Earthwatch: A Diary of the Planet

Baja Whale Deaths

Fifty gray whales were found dead along Mexico’s Baja California peninsula--the victims of alleged industrial pollution. The country’s Group of 100 environmental organization suspects saltwater contamination as the cause of the deaths. Earlier this year, 18 dead whales were discovered in the Ojo de Liebre and the Guerrero Negro lagoons, where a salt company in which the Mexican government has a major stake operates. Several environmental groups claim the company, known as ESSA, is responsible for killing dozens of sea turtles and other wildlife with discharges of brine--a byproduct of salt production. Plans by ESSA to build yet another plant in a lagoon farther south on the peninsula have drawn criticism from the environmentalists.

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Earthquakes

Tall buildings swayed and nearly 1,000 homes were without electricity in Sydney, Australia, after a magnitude 4.7 earthquake March 17. Earth movements were also felt along the California-Mexico border, and in southern Quebec, northern Iran, western China, the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border region, southern Taiwan and two points in Japan.

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Prairie Fire

One firefighter was killed and tens of thousands of acres were burned when gusty winds fanned Nebraska’s second-worst wildfire on record around the town of Thedford. Nearly 300 people were evacuated as firefighters battled to keep the blazes from roaring into the town, located 300 miles northwest of Omaha.

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Cholera Outbreak

A cholera epidemic sweeping across southern Somalia’s drought-stricken bay region killed nearly 200 people during the previous week. Thousands of residents have left their homes and are living in makeshift camps or villages with poor sanitary conditions after migrating in search of water and to escape political instability. The worst hit village was Habal Bar, about 50 miles southwest of the regional capital Baidoa, where 120 people, including 80 children, died of the disease. Religious leaders have advised people not to gather in groups to eat or talk in an effort to stem the spread of the epidemic.

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Turkey Terror

Wild turkeys in a Northern California wilderness park have been terrorizing visitors by charging hikers, chasing cars and blocking trails. Park rangers in the Rancho San Antonio Preserve in Santa Clara County have attributed the birds’ aggressive behavior to the current breeding season, with a large number of male birds showing off for females. Onlookers were warned not to get closer than 30 feet from the colorful birds, and told that clapping hands and making other noises will discourage the turkeys from attacking. Wildlife experts have also advised park visitors to avoid wearing bright colors or carrying shiny objects.

Additional Sources: U.S. National Earthquake Information Center, Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the United Nations World Meteorological Organization.