Download
Peru's government declared a health alert along its northern coastline on Saturday and urged residents and tourists to stay away from long stretches of beach, as it investigated the unexplained deaths of hundreds of dolphins and pelicans.
At least 1,200 birds, mostly pelicans, washed up dead along a stretch of Peru's northern Pacific coastline in recent weeks, health officials said, after an estimated 800 dolphins died in the same area in recent months.
The Health Ministry recommended staying away from beaches, although it stopped short of a ban, and called on health officials to use gloves, masks and other protective gear when collecting dead birds.
The peak tourism season around Lima's beaches is over, although many surfers are still venturing into the waters near the capital.
The Agriculture Ministry said preliminary tests on some dead pelicans pointed to malnourishment. Oscar Dominguez, head of the ministry's health department, said experts had ruled out bird flu.
"The Health Ministry ... calls on the population to abstain from going to the beaches until the health alert is lifted," the ministry said in a statement on its website, along with a photograph of a dead pelican.
The ministry said that, so far, officials had checked 18 beaches in and around Lima for dead birds, but gave no details on any findings.
"We're starting from the hypothesis that it's because the birds are young and unable to find enough food for themselves, and also because the sea temperature has risen and anchovies have moved elsewhere," said Deputy Agriculture Minister Juan Rheineck.
A mass pelican death along Peru's northern coast in 1997 was believed to have been caused by a shortage of feeder anchovies due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.
Some were undeterred by the mysterious deaths.
"We eat fresh fish on the quay of Chorrillos every day, and no fisherman has died yet, so don't worry, it's nothing," said Gloria Rivera, a seafood restaurant owner.
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.
英语语法精讲(1)
重点句型复习精要
否定转移在英语中的应用
基础英语轻松学【12】丘比特之恋(1)
基础英语轻松学【17】保卫健康,“蒜”你厉害!
基础英语轻松学【31】愚人节特别提示:见到钞票也不能捡
Sailing 英语词汇
浅谈倒装句
透彻讲解倒装
基础英语轻松学【3】童话英语(3)
浅谈非谓语动词时态
连词的用法(2)
浅谈将来进行时(二)
基础英语轻松学【18】名声的代价
浅谈倒装句(三)
基础英语轻松学【4】星情物语——水瓶座
基础英语轻松学【16】一切尽在掌握?
worth 的用法
并列连词和并列结构
不定式用法
基础英语轻松学【20】踢出个未来
基础英语轻松学【32】霓虹灯,城市环境的隐形杀手
基础英语轻松学【23】脸红心跳,不只你一个
浅谈名词
基础英语轻松学【7】浪漫樱花para-para
主谓一致中的靠近原则
《基础英语天天学》(2)
浅谈倒装句(五)
强调句结构
基础英语轻松学【11】情人节的由来
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |