Guest guest Posted October 2, 2001 Report Share Posted October 2, 2001 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20011003b8.htm WHAT'S KILLING THEM? Surge in turtle deaths raises concern OSAKA -- Twenty-three loggerhead turtles died and drifted ashore along the coast of the Sea of Japan this summer -- a higher number than usual -- the Osaka-based Sea Turtle Association of Japan has reported. Further reports of dead turtles still requiring confirmation could push the total number to 30, said the association, which will report on the issue at the Japan Sea turtle conference slated in November. The cause of the deaths has yet to be confirmed, but most of the carcasses were found near the shores of Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture, where many sea turtles return to lay eggs every year. Japan is the only place in the North Pacific Ocean where the turtles nest. Loggerhead turtles spend their early years along the west coast of North America, and return to Japan's coast to lay eggs. The dead turtles were discovered within the span of a month. On June 3 in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, a female sea turtle was found dead. The turtle was carrying eggs. On June 9 in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, a turtle whose head was almost reduced to a skeleton was found. On July 10, in Ibaraki Prefecture, six dead turtles were discovered. Among them were four females with no external injuries. Sea urchins and hermit crabs were found inside their stomachs. On July 29, five more dead turtles were discovered in the same town. Meanwhile, four dead turtles were discovered in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, while three were found dead in Shizuoka Prefecture. The death toll had reached 23 in seven prefectures as of the end of August, the association said. Naoki Kamezaki, chairman of the association, said more than 100 loggerhead turtles are found dead every year in Japan, but the number found this year is extraordinarily high, given the short period of time. " It seems like many young turtles were found dead as they returned to lay eggs. We need to find the cause of their deaths. " The Japan Times: Oct. 3, 2001 © All rights reserved Listen to your Mail messages from any phone. http://phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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