Dolphins Could Be Ideal Model to Study Human Cervical Cancer, Veterinarians Say.

After testing dozens of samples from marine mammals, University of Florida aquatic animal health experts say dolphins may be the ideal model for the study of cervical cancer in people.

"We discovered that dolphins get multiple infections of apillomaviruses, which are known to be linked with cervical cancer in women," said Hendrik Nollens, a marine mammal biologist and clinical assistant professor at UF's College of Veterinary Medicine Feb. 18 at the annual meeting of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science. "Dolphins are the only species besides humans that we know of that can harbor coinfections, or infections of multiple papillomavirus types, in the genital mucosa."

Growing low-oxygen zones in oceans worry scientists.

Lower levels of oxygen in the Earth's oceans, particularly off the United States' Pacific Northwest coast, could be another sign of fundamental changes linked to global climate change, scientists say.

They warn that the oceans' complex undersea ecosystems and fragile food chains could be disrupted.

SeaWorld, trainer’s family seek to prevent release of video of fatal orca attack

RexyJade writes "SeaWorld Orlando and the family of a park trainer drowned last month by a killer whale are preparing for a legal battle to prevent video footage of the accident from being aired on television or online.

The parties have held talks with Jon Mills, an emeritus dean at the University of Florida's Levin College of Law and a former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, about representing them in efforts to block release of video recordings of the Feb. 24 tragedy, in which a 6-ton orca pulled 40-year-old trainer Dawn Brancheau into its tank and drowned her in front of park guests."

Gloucester man pleads guilty to striking whales. MA, USA

lauricedeephd writes "A Gloucester man has been fined $200 after he admitted to striking two humpback whales with his recreational fishing boat off the Massachusetts coast in July of 2008.

Christopher Jacques, 42, pled guilty yesterday to two misdemeanor violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz said in a statement. U.S. Magistrate Judge Leo T. Sorokin imposed a fine of $100 for each count."

Whale research team heads back. Australia

lauricedeephd writes "An Australian-led Antarctic whale expedition is on its way home after six weeks in the Southern Ocean.

It has been dubbed the largest collaborative whale research voyage with 17 scientists from Australia, New Zealand and France. "

Gray whale lingers in Budd Inlet. WA, USA

lauricedeephd writes "A single gray whale was spotted in lower Budd Inlet Wednesday for the third day in a row, according to Cascadia Research office manager and researcher Lisa Schlender.

"It's still poking around Budd Inlet," Schlender said. "It's still surfacing and it still has a strong blow.""

PETA flies banner over SeaWorld demanding whale release. FL, USA

lauricedeephd writes "There are new doubts that SeaWorld will let the whale that killed a trainer perform again. These concerns come to light as the theme park works with Dawn Brancheau's family to seal surveillance video of the incident and tries to cope with outside pressures demanding the whales be released.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, flew a banner over the park Tuesday with the message: "Let the whales and dolphins out of prison.""

Pricey L.A. Sushi Bar Busted for Selling Whale Meat. CA, USA

lauricedeephd writes "Film director Louie Psihoyos called me last week to cancel a meeting we had scheduled for later that day. He explained, apologetically, that he was working on an undercover investigation with law enforcement officers and preparations were taking longer than expected. I laughed, told him that was a pretty good reason to miss our meeting, and wished him good luck.

Well, Louie has had quite a week since then. On Sunday, his feature documentary, The Cove, won the Oscar. On Tuesday, news spread around the world that the sting operation he was working on secretly video-taped the illegal sale of whale meat at one of southern California’s most prominent sushi restaurants, The Hump."

Fate of SeaWorld whale that killed its trainer hangs in balance. FL, USA

tinuviel writes "The fate of the rogue five-ton killer whale which drowned its trainer has been thrown into doubt after officials said they are reconsidering whether to keep the mammal.

Plans to allow Tilikum to return to performing in shows at Florida tourist attraction SeaWorld have been put on hold.

Officials are still deciding what to do with the whale which dragged to death Dawn Brancheau after a performance at the theme park in Orlando."

Antarctic Campaign Report – Success Defending Whales!

Ships are expendable, endangered whales species are not. 2009-2010 Antarctic Whale Defense Campaign: Operation Waltzing Matilda

After three long weary and dramatic months upon the most remote and hostile seas in the world, the Sea Shepherd ships Steve Irwin and Bob Barker were welcomed by crowds of cheering supporters in the port of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, on Saturday, March 6th, 2010.

Up close and personal with a dolphin pod. Australia

Tourists will be able to get up close and personal with a wild dolphin pod as part of a new interactive experience - but blink and you could miss the excitement.

Visitors longing to ride the waves with dolphins will pay $229 for just five minutes in the water.

'Oscar winner 'The Cove' to become the basis of a new TV series

Fans of "The Cove," the environmentally themed film that won the best documentary Oscar last night, will be happy to know there's more where that came from.

A new television series about the controversial dolphin trade in Japan, tentatively titled "Dolphin Warriors," has been greenlit by Animal Planet.

Dolphin found beached in Norwalk. CT, USA

A dolphin that apparently was trapped in South Norwalk's tidal Village Creek became stranded and died this weekend.

Animal Control Officer Rick Duddie said Monday the 5-foot-long marine mammal was spotted over the weekend swimming in the creek. The situation was not reported until Monday morning, after a resident spotted the dead animal on its side on a mud berm in the creek.

The Cove Wins the Oscar!

lauricedeephd writes "All Eyes Turn To Japan

An Important Message from Ric O'Barry and the Save Japan Dolphins Campaign:

Without your support, this would never have happened. So, even though I wasn't able to thank you all at the podium, I thank you all now."

How can SeaWorld manage tragedy, criticism while maintaining business, brand?

Consider the predicament SeaWorld managers find themselves in nearly two weeks after the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau — the third human fatality linked to a killer whale synonymous with the theme park's brand.

In the short term, they have to manage the aftermath of a public tragedy and ensure the safety of their employees.