Study: Stranded dolphins often deaf

[Generic Other]

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say dolphins found weakened or dead near shore often have one thing in common -- they are nearly deaf.

University of South Florida scientists say in a marine world where hearing is as vital as sight dolphins unable to use sound to locate food or find family members often wind up weak and disoriented, The Washington Post reported Monday.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says 1,200 to 1,600 whales and dolphins are found stranded off the U.S. coast each year.

Without the ability to hear sounds, researchers say, dolphins can be helpless.

http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/11/15/Study-Stranded-dolphins-often-deaf/UPI-24151289841396/?pvn=1

[leveymg]

1. Naval sonar.

[nebenaube]

3. I was going to say

ELF communications.

[leveymg]

4. So, is it the sonar or Long Wave? Both?

[Ginto]

5. Wonder what the natural rate of deafness in dolphins is.

That would tell us a lot.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

7. JUST COLLATERAL DAMAGE, MOVE ON.

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[marmar]

2. Echolocation is life for marine mammals.

nt

[TexasObserver]

6. I've longed presumed beachings indicate unwell animals.

They don't beach because they intend to do so, but because they are not functioning properly and/or not able to stay suspended in water. It is mammals that do this. They have to be able to surface, or they die. If they can't stay afloat in deeper water, they have to get to shore, where they can at least breathe and stay alive for a while.

This would appear to be nature's last gasp for sea going mammals. If they get well enough to swim again before they bake or fall prey to scavengers, they live. If not, they die and become a meal.