Guest guest Posted February 13, 2002 Report Share Posted February 13, 2002 The animal that inspired seafarers to tell tales of mermaids is disappearing from the planet, according to a report released this week. The dugong, a large sea mammal that is a cousin to the famous manatee of Florida and the Caribbean, was thought by ancient sailors to be half-woman, half-fish, perhaps because of its habit of holding its young with one flipper when nursing. Because dugongs are highly sensitive to changes in their environment such as pollution and loss of food sources, they are the canaries in the mine of underwater habitats. According to the report, produced with funding from the U.N. Environment Programme and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), dugongs have already vanished in many places, and most populations are in decline. straight to the source: BBC News, Alex Kirby, 13 Feb 2002 < TARGET= " _blank " >http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1816000/1816084\ ..stm> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2002 Report Share Posted February 14, 2002 That's always the same thing, men create things which are bad for animals, but when he realizes his mistake it's too late! __________ Faites un voeu et puis Voila ! www.voila.fr Avec Voila Mail, consultez vos e-mails sur votre mobile Wap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2002 Report Share Posted February 14, 2002 Fraggle The sea pollution is having a bad effect on so many animals. The whales, dolphins etc beaching, the illness the seals are getting, and now the otters (sea? or freshwater? oh well) - not forgetting the reefs. Jo > The animal that inspired seafarers to tell tales of mermaids is > disappearing from the planet, according to a report released this > week. The dugong, a large sea mammal that is a cousin to the famous > manatee of Florida and the Caribbean, was thought by ancient sailors > to be half-woman, half-fish, perhaps because of its habit of holding > its young with one flipper when nursing. Because dugongs are highly > sensitive to changes in their environment such as pollution and loss > of food sources, they are the canaries in the mine of underwater > habitats. According to the report, produced with funding from the > U.N. Environment Programme and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), > dugongs have already vanished in many places, and most populations > are in decline. > > straight to the source: BBC News, Alex Kirby, 13 Feb 2002 > < TARGET= " _blank " >http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1816000/181 6084.stm> > > > To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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