New Zealand Local Weather Forum

Weather Discussion => International => Topic started by: Mark on February 23, 2012, 05:11:18 PM

Title: Rare Pelicans starving – Can’t reach fish in frozen Caspian Sea
Post by: Mark on February 23, 2012, 05:11:18 PM

With an average wingspan of more than 10-feet (3-m) and a mean weight of 25 lbs (11.5 kg), the threatened Dalmatian pelican is the world’s heaviest flying bird … and it’s dying from the cold.
 
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Dalmation pelican - Courtesy Wikipedia
 
“Rare Dalmatian pelicans, a threatened species, are dying of cold and hunger amid freezing weather in Russia’s usually warm Dagestan, where the birds are currently wintering,” says this article RiaNovosti.
 
The birds flew to Makhachkala last week from the frozen deltas of the Volga and Terek rivers up north.
 
Unfortunately, temperatures of minus 20-30C (-4 to -22 F) have swept Russia’s southern latitudes, leaving the Caspian Sea coated in a thick layer of ice.


http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/world-news/race-to-save-pelicans-in-frozen-sea-3026317.html

Title: Re: Rare Pelicans starving – Can’t reach fish in frozen Caspian Sea
Post by: JennyLeez on February 23, 2012, 11:02:10 PM

Thank you Mark, I had not read that in my travels around the news sites :)

Title: Re: Rare Pelicans starving – Can’t reach fish in frozen Caspian Sea
Post by: Suezy on February 27, 2012, 08:03:52 PM

That is absolutely dreadful Mark.Pity they couldnt just drop them some fish or something - seeing such a scarce bird.