Cornell University's biodiversity recordings made public

The Macaulay Library is the world's largest and oldest scientific archive of biodiversity audio and video recordings. Our mission is to collect and preserve recordings of each species' behavior and natural history, to facilitate the ability of others to collect and preserve such recordings, and to actively promote the use of these recordings for diverse purposes spanning scientific research, education, conservation, and the arts.

Shift in Wind Frees Trapped Orcas

Photo by Andy Moorhouse

During Thursday night, a shift in wind and tide opened up gaps in the ice through which the trapped Orca pod could escape the ice flow in Hudson Bay. Helicopters and ice hunters were sent out to confirm that they were no longer trapped in their breathing hole. No recent disturbances in the slush and no sightings of the Orcas since Thursday indicate that they have left the area. 

Orcas Trapped in Ice at Hudson Bay

Quebec - The race is on to rescue between eight to 17 orcas filmed trapped in ice near Inukjuak, northern Quebec. Activists are now urging Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), to step in and help the whales.

Video of the orcas who are spyhopping and appear stressed was originally sent to CTV by Lisa Di Ciero. Clement Rousseau then uploaded the video to his Facebook page, in the hopes of getting the killer whales some help.

 Rousseau said he posted Di Ciero's film, "hoping that the right person will see this video, a person that can help us to bring them back to the open water ..." 

Now the activist community is putting pressure on Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), to step in and seek a solution. Reminiscent of the 1988 grey whale rescue in Point Barrow, Alaska, that was featured in the film Big Miracle, activists are using social media to urge Canada to take action. 

 News of the trapped whales reached CTV Montreal who said "Residents of Inukjuaq are concerned that there is not enough open water for the whales to swim out." How many orcas are trapped remains unknown, but estimates put the number somewhere between eight to 17 mammals. 

 According to CBC News, DPO officials haven't decided yet what to do about the orcas. Johnny P. Williams of Inukjuak told the station he visited the whales, and they seem desperate for air. 

 "It is difficult to go near the ice since the waves from the whales are making it impossible," he said in Inuktitut. "The breathing hole is getting smaller and smaller. Their whole body jumps up for air." 

An airplane was dispatched to determine how far the whales were from open water. Williams reported, "the open ice is too far away for the whales to go on their own and only an icebreaker could help them out." 

In 2005, six killer whales trapped by thick ice in Russian waters died exhausted and wounded after an attempt to break free. Strong winds blew in ice floes which trapped the whales in shallow waters in the Sea of Okhotsk. It is unclear how the current pod of whales became trapped. 

Erin Cunliffe said that she has already called emergency fisheries of Canada and they have the information on the orcas. "All he could tell me," Cunliffe said, "was that they are doing something about it." 

Activists are urging people to call DFO's emergency number to request they intercede on behalf of the orcas. They can be reached at (877)-722-5346. 

Inukjuak is a northern village located on Hudson Bay at the mouth of the Innuksuak River in Nunavik. It is in the Nord-du-Québec region of northern Quebec, Canada. 

 Digital Journal has contacted DFO and we will update this story as it unfolds.

Update: Nathalie Letendre of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, told Digital Journal a short while ago that DFO is "aware of the situation and confirms that a pod of killer whales is trapped in ice near Inukjuak."

Letendre added, "a team of experts from DFO is working very closely with its partners in Nunavik to evaluate the situation. Situations where marine mammals are trapped by the ice are not unusual in the North."  

Digital Journal asked DFO if this situation is not unusual in the North, would you say then that DFO does not think the situation critical at this point?  
NL: By unusual, I mean that it is not the first time that marine mammals are stuck in the ice. DFO considers it important to be on site to evaluate the situation correctly. That’s why our experts are presently travelling in the direction of Inukjuak.

 Digital Journal also asked how available immediate help is and whether DFO has the resources to rapidly respond and assist these whales if needed. DFO has not yet responded to the question.

Source: DigitalJournal.com

Dancing With the Stars Judge Starts Animal Foundation

Just call her Captain Elf! Carrie Ann Inaba may be a Dancing with the Stars judge by day, but most other waking hours are spent caring for animals, including six dogs and cats she calls her own. This year, Inaba also fulfilled a lifelong goal of starting an animal foundation when she launched The Carrie Ann Inaba Animal Project, which aims to support the rescue, welfare and well-being of animals.

Source: People.com 

Bee Species Named After 'Big Bang Theory' Catchphrase

If you watch "The Big Bang Theory," you probably laugh every time Sheldon Cooper says the B-word: "Bazinga!"

Now, in one of those amusing science-imitates-art moments, "bazinga" has been officially dubbed a species of a bee.

The writers of the hit comedy probably never imagined that the persnickety physicist Cooper's favorite word would be immortalized in actual science.

But thanks to a team of Brazilian biologists, a Brazilian orchid bee is now known by the name Euglossa bazinga.

"The idea was to honor actor Jim Parsons and his brilliant interpretation of Sheldon Cooper," Dr. André Nemésio, a biology professor at the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia in Brazil told CNN.

"The show exaggerates a little bit, but in a sarcastic way, it shows how things do happen in the academic world," he added. "It is fantastic!"

Of course, it doesn't hurt that the name draws attention to these creatures.

"Many orchid-bee species inhabit forested areas that may soon vanish and, as a consequence, it is possible that the bees might disappear, too," Nemésio said.

"For many areas and many species, only a strong action from the society can reverse the extinction process. So, I think it is also a valid way to make people know about these wonderful creatures and the situation concerning their conservation status."

For his part, "Big Bang Theory" executive producer Steve Molaro responded in a press release: “We are always extremely flattered when the science community embraces our show. Sheldon would be honored to know that Euglossa bazinga was inspired by him. In fact, after ‘Mothra’ and griffins, bees are his third-favorite flying creatures.”

Source: CNN.com 

Rarest Dog in the World Photographed in the Wild

A rare New Guinea Singing Dog was seen by a group on an adventure trek on Western New Guinea Island. Photo: Tom Hewitt 

Tom Hewitt, who runs an adventure company in Papua New Guinea was out on an expedition when the group encountered the rarest dog on earth. Tom managed to take a photograph of the New Guinea Singing Dog. This may only be the second time the canine has been photographed in the wild in the last 25 years.

The ancient dog has the nickname "stone age dog", and they may be older than Australian dingos. There are 100 in captivity worldwide and it is unknown how many are in the wild.

Tom Hewitt, who has been living and working in SE Asia for the last ten years, is now based in Sabah and Sarawak from where he runs Adventure Alternative Borneo.  He was trekking with a group up the Star Mountains of Western New Guinea Island when they spotted the secretive singing dog.

Said Tom, "We watched it for around 15 minutes as it continued to watch us. It seemed as curious as we were but not particularly scared or nervous. What stood out was how healthy it looked upon closer examination with binoculars."

Tom's sighting is the first in the region. The rare dogs often live in remote, high elevations. They have an unusual reddish coat and are known for an ability to climb trees.

Source: DogHeirs.com