Humans Are Threatening The Unicorns Of The Sea

    • AFP
    • Publish Date: Dec 8 2017 3:07PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Dec 8 2017 3:09PM
Humans Are Threatening The Unicorns Of The Sea

Narwhals, nicknamed the "unicorns of the sea" because of their signature head tusks, exhibit an "alarming" response to human-caused stress that may lead to brain damage, researchers said 
 
When fearful, narwhals hold their breath while trying to swim away fast and deep, allowing their heart rates to drop from 60 beats per minute to three or four.

During escape dives, narwhals needed 97 percent of their oxygen supply and often exceeded their aerobic dive limit, or "depletion of oxygen stores in the muscles, lungs, and blood, followed by anaerobic metabolism," said the study in the journal Science.

Normal dives of similar duration and depth used only about 52 percent of a narwhal's oxygen store, and heart rates dipped to about 20 beats per minute.

This combination of freezing while entering a "flight or fight" response could make it hard for narwhals to get enough oxygen to the brain and other critical organs, researchers said.
 
Human activities 
The study has "cautionary" implications for narwhals and other whales, dolphins and marine life affected by human activities like shipping, seismic exploration and drilling for oil, said lead author Terrie Williams, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of California Santa Cruz.

"The biology of these animals makes them especially vulnerable to disturbance," she said.

Although narwhals are not endangered, they are increasingly coming in contact with humans as the planet warms and ice melts in their Arctic habitat. 
 
Narwhals' natural escape response — to avoid killer whales and other threats — usually involves a slow descent or ascent into an area where predators can't follow.

"Unlike threats from predators like killer whales, noise from sonar or a seismic explosion is difficult to escape," said Williams.

How can we stop causing stress to marine animals? Let’s know your view in the comments section below.

 

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Comments

Ujjwal Goel RUKMINI DEVI PUB. SCHOOL(PITAMPURA)

We can stop but we need a full world support to carry out these acts.Many animals are also being tested and get killed during the practice, animals also have a life and we should let them live it.

Jeet Mamta Dave The Delta Study

Yes we can stop this act of causing stress to marine animals by stopping all the marine activity .Human activities affect marine ecosystems as a result of pollution, overfishing, the introduction of invasive species, and acidification, which all impact on the marine food web and may lead to largely unknown consequences for the biodiversity and survival of marine life forms

Aishwariya Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

This act must be supported by the people of the world and many animals are tested for these activities and also their being killed during this practice we should let them also live.

Roma Ramcoumar Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Loss of marine life is caused and marked not only by testing them but due to our carelessness . We have heard about the Ennore issue . Due to their carelessness the oil spilled and thousands of matine species were found dead . They too have life but they don''t have the 6th sense . This makes us the supreme creatures . Being the supreme creatures and having the 6th sense it is our responsibility to protect them .

Roma Ramcoumar Bethel Mat Hr Sec School

Sorry that is marine .

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