Cetacean Morbillivirus : Like Covid For Dolphins

“Social distancing” during an outbreak of a contagious disease is difficult for dolphins as well as for humans. Researchers are now investigating how dolphin social interactions may help spread the virus that has resulted in significant dolphin strandings and die-offs … Continue reading

Russia Using Trained Dolphins to Patrol Protect Black Sea Naval Base

Satellite photographs show Russia has deployed trained dolphins at the entrance to the key Black Sea port of Sevastopol, home to Russia’s Black Sea naval fleet. The dolphins are likely to be trained to intercept Ukrainian divers attempting to sabotage … Continue reading

The Sardine Run — Gannetts, Sharks, Dolphins & Divers

A remarkable video of gannetts, sharks, dolphins & divers diving on the sardine run on the Agulhas Bank off South Africa. Shark Explorers – Sardine Run 2013 From Scuba Diver Life — Gearing Up For South Africa’s Sardine Run Exactly … Continue reading

Day of the Dolphin : Part 1 — Dolphins Steal the Show At Surfing Competition

The two posts today present a jarring juxtaposition.  On the West Coast of the United States, dolphins steal the show at a surfing competition while in Japan fishermen are beginning the yearly slaughter of dolphins at Taiji Cove.  The beauty … Continue reading

Deepwater Horizon, Two New Reports – BP & Transocean Failure at Spill Prevention & Dead Dolphins

Two recent reports look at the actions and inaction of BP and its contractor Transocean before the Deepwater Horizon explosion and the consequences of the resulting spill on the environment.  The explosion on the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon killed 11 and … Continue reading

U.S Navy Sonar Training and Testing Could Kill 1,800 Whales & Dolphins and Deafen 15,900 More

In a previous Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for 2009-2013, the U.S. Navy estimated that 150,000 marine mammals could be harmed in sonar training and testing exercises. Now in the EIS for 2014-2018, Navy estimates have soared, suggesting that sonar training and testing might unintentionally harm marine mammals 2.8 … Continue reading

Dolphins and Birds Dying on the Coast of Peru – No Clear Answer Why

Something is terribly wrong on the coast of Peru.  At least 877 dolphins and more than 1,500 birds, most of them brown pelicans and boobies, have died along the coast since February when the government started tracking the deaths. The government says that … Continue reading

Mine-Detecting Dolphins and USS Ponce, Commando “Mothership” in Persian Gulf?

As Iranian saber-rattling raises tensions around the Straits of Hormuz, the US Navy has cancelled plans to decommission the 40 year old USS Ponce (LPD-15), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock ship.  Instead the ship is reported to be being refitted to operate as a “mothership” … Continue reading