This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/8503397.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Sea lion colony leaves Galapagos | Sea lion colony leaves Galapagos |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A colony of sea lions endemic to the Galapagos Islands have moved 1,500km away, a Peru-based organisation which monitors the aquatic mammals has said. | A colony of sea lions endemic to the Galapagos Islands have moved 1,500km away, a Peru-based organisation which monitors the aquatic mammals has said. |
The Organisation for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Animals says the sea lions have swum to northern Peru because of rising temperatures. | The Organisation for Research and Conservation of Aquatic Animals says the sea lions have swum to northern Peru because of rising temperatures. |
It says the temperature rise was caused by climate change. | |
Experts say it is the first time that Galapagos sea lions have set up a colony outside the islands. | Experts say it is the first time that Galapagos sea lions have set up a colony outside the islands. |
The monitors say the water temperature in Piura, off the coast of northern Peru, has risen from 17C to 23C over the last 10 years. | The monitors say the water temperature in Piura, off the coast of northern Peru, has risen from 17C to 23C over the last 10 years. |
The temperature is much closer to the sea temperature around the Galapagos Islands, which averages about 25C. | The temperature is much closer to the sea temperature around the Galapagos Islands, which averages about 25C. |
Now that the conditions of the sea around northern Peru are so similar to the Galapagos, they say, even more sea lions and other new marine species could start arriving. | Now that the conditions of the sea around northern Peru are so similar to the Galapagos, they say, even more sea lions and other new marine species could start arriving. |
Like so many native species in the Galapagos Islands, the sea lions are unique to the archipelago, located about 600 miles west of continental Ecuador. | Like so many native species in the Galapagos Islands, the sea lions are unique to the archipelago, located about 600 miles west of continental Ecuador. |
Ever since the English naturalist, Charles Darwin, first visited the islands more than 150 years ago, they have become known as a living museum of evolution. | Ever since the English naturalist, Charles Darwin, first visited the islands more than 150 years ago, they have become known as a living museum of evolution. |
Now, thanks to global warming, that unique ecosystem could face unprecedented changes. | Now, thanks to global warming, that unique ecosystem could face unprecedented changes. |