Green Daily

Over 1,000 penguins have washed up in northern Brazil. Some were exhausted, others dead. Many were covered in petroleum and had eaten fish not normally part of their diet.

That's 2,000 miles. In case you're not sure how great a voyage that is, add a few more miles to your swim from New Orleans to New York City.

Scientists worry warming ocean temperatures, diminishing fish populations and pollution may have prompted the large number to have swum so far.

Brazilians are used to penguins showing up on their beaches during the winter migration season.
As penguins make their way north from Patagonia some end up in southern Brazil, but finding them so far north is startling to scientists.

Experts say penguins migrate along with their food. Evidence points to a problem with fish populations, but ocean currents could also play a role in their long journey.

The Brazilian air force and navy are returning the birds to the southern tip of Brazil and releasing them into the ocean. Others will stay behind in Bahia for bed rest, or beach rest as it were.

[via BBC]