Science News

Nearly 100 animals wash up on Peru beach

Published: Feb. 23, 2013 at 6:22 PM

LIMA, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Scientists are trying to figure out what caused nearly 100 marine animals to die and wash up along 77 miles of shoreline in Peru.

Officials said the bodies of 18 sea turtles, 22 sea lions, eight dolphins, 16 angular roughsharks and 22 marine birds have been discovered in the Lambayeque region of northern Peru, Sky News reported Saturday. The carcases, in varying states of decay, were bagged and taken away for analysis.

Scientists said they weren't sure what caused the cross-species die-off but pointed to a tainted food source, animal virus or offshore oil exploration as potential causes.

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Flags-In Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

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Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Roskos with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, "The Old Guard," participates in the annual Flags-In ceremony, May 23, 2013, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Soldiers place American flags in front of more than 260,000 gravestones in the cemetery in honor of Memorial Day. UPI/Kevin Dietsch

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