Why are dead penguins washing up on the Brazilian shore by the hundreds?

Question

This is such a sad story. Penguins are such wonderful creatures. What's going on? I'd imagine that global warming is destroying their natural habitat, but this just seems so sudden.

Answer 1

They are overpopulated.

and there are not enough fish so they starve

&& die

Answer 2

omg i love penguinz,they are me fave animals. I didnt hear about this. This is horrible!!!!

Answer 3

I read an article just the other day that said penguin chics are

freezing to death in Antarctica because they can handle snow but not rain, and rain seems to be what they are getting for the first time ever that we know of.  The truth is that, until we have solid scientific evidence one way or another, we're all just guessing, and there are so many possibilities, we may never know with certainty.

Answer 4

something bad happened

Answer 5

dead penguins noooooooooo!

Answer 6

cuz they feel like it

Answer 7

It appears the penguins are not finding fish where they normally do, and one reason could be that warming waters and climate change have impacted the fish population. No one has yet conducted a formal study of the phenomenon. Some said a recent oil spill off the coast of Uruguay might have wiped out fish populations there, forcing the penguins to search farther north for food. Others suggested that melting ice in Antarctica had strengthened the northbound Malvinas ocean current this year, trapping younger, more vulnerable penguins. ♥

Answer 8

They are tired of all the rumors of global smarming....and just sick to death....literally.....

Answer 9

I read the articles.  It seems there is plenty of speculation as to why, but no hard evidence.  As a wildlife biologist myself, I am wondering why have there been no necropsy performed.  It seems that would be prudent science.  

The event occurs every year, so it is not something new.  However, there seems to be an unusually large number this year.  Could be an indication of a successful year class, lots of young of the year are represented.  Many times young of the year succumb, just a fact of being on the incline of their learning curve.  

Edit:  You know it seems as a Top Contributor you would know to include a link to an article or story about this event.  Like this:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0...

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008...