The Most Endangered Animal in the World
(Newser) A new species of whale has been identified in an underwater canyon in the Gulf of Mexico, but scientists fear they won’t have long to get to know it: There are only about 50 of the unique species of Bryde’s whale left in waters off the Florida Panhandle, and their DeSoto Canyon habitat is in severe danger from the oil industry and other threats, making it possibly the most endangered animal in the world, reports the Houston Chronicle.
Researchers have found that the whales have more in common genetically with Bryde’s whales in the Pacific than their cousins in the Atlantic. They also have a unique call, says the chief of the marine mammal program at the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is petitioning to have the whales listed as an endangered species.
Genetic testing has revealed that there used to be a lot more of the whales, the only species of baleen whale to live in the Gulf year-round, the NRDC spokesman tells the Mother Nature Network. “It’s possible humans were involved in the decline, through whaling or industrial activities,” he says, noting that toxicology tests on one of the whales revealed very high levels of the toxic metals released in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the adjacent underwater canyon. The single canyon where they now live is the “whale equivalent of a postage stamp,” he says, and the “massive industrialization” of the surrounding area “threatens them six ways to Sunday.”
About Post Author
Professor Mike
More Stories
What in the World Happened to the Ginger Kitten?
The abrupt sound of multiple barks pierced the stillness of the night. It was an unsettling deviation from their customary...
Warning: Be Careful When Walking Your Dog In Alligator Country
Mike McCoy has read up a bit on alligator attacks and he knew what to do if you find yourself in one—and good thing too.
MadMikesAmerica To Remain Open For Business
We are staying open. MMA may not be as active as it once was, but why close this one, with all those articles still available to read, and maybe more to come?
Fox News Guest: Ghoulish Trump Has Blood On His Hands
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) told Fox News on Sunday that former President Donald Trump is guilty of a “ghoulish” attempt to undermine the economy by downplaying the need for Covid-19 vaccinations.
Disgusting Ted Cruz Forgets History of Conservatives Like Elvis Promoting Vaccines
Recently, the beloved Sesame Street character Big Bird went on television and social media to promote COVID-19 vaccines. For anyone who has been conscious for at least a few years, celebrities—especially ones with larger fanbases amongst the youth of the country—promoting public health initiatives is not surprising. It has been going on forever and ever.
Crazy Louie Gohmert: Climate Action Would Force Us To Brush Our Teeth With Bark
[caption id="attachment_187456" align="aligncenter" width="615"] Getty images[/caption] by Aldous J. Pennyfarthing How the hell did Republican Louie Gohmert of Texas ever become...
Humanity. Nuff said
Tragic.
Yes.