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.
每日一句学英语:需要的源动力
每日一句学英语:迟助等于无助
每日一句学英语:没有意外
英语情景对话:吝啬的,贪婪的
每日一句学英语:听我说完
英语情景对话:端午节话端午
实用英语口语:如何用英语聊“近视”
每日一句学英语:爱你,全心全意
每日一句学英语:丢尽了脸
每日一句学英语: 一半一半
每日一句学英语:他到处跟女孩调情
英文新年祝福:值得珍藏一整年的短信
每日一句学英语:实际一点儿吧
每日一句学英语:看不到岸
每日一句学英语:我们不适合对方
每日一句学英语:征服自己,征服世界
每日一句学英语:能牵你的手吗?
每日一句学英语:你别误会
每日一句学英语:有急事吗?
每日一句学英语:聪明人和傻瓜
实用情景对话:用英语聊聊戒烟
2012必备情人节英语祝福短信(双语)
情景会话:在海外度过好玩儿的万圣节
每日一句学英语:究竟在干嘛?
每日一句学英语:“在萌芽状态捏死它”
每日一句学英语:为某人让路
每日一句学英语:别发牢骚啦!
地道英语口语:8种方式表达心情不爽
英语口语:初次约会如何用英语聊电影
用英语聊聊那些让你抓狂的室友
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |