Polar bears

Alaska: 28% of polar bears with skin lesions & hair loss, thyroids tested by gov’t… like symptoms in seals & walrus

Surprisingly high mortality of musk ox, weak immune system suspected — High rate of embryo deaths & bad eggs for geese

ENENews,

18 November, 2013

Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health in Alaska: Fact Sheet for 2013,

U.S. Geological Survey (Emphasis Added): Environmental contaminants also threaten the health of wildlife and humans [...] Some of these compounds persist in the environment for many years and accumulate in living organisms [...] Alopecia (loss of fur) and other skin lesions were recently observed in polar bears off the northern coast of Alaska. Biologists are examining samples from afflicted polar bears to identify possible causes of these lesions. […] biologists have observed a high rate of non-viable eggs in nests of greater white-fronted geese. Future analyses will provide insights about elevated rates of embryo mortality in birds [...] Coxiella burnetii, a bacterial pathogen that causes disease in animals and humans, was recently detected in polar bears, northern fur seals, and soil samples in Alaska. […] An ongoing study of emperor geese in Western Alaska allows for detailed investigation of the effects of blood parasites on specific fitness parameters, including reproductive success and adult survival. […] In another study, the Alaska Science Center has documented surprisingly high mortality (20–30 percent) of adult female musk ox during mid- to late summer in northwestern Alaska. Given the magnitude and timing of the observed mortality [...] a pathogen is suspected to be contributing to the high losses observed. Additionally, copper deficiencies have been identified in other Alaskan musk ox, which can result in compromised immune function. […]

Winter/Spring 2013 Newsletter, Alaska Region Marine Mammal Stranding Network: Since the spring of 2012, a total of 23 polar bears from Barrow, Deadhorse and Kaktovik have been identified with variable degrees of hair loss/ thinning, inflamed and crusting skin, and oral lesions. The prevalence of these symptoms appears to be in about 28% of observed animals.Thus far, testing for endocrine abnormalities (thyroid function) and vitamin A and trace mineral imbalances in affected bears has been inconclusive, as have toxicity studies.  [...] 

The concurrent presence of hair loss in seals, walrus and polar bears has suggested a possible connection between the events. monitoring for new or unusual cases will continue into the 2013 field season.

See also: US Gov't Headline: Alaska island "appears to show impacts from Fukushima" -- "Significant cesium isotope signature" detected -- Scientists anticipate more marine life to be impacted as ocean plume arrives (VIDEO)