巴西海滩发现530具企鹅的尸体,这些企鹅是麦哲伦企鹅(麦氏环企鹅),它们怀疑是向北迁徙的途中饿死的。
从新闻我们可以学习到:原来企鹅不仅分布在南极,还可以分布在温带(甚至热带)!
新华网7月21日电 巴西一名生物学家20日说,数百具企鹅尸体飘到巴西圣保罗海滩,疑为饿死。
巴西佩鲁伊比水族馆生物学家蒂亚戈·多纳西门托介绍,过去10天以来,在巴西圣保罗州的佩鲁伊比、普拉亚戈兰德和伊塔尼亚恩海滩发现大约500具企鹅尸体。
麦哲伦企鹅 Magellanic Penguin,是温带企鹅中最大的一个种类,主要分布在南美洲阿根廷、智利和福克兰群岛沿海,也有少量迁入巴西境内。和分布在南非的非洲企鹅亲缘关系很近。
多纳西门托说,这些企鹅大多是来自阿根廷、智利和福克兰群岛的马热兰企鹅(新闻翻译不对,应为麦哲伦企鹅),它们游向温暖海域觅食,途中死亡。
科学家着手调查企鹅死因。几具企鹅尸体的解剖结果显示,它们的胃完全是空的,表明它们死于饥饿。
一些生物学家认为,水流湍急、水温低于正常值和人类过量捕捞导致企鹅食物减少,引发这一惨剧。
多纳西门托说,每年这一时期都有企鹅向北迁徙。巴西海滩每年平均发现100至150只企鹅,大约10只死亡,但今年死亡企鹅数量“高得离谱”。
英文原文:
Hundreds of dead penguins wash up on Brazil shores
SAO PAULO (AFP) – Hundreds of dead penguins and other sea animals have washed up on Sao Paulo state's shores and scientists are investigating the causes, environment officials told Folha Online news agency.
The Institute of Environment and Natural Resources said 530 penguins, numerous other sea birds, five dolphins and three giant sea turtles have been found in the coastal towns of Peruibe, Praia Grande and Itanhaem, with more likely on other nearby beaches.
Sao Paulo University biologists and a wildlife research center are looking into the possible reasons for the animal deaths, the institute said.
Praia Grande authorities have ruled out pollution, saying preliminary investigations point to starvation as the cause.
The most likely scenario for the penguin deaths is exhaustion and hunger during their long migration from the waters off Argentina's southern Patagonia region, said Andrea Maranho, a veterinarian for the Sea Animal Rehabilitation Center in Praia Grande.
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