Nearly 100 animals wash up on Peru beach

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.