In the ocean, everything relies on tiny plankton.These provide nutrients for animals at the bottom of the food web which are eaten by larger species, and so on. At the top of the food chain, large predators (often with huge teeth) have perfected their hunting strategies for millennia, giving them the best possible chance to […]
Tag: penguins
Pressure grows for release of penguins ‘trapped’ at London aquarium
Dozens of British lawmakers have called for the release of 15 penguins “trapped” at a London aquarium without access to daylight or fresh air, saying their living conditions are “utterly unacceptable.” The 15 Gentoo penguins are housed in an enclosure at the Sea Life London Aquarium, located next to the River Thames, a short distance […]
36 extraordinary, astonishing bird facts, including a bird that has killed humans, a bird that likes to get drunk and one that can fly backwards
Did you know flamingoes are pink on the inside as well as the outside? Or how about the wild bird that’s over 70 years old? And have you ever wondered why woodpeckers don’t get concussion from their never-ending pecking? We’ve rounded up some of the most extraordinary facts about birds and their fascinating world….. 32 […]
Antarctic conservation summit closes with stalemate on MPAs & krill fishing rules
The annual meeting of the international body responsible for conservation of the marine ecosystems in the Southern Ocean concluded on Friday with no progress on two contentious issues before it: the creation of new marine protected areas and the strengthening of regulations governing krill (Euphausia superba) fishing. The 44th meeting of the Commission for the […]
Antarctic krill: how did a paperclip-sized crustacean cause a diplomatic row – and why are they so important?
Antarctic krill are small, shrimp-like marine crustaceans (Euphausia superba). They feed on plankton and are the main food source for larger marine animals. The word “krill” comes from the Norwegian word “kril” meaning the small fry of fish. Why are they so important in Antarctica? In the Antarctic, they are the key species upon which […]
Penguin Droppings May Be Seeding Clouds, Study Finds
Penguin droppings may play a role in the formation of clouds over Antarctica, new research finds. Penguins produce an enormous volume of excrement, or guano, so much that last year four colonies of emperor penguins were discovered after researchers spotted their droppings in satellite images. Such massive quantities of guano are a major source of […]
‘It’s like putting a whale in a blender’: the rise of deadly ship collisions in Chile
The memory of a blue whale gliding past his small boat haunts Patricio Ortiz. A deep wound disfigured the cetacean’s giant body – a big chunk had been ripped from its dorsal fin. Cargo ships are the only adversary capable of inflicting such harm on a blue whale, he says. “Nothing can be done when […]
US marine park investigated over animal-welfare concerns
US law enforcement and wildlife officials have raided a marine park in Florida following allegations of “animal abuse” at the site. Four dolphins have died at the Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City Beach in the past year, local media say. Animal rights activists have recently posted drone footage appearing to show dolphins swimming […]