Skin Lesions Appearing on Orcas , Signals Serious Underlying Condition.<br />Scientists have warned of a "strong increase" <br />in skin lesions being found on an <br />endangered population of orcas.<br />'The Guardian' reports that the scientists believe <br />that the skin disease could be the result of <br />the animal's weakening immune system.<br />Dr. Joseph K Gaydos of the SeaDoc Society at the school <br />of veterinary medicine at the University of California <br />was the lead author of the scientific paper.<br />The health significance … <br />is not clear, decreasing body condition <br />in an endangered, non-recovering <br />population is a concern, Dr. Joseph K Gaydos, University of California school <br />of veterinary medicine, via 'The Guardian'.<br />Dr. Gaydos warns that the lesions appear to <br />be symptoms of a serious underlying condition.<br />This condition appears to be impacting <br />the whales' overall health, from <br />immune suppression to infertility.<br />The team warn that 99% of the orcas studied <br />exhibited the lesions, a potentially disastrous sign <br />for their fragile population.<br />It’s worrisome. <br />Now we need to try and isolate <br />the potential infectious agent, Dr. Joseph K Gaydos, University of California school <br />of veterinary medicine, via 'The Guardian'.<br />The co-authored paper points to a number of possible <br />causes, which include warming coastal waters <br />and the effects of persistent organic pollutants.<br />'The Guardian' reports that the coastal waters where <br />orcas primarily forage are susceptible to runoff <br />from both agricultural and industrial chemicals
