Wildlife officials are expressing great concern in Louisiana and Mississippi about swamp lands and outlying areas pounded by storm surges and flooding they say are confusing local wildlife and sending alligators, snakes, and other dangerous animals into public streets. There are reports of sightings of hundreds of alligators swimming in flooded streets in Louisiana as well as snakes in northern parts of New Orleans.

An unusually high concentration of jellyfish has caused a large amount of discomfort along Spain's Mediterranean coast this summer, according to officials. The Red Cross says lifeguards have treated almost 11,000 people for stings on beaches so far this season in the northeastern region of Catalonia alone; twice the number from the same period last year, when the jellyfish count had already begun to rise.

A new study of 60 beaches in Southern California shows water pollution varies with the lunar cycle, reaching the highest levels when tides are ebbing during the New and Full Moon. These findings could change the way beach managers evaluate swimming safety.

Officials say, Wim Duisenberg, the former European Central Bank chief who helped create the euro currency, was found dead Sunday, in his swimming pool in southeastern France. He was 70. An autopsy shows Duisenberg drowned after an unspecified cardiac problem. He was found unconscious in the swimming pool at his home in the town of Faucon. Police say attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

While representing America at the World Swimming Championships Friday, diver Chelsea Davis smacked her head on the diving board. During the 3-meter springboard preliminaries Davis was attempting an inward 2