Little blue penguins at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast are exploring a new Halloween habitat with pumpkins, tombstones and other surprises. The aquarium says the enrichment encourages the penguins' natural curiosity. On Saturday, October 31, the aquarium will host a Halloween Beach Clean-Up at Mooloolaba Beach from 9am to noon. Children are encouraged to collect rubbish instead of lollies, and free face painting will be offered. Marine animals can mistake rubbish for food or become tangled in it.
A new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that a deepwater ecosystem across the northern Gulf of Mexico collapsed after the 2011 Deepwater Horizon spill, with recovery still uncertain. Populations of octopus, krill, squid and shrimp fell by 60 to 85 percent within three and a half years, and few signs of recovery have appeared since. Researchers said other causes such as temperature and oxygen were ruled out, pointing to the blowout as the most likely explanation. Scientists also noted toxic effects on marine life, and one study found sharp declines in deep-diving whales.
An endangered dusky shark named Bukangi has been trapped in a canal in the South Korean port city of Busan for almost a month. Authorities have made three attempts to guide her back to the ocean, including a large operation on Wednesday, but she swam back into the canal. The oceans ministry says she is in stable condition, though officials are concerned she has not been feeding regularly. A researcher suggests giving her about a week to leave on her own. Her popularity has drawn more than 1.6 million visitors to the city.
AU Now app
Your suburb’s news, alerts and Shorts — in one app
Alerts, Shorts and your saved stories — free on Google Play.
Thousands of sea hares have washed up at Aslings Beach in Eden on the NSW far south coast, prompting a warning to pet owners. Marine biologist Culum Brown said the arrival coincided with a natural algal bloom. The sea slugs can hold toxins from the algae they eat, which can pose a serious risk to dogs that lick, mouth or ingest them. Bega Valley Shire Council crews removed many of the animals, and high tides returned others to the water.
