Arabian Humpback Whales

Scientists working with the Environmental Society of Oman and the Sultanate of Oman have been studying the strange case of the Arabian Humpback whale.  Recent research indicates that this population living in the Indian Ocean may be the most isolated and biologically distinct humpback whales in the world.  Scientists are very interested in these very unique whales who un like their cousins around the world, they do not migrate to feed and breed but rather stay in this isolated location.  DNA testing has shown that they are very distinct from other humpbacks and it is suspected they have been separated from the rest of the gene pool for about 70,000 years.  These whales are truly a rarity and thus need to be protected says the Environmental Society of Oman and further research will shed more light on these great animals.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141203151808.htm

Orcas Around Spain and Portugal

Over the past decade there have been over ten thousand sightings of orcas around Spain and Portugal in the Straight of Gibraltar, The Gulf of Cadiz, and the Alboran Sea.  It is believed that these Orcas travel every summer into the Mediterranean following the migration of Red Tuna, their main prey.  In the spring the killer whales are found following the tuna into the Mediterranean Sea following the large schools of fish and in the summer they return to the Atlantic Ocean.  The migration patterns of these orcas has been previously unknown and it has not been until recently that further research has revealed the details of their movements along the Iberian Peninsula.  It is widely accepted that these killer whale population are in great danger and are at risk of various threats including the depopulation of red tuna their staple diet in that area.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141126111120.htm
http://www.takepart.com/sites/default/files/styles/tp_gallery_slide/public/112862740.jpg?itok=eM0jNjJt

Polar Bears In Danger

Recent trends in loss of sea ice will have devastating effects on Polar bear populations in the near future.  Sea ice is shrinking every year and the effect son marine and polar life are tremendous, as sea ice becomes rarer during several months of the years polar bear will lose much of their natural habitat and entire ecosystems will disappear.  Researcher looked at projections for sea ice throughout the 21st century and the "metrics developed from polar bear energetics models" to predict the future of these endangered animals.  The longer periods of ice free environments will have huge detrimental effect son polar bear hunting and mating and will result in starvation and mass extinction in the Archipelago.  Researchers predict between ten and twenty five percent of the global polar beer population will disappear in the near future.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141126144235.htm
http://assets.worldwildlife.org/photos/2330/images/hero_full/polar-bear-hero.jpg?1345901694