Alarming rise in mass animal deaths
Warning: graphic images! Tens of thousands of wild animals have been dramatically dying around the world. Although the hows and whys often remain unexplained, climate change and pollution form part of the reason.
The sea loses its people
Alone in 2016 to date, around 35 separate incidents of mass fish die-offs have already been reported. As pictured above, more than 33 metric tons of dead fish washed up in 2015 at the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, venue for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Due to pollution, these fish didn't get enough oxygen to survive.
Seabirds lose their food
The western coast of North America, from San Francisco to British Columbia, saw an unprecedented, massive die off of seabirds in 2015. Up to 10,000 deaths were counted. Global warming was deemed guilty, after disease and trauma were ruled out. In Alaska in February 2016, around 8,000 seabirds were again found dead. They had starved. Their main food was fish. Yes, the thousands of dead fish.
Deadly herpes takes over turtles
The endangered green sea turtle - named so for its skin color - is among the largest sea turtles in the world. A life-threatening herpes virus - which impedes vision, feeding and movement - is affecting an increasing number of these creatures. Experts are still investigating why and how the virus spreads. Yet again, pollution and global warning seem to be the main culprits.
Antelopes forever stilled
Here's a break for the eyes, if not for the mind. During spring 2015, scientists estimated that more than half of all saiga antelopes - a critically endangered species - died over less than two weeks. Then, experts warned that the species was suffering due to climate change, and could go extinct within a year. So far, there have been no reports about further mass deaths. Let's cross our fingers!
Deadly beachfront holidays
Thousands of giant squids' decomposing bodies lay rotting on a Chilean coast at the beginning of 2016. Locals worried about sanitation, for obvious reasons - but scientists were also concerned. Although this phenomenon is not new for the area - the picture above is from 2004 -, the huge scale really is. The super El Niño seems to be the most likely candidate in this astonishing die-off.
Dracula coming at you
In 2015, thousands of bats fell from the sky in Bhopal, India. A year before, around 100,000 of the creatures were found dead in the state of Queensland, Australia. The streets, trees and yards were covered with dead or dying bats. These flying mammals are very vulnerable to the heat, and could not stand rising temperatures.
Whales commit mass suicide
Whales naturally beach themselves and die - but pollution and climate change are likely causing an increase in this phenomenon. Germany, United States, New Zealand, Chile - it's happening all over the world. At least 400 beached whales were registered in Chilean territory alone in 2015. Above are a few of the 29 dead sperm whales found on the northern coasts of Europe since the start of 2016.