Arctic News Archives - Living Organisms and Fossils

A collection of older (2003-2004) news items that relate to living organisms and fossils in the Arctic and surrounding regions. All links will take you to sites outside of the PRISM site. Use your back button to return.

Return to Archive Topic List.

• December 30, 2004 - Two Traditions Meet To Save Caribou. - CBC
  Scientists and Inuit hunters are banding together to try to determin why the number of caribou on Banks Island has decreased.
  
  
• December 13, 2004 - Pollution Hotspots - BBC
  The Arctic has been designated as a pollution hotspot due to problems with Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) that threaten the health of humans and animals. POPs are probably carried from industrialized nations on wind currents.
  
  
• November 16, 2004 - Arctic Animals Face Stress Of Warming Habitat - CBC
  Warming oceans, new diseases and changes in the environment are stressing many Arctic species to the point where some biologists worry that some species may not survive. Hundreds of eider ducks died last year of Avian cholera, a disease previously seen only in warmer areas. (Similar story from Belfast Telegraph.)
  
  
• November 8, 2004 - Arctic Warming At Twice Global Rate - CNN
  Global warming is heating the Arctic almost twice as fast as the rest of the planet in a thaw that threatens millions of livelihoods and could wipe out polar bears by 2100, an eight-nation report said. (Similar story from BBC)
  
  
• October/November, 2004 - Arctic Denizens Feel The Heat - NWF
  Climate change is adversely affecting wildlife and human communities, especially in the Arctic. For many changes in the sea ice are particularly devastating. The polar bear is already in trouble.
  
  
• October 20, 2004 - Dinosaur Fossils Show Arctic's Jurassic Age - CBC
  Bones of a large meat-eating dinosaur have been found on a mountainside of Bylot Island.
  
  
• October 17, 2004 - Polar Bear Migration Draws Tourists To Canadian Town - Post Gazette
  The town of Churchill, Manitoba is right in the middle of the migration route of polar bears. Many tourists come to see the hundreds of bears that pass by during the late fall.
  
  
• October 15, 2004 - Vanishing Seabirds Worry Arctic Biologists - CBC
  Changing ice conditions are causing two species of gulls to have substantial drops in population. Other seabirds are changing their eating habits and it appears the chicks are not surviving as well on the new diet.
  
  
• October 14, 2004 - Falcon Tracker Finds Foul Environment - Planet Ark
  A naturalist who tracks peregrine falcons is concerned about the loss of the birds' habitat in the ANWR if oil companies open it for drilling. He likens the area to the Oklahoma Land Rush with oil companies positioning themselves for the opening.
  
  
• September 27, 2004 - Arctic Drilling As Divisive As Issues Get - Sacramento Bee
  Bush and Kerry appear to be widely divided in their positions about whether the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge should be opened to oil and gas drilling. Their positions are outlined here by a political analyst.
  
  
• September 27, 2004 - Alaska Scientists Find Arctic Tundra Yields Surprising Carbon Loss - SpaceDaily
  Scientists did not find an expected link between plant growth and carbon-storage in tundra plants, but instead found that there was a big loss of carbon from the soil under simulated global warming conditions.
  
  
• September 22, 2004 - Rock Bugs Resist Polar Extremes - BBC
  Microbe colonies (cyanobacteria) seem to thrive under rocks in the Arctic and in Antarctica, in spite of extreme ultraviolet light and frigid temperatures.
  
  
• September 13, 2004 - More Scientific Evidence That Polar Bears Are Affected By Toxic Chemicals - ENN
  The World Wildlife Federation reports that polar bears are being contaminated by PCBs and pesticides and these chemicals are affecting the health of the animals.
  
  
• September 11, 2004 - Polar Bear Injures Russian Explorer - Novosti
  An explorer in Franz Joseph Land was attacked and wounded by a polar bear, but will recover. (Map of Franz Joseph Land from Encarta.)
  
  
• September 10, 2004 - Scientists Find Secret Of Life... - Independent
  Study of an Arctic crater caused by an an asteroid has led scientists to conclude that asteroids can help microbial life flourish by providing a warm, protected environment.
  
  
• September 7, 2004 - Dark Future For White Animals In Warm Arctic - Dawn
  White fur, which has camouflaged a variety of animals in the Arctic for centuries, is now proving a detriment as the Arctic warms and ice melts revealing dark patches of ground.
  
  
• Sept. 2, 2004 - New Swimming Reptile Fossil In Arctic - CNN
  A sixteen-foot fossil of a a new species of fish-like lizard has been found in Svalbard, Norway.
  
  
• August 31, 2004 - Ice Clarifies Climate's Secrets - USA Today
  Pink ice, possible plant material and mud extracted from the bottom of the Greenland ice sheet at North GRIP are providing many new interesting insights into climate through the ages and possible life at the bottom of the ice sheet.
  
  
• August 28, 2004 - Denmark Backs Down On Fishing - National Post
  Danish shrimp trawlers have been recalled from Newfoundland waters after the Canadian government warned they would close their ports to all Danish vessels if fishing was not discontinued. Canada has been worried about the overfishing by other nations, but Denmark says its quota was set too low.
  
  
• August 27, 2004 - Toxins Accumulate In Arctic Peoples, Animals - National Geographic
  Studies of people and animals living in the Arctic have shown very high levels of chemical contaminants in their bodies. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) from industrialized nations are infiltrating the food web.
  
  
• August 25, 2004 - Arctic Ecosystem Under Threat - Washington Times
  Increased oil and gas exploration and drilling as well as overfishing, nuclear waste and the invasion of non-native species is wreaking havoc in the Barents Sea area according to the United Nations Environmental Program. (See a map of Barents Sea. View map of wells in the area. Similar story by BBC.)
  
  
• August 16, 2004 - Greenland Ice Core Project Yields Probable Ancient Plant Remains - Space Daily
  Researchers from the North Greenland Ice Core (NGRIP) project have recovered what appear to be plant remains between the glacial ice and the bedrock. These plants are thought to date to the Pleistocene period. (See more at NGRIP site.)
  
  
• August 16, 2004 - Seabed Samples Offer Glimpse To Arctic Past - CBC
  Scientists in the Queen Maud Gulf are studying sediments from the seabed to help them better understand the marine ecosystem in the Arctic. (Map of Queen Maud Gulf.)
  
  
• August 15, 2004 - Aircraft To Rescue Endangered Geese- Gulf Daily News
  A group of scientists will try to use an ultralight aircraft to guide a group of endangered geese on their annual migration, by imprinting the chicks on the aircraft. (Photo of goose.)
  
  
• August 13, 2004 - Iceland, Norway In Dispute Over Herring - Washington Times
  Norway has set a quota for herring fishing in the Arctic Ocean around Svalbard. Iceland is contesting this quota and sovereignty over the area. (Map and images of Svalbard, Norway.)
  
  
• August 4, 2004 - Alert Issued For Alaskan Oysters, Seafood - CBC North
  Some Alaskan seafood seems to be infected with a warm-water bacteria, and people are warned not to eat RAW Alaskan seafood. This bacteria is normally not seen in Alaskan waters but the summer's warmer-than-usual temperature have allowed it flourish.
  
  
• July 28, 2004 - Scientists Spot Rare Blue Whale In Alaska - Silicon Valley
  The largest animal known to live on earth, the blue whale, has been sighted off the coast of Alaska. This is the first confirmed sighting in over 30 years.This whale is a protected species.
  
  
• July 28, 2004 - Polar Bears Roam Arctic Ice On Borrowed Time - TerraDaily
  The polar bear is being exposed to a number of perils that lead scientists to fear that it is on the road to extinction. Mutations are showing up, presumably due to increased toxins from environmental waste.
  
  
• July 28, 2004 - Whales Are No Competition - The Star
  Whales and dolphins do not appear to be responsible for depletion of world fish stocks according to a new scientific study. These data refute an argument by pro-whaling nations that whales need to be hunted to protect marine food stock.
  
  
• July 21, 2004 - Greenland Warned on Whaling Toll - BBC
  The International Whaling Commission is not sure there are enough fin and minke whales in Greenland waters to safely allow Greenland communities to continue their annual hunt.
  
  
• July 18, 2004 - 120,000-Year-Old Ice Houses Tiny Bacteria - Detroit News
  Colonies of live bacteria have been found in a deep ice core from a Greenland glacier.
  
  
• July 17, 2004 - Protecting The Arctic From Oilmen - International Herald Tribune
  A plan has been announced to lease rights for oil and gas development in Teshekpuk Lake, an important breeding ground for many Arctic birds and subsistence area for the indigenous Inupiat who hunt and fish there. (Map of the area - The lake is near the yellow-colored Beaufort Sea Planning Area.)
  
  
• July 12, 2004 - Baby Walrus Rescued... - North Country Times
  A baby walrus rescued by fishermen in Alaska is undergoing care at the SeaLife Center in Seward, and will eventually go to SeaWorld in San Diego.
  
  
• July 10, 2004 - ROM Helps The Red Knot Spread Its Wings - National Post
  The Red Knot, a type of Arctic sandpiper, has been dying off in "astounding numbers" over the past few years. So the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) has been investigating why. It was linked the harvesting of "pregnant" horseshoe crabs, an essential part of the birds' diet. Lobbying has been ongoing to ban fishermen from taking the crabs before they lay their eggs.
  
  
• July 9, 2004 - Three Democratic Senate Candidates Call For Opening ANWR - RigZone
  Senatorial candidates Brad Carson, Chris John and Tony Knowles have called for "responsible development of the coastal plain" of the ANWR. Experts feel this may bode well for energy policy in the next Congress.
  
  
• July 6, 2004 - Ice Melting May Be Harming Polar Bears - CBC
  Fewer polar bear cubs are being seen in Hudson Bay and the Beaufort Strait in the past few years. A biologist studying the bears sees a link to the sea ice breaking up earlier than ever the past few years.
  
  
• July 5, 2004 - Move To Protect Arctic Char Launched - Scotsman
  Conservation experts from six countries have launched an effort to protect the Arctic Char, which has the ability to change shape and color in response to its environment. Populations of this fish have been declining in Britain and Europe.
  
  
• July 2, 2004 - Nine New Sites Join World Heritage List - Scotsman
  Two Arctic sites were among nine sites recently named to the World Heritage List. One was Russia's Wrangle Island Reserve, a habitat for polar bear and seals. The other is the Ilulissat Icefjord, on the west coast of Greenland.This designation provides added protection for these areas.
  
  
• June 28, 2004 - Counting Nemo and Friends In the Arctic - SpaceDaily
  Scientists from several nations have joined together to take a census of marine life in the Arctic Ocean. They will examine the sea ice, sea floor, and water for different types of organisms.They will focus on the Canada Basin. (Similar story from ScienceDaily.)
  
  
• June 4, 2004 - Ancient Life On Cold-Water Corals - BBC
  The UN Environment Programme reports that cold-water reefs are quite widespread and harbor many organisms thought to be long-extinct. These ancient reefs are spread from Greenland to the sub-Antarctic islands.
  
  
• June 4, 2004 - Belgium, Luxembourg Ban Seal Skin Imports - New Zealand Herald
  Concern over the way seals are killed has led Belgium and Luxembourg to ban the import of all seal skins. An exception was made for those coming from Inuit and indigenous sources.
  
  
• June 4, 2004 - Ailing Alaska Killer Whales To Get Protection - ABC
  A small group of killer whales, depleted since the Exxon oil spill, has been granted special protection by US officials.
  
  
• June 3, 2004 - Man-Made Toxins Found In Arctic - CBS
  Chemicals used in televisions, toys and fire retardants have been found in Arctic wildlife according to Norwegian scientists. This is a sign that these chemicals do not break down as quickly as had been thought. (Similar story from Yahoo)
  
  
• May 28, 2004 - Recovery Beluga Whales In Alaska Lacking - Las Vegas Sun
  The beluga whales population in Cook Inlet, Alaska is still low, even though hunting has been strictly limited, so a new conservation program is being launched.
  
  
• May 27, 2004 - Tiny Bugs Retrieved From Glacial Deep Freeze- New Scientist
  Fifteen new species of bacteria have been found in ice retrieved from a Greenland glacier. These microbes are extremely small, but are not nanobacteria.
  
  
• May 11, 2004 - Protect Endangered Beluga, Caribou... - CBC North
  The Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has asked for the government to protect the Peary caribou and beluga whale under the Federal Species At Risk Act. Hunting around Greenland appears to have been very hard on Beluga whale populations.
  
  
• May 11, 2004 - Norway Opens Whaling Season - The Australian
  Norwegian whalers are defying an international ban on hunting minke whales, this year setting a quota of 67 whales for commercial whalers.
  
  
• April 19, 2004 - Tourists Ignoring Call To Boycott Alaska... - AZ Central
  An animal rights group is trying to revive a tourism boycott in order to put pressure on the state to outlaw hunting of wolves from airplanes. So far the plea seems to be unsuccessful.
  
  
• April 17, 2004 - ...A Robin In the Arctic? - Globe and Mail
  Robins and sockeye salmon have now been seen in the Arctic. There are signs that a warming trend is changing the patterns of migration and adaptation of other species, too.
  
  
• April 14, 2004 - Bowheads On The Beeb - CBC North
  A reality TV series for children, Serious Arctic, is helping the Fish and Game department survey bowhead whales. Eight students are participating in the research and TV show.
  
  
• April 14, 2004 - Seal Cull Ignores Cameras, Protests - The Australian
  Canadian hunters are being allowed to kill 350,000 harp seals this year, in order to cull the herds so that they will not threaten cod stocks.
  
  
• April 8, 2004 - Barren Siberia... May Be Original Home To Animal Life - Science Daily
  A University of Kansas researcher and a University of Florida researcher have found evidence that trilobites, regarded as one of the earliest forms of animal life, may have originated in what is now Siberia.
  
  
• April 7, 2004 - Trans-Arctic Expedition Sets Off From Siberia - Russian Information Agency Novosti
  An international team has set out to determine effects of global climate change on plant and animal species across the Arctic. This expedition will use new health-monitoring and transportation technology.
  
  
• April 2, 2004 - Alarm Sounded On Narwhal Decline - BBC
  The narwhal population seems to have declined, possibly due to hunting, fishing and local climate change around Greenland.
  
  
• Mar. 25, 2004 - Four Nunavut Communities Want to Host Whale Hunt - CBC North
  Inuit in Nunavut have received permission for traditional hunting of a bowhead whale. Several communities want to sponsor the hunt.
  
  
• Mar. 24, 2004 - Scores of Seabirds Starving in Alaska - Las Vegas SUN
  Two thousand seabirds (Common Murres) are dead or dying along the south-central coast of Alaska. At this point, the cause is unknown. (Photo of common murre.)
  
  
• Mar. 24, 2004 - Reindeer Herders Building Snowy Drive-In - The State (SC)
  Reindeer herders in Norway are building a snowmobile drive-in theater for the Eighth Sami Film Festival, April 5-7.
  
  
• Mar. 10, 2004 - Whale Groups Focus on Cruelty - New Zealand Herald
  A report on whaling from world Animal Welfare groups has been released. This report is a detailed report of whether current methods of whaling, especially the explosive harpoon, are humane.The full report can be downloaded from the article.
  
  
• Feb. 16, 2004 - Consumption of Whale Meat Linked to Disruption In Children's Brain Development - Environmental Investigation Agency
  Levels of mercury are high enough in whales and dolphin to be dangerous to children who eat these foods. The mercury has been shown to cause damage to the nervous system if ingested.
  
  
• Feb. 13, 2004 - Study Approves Limited Bowhead Whale Hunt - Nunatsiaq News
  A study of the Bowhead whale population leads wildlife management experts to agree that one whale can be taken every two years from the Hudson Bay population and one every thirteen years from the Baffin Bay area. This level is the same as that agreed to in 1996, for Inuit hunters.
  
  
• Feb. 8, 2004 - Alaskan Sea Otters' Disappearance A Mystery - Yahoo!
  The number of sea otters dropped drastically between 1992 and 2000 in Alaskan waters. Wildlife officials worry that their reduced numbers will affect other parts of the food chain adversely. The decline may be due to global warming, increased ocean pollution or problems elsewhere in the food chain.
  
  
• Jan. 30, 2004 - Exxon's Alaska Spill Bill Climbs to $5.8bn - Australian
  An Alaskan judge has ordered Exxon to pay $US4.5 billion ($Euro5.8) in punitive damages for the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989. Exxon plans to appeal the decision.
  
  
• Jan. 28, 2004 - Inuit Changed Arctic Ecosystem ... -CBC News
  The hunting practices of prehistoric Inuit whalers dramatically changed an Arctic pond ecosystem on Somerset Island, long before European settlers arrived according to researchers who studied sediments and fossils from the pond.
  
  
• Jan. 16, 2004 - ...Origins of Peat Bogs Raises Concerns - Science Daily
  Siberian peat bogs which are typically frozen appear to be huge repositories of carbon dioxide and thus play a major role in world climate balance. If these bogs thaw due to currently rising temperatures in the Arctic, there is concern that they may release this gas into the atmosphere causing major and unexpected shifts in climate. (Similar story from National Geographic; Another story from NSF ).
  
  
• Jan. 15, 2004 - Global Warming Affecting Salmon - BBC
  The wild salmon season in Scotland was affected by a serious drop-off in the number of fish. Scientists believe this population decline is a result of global warming.
  
  
• Jan. 10, 2004 - These Squirrels Are Super Cool - Wired
  Scientists are studying Arctic ground squirrels to learn how they "super-cool" their bodies. These animals during hibernation can drop its internal temperature to below freezing and still keep their blood in a liquid state.
  
  
• Jan. 5, 2004 - Alaska Wildlife Experts Use Floating Lab - The State
  Researchers use a unique shipboard lab to study sea lions and other marine animals and plants. The Tiglax is a floating science center that has been in use for 16 years.