Tag: seals
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Bird flu fears for Ireland’s seals as UK seal deaths rise
Overview: Bird flu concerns touch Ireland’s seals Despite no confirmed mammal infections of bird flu in Ireland so far, the latest developments in the United Kingdom have raised alarm among conservationists and coastal communities. The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain has been detected in seabirds along Irish coasts not far from seal colonies,…
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Bird flu fears for Ireland’s seals as UK records rise in seal deaths
Overview: Bird flu edges closer to Ireland’s seal colonies While Ireland has not recorded mammal infections of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, authorities warn that the virus has been detected in seabirds along parts of the Irish coast. The proximity of these infections to seal habitats has sparked concern among conservation groups and…
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Seal Whiskers Detect Vortex Ring Size to Foil Fish Escapes
Sensing the Splash: whiskers as a directional sensor New research shows that harbour seals may read a fleeing fish’s evasive maneuvers not just by tracking wakes, but by sensing the size of spinning vortex rings generated by the fish’s jets. When a fish darts away, it can produce two jets in opposite directions, often creating…
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Seals’ whiskers may foil fish escapes by reading vortex rings
New findings: Seals’ whiskers detect vortex-ring cues in fish escapes In a surprising twist on the predator–prey chess game beneath the waves, a team from the University of Rostock has shown that harbour seals can pick out subtle differences in the size of vortex rings generated by escaping fish. Published in the Journal of Experimental…