More than 400 penguins have been found dead on the beaches of Rio de Janeiro state in the past two months, according to Eduardo Pimenta, superintendent for the state coastal protection and environment agency. Rescuers and those who treat penguins are divided over the possible causes.
Thiago Muniz, a veterinarian at the Niteroi Zoo, said he thinks overfishing has forced the penguins to swim farther from shore to find fish to eat, "and that leaves them more vulnerable to getting caught up in the strong ocean currents."
But others disagree (warning: Al Gore alert): Biologist Erli Costa of Rio de Janeiro's Federal University said weather patterns could be involved. "I don't think the levels of pollution are high enough to affect the birds so quickly. I think instead we're seeing more young and sick penguins because of global warming."
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