Monthly Marine News – August 2024
Welcome to our newest feature, Monthly Marine Happy Headlines! Each month, we spotlight several marvellous marine discoveries, spreading ocean joy around the globe. From conservation success stories to empowering community action, the discovery of new species, and ground-breaking research articles, join us for some ocean joy!
Headline 1 – Over 100 dolphins have been rescued from a mass stranding
A rescue attempt coordinated by The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and supported by Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the Center for Coastal Studies, AmeriCorps of Cape Cod and the New England Aquarium managed to save the lives of 115 dolphins in an operation called “the largest single mass stranding event” in IFAW’s 25-year history.
Headline 2 – First Eurasian beaver born in Northumberland, UK in 400 years
Featured recently by the BBC, the National Trust has revealed that a baby beaver has been born in Northumberland, UK, for the first time in over 400 years!
The kit’s arrival is less than 12 months after the conservation charity released four beavers into an enclosure on the Wallington Estate, near Rothbury. By creating dams the beavers are slowing water flows which experts say will help with the effects of increased rainfall as a result of climate change.
Headline 3 – Near-extinct crocodiles make a comeback in Cambodia
Cambodia has welcomed 60 baby Siamese crocodiles – a hatching record for the endangered species in this century. It has been called a “real sign of hope”, after more than 20 years of efforts to revive the reptile’s numbers in the remote Cardamom Mountains. In fact, it was feared that the species was extinct until it was rediscovered in 2000. Read more here.
Hor Leng/Fauna & Flora
Bros Pov/Fauna & Flora
Headline 4 – Hammerhead sharks return in vast numbers to Australia’s coast
For the second year in a row, over 100 hammerheads have gathered at one of Australia’s busiest beaches, Burleigh Beach in the Gold Coast.
Scalloped hammerheads prefer tropical and temperate oceans. But as the oceans heat up, they’re moving further south. These remarkable sharks are one of the few social sharks, gathering in large numbers as juveniles and adults. Schooling, known as ‘shivering’ in sharks is done for safety, and to help them hunt prey. However, by gathering in large groups, it also makes them susceptible to being hunted themselves, and their numbers have fallen by over 80% over the last five decades.
Headline 5 – New clam species discovered in South Africa
Researchers discovered a new species of marine bivalve in South Africa, providing new insights into the biodiversity of the region and emphasising conservation.
Galeommatoidean bivalves are a highly diverse, yet poorly known, group of marine molluscs. Now, a study led by Paul Valentich-Scott from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, along with collaborators from the University of Cape Town, Sea Change Trust, Stellenbosch University, and the University of Colorado Boulder, has uncovered new insights into the habitats, symbiotic relationships, and taxonomy of these fascinating animals. Read more here.
Enjoyed Happy Headlines – August 2024?
