Birds, Bees, and a Shark: Buzz Week in Review
Well, that was weird. During the first week of 2011, birds fell from the sky, a shark attacked a boat, and the bees continued their odd disappearance. Just when we think we have the animal kingdom figured out... Check out those stories and more with the Buzz Week in Review.
"The Birds" in reverse
In the Hitchcock classic, "The Birds," flocks of feathered creatures swoop down from the sky to attack helpless humans. This past week felt a bit like that movie, only the birds were dead, and the humans weren't so much terrified as they were confused. For a few days, it seemed like nobody knew what the heck was going on. Some thought the fireworks on New Year's Eve were to blame. It was later explained that, though disturbing, birds tumbling from the sky isn't all that unusual. Mass die-offs, as scientists call them, occur regularly, and while this recent rash of dead fish, crabs, and birds may seem unprecedented, the AP writes that "federal records show they happen on average every other day somewhere in North America."
Shark! Get your camera!
Three men off the coast of Western Australia got more than they bargained for on a fishing trip. While relaxing on the modestly sized boat, a great white shark appeared. At first it seemed like the shark was just checking out the boat. Doing a few circles, you know, nothing special. But then things got interesting when the shark attacked the boat's motor. Not wanting to press their luck, the fishermen returned to shore, but not beforecapturing their encounter on video. Web searches on "great white shark attacks boat" roared to a 882% gain.
Bees continue to disappear
Bees are a nuisance, that's true. But they are also necessary for pollinating crops. So, naturally, their plummeting population has many people concerned. A popular article from Yahoo! News explained that bumblebees have died off "at an astonishing rate over the past 20 years." Experts blame inbreeding and disease. According to the article, the honey bee has also seen its numbers fall since 2006. The findings were part of a three-year study.
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