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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Wyden fields questions during Medford town hall meeting ... Spieth, amateur Dunne eyeing history at St. Andrews ... Our View: Court issues civics lesson to school district ... Wyden fields questions during Medford town hall meeting ... Spieth, amateur Dunne eyeing history at St. Andrews ... Our View: Court issues civics lesson to school district ... WEST COAST Seabird die-off puzzles scientists Hundreds of auklets appear to have starved to death Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 2:00 AM By The Associated Press Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News SALEM — Scientists are trying to figure out what's behind the deaths of seabirds that have been found by the hundreds along the Pacific Coast since October. Mass die-offs of the small, white-bellied gray birds known as Cassin's auklets have been reported from British Columbia to San Luis Obispo, California. It's normal for some seabirds to die during harsh winter conditions, especially during big storms, but the scale of the current die-off is unusual. "To be this lengthy and geographically widespread, I think is kind of unprecedented," Phillip Johnson, executive director of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, told the Salem Statesman Journal. "It's an interesting and somewhat mysterious event." The birds appear to be starving to death, so experts don't believe a toxin is the culprit, said Julia Burco, a wildlife veterinarian for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. But why the birds can't find food is a mystery. Researchers say it could be the result of a successful breeding season, leading to too many young birds competing for food. Unusually violent storms might be pushing the birds into areas they're not used to or preventing them from foraging. Or a warmer, more acidic ocean could be affecting the supply of tiny zooplankton, such as krill, that the birds eat. The U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Wisconsin is conducting additional necropsies on dead birds, researchers said. Robert Ollikainen of Tillamook, Oregon, found 132 dead birds on the beach there, including 126 Cassin's auklets on Dec. 26. "It was pretty dramatic," Ollikainen said. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jan. 4, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501