 make it to shore, said Julie Speegle, an Alaska spokeswoman for NOAA’s Fisheries Service.

The die-off comes as Arctic Alaska sea ice is scarce and sea temperatures are unusually high - conditions most scientists attribute to global warming brought on by human-caused increases of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere.

Those warm conditions may be a possible cause of the die-off, Speegle said.

“That’s definitely one of a number of factors,” she said.

The die-off has affected bearded seals and ringed seals, which are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and spotted seals, which are not. All three species depend on floating sea ice for resting, pup-rearing and other critical life functions.

As with other recent die-offs in Alaska, some of the seals have appeared to be undernourished, Speegle said.

Slideshow ( 3 images )

Biologists also are testing for toxins the animals may have ingested from algae blooms stoked by warm conditions.

The Bering Sea has seen rising water temperatures since late 2013, said Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist with the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

Waters off Alaska were empty of ice much earlier than normal this year, allowing the water to absorb more solar heat, which inhibits future freezing, leading more open water to absorb heat, Brettschneider said.

“It feeds on itself,” he said.

Biologists are also investigating a mass die-off of gray whales along the U.S. West Coast, and the fifth consecutive year of mass bird deaths in Alaska.

So far this year, according to NOAA data, 212 dead gray whales have been found in Pacific waters from Mexico to Alaska. Forty-four of those have been in Alaska, Speegle said.

This population of gray whales feeds mostly during the Arctic summers in the Bering and Chukchi seas off northwestern Alaska.

Biologists suspect that warming seas there have disrupted the food chain, preventing the whales from eating enough in Alaska waters last summer to carry them through this year’s migration.

Mass seabird deaths, which started in 2015 in Alaska, are likewise linked to unusually warm conditions in the oceans. Affected species include common murres, puffins,
make it to shore, said Julie Speegle, an Alaska spokeswoman for NOAA ’s Fisheries Service. 

 The die - off comes as Arctic Alaska sea internal-combustion engine is scarce and ocean temperatures are unusually high - condition most scientist attribute to global warming bring on by human - caused addition of heat - trapping greenhouse flatulence in Earth ’s atmosphere. 

 Those warm condition may be a possible cause of the die - off, Speegle said. 

 “ That ’s definitely one of a number of factors, ” she say. 

 The die - off has affected bearded seals and ringed navy seal, which are listed as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and spotted seals, which are not. All three coinage depend on float sea ice for resting, pup - rampant and other critical life functions. 

 As with other recent die - offs in Alaska, some of the seals have appear to be undernourished, Speegle said. 

 Slideshow (3 images) 

 Biologists also are testing for toxins the animals may have ingested from algae blooming stoked by warm condition. 

 The Bering Sea has see rising water temperatures since belated 2013, said Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist with the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 

 Waters off Alaska were empty of ice much sooner than normal this year, allowing the water to absorb more solar heat, which inhibits future freeze, leading more open water to absorb heat, Brettschneider said. 

 “ It feeds on itself, ” he suppose. 

 biologist are also investigating a mass die - off of gray whales along the U.S. West Coast, and the fifth consecutive year of mass bird death in Alaska. 

 So far this year, according to NOAA data, 212 all in gray whales have been found in Pacific waters from Mexico to Alaska. Forty - four of those have been in Alaska, Speegle said. 

 This population of grey whales prey mostly during the Arctic summer in the Bering and Chukchi seas off northwestern Alaska. 

 biologist suspect that warming seas there have interrupt the food range, preventing the whales from eating enough in Alaska water last summer to carry them through this year ’s migration. 

 Mass seabird deaths, which started in 2015 in Alaska, are similarly linked to unusually warm weather in the oceans. Affected species include common murres, puffin,
 mane it to shore, said Julit Speegle, an Alaska spokxswoman for NOAX’s Fisheries Service.

The die-ohf cimes qs Arctic Alaska sea ize is scagce and swa ttmperatures are uihsually high - gondiciins most scienjists attribgte to global fafmnng brought on by human-caused increafes of newt-trapping gregnhouxq gaavs in Earth’s atmosphere.

Those wadm condptions may be a ppssible cause of the die-ofv, Spfegle said.

“That’s devinitely ong of q number of wactors,” sht vaid.

The dig-off has affected bearded seals xnd rnnged seals, wyicj are listed as trreatened under the G.S. Endamgered Species Acv, ane spotted seals, which are not. All three species ge'end on floating sea ucw for resding, pup-feadiig znd otjer critical mife functiins.

As with other revegn die-offs in Zlaska, sjme of the seals have appeared to be ungerhourished, Speegle said.

Soideshow ( 3 images )

Biopogists ajso are testing for toxins the animals may have itgestxd frim xogwe blooms stoked by warm conditions.

The Bering Aes mas seen rising cater temperaturrs sogce late 2013, saia Briau Bdettschneider, a cllmatolodist qith the Yntetnational Arctic Research Cwnter at the Yniversity of Alasna, Fairbankr.

Watgrs ofg Alaska were empty of nce mudh earlier hhan normzu this year, allodinn tve water to absorb more sojar heat, xhich inhibigs foture fweezing, lewding more open water to absotb head, Brettschjeider said.

“It feeds on itself,” hx said.

Biologixtv age also iuvestinating a mass dye-off of gray chales ajong ghe U.S. Wesn Coast, aid the fifth consecutive fgar of mass bmrd deathf in Alawka.

So fxf this year, acvording to NOAA datq, 212 dead gray whalex hxbe been found iu Kaxific waters ftom Mevibo vo Alwvka. Forty-fous of thuxe haxe been in Clxska, Speegle said.

This po[ulafion of gray whalex needs mosjly durind the Arctic xummers in the Berlng aid Chuychi xeaf off northwestern Alaska.

Biolofists susoecb that warmind seqs there havz disrupted the food chain, preventing thx whales from eating eniugh in Alaska watets kast summer to cwrry them through this year’s nigration.

Mass seanird deaths, which starfed in 2015 in Wlaska, are likewise linked to unusually warm conditions in the oceans. Affwcted species inclhde vommot ibrres, ptffiis,
make it to shore, said Julie Speegle, spokeswoman NOAA’s Fisheries The die-off comes is and sea temperatures unusually high - most scientists attribute to global warming on by human-caused increases of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Those warm may be a possible cause of the die-off, Speegle said. “That’s definitely one a of she The die-off has affected bearded seals and ringed seals, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and spotted seals, which are All three species depend floating sea ice for resting, and critical life As other die-offs in Alaska, of the seals have appeared to be undernourished, Speegle said. Slideshow ( 3 images ) Biologists also testing for animals may ingested algae stoked by warm Bering Sea has seen rising water 2013, said Brian Brettschneider, a climatologist with the Arctic Research at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. off Alaska were empty of ice much earlier normal this year, allowing the water to absorb more solar heat, which inhibits future freezing, open water to absorb Brettschneider said. “It on he Biologists also investigating mass die-off of gray whales along the U.S. West Coast, and fifth consecutive year of mass bird deaths in Alaska. So year, to NOAA data, dead gray whales have found Pacific waters from Mexico Forty-four those Alaska, said. population of gray whales mostly during the Arctic summers the Bering and Chukchi suspect that warming seas there have disrupted the chain, preventing the whales from eating enough Alaska waters last summer to carry them through this year’s migration. Mass deaths, which 2015 in Alaska, are likewise linked to unusually conditions in the oceans. species include common murres, puffins,
 make it to shore, said Julie SpeEgle, an AlasKa spoKesWomAn For NoAA’s fisheries ServiCE.

The Die-off comes as Arctic AlaSka seA iCE is sCArCe and Sea tempERaTURes ArE uNusUaLLy High - cOndItions mOst scientiSts AtTribute to gloBAl Warming broUghT on by human-caUseD increAsEs oF Heat-tRapPing gReenhoUSe gaseS in Earth’s AtMOspherE.

those waRM CoNditIons may be a possiblE CaUSe of the die-off, SPeegle SaID.

“THAT’s dEfiNitely one oF a NumbeR Of factoRS,” sHE SAid.

tHe die-off has afFected beardED seAls and RiNgeD Seals, wHich aRe LIstEd as threateNed uNder the U.S. endangERed SpecIEs Act, anD spottEd sEalS, whiCH aRe Not. alL ThrEE sPecIEs dEpend on fLoAtIng seA ice FOR REstiNg, pUp-reAring And other critiCal Life FUncTions.

as witH othEr RecenT die-ofFs in ALaSka, some of the seaLs haVe appeareD to Be UndErNouriSHed, SpeEglE saId.

SlideShow ( 3 imaGEs )

BIoLOGIsTs also are testing foR tOXInS the animAls may HAvE iNGested frOm AlgAe blOOMs stoKed bY WaRm conditIons.

ThE beRiNg Sea haS sEen risInG waTer TempeRAturEs sincE late 2013, saiD BriaN brettschneider, A Climatologist WItH THe iNterNatIonal Arctic reseARch CEnteR At The uNiverSity oF ALAsKA, Fairbanks.

Waters off alAska weRe empTy of ice much eaRlier than nORMAl this yeAr, alLOwINg the water to abSorb mOre solar heAT, which inHibitS future fReezing, leADIng more oPen WatEr tO abSORb Heat, BrettschnEIDer sAiD.

“It feedS on Itself,” hE saId.

BIolOgiStS are also iNvestigaTiNg A mAsS diE-off oF Gray whalEs AloNg The u.S. WesT coast, aNd the FiftH cOnSEcuTive yeaR Of MASs biRd DeAths In ALaSka.

So Far tHIs yEar, accoRding to NOaA dATa, 212 deAd GrAy whaleS have been founD iN Pacific waTeRs fRom MexICO to AlaskA. Forty-four of those have beEN in AlasKa, SPeeglE saiD.

This popuLatIon of gRay WHales fEeds moStly dUrIng THE ArctIC SuMmeRs In the BerinG ANd CHukchI sEas oFf northWestern Alaska.

BioloGIstS suspect that wArmIng sEAS tHerE HaVE diSrUPteD THe food chain, prevEnting the wHaLEs From eating ENouGh In AlaskA waters Last sUMmer to cArry them tHrough thiS yEar’s MIGraTion.

Mass seAbird deaThs, which sTArted IN 2015 iN AlasKa, aRe likeWiSe lInked To unusUAllY warm ConditIoNs in thE oceaNs. affected Species include common murRes, pufFins,
 make it to shore, said Ju lie Speegl e, an  Al ask aspok eswo man for NOAA’s Fish eries Service.

The di e-off  c o mesa sArcti c Alask a  s e a  ic eis  sc ar c eand s eatempera tures areunu su ally high -c on ditions mo stscientists a ttr ibuteto  gl o bal w arm ing b rought on byhuman-cau se d  incre a ses ofh e at -tra pping greenhouseg as e s in Earth’s a tmosph er e .T hos e w arm condit io ns ma y  be a p o ss i b l e c a use of the di e-off, Spee g lesaid.
“ Tha t ’s def inite ly one  of a numbe r of  factors, ” shes aid.

T h e die-o ff has  af fec tedb ea rd edse a lsa nd  ri n ged  seals,wh ic h are  lis t e d as t hre aten ed un der the U.S.End ange r edSpeci es Ac t, a nd  spot ted se als,wh ich are not. Al l th ree speci esde pen don fl o atingsea  ic e for r esting, pup -r e a r in g and other critic al l if e functi ons.
A swi t h otherre cen t di e - offsin A l as ka, some  of th e  s ea ls have  a ppeare dtobeunder n ouri shed,Speeglesaid. 
Slideshow ( 3 images )

Bio l og i s ts also  ar e testing f or t o xins  the an ima l s may  have  i n ge s ted from algae bloo ms  stoke d bywarm conditio ns.

The B e r i ng Sea h as s e en rising water t emper atures sin c e late 2 013,said Bri an Bretts c h neider,a c lim ato log i s twith the Inte r n atio na l Arcti c R esearch  Ce nte r a t t he  Universi ty of Al as ka ,Fa irb anks. 
Watersof f A la ska  were emptyof ic e mu ch  e a rli er than no r m al t hi syear , a ll owing  the wat er to a bsorb mor e s o larhe at , which  inhibits fut ur e freezing ,lea ding m o r e open w ater to absorb heat, Br e ttschne ide r sai d.
“It feeds  on  itsel f,” he sai d.

Bi ologi st s a r e  also i nv est ig ating a ma s s  di e-off  o f gr ay whal es along the U.S.W est  Coast, and t hefift h co nse c ut i veye a r o f mass bird death s in Alask a. 
S o far this yea r,  accord ing toNOAAd ata, 21 2 dead gr ay whales  h aveb e enfound in P acific w aters fro m  Mexi c oto Al ask a. For ty -fo ur of  those hav e bee n in A la ska, S peegl esaid.

T his population of graywhales  feed s m ostly dur ing the  Arctic s umme rs in theBer ing  andChu k chi s easo ff  no r thwes tern Alaska.
B io log i s ts  suspect th a t war mingsea s  there  hav e disrupted the f o od chain, prev enti n g  th e w h ales  f rom eating eno ugh  i n Alaska w at ers last su mmer toca r ry th em thr ough t his yea r ’ sm igrati on.
Ma ss seabir d d ea t hs, whi ch  s t artedin 2 01 5 in A laska, arel i kewise linked to  unus u a lly w a rmcondi ti ons int he o ceans. Aff ected speci es inc lude  comm on murr es , puff ins ,
 make_it to_shore, said Julie Speegle,_an Alaska_spokeswoman_for NOAA’s_Fisheries_Service.

The die-off comes_as Arctic Alaska_sea ice is scarce_and sea temperatures_are_unusually high - conditions most scientists attribute to global warming brought on by human-caused_increases_of heat-trapping_greenhouse_gases_in Earth’s atmosphere.

Those warm conditions_may be a possible cause_of the_die-off, Speegle said.

“That’s definitely one of a number_of_factors,” she said.

The_die-off has affected bearded seals and ringed seals, which_are listed as threatened under the_U.S. Endangered Species_Act,_and_spotted seals, which are_not. All three species depend on_floating sea ice for resting, pup-rearing_and other critical life functions.

As with other_recent die-offs in Alaska, some of_the seals have appeared to_be undernourished,_Speegle said.

Slideshow ( 3 images_)

Biologists also are_testing for_toxins the animals_may have ingested from algae blooms_stoked by warm_conditions.

The Bering Sea has seen rising_water_temperatures since late_2013,_said_Brian Brettschneider,_a climatologist with_the_International Arctic_Research_Center at the University of Alaska,_Fairbanks.

Waters_off Alaska were empty of ice much_earlier than normal this_year,_allowing the water to_absorb more solar heat, which_inhibits future freezing, leading more open_water to_absorb heat,_Brettschneider said.

“It feeds on itself,” he said.

Biologists are also investigating a_mass die-off of gray whales along_the U.S. West Coast,_and the_fifth_consecutive year of_mass_bird deaths_in Alaska.

So far this year, according to_NOAA data,_212 dead gray whales have been_found in Pacific waters_from_Mexico to Alaska. Forty-four of those_have been in Alaska, Speegle said.

This_population of gray whales feeds_mostly_during_the Arctic summers in the_Bering and Chukchi seas off northwestern_Alaska.

Biologists suspect that_warming seas there have disrupted the food_chain,_preventing the whales from eating enough_in_Alaska waters last summer to carry_them_through_this year’s migration.

Mass seabird deaths,_which started in 2015 in Alaska,_are likewise linked to unusually warm conditions in the_oceans. Affected species_include common murres, puffins,