead on the tropical beaches of Rio de Janeiro over the past 2 months—an unusual and as-yet unexplained phenomenon, the AP reports. While Brazil’s beaches are no stranger to the occasional penguin—dead or otherwise—the sudden flood is stumping experts.

One veterinarian believes overfishing may have driven the penguins further from shore, and into strong ocean currents. Others suggest that increased pollution may be responsible for killing the birds. Still others suggest that global warming is making penguins sick, while simultaneously intensifying ocean currents.

Penguins rescued off the coast of Rio de Janeiro by the Brazilian Coast Guard are seen at the Niteroi Zoo in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, July 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Ricardo Moraes)

A zoo worker feeds penguins, rescued off the coast of Rio de Janeiro by the Brazilian Coast Guard, at the Niteroi Zoo in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, July 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Ricardo Moraes)

Penguins rescued off the coast of Rio de Janeiro by the Brazilian Coast Guard are seen at the Niteroi Zoo in Rio de Janeiro, Friday, July 18, 2008. (AP Photo/Ricardo Moraes)

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Cause of influx mysterious

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Hundreds of Penguins Wash Up in Brazil

Scientists scrambling for answers

James Cameron Fights for 'Real-Life' Na'vi in Brazil

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Developing Nations Were In on 'Danish Text'

China, India helped draft leaked agreement they railed against

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Flightless birds fly home with a little help from Brazil

Baffled Brazilians Rescue Wayward Penguins

Country's beachgoers grapple with invasion of cute birds from Argentina

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Cause of influx mysterious

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

global warming • Brazil • penguin

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Hundreds of Penguins Wash Up in Brazil

Scientists scrambling for answers

James Cameron Fights for 'Real-Life' Na'vi in Brazil

Director opposes construction of $11 billion Amazon dam

Developing Nations Were In on 'Danish Text'

China, India helped draft leaked agreement they railed against

Forget Snakes: Penguins Get Their Plane Ride

Flightless birds fly home with a little help from Brazil

Baffled Brazilians Rescue Wayward Penguins

Country's beachgoers grapple with invasion of cute birds from Argentina

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Newser By Users

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