Created Sun 11th Jan 2009 8:56pm PST by

notablenotices [Power User]

What will be determined to be the cause of the Kamikaze Pelicans?

Settled as Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date

There have been a lot of theories, but nothing definitive or conclusive has turned up thus far.

Background:

Background: From http://features.csmonitor.com/environment/2009/01/08/kamikaze-pelicans-baffling-calif-scientists/

Scores of weak and disoriented California brown pelicans have been slamming into cars and boats, landing on highways and airport runways, and turning up dead in back yards and parking lots many miles from their normal coastal habitats.

This behavior is far from ordinary, say wildlife experts. A lapel-grabbing press release from the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro says that something has gone seriously awry with the birds.

Typically this time of year we would see a significant die-off of YOUNG brown pelicans. We are seeing a larger than normal die-off of ADULTS - those are tremendously valuable to a population, potentially contributing to other species. This is not a good sign.

Secondly, we are seeing some common conditions - disorientation - birds landing inland, being found in neighborhoods, on roads, runways, etc. This disorientation implies something is wrong, possibly neurologically - they are not JUST STARVING!

Scientists are baffled by the mysterious illness, which has affected pelicans along the California coast from San Francisco to San Diego and whose symptoms include disorientation, extreme fatigue, and bruises inside the bird’s pouches.

(See more details at the source)

They give two possible causes, both are something the pelicans may have eaten.

Settlement details:As reported by a major mainstream news source. (Only the primary cause will be considered for settlement)

Forecast history %

Cause is dietary (something ingested)

Cause is environmental-not eaten (heat, noise...)

Cause by genetic/hereditary illness

Something else is determined to be the main cause

Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date

98%

Settled as Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date on Sat 2nd Jan 2:15pm PST

Activity: H$69,747
Predictions: 91
Comments: 9

Suspend date: Fri 1st Jan 11:59pm PST
Settlement date: Sat 2nd Jan 2:15pm PST
Prediction cut-off: Predictions on this question after Fri 1st Jan 11:59pm PST have been voided because they were made after the question could be settled

Initial likelihoods: Cause is dietary (something ingested): 30%, Cause is environmental-not eaten (heat, noise...): 20%, Cause by genetic/hereditary illness: 20%, Something else is determined to be the main cause: 20%, Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date: 10%

Action history:

Created Sun 11th Jan 2009 8:56pm PST by

notablenotices [Power User]

Suspended Fri 1st Jan 11:59pm PST : Suspend date reached

Settlement requested Sat 2nd Jan 1:48pm PST by

carnacthemagnificent Level 14, Prophet (H$102,530)

: Settle as "Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date"

Settled as 'Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date' Sat 2nd Jan 2:15pm PST by

sqlman [Admin]

: There have been a lot of theories, but nothing definitive or conclusive has turned up thus far.

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Predictions (91)

11 weeks ago

chowmaw Level 6, Player (H$2,542)

predicted Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date (H$100 at 98%)

11 weeks ago

peterwindlehill Level 13, Psychic (H$70,905)

predicted Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date (H$2,000 at 94%)

11 weeks ago

peterwindlehill Level 13, Psychic (H$70,905)

predicted Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date (H$2,500 at 88%)

11 weeks ago

drachenstein Level 13, Psychic (H$60,393)

predicted Not discovered/Not announce by settlement date (H$5,000 at 74%)

12 weeks ago

bigken1 Level 15, Seer (H$391,685)

predicted Cause is dietary (something ingested) (H$20 at 3%)

Comments (9)

mork

Good question Notable. A curious mystery this is.

posted 1 year ago

robamichael Level 13, Psychic (H$86,355)

what happens if different sources have conflicting reports?

awesome question btw

posted 1 year ago

buckeyetom Level 17, Superdubber (H$1,708,678)

There were 6 birds tested in Los Angeles and three had traces of Domoic acid in their systems. However, three did not. Domoic acid usually comes from algae blooms during the warmer months of the year. Is this contingent to Global Warming? Heck I don't know.

I came across a pictorial display of the southern California aquatic food chain and thought it might be of interest to those following this question. Check it out.
http://www.cimwi.org/stranded_domoic.html

posted 1 year ago

deanthoreau

umm same reason jellyfish are on the rise...least u can eat the damn birds :)

posted 1 year ago

notablenotices [Power User]

@robamichael:

In that case, I would suggest the cat-ed would use the source that seems most credible (for instance, take something written by the "American Journal of Veterinary Research" over say the "Daily Mirror")

posted 1 year ago

frogchop Level 18, Megadubber (H$2,717,317)

NPR just had a piece on them that said some preliminary findings by the Department of Fish and Game indicate that the cold December in the Pacific Northwest may have increased suceptability to disease. Far from conclusive, but just goes to show you how many possible causes could be out there.

posted 1 year ago

tisha

Thanks for the informed commentary, frogchop

posted 1 year ago

buckeyetom Level 17, Superdubber (H$1,708,678)

Frostbite, a lack of heat, is something seriously being considered. I'm going on the 2nd option here. The related news article from the Miami Herald at the top right of this page explains in detail what might have happened. It sounds very viable.

posted 1 year ago

kirin

Or a storm...
http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=did-bad-weather-kill-sicken-califor-2009-01-19

posted 1 year ago

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