A 800-year Lost Treasure: Ancient Living Coral Giant Discovered In The Red Sea Breaks Records
RIYADH, April 28 (Bernama-SPA) -- Red Sea Global (RSG) announced on Sunday (April 27) the significant discovery of a giant coral colony in the Red Sea (of the Pavona species) within the waters of AMAALA on the northwestern coast of Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that rivalling the size of the current world record holder, a 32-by-34-meter colony found in the Pacific, this remarkable new find is the largest coral colony of this type documented in the Red Sea to date.
According to a press release issued by the RSG, this natural wonder could become a key highlight for tourists at AMAALA on diving excursions, offering a unique and unforgettable experience.
bootstrap slideshow
Access would be permitted in line with RSG's responsible tourism ethos, minimising any potential impact while allowing visitors to witness the breathtaking beauty of the Red Sea's underwater world.
RSG's Head of Environmental Protection and Regeneration Ahmed Alansari said: 'The discovery of a coral of such extraordinary dimensions demonstrates the ecological significance as well as the pristine beauty of the Red Sea.
At RSG, we believe it is critically important to protect our coral reefs. In particular, these giants represent a time capsule of information, providing the ideal tools for tracing past oceanographic transformations that can help us model responses to future environmental changes.
Understanding how this coral has survived for so long will be crucial for protecting other reefs in the Red Sea and potentially all over the world, for generations to come.'
The release added that determining the age of these giant corals with minimal impact is challenging due to the invasive nature of accurate dating techniques and the absence of published growth rates for this particular species of coral in the Red Sea.
However, estimations have been made based on the coral's size, growth rates of this species found in the Pacific, and results from photogrammetry efforts. Using these tools, the coral cluster is estimated to be between 400 and 800 years old.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
7 hours ago
- Daily Express
Tail hair test boosts beef production
Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: UQ Centre for Animal Science director, Professor Ben Hayes sampling tail-hair. (QAAFI) SYDNEY: A simple tail hair test could transform the way beef producers identify their most efficient cattle, paving the way for smarter, more sustainable herd management, new research from Australia's University of Queensland said on Wednesday, according to Xinhua. Scientists found that analysing nitrogen levels in tail hair can quickly pinpoint cattle with superior nitrogen efficiency, key to better weight gain, and improved response to urea supplements, according to a release from the university. Advertisement The findings promise a cost-effective tool for global beef producers aiming to improve productivity while reducing resource use, the release said, adding that this simple, non-invasive method could help producers select top-performing animals, boosting profits and sustainability. 'We want to be able to identify the animals that will gain weight better and faster with fewer supplements,' said the study's lead author Brandon Fraser from the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), a research institute at the University of Queensland. 'Producing beef with fewer resources means it's cheaper for the farmer and ultimately the consumer,' Fraser said, adding identifying cattle that gain weight efficiently allows producers to breed better herds, which is crucial in northern Australia's challenging dry seasons. The study, published in Animal Production Science, involved testing Brahman steers (male cattle of the Brahman breed that have been castrated, typically raised for beef production) on different diets. Results showed that cattle with better nitrogen conservation exhibited improved growth, regardless of supplementation. Recognising that nitrogen preservation drives efficiency in northern cattle could revolutionise targeted nutrition in these beef systems, said the study's co-author, Associate Professor Luis Prada e Silva at QAAFI. The next step is for industry groups to commercialise tail hair analysis or develop DNA markers for efficiency traits, allowing producers to make genetic decisions faster and more accurately, said Prada e Silva, adding that integrating traits like fertility, resilience, and heat tolerance into genetic selection could further enhance herd performance. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Recognised for work on elephants
Nurzhafarina showing the skeleton of an elephant that died in Kinabatangan, now on display at UMS Tropical Biology and Conservation Institute gallery in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. — Bernama FOR over two decades, Dr Nurzhafarina Othman's life has been inextricably linked with the Bornean elephant, particularly in Sabah's Lower Kinabatangan. What began in 2003 as a conservation biology degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) evolved into a profound mission to understand and conserve South-East Asia's largest land mammal. Now a senior lecturer at UMS Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Nurzhafarina dedicates her life to studying every aspect of these gentle giants, whose future faces increasing threats. Her unwavering commitment to elephant conservation, especially through her leadership as founder and director of non-profit Seratu Aatai, recently garnered global recognition. In April, Nurzhafarina was honoured with the prestigious Whitley Award, widely known as the 'Green Oscar', as testament to her impactful work. Speaking to Bernama, she shared the unique and powerful bond that formed between her and the elephants during her fieldwork. These encounters revealed their sensitive, affectionate and intelligent nature, challenging common misconceptions. 'There's a feeling that we chose each other. It's as if I was meant to be part of their story,' she mused, recalling how her initial academic pursuit transformed into a deeper calling. Nurzhafarina recounts never experiencing aggression from the pachyderms. Instead, her presence was met with calm, as if they recognised her role as a protector, not an intruder. 'The elephants gave me their time,' she said, detailing how she came to know 50 individual females by sight, even naming them, over four years. The Sabah-based lecturer from Kedah emphasised that elephants don't 'attack' or 'invade'; rather, humans have encroached into their territories. This fundamental truth fuels her lifelong mission: to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants. Founded in 2018, Seratu Aatai, which means 'united in heart' in the Sungai language, actively works with local communities through education and outreach. It aims to promote empathy and awareness for elephants and all wildlife. Seratu Aatai remains the only conservation group in Sabah solely dedicated to protecting the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) in Lower Kinabatangan, a rich biodiverse region also home to the orang utan, sun bear and proboscis monkey. Witnessing the elephants' struggle to navigate their fragmented natural habitats surrounded by human activity was a pivotal moment for her. It ignited her resolve to be a voice for these creatures, bridging the gap between human development and animal preservation. Receiving the Whitley Award 2025 was an emotional experience. Presented by the UK-based Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the award is highly competitive and globally recognised. On April 30, she accepted the £50,000 (RM287,000) award from WFN patron Princess Anne at the Royal Geographical Society in London, England. This award validates her efforts to protect the estimated 300 remaining Bornean elephants in eastern Sabah. It also acknowledges her innovative approach of engaging the palm oil industry in Lower Kinabatangan to adopt elephant- friendly practices and establish safe corridors for the world's smallest elephant species. 'This award comes with great responsibility,' said Nurzhafarina expressing gratitude for the platform it provided to highlight the elephants' plight and affirm the work of those in the field. For her, conservation is a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the opportunity to protect these endangered species. While acknowledging the challenges of uniting all parties, she hopes local communities will join her in this mission, believing Kinabatangan can symbolise human-wildlife harmony. 'Sabah and Borneo are renowned for their natural wealth. So we must find a balance between development and environmental conservation,' she added.
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Sinar Daily
Rare firefly species discovered in Bukit Kiara forest enclave
KUALA LUMPUR - Discovering something rare is exciting but it becomes truly memorable when it happens unexpectedly. That was exactly the case for Tan Wei Jack, 24, a research assistant and master's student in environmental science at Monash University Malaysia. He never imagined that a routine firefly survey at Taman Persekutuan Bukit Kiara here on Oct 23 last year, would lead to the unintentional "rediscovery' of a rare species last seen in Malaysia a century ago. Of the nine Pteroptyx species found in mangrove forests, four have been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. - Bernama photo His discovery - Pteroptyx gombakia (P. gombakia) or the Gombak bent-winged firefly - turned out to be the third known specimen of this particular species, and marked the ninth known firefly species identified in the Bukit Kiara urban forest, Malaysia's first federal park which is managed by the National Landscape Department. P. gombakia was officially named in 2015 by entomologist Lesly Ballantyne at the Natural History Museum in London, based on the first specimen of the species collected in 1921 from the area now known as Genting Sempah in Gombak, Selangor. Tan said the firefly specimen he collected last October was initially assumed to be of a species from the genus Colophotia, which is commonly found in Bukit Kiara. But later when he examined it closely on Jan 9, it looked different. "So I took some photos through the microscope and sent them to my academic supervisor Dr Wan Faridah (Akmal Jusoh). After discussions, we found out it was actually a bent-winged P. gombakia (from a different genus),' he told Bernama recently. Tan said he, together with Dr Wan Faridah - a firefly taxonomist and senior lecturer in Biodiversity and Conservation at Monash University Malaysia - returned to Bukit Kiara to do more research. "Whenever we saw their flashing lights (usually at twilight), we would catch the fireflies, observe their features, record their species and then release them,' he said. MANGROVE SPECIES According to Wan Faridah, who is also the co-chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission Firefly Specialist Group, P. gombakia belongs to the genus Pteroptyx, which is usually found in mangrove habitats and known for its synchronous flashing displays in large congregations. She added there is a group of Pteroptyx called 'bent-winged' fireflies, named after their folded wings, which are also mostly found in mangroves. She said she was surprised when Tan showed her the specimen collected from the Bukit Kiara urban forest as it was "the first bent-winged Pteroptyx ever found outside of mangroves'. "This suggests that the species can actually survive outside that ecosystem,' she told Bernama. Wan Faridah also said she did not realise Tan's specimen was the bent-winged Pteroptyx until she examined its microscopic images. "The difference (between P. gombakia and the more common Colophotia) was spotted in the (P. gombakia) firefly's light-producing organ called the 'lantern', which is located in the insect's abdomen,' she said. She explained both P. gombakia and Colophotia have bipartite light organs, meaning the structure is divided into two distinct sections. However, P. gombakia lacks a median carina, a ridge that separates the organ into two halves. "Indeed, it's truly magical we have this rare group of fireflies living in the heart of our city,' she said. She also said out of the 14 known bent-winged Pteroptyx species, nine are found in mangrove ecosystems. The habitats of the remaining species, including P. gombakia, remain unclear due to a lack of ecological data. TYPES OF FIREFLIES Fireflies belong to Lampyridae, a family of insects within the Coleoptera order, which includes bioluminescent beetles. Wan Faridah said globally, more than 2,600 firefly species have been identified. In Malaysia, over 60 species have been documented so far, with at least 10 of them found in mangrove swamps. She said one of the main characteristics distinguishing territorial fireflies from mangrove forest fireflies is their behaviour: the former typically fly alone while the latter - also known as congregating fireflies - gather and display their light in groups. Of the nine Pteroptyx species found in mangrove forests, four have been listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. "Usually, two to three species can be found congregating in a single mangrove tree, and these insects require suitable water levels and temperatures to ensure the survival of their species,' she said. Wan Faridah noted that most fireflies found flying in both mangrove and terrestrial habitats are males while some females are flightless, remaining on the ground while the males fly and use light signals to locate and attract them. While congregating fireflies in mangrove swamps are well-known as ecotourism attractions in Malaysia, Wan Faridah said solitary fireflies also exist in other forest types. The Bukit Kiara urban forest, for instance, is now home to nine firefly species, including Lamprigera - the world's largest female firefly species - and the latest discovery P. gombakia. EXTINCTION Wan Faridah said unlike most Pteroptyx species, the bent-winged firefly species recently discovered in Bukit Kiara does not appear to congregate in large numbers. "We don't have enough data about this species and we still have many unanswered questions. "What worries us is that we may have discovered a species (P. gombakia) which is on the brink of extinction. So currently, we are racing against time to find the answers,' she said. According to Wan Faridah, threats to P. gombakia include habitat loss due to urban development and artificial lighting at night, which causes light pollution and disrupts the flashing signals fireflies use to communicate with each other. "Every rediscovered firefly species is evidence that extinction is possible but it can still be prevented if we act. "If more people become aware of these endangered fireflies, perhaps more efforts will be made to protect their habitats,' she said. Wan Faridah also said despite the potential of fireflies as ecotourism assets, one of the main challenges for researchers in Malaysia is the lack of a proper species inventory and natural history collection, which would serve as a valuable archive of insect diversity. She said research on fireflies in Malaysia is limited, making conservation efforts more difficult. "I had no intention of becoming an entomologist until I discovered kelip-kelip (fireflies) in 2006 during a final year project field trip to Kampung Sepetang, Perak, when I was an environmental science undergraduate at Universiti Putra Malaysia. "I became curious and told my supervisor I wanted to study fireflies... but due to the lack of local studies (on fireflies), I had to start from scratch - building my own database by collecting species across Malaysia,' she said, adding her research focuses not only on biodiversity but also on the natural heritage of fireflies. She also pointed out that due to colonial-era practices, many specimens originally from Malaysia are now stored in foreign institutions. "Due to the lack of facilities in Malaysia, as part of my research projects, I need to travel to countries like the Netherlands, France and England to visit their natural history museums to compare reference specimens of fireflies that were collected during the colonial era,' she said. She added that the process of recognising and verifying new firefly discoveries takes at least two years, and requires both funding and facilities. "In Malaysia, very few firefly studies have been carried out. Even when discoveries are made, it is difficult for us to confirm whether they are new or just duplicates of existing species,' she said. Wan Faridah also hopes to build an extensive species database and discover new species of fireflies. "I want to reconstruct the data so we can have a comprehensive list of what species we actually have here in Malaysia. "My goal is to develop a national species inventory so that future generations who want to study fireflies can refer to it, so we can continue the legacy of protecting Malaysia's firefly biodiversity,' she said. - BERNAMA
