900 dead dolphins 'natural occurence' says government study.

[niggles]

Nearly 900 dolphins that washed up along Peru's northern coast this year died of natural causes, according to a report that has failed to convince environmental activists.

Peru's production minister Gladys Trevino announced the results of a government investigation into the mass deaths on Tuesday.

"We have reached the conclusion that the deaths were from natural causes," she told local radio.

Ms Trevino said a study by the government-run Institute of Peru's Ocean (IMARPE) ruled out other causes for the deaths, and determined that massive die-offs occur periodically in the dolphin world.

"It's not the first time that this has happened," she said, citing what she said were similar cases in Australia and New Zealand.

"There's no reason to hunt for a reason why this would not be the cause."

Ms Trevino said the government also had ruled out any effects from the oil industry that is active in the area's waters, as well as infection by virus or bacteria.

Peruvian officials earlier had hypothesised that the dolphins, along with some 5,000 dead sea birds - mostly pelicans - died due to the effects of rising temperatures in Pacific waters.

But environment groups remain unconvinced, and said they were certain that the dolphin deaths were related to offshore oil exploration.

One conservation group, the Scientific Organisation for the Conservation of Aquatic Animals, known by its Spanish acronym ORCA, has blamed the dolphin deaths on oil exploration in the area.

It said noise from the exploration was proving detrimental to the well-being of the mammals.

A representative from ORCA said the group earlier this month tested 30 dead dolphins and found broken ears and damaged organs consistent with the victims suffering "the bends," also known as decompression sickness.

 

The lack of any evidence in their statement sure makes it sound like bullshit.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-23/natural-causes-blamed-for-death-of-900-dolphins/4027608