ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)<br/> <br />Authorities were puzzled on Friday (February 22) by an alarming array of dead marine species washed up on northern Peru's Lambayeque coastline.<br/> <br />During an inspection carried out by both governmental and non-governmental organizations, a whopping 18 sea turtles, 22 sea lions, eight dolphins, 16 angular roughsharks and 22 marine birds were found dead and in varying states of decomposition.<br/> <br />Some of the cadavers were sprayed with a special paint as part of the investigation into what's behind the disturbing discovery.<br/> <br />Jaime De La Cruz, an engineer with Peru's Ocean Institute (IMARPE), listed the baffling total of species found and said that a report detailing their cause of death is expected in the coming weeks.<br/> <br />As many as eighteen turtles, 22 sea lions, eight dolphins, 16 angular roughsharks and 22 sea birds have washed up, according to De La Cruz.<br/> <br />Friday's inspection took place along a large swath of Peruvian coastline, some 125 kilometers (77 miles) long.<br/> <br />In the past couple of years, a worrisome number of dead sea creatures have been ending up on Peru's shores. While officials have yet to conclusively pin point a cause, some of the possible explanations include viruses, offshore oil exploration, or poisoned food sources.
