Decline of rare right whale appears to be slowing, but scientists say big threats remain
The decline of one of the rarest whales in the world appears to be slowing, but scientists warn the giant animals still face existential threats from warming oceans, ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear.
Researchers document 55 more white sharks in Cape Cod waters
The scientific nonprofit that tracks the white shark population in Cape Cod waters identified 55 new individual sharks during its most recent research season, but experts say thatโs no reason to be afraid of going in the water this summer.
Florida turtle hospital takes in 40 cold-stunned turtles Thanksgiving weekend
Dozens of cold-stunned turtles were flown from the cold waters of Cape Cod down to the Florida Keys and brought to the Turtle Hospital in Marathon over Thanksgiving weekend. The 40 rescued turtles were Kempโs Ridley sea turtles, one of the most endangered sea turtle species. LIVE at the Turtle Hospital 40 cold stunned Kemps Ridley sea turtles checked in last night and are warming up in the Florida Keys sunshine! Being โcold stunnedโ can leave lasting impacts on the turtles and recovery can take anywhere from 30 days to a year. So far, all 40 turtles have passed their swim tests, meaning they have no immediate threats to their health.
Cape Cod officials warn of white sharks ahead of July Fourth
Cape Cod National Seashore Chief Ranger Leslie Reynolds warned at a news conference that the powerful predators are coming close enough to shore to be a concern for swimmers. Officials in Orleans also have documented at least two shark attacks on seals in recent days, the Cape Cod Times reports. Most tend to favor the Atlantic Ocean-facing beaches where seals tend to congregate, but researchers have found them off nearly every part of the Cape. More pilots have volunteered to radio in shark sightings as they fly over the peninsula, said Heather Doyle, co-founder of Cape Cod Ocean Community, a local group that advocates for white shark surveillance and detection measures. The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, a Chatham-based research group, is also offering its Sharktivity smartphone app, which allows users to report and track shark sightings.
Tropical Storm Dolly forms
The tiny swirl southeast of Cape Cod known as Subtropical Depression Four became Tropical Storm Dolly Tuesday afternoon. It gets a name but doesnt last long, likely become a non-tropical low by tonight. The open ocean storm is no threat to any land. Other than a name change nothing is new in this unremarkable system. Fortunately it is moving northeast out to sea over the colder waters near Nova Scotia and Newfoundland through Thursday.
Cape Cod hit by rare tornado
Courtesy of Dr. Beach(CNN) - Cape Cod, Massachusetts, was hit by a rare tornado Tuesday, the National Weather Service said. There were reports of downed trees and power lines but no known injuries, Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency spokesman Christopher Besse said. More than 50,000 customers were without power as of 3 p.m., energy company Eversource said on Twitter. Video from CNN affiliate WHDH showed extensive damage to the Cape Sands Inn in West Yarmouth. A National Weather Service survey team will be meeting with emergency management officials on the cape to assess the damage, the service said on Twitter.
Bleeding kits available on Cape Cod beaches in case of shark attack
Courtesy of Dr. Beach(CNN) - Holiday beachgoers in one Cape Cod town have a new emergency ally should the unthinkable happen: a "stop the bleed" first-aid kit for shark attack victims. The kits contain, "bleeding control dressings, gloves and eye protection, and they are in a waterproof and airtight sealed case up the beach," Fire Chief Anthony Pike tells CNN. They're for "any major bleeding emergency that may arise." And with at least a dozen sharks swimming nearby, that's the "major bleeding emergency" on most minds. Last summer, a swimmer at a Cape Cod beach died in what experts said was the state's first fatal attack in more than 80 years.
Great white sharks invade Cape Cod just in time for the 4th
Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images(CNN) - Some fin is in the water in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Locals are bracing for an influx of tourists to flock to Cape Cod for the Fourth of July weekend, and they may have a few extra visitors joining them in the water. In the past week, researchers have tagged 12 great white sharks near Cape Cod Bay. While sharks have always been a part of the waters near Cape Cod's marine environment, researchers have seen their numbers grow over the years. Even so, beachgoers must be cautious when entering the waters in Cape Cod Bay.