Skin Lesions Appearing on Orcas , Signals Serious Underlying Condition.
Scientists have warned of a "strong increase"
in skin lesions being found on an
endangered population of orcas.
'The Guardian' reports that the scientists believe
that the skin disease could be the result of
the animal's weakening immune system.
Dr. Joseph K Gaydos of the SeaDoc Society at the school
of veterinary medicine at the University of California
was the lead author of the scientific paper.
The health significance …
is not clear, decreasing body condition
in an endangered, non-recovering
population is a concern, Dr. Joseph K Gaydos, University of California school
of veterinary medicine, via 'The Guardian'.
Dr. Gaydos warns that the lesions appear to
be symptoms of a serious underlying condition.
This condition appears to be impacting
the whales' overall health, from
immune suppression to infertility.
The team warn that 99% of the orcas studied
exhibited the lesions, a potentially disastrous sign
for their fragile population.
It’s worrisome.
Now we need to try and isolate
the potential infectious agent, Dr. Joseph K Gaydos, University of California school
of veterinary medicine, via 'The Guardian'.
The co-authored paper points to a number of possible
causes, which include warming coastal waters
and the effects of persistent organic pollutants.
'The Guardian' reports that the coastal waters where
orcas primarily forage are susceptible to runoff
from both agricultural and industrial chemicals