Mysterious Illness Kills 46 Seals and Puzzles Biologists

Representatives from Alaska's Department of Wildlife Management announced that a mysterious disease is causing the death of dozens of seals. They first detected the peculiar illness in early July, when they noticed that seal population was affected by a phenomenon which they still are unable to explain.

Despite the fact that this is a matter of great concern for biologists, taking into account the major part which these creatures play in the arctic food-chain, they are still looking for answers since the disease doesn't stop from making new victims every day.

So far, according to the latest findings, 46 such animals were killed and 150 more are suffering from this unknown illness which causes multiple lesions.

Without any explicable cause, it seems that the seals, which spend most of their time swimming in the cold Arctic waters or just floating on ice blocks, have been spotted along the coastline appearing to be ill and weak.

A special report was conducted by Alaska Dispatch, in order to clarify this matter. Scientists managed to get samples from the animals which were obviously affected by the mysterious disease, but, so far, they were unable to give any details about what might be causing the death of some many Arctic creatures.

Further more, researchers have to investigate how the illness is transmitted, and what these new findings might represent for the near future of all creatures which currently have habitats in the Arctic regions.

Due to the lack of information on this alarming matter, biologists express their concern regarding the fact that the disease might spread to other kinds of animals which live in the same areas. "I'm scared they might pass it on one way or another and the whole ocean could be affected,” said Enoch Shiedt, quoted in the study made by Alaska Dispatch.

The must common signs that biologists have noticed while studying the affected seals were hair lose, and the fact that they bleed very easily, especially in areas which surround their eyes, nose and flippers. Even though the disease doesn't prevent them from eating, it seems that all the ill animals look weak.

"They're not deathly skinny. It's not like they're dying from malnutrition. But they're not in great body condition," concluded Shiedt. The peculiar illness isn't considered the only phenomenon which threatens the life and wellbeing of seals.

Scientists have determined long ago that global warming has a negative influence upon their habitat. Increased temperatures generate the melting of ice blocks, parts of the arctic landscape which seals rely on. Due to this fact, biologists suggested that seals should be included on the Endangered Species list which is approved by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.