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Aquatic Animals

A South African surfer survives a shark attack. CNN's Nkepile Mabuse reports.

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Save the whales? There's an app for thatupdated: Mon Apr 23 2012 07:49:00

A new iPhone app is making waves in the commercial shipping world by providing an early warning system that aims to reduce maritime collisions with endangered whales.

Mystery surrounds deaths of 877 dolphins washed ashore in Peruupdated: Sun Apr 22 2012 18:54:00

Environmental authorities are investigating the deaths of more than 800 dolphins that have washed up on the northern coast of Peru this year.

Stolen penguin returned to its mateupdated: Mon Apr 16 2012 10:26:00

A stolen fairy penguin has been returned to its mate at Sea World.

Stolen penguin back safe in Australia Sea Worldupdated: Mon Apr 16 2012 10:26:00

A trio of men faces charges after allegedly stealing a penguin from Sea World on the Gold Coast of Australia's Queensland and then bragging about it online.

Florida group rebuilds vital coral reefsupdated: Thu Mar 01 2012 21:42:00

It was more than 40 years ago, but Ken Nedimyer still remembers the first time he went diving in the Florida Keys.

CNN Hero: Ken Nedimyerupdated: Thu Mar 01 2012 21:42:00

Ken Nedimyer and his nonprofit are working to restore endangered coral reefs in the Florida Keys.

Mystery surrounding stranded dolphinsupdated: Fri Feb 10 2012 19:34:00

Jane Velez-Mitchell talks to Marine Mammal Specialist Ric O'Barry about the troubling trend of dolphin deaths in Cape Cod.

Cape Cod dolphin death toll reaches 103updated: Fri Feb 10 2012 19:34:00

The number of unexplained dolphin deaths on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, rose Friday, with rescuers tallying the toll at 103.

Reward offered in deaths of sea lionsupdated: Tue Jan 31 2012 17:21:00

The environmental group Sea Shepherd has offered a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for shooting at least seven sea lions in Washington's Puget Sound.

Whales, sharks threatened by stricken cruise liner, says green groupupdated: Tue Jan 17 2012 03:32:00

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has warned that if oil leaks from the stricken cruise liner Costa Concordia it could cause an environmental disaster, threatening marine life including birds, whales and sharks.

Japan hands over whaling activists to Australiaupdated: Fri Jan 13 2012 05:06:00

Japan on Friday handed over to Australian authorities three anti-whaling activists held aboard a Japanese vessel after illegally boarding the ship to protest Japan's annual whale hunt in Atlantic waters.

Japan to hand over detained whaling activists to Australiaupdated: Tue Jan 10 2012 06:45:00

Japan said Tuesday that it would hand over to Australian authorities three Australian anti-whaling activists being held aboard a Japanese vessel, but that it would press on with its annual whale hunt in the seas near Antarctica.

Japan holds 3 Australian anti-whaling activists who boarded shipupdated: Mon Jan 09 2012 06:12:00

Three Australian activists are being held aboard a Japanese ship Monday after illegally boarding the vessel to protest Japan's annual whale hunt in Antarctic waters.

Belugas trapped in icy Arctic waters at risk of deathupdated: Thu Dec 22 2011 12:37:00

Prisoners in ice, more than 100 Beluga whales in far eastern Russia risk death unless rescued soon.

Australia to create world's largest marine reserveupdated: Fri Nov 25 2011 15:29:00

The Australian government has announced plans to establish the world's largest protected marine area in the Coral Sea.

SeaWorld trainers: Working with killer whales is a calculated riskupdated: Wed Nov 16 2011 05:35:00

SeaWorld employees on Tuesday testified at a federal job safety hearing that, while the behavior of killer whales is is extremely predictable, the job of working with a 6-ton marine mammal carries a calculated risk.

Fight to ban shark finning in Costa Ricaupdated: Fri Nov 04 2011 10:45:00

A Costa Rican organization calls for a ban on finning. CNN's Rafael Romo reports.

Sharks go from predator to preyupdated: Fri Nov 04 2011 10:45:00

For millions of years, sharks have been the kings of the oceans, the top of the food chain.

PETA lawsuit alleges SeaWorld enslaves killer whalesupdated: Wed Oct 26 2011 17:45:00

Can killer whales sue SeaWorld for enslavement?

Using vacation photos to save the whalesupdated: Sat Oct 22 2011 09:05:00

Onetime nursery school teacher Gale McCullough explains how the photo site Flickr helps her global whale research.

How Flickr can help save the whalesupdated: Sat Oct 22 2011 09:05:00

Want to help save the humpback whale? Pick up a camera and start taking pictures, says Gale McCullough, a "fluke matcher" at Allied Whale, a research group.

CNN's Going Green: 'Your Green World' updated: Thu Oct 06 2011 13:08:00

The third installment of our Going Green series looks at cutting-edge ideas from around the globe.

Philippe Cousteau with sea turtles: Part 2updated: Thu Oct 06 2011 13:08:00

Environmentalist Philippe Cousteau takes a look at a baby sea turtle on Cape Island, South Carolina.

U.S. beefs up conservation efforts for endangered sea turtlesupdated: Sun Sep 18 2011 20:04:00

The government has revised its rules on sea turtles to try to decrease the number killed every year and reduce the threats they face.

U.S. Navy trains dolphins for warupdated: Wed Aug 03 2011 11:35:00

CNN's Kaj Larsen sees firsthand how the Navy trains dolphins. For more, watch CNN Presents Sunday, July 31, 8p ET/PT.

Authorities probe how 5 pelicans ended up partially covered in oilupdated: Thu Jul 14 2011 03:34:00

The U.S. Coast Guard and several California state agencies are investigating how five Brown Pelicans turned up partially covered in oil near Santa Barbara this week.

History of the hot pink flamingoupdated: Mon Jul 04 2011 10:27:00

With the season of backyard barbecues upon us, we thought you could use a history lesson on everyone's favorite lawn ornament. From the plastic bird's birth to its modern perch atop the pyramid of campy Americana, here's the quick-and-dirty on the hot pink queen of kitsch.

Lost emperor penguin found full of sand in New Zealand recoveringupdated: Mon Jun 27 2011 10:00:00

An emperor penguin discovered thousands of kilometers away from Antarctica with a bellyful of sand is recovering after an endoscopy Monday, a New Zealand zoo official said.

'Happy Feet' recovering from surgeryupdated: Mon Jun 27 2011 10:00:00

The emperor penguin that made its way to New Zealand survived a surgery to remove twigs, stones and sand from its belly.

New Zealand zoo: Lost penguin with stomach full of sand might recoverupdated: Sun Jun 26 2011 08:44:00

A young emperor penguin discovered thousands of kilometers away from its home might survive ingesting a bellyful of sand, New Zealand zoo officials said.

World's most scenic cruisesupdated: Wed Jun 22 2011 09:20:00

No matter how many times he steers the 450-passenger Seabourn Sojourn through Norway's Lofoten Islands, captain Hamish Elliott eagerly anticipates his favorite point: the entrance to Trollfjord, a fairytale-like landscape with towering cliffs on either side.

Review: 'Mr. Popper's Penguins'updated: Thu Jun 16 2011 17:44:00

No comedian of the past two decades has stretched himself -- and I don't just mean his face -- as much as Jim Carrey. Yet recently, it feels as if the karmic entertainment forces have been stretching him back to earlier days.

400 people stung by jellyfishupdated: Tue May 31 2011 03:23:00

Legions of jellyfish spoiled the Memorial Day weekend for those trying to enjoy the beach in Florida. WFTV reports.

Pilot whales stranded in shallow Florida waters; at least 13 deadupdated: Fri May 06 2011 17:18:00

Rescuers worked feverishly Friday to save some of the pilot whales who stranded themselves in shallow waters near the Florida Keys.

Pilot whales beach themselvesupdated: Fri May 06 2011 17:18:00

Volunteers work through the night to save beached pilot whales. WSVN reports

Endangered whales gather in unprecedented numbersupdated: Fri Apr 22 2011 13:49:00

What scientists say is the largest concentration of endangered right whales ever spotted in one location is giving researchers an unusually rich opportunity to study the animals and their feeding habits.

Year after Gulf oil spill, group gives mixed report card for wildlifeupdated: Wed Apr 13 2011 09:10:00

Nearly a year after the start of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, some wildlife is recovering, while other species could need significant help, according to a National Wildlife Federation study released Tuesday.

Scientists unsure why dolphins washing up deadupdated: Fri Apr 08 2011 01:56:00

Dead baby bottlenose dolphins are continuing to wash up in record numbers on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, and scientists do not know why.

Penguin rescue operation under way after south Atlantic oil spillupdated: Sun Apr 03 2011 18:30:00

On an island chain located halfway between Africa and Argentina, local authorities say a massive penguin rescue operation is under way.

Huge penguin rescue operation under wayupdated: Sun Apr 03 2011 18:30:00

Rescuers try saving tens of thousands of Northern Rockhopper penguins after an oil spill in the south Atlantic.

Four ways to have a whale of a timeupdated: Wed Mar 30 2011 10:08:00

They are the largest animals on the planet and spend around 90% of their lives underwater, surfacing to breathe for only fleeting moments.

Report: 75% of coral reefs threatenedupdated: Wed Mar 23 2011 10:16:00

Human activity and climate change have left about 75% of the world's coral reefs threatened, putting the livelihoods of many countries that depend on the ocean ecosystems at risk, according to a report released this week.

(HFR for Earth Day) Midway's Albatrosses survive the tsunamiupdated: Wed Mar 23 2011 09:55:00

The famed albatrosses of Midway Atoll took a beating from the tsunami, but their population will survive, say biologists on the islands.

Tuchman: Tsunami debris impenetrableupdated: Sun Mar 20 2011 11:21:00

CNN's Gary Tuchman describes the scene in Kesennuma, Japan, more than a week after the quake and tsunami.

Tsunami washes away feathered victims west of Hawaiiupdated: Sun Mar 20 2011 11:21:00

The massive waves that churned across the Pacific after the Japan earthquake last week swept away nests protecting seabird chicks unable to fly, leaving scores dead west of Hawaii.

Nearly killed in oil spill, dolphin now thrivingupdated: Wed Feb 09 2011 13:54:00

Five months after the Deepwater Horizon explosion unleashed a torrent of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, a male dolphin washed up on Louisiana's Gulf Coast just barely alive.

People.com: Katie Holmes & Suri Cruise's Fun, Fishy Aquarium Visitupdated: Wed Jan 26 2011 07:48:00

The mom-and-daughter pair have a VIP visit with dolphins, jellyfish and Beluga whales in Vancouver

Floods threaten Great Barrier Reef, La Niña to blameupdated: Wed Jan 12 2011 07:23:00

Floods have devastated the landscape of the state of Queensland, Australia, but they also present a high risk to the Great Barrier Reef.

Oceans failing the acid test, U.N. saysupdated: Thu Dec 02 2010 14:34:00

The chemistry of the world's oceans is changing at a rate not seen for 65 million years, with far-reaching implications for marine biodiversity and food security, according to a new United Nations study released Thursday.

'Crittercams' yield eye-opening rides with animals in the wildupdated: Tue Oct 05 2010 08:06:00

For most divers, a shark in the water can inspire fear, or even dread. Greg Marshall wanted to hitch a ride.

Biggest sealife survey: Most ocean life is unknownupdated: Tue Oct 05 2010 06:58:00

The planet's seas and oceans are richer and more diverse than scientists suspected, the biggest survey of marine life has revealed -- but many mysteries remain.

That's a penguin of a different colorupdated: Thu Sep 30 2010 22:55:00

Penguins didn't always come in black and white, paleontologists said Thursday, citing the discovery of a 36-million-year-old fossil of a bird that, in its day, waddled nearly 5 feet tall.

Australian officials on hunt for whale riderupdated: Mon Sep 27 2010 05:55:00

Word that a teenager climbed aboard a whale for a ride has sent Australian officials to the beach, to warn others not to try such a stunt.

Real life 'Jaws' couple fight to save sharksupdated: Wed Sep 08 2010 05:15:00

For nearly 50 years Ron and Valerie Taylor have been filming sharks at close quarters, bringing the lives of the ocean's most fearsome predators to TV and the big screen.

Staying up all night to save sea turtlesupdated: Fri Aug 27 2010 15:10:00

A lifelong nature lover, Oscar Aranda studied biology in college and knew he wanted to work somehow with animals at sea.

CNN Hero: Oscar Arandaupdated: Fri Aug 27 2010 15:10:00

Oscar Aranda patrols the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to protect endangered sea turtles and preserve their eggs.

Dozens of whales die after 58 are stranded on New Zealand beachupdated: Fri Aug 20 2010 10:35:00

A beachgoer in a remote area of northern New Zealand found a horrific sight Friday morning -- 58 pilot whales stranded on Karikari Beach.

Shark population threatenedupdated: Wed Aug 04 2010 05:17:00

In 2008 Lisa Ling investigated the threat to the shark population brought on by the demand for shark fin soup.

Sharks endangered by a bowl of soupupdated: Wed Aug 04 2010 05:17:00

Few members of the animal kingdom have grabbed our imagination as much as sharks. From 1975's summer blockbuster "Jaws," to 2004's animated film "Shark Tale," these marvels of the deep have been a staple in U.S. pop culture -- a trend that continues as viewers this week watch the Discovery Channel's latest edition of "Shark Week."

Dropping guard too quickly in the Gulf?updated: Wed Jul 28 2010 09:35:00

With oil levels seemingly low in the Gulf, will oil cleanup resources be pulled out prematurely?

Oil catastrophe wasn't just an accidentupdated: Wed Jul 28 2010 09:35:00

The blowout is stopped. The oil disaster that began with an explosion 100 days ago has not ended by any means. But we seem to be seeing a murky ending to the beginning of the crisis.

Penguins stranded on Rio beachupdated: Thu Jul 22 2010 11:20:00

Brazilian authorities are rescuing stranded penguins on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. CNN's Rafael Romo reports.

Hundreds of penguins wash up on Brazilian coastupdated: Thu Jul 22 2010 11:20:00

Biologists suspect that unusually cold waters off the coast of Brazil were responsible for the deaths of more than 550 penguins that washed up on shore in the past 10 days.

400 geese euthanized to reduce number near New York airportsupdated: Tue Jul 13 2010 22:14:00

Four hundred Canada geese from Brooklyn's Prospect Park were herded into crates and euthanized last week in an effort to reduce their number near New York's airports, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Plight of the sea turtlesupdated: Mon Jul 12 2010 16:31:00

CNN's Brooke Baldwin reports on the plight of the sea turtles in the Gulf.

Anti-whaling activist receives probation and suspended sentenceupdated: Wed Jul 07 2010 11:13:00

Anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune was given a two-year suspended prison sentence and five years' probation Wednesday by a Tokyo district court judge for his role in boarding a Japanese whaling ship.

Whaling activist's family on sentenceupdated: Wed Jul 07 2010 11:13:00

The family of anti-whaling activist Peter Bethune reacts to the news he'll receive probation and a suspended sentence.

'Sea monster' fossil found in Peru desertupdated: Thu Jul 01 2010 13:47:00

Researchers scanning the Peruvian desert for whale fossils have stumbled upon the remains of a "sea monster" three times the size of a modern day killer whale.

IWC's shame: Japan's whale slaughterupdated: Fri Jun 25 2010 11:33:00

After just two days of closed-door negotiations, the leaders who had gathered at the International Whaling Commission in Agadir, Morocco, announced no agreement was reached on the IWC chair's proposal to improve whale conservation.

Saving the Gulf manateesupdated: Fri Jun 18 2010 17:50:00

The oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico could trigger a massive manatee rescue. CNN's David Mattingly reports.

Oil spill could trigger massive rescue effort of Florida's manateesupdated: Fri Jun 18 2010 17:50:00

With the utmost care and a healthy dose of respect, Monica Ross brought the pontoon boat to a crawl, shut its engine down, and asked for quiet. She was careful not to disturb the small antenna, which floated on the surface of the Crystal River marking the location of Coral, an 800 pound manatee.

Brown pelican long a symbol of survivalupdated: Wed Jun 16 2010 08:03:00

Long before the brown pelican came to symbolize the tragedy of the Gulf oil spill, the giant bird stood for something much greater: survival against all odds.

Swimming with 'gentle giants'updated: Mon Jun 07 2010 00:05:00

From pests to attractions, whale shark tourism has revived the fortunes of a Philippine village.

Swimming with sharks saves livesupdated: Mon Jun 07 2010 00:05:00

"Welcome to Donsol, the home of the gentle giants," Alan Amanse says smiling broadly at us as we awkwardly scramble onto the traditional fishing boat.

People.com: Pierce Brosnan Takes President Obama to Task on Whaling Issueupdated: Sat Jun 05 2010 09:47:00

The actor films a PSA asking Obama to help save the whales

Gulf birds drenched in oilupdated: Fri Jun 04 2010 07:21:00

CNN's Gary Tuchman reports on how birds and other sea life drenched in oil are being cared for.

We are all Gulf victims nowupdated: Fri Jun 04 2010 07:21:00

In some ways, a catastrophe of this magnitude could not have happened in a worse place. Or at a worse time of year.

Could online maps save coral reefs?updated: Thu Jun 03 2010 18:51:00

You used to know them as maps, but in a Web 2.0 world they're now called geographic information systems (GIS) and they could play a key part in saving the world's endangered coral reefs.

Oil spill threatens world's largest artificial reefupdated: Sat May 08 2010 13:57:00

As the "H2O Below" charter boat leaves the dock and heads into Pensacola Bay, it is chock full of divers.

Oil spill threatens Great Barrier Reefupdated: Tue Apr 06 2010 22:40:00

A massive Chinese cargo ship is leaking oil after running aground near Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Penguins lost in tropical Brazilupdated: Mon Mar 29 2010 07:00:00

Located only 16 kilometers from Rio de Janeiro, Niteroi Zoo is home to dozens of animal species from this tropical region of Brazil. But lately the zoo has gained more recognition for its work in rescuing animals and returning them to their natural habitat than for its size or animal variety.

Nations vote down export ban for bluefin tunaupdated: Thu Mar 18 2010 14:50:00

Atlantic bluefin tuna will not be added to a list of banned exports, following a vote on Thursday afternoon in Doha, Qatar.

Trendy restaurant apologizes for serving whale meatupdated: Tue Mar 16 2010 14:01:00

A trendy California sushi restaurant charged by federal authorities with serving whale meat offered an apology Monday, saying it "ignored its responsibilities" to endangered species.

The case for captive animalsupdated: Tue Mar 02 2010 17:58:00

The tragic death of a trainer at Sea World last week revived a number of long simmering questions. While we still grapple with "how did this happen?" the central question for many revolves around the role of large mammals -- like Tilikum the killer whale -- in zoos and aquariums: Should they be there or not?

How to free a killer whaleupdated: Tue Mar 02 2010 15:57:00

In 2002, a male killer whale, or orca, who had been on public display in concrete tanks for 19 years, swam off on his own into the Atlantic Ocean.

What caused SeaWorld death?updated: Tue Mar 02 2010 08:27:00

CNN's Kiran Chetry talks to a SeaWorld official about why one of its killer whales turned on his trainer.

Biologists: Killer whales 'neurotic' in captivityupdated: Tue Mar 02 2010 08:27:00

Killer whales can weigh up to 22,000 pounds, and may be as long as 32 feet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They often travel in groups of up to 50, being highly social.

'Cove' director: SeaWorld death preventableupdated: Fri Feb 26 2010 09:36:00

The director of an Oscar-nominated documentary about dolphin slaughter says the SeaWorld killer whale attack that left a trainer dead earlier this week could have been prevented.

Cold snap killing manateesupdated: Mon Feb 22 2010 14:50:00

Florida's endangered manatees are dying because of unusually cold weather. CNN's David Mattingly reports.

Cold temps further endanger Florida's manateesupdated: Mon Feb 22 2010 14:50:00

The unusually cold weather that struck Florida in January did more than damage crops and citrus trees.

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