Animals' survival threatened by climate change

Migratory animals such as turtles and whales are particularly vulnerable to changes in the environment caused by global warming, according to researchers.

Changes including sea level and temperature rises could hit migratory species hard because they depend on different habitats to breed, feed and rest, experts said.

According to the preliminary findings of a report by the Zoological Society of London, loggerhead turtles, which often migrate through UK waters, are among the creatures at risk.

They could be under threat from the loss of suitable beaches for nesting as a result of sea level rises, while warmer temperatures could cause whole populations to hatch out as females, as gender is influenced by temperatures, wiping out males.

Green turtles, hawksbill turtles and leatherback turtles are also identified in the report for the UN Environment Programme's convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals as being at high risk from climate change, as are blue whales, West African manatees and giant catfish.

ZSL project manager Aylin McNamara, who led the research, said: "Increasing temperatures, changes in precipitation, sea level rise, ocean acidification, changes in ocean currents and extreme weather events will all affect migratory species populations.