Week in wildlife: blue waterfowl, a rescued baby orangutan and a real-life Pikachu
Ahead by a nose … a rabbit chases a hare in a surprising turn of events in Anglesey, UK Photograph: Stuart Benson/SWNS
Rangers at Lewa wildlife conservancy in Kenya prepare to notch the ear of Quintus, a tranquillised three-year-old-male white rhino. They are carrying out the operation on 40 sub-adult rhinos, hoping it will help them identify individuals and monitor the species Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
A mother and baby humpback whale in Kiama, New South Wales, Australia. Humpback whales give birth while migrating – and carry on travelling with their babies, new research reveals. Researchers were puzzled as baby whales were spotted in unexpected places along Australia's 'humpback highway' between Queensland and Antarctica. Newborns have been seen in colder waters as far south as Tasmania, suggesting humpbacks' habits of breeding and migration are more complex than we thought Photograph: Vanessa Risku/SWNS
Feelin' blue … two colourful waterfowl emerge from a contaminated lake in the botanical garden in Jundiaí, Brazil. The lake water was tinted blue after a truck carrying five tanks, each containing 1,000 litres of dye, crashed and spilled all its cargo Photograph: Sebastião Moreira/EPA
This hazel dormouse is being given a once-over by a disease risk team at ZSL London Zoo, UK, as part of reintroduction programme. The dormice will be released to a new woodland home in June, and so the specialist wildlife health team must ensure they are fit and healthy beforehand … Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
… but undergoing all those medical checks really takes it out of you Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
A mother mute swan attends to her cygnets at Abbotsbury Swannery, Dorset, UK. The arrival of mute swan cygnets is traditionally seen as the start of summer, and it's said the Benedictine monks who owned the swannery between about 1000 and the 1540s believed the first cygnet signalled the season's first day Photograph:A lion sits in a cage waiting to be transported to Mazatlan on Mexico's west coast. Hundreds of animals including elephants, crocodiles, lions and tigers have been moved out of a violence-torn Mexican cartel heartland further north in an operation described as a '21st-century Noah's Ark'. Regular roadblocks and armed clashes in the region made it difficult for the sanctuary's workers to keep the captive wildlife fed. In total, about 700 animals were moved to a ranch on the coast Photograph: Félix Márquez/AP
A vet checks over a rescued baby orangutan seized from the illegal wildlife trade at the Royal Forest Department's wildlife clinic in Bangkok, Thailand. Two baby orangutans were rescued after Thai police arrested a suspect who was about to hand them over to a would-be buyer Photograph: Rungroj Yongrit/EPA
Video footage shows a baby howler monkey clinging onto a young adult male capuchin monkey on Jicarón Island, Panama. Scientists have spotted surprising evidence of what they describe as monkey kidnappings while reviewing video footage from the small island. Capuchin monkeys were seen carrying at least 11 howler babies between 2022 and 2023 – but no one is sure why they do it Photograph: Brendan Barrett/AP
A souslik, or ground squirrel, feeds in a meadow near Karaman, Turkey. With its yellowish fur, spots and alert posture, it can look oddly like a real-life Pikachu Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
A group of Orinoco crocodile hatchlings are released into the wild at the Capanaparo River, in a remote corner of Venezuela. For decades, the Crocodile Specialist Group have been raising younglings of the critically endangered species in captivity in a race against time to avoid its extinction, as fewer than 100 Orinoco crocodiles remain in the wild. Decades of poaching for leather has pushed the species to the brink, and now struggling Venezuelans who hunt the animals for meat and take their eggs for food threaten to deal the final blow Photograph: Gaby Oráa/Reuters
Honeybees return to their hive in Wehrheim near Frankfurt, Germany. Plants can 'hear' bees buzzing and serve up more nectar when they are nearby, scientists have found. Amazingly, they can tell the difference between a bee's buzz and that of a non-pollinating insect such as a wasp Photograph: Michael Probst/AP
A colony of sand martins come and go from their nests at Yumurtalık lagoon in Adana, Turkey Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
Two damselflies form a heart shape (almost) as they mate in warm weather in County Armagh, UK Photograph: David Hunter/Alamy Live News
A lion rests on a dead tree on the savannah at the Lewa wildlife conservancy, Kenya Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
A fox cub plays in a garden in Clapham, London, UK, closely watched by a parent. As they play, the cubs are also learning how to chase and pounce Photograph: Anna Watson/Alamy Live News
Seagulls squabble along the banks of the Tejo River in Portugal Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images
A swallowtail butterfly sits on a blooming flower in a butterfly garden at Benchakitti park in Bangkok, Thailand Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP/Getty Images
An alligator lurks in a manmade canal at the Everglades national park, Florida, US Photograph: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images
A peacock displays its feathers at a park in Singapore Photograph: Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images
A stork mother guards her chicks from passing traffic on the outskirts of Frankfurt, Germany
Photograph: Michael Probst/AP
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The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
‘Don't tell them ... they'll all come': why are so many sea-changers moving to Geelong?
For the first time, Victoria's Greater Geelong has become Australia's most popular regional town, ending a two-year winning streak from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The latest Regional Movers Index report shows in the 12 months to the March quarter, the Greater Geelong local government area had a 9.3% share of total net internal migration, compared with the Sunshine Coast's 8.9%. Just an hour from Melbourne, the coastal town was formerly famous mostly for being the home of the Cats (the city's beloved AFL team) and the last resting place of Australia's car manufacturing industry. Now, the city is changing and growing as a wave of people are taking a fresh look. So what are they finding that is so attractive? First, everyone mentions housing: it's just so much cheaper. Then, lifestyle – a 10-minute drive to work in the morning, a walk to the park – before it's back to affordability again. It really is just so much cheaper. Tanisha Tod jokes the locals will hate her talking about it. 'Don't tell them [up in Melbourne],' she says. 'Then they'll all come.' She is standing on the jetty, Corio Bay shimmering behind her. It's postcard-pretty, this spot where she has lunch. Tod moved her young family in January 2024 from Melbourne. 'Public schools in the west of Melbourne didn't seem too promising,' she says. 'The overcrowding of schools in the west, it's like 3,000, 4,000 kids. 'We looked around. We looked at the east, rent was like $900 a week, $1,000 a week. And then I was like, you know what? Let's just go to Geelong. 'We found an amazing four-bedroom place for $600 a week, and an amazing school zone, which my daughter is in now.' Her husband was reluctant to come, but now he finishes every week in Torquay, just south of Geelong, where they go to the beach after work. Back in Melbourne, Tod was looking at taking an extra job, but now the family eat out. They go on holiday and put the kids in extracurricular activities without worrying about money. Sign up for a weekly email featuring our best reads Malaysian-born, Tod says since moving to Geelong they have been welcomed with open arms – it's the first time she has felt 'part of the Australian community'. Geelong has a growing arts scene and great restaurant culture, and, Tod pauses, even Dave Grohl, the lead singer of the Foo Fighters, picked the bay-side city over Melbourne. 'When Covid lifted, the Foo Fighters came to Geelong to perform,' she says. 'They didn't go to Melbourne. They chose Geelong.' Geelong's influx comes amid an uptick of movement out of metropolitan areas to the regions, with capital city to regional relocations increasing by almost 11% on the last quarter, says Liz Ritchie, the CEO of the Regional Australia Institute. 'We can now see that 25% more people are moving from capital cities than the opposite direction, and actually net migration to regional Australia overall is 40% above pre-Covid average,' Ritchie says. Greater Geelong's ascent on the leaderboard is set against a background of a rise in popularity in regional Victoria as a whole; the state captured 34% of the total net inflows into all of regional Australia during the March 2025 quarter, larger than the 28% share in the March 2024 quarter. Leading the charge are millennials and gen Z, who are looking for more affordable housing and a lower cost of living outside the capitals. The managing director at the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Michael Fotheringham, says 'the outflow from the capitals to the regional centres has become stronger than the inflow'. He says prices along Queensland's Sunshine Coast have come closer into line with Brisbane recently. Sign up to Five Great Reads Each week our editors select five of the most interesting, entertaining and thoughtful reads published by Guardian Australia and our international colleagues. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Saturday morning after newsletter promotion But the rise of remote working, and concerted effort from state governments to decentralise – such as Penrith in Sydney – have made employment opportunities stronger in the regions, he says. 'The challenge historically has been housing was cheaper but employment opportunities were much more limited. What a number of states have now been successful in doing is generating real industry in those regional centres.' Beck Thistleton and her family didn't move to Geelong because of the price, but she certainly isn't complaining about it. 'My eldest, Tommi, she's autistic, she's very bright, and because it's not really a brand of autism that a lot of teachers have got a lot of training with, we were having a lot of problems with her,' she says. Tommi was running away from school, and sometimes just refusing to go. Thistleton and her husband, who were renting in Kensington in Melbourne, moved to Armstrong Creek on the outskirts of Geelong because the local school was one of the first to pilot an inclusive program for autistic kids. 'I thought I was going to have to quit work to home-school but my daughter has gone to school ever since.' The family now pay $300 a week less to live in a bigger house with an extra room and a massive back yard. Thistleton has joined the local gym, goes to yoga in the morning and says one of the things she loves is how active Geelong is. 'Because people aren't driving for 45 minutes into work every day,' she says. 'There's time for those activities, to be looking after yourself and go for a swim before work.' Jess Templeton has been selling houses in Geelong for 12 years now. The estate agent says prices are rising as interstate investors look for a bargain, people from Melbourne move down and young families scale up. 'There's opportunity in Geelong,' she says. 'Most of our listings are selling in two to four weeks. So over the last 100 homes, our average days on the market is 27. But a lot of them are selling within a week. Last week we had one, five days.' Templeton says for $500,000 there are parts of the city where you can still buy a stand-alone house on a 60-sq-metre block with three bedrooms and one bathroom. 'It would take us 12 minutes to get to the CBD,' she says. For $1m you could easily get a four-bedroom home in a nice school zone area, she says. 'That's why people are coming here.'
The Independent
9 hours ago
- The Independent
Why Perth has more to offer than just Ashes cricket this winter
'Kaya, nidja Wadjak Boodja' - Welcome to Whadjuk Country. It is a greeting you can expect to hear from the traditional owners of Western Australia when exploring the capital city of Perth and its surrounding areas. Its prevalence in many of Perth's tours, advertisements and institutions reveals a growing desire to respect the culture and traditions of the aboriginal population as part of a greater push to invest, build and reinvigorate the city in new and exciting ways. This is easily epitomised by the Perth Stadium but known as the Optus Stadium for sponsorship reasons. Officially opened in 2018 the stadium sits on the banks of the Swan River, a towering mass of brushed metal designed to emulate the landscape of Western Australia. It's an impressive sight and one that will dazzle English cricket fans when they flock in droves to Perth this November for the Ashes. Spectators will be able to partake in the stadium's Rooftop Climb experience and watch the cricket high in the sky or they can head to the nearby Matagarup Bridge for a more challenging climb and a fun zip line across the river. Perth is a bountiful city full of sights to explore, places to visit, and things to discover. Visitors wanting to branch out from the city's sporting roots will find plenty to satisfy them and below we've outlined some of best offerings Western Australia has in store. What to do King's Park and Botanic Gardens. Situated in the heart of the city and overlooking the mass of skyscrapers, Kings Park ( is one of the world's largest inner-city green spaces. It has incredible views of the Swan River and several walking trails through its botanic gardens. For a more illuminating trip combine with In-Culture Tours ( and learn about the origins of the Whadjuk Noongar, the aboriginal owners of the land Perth sits on and how they used the plants from the gardens in their everyday life. Tour owner and guide, Steven Jacobs, aims to give visitors a quick yet detailed insight into the culture of his Whadjuk ancestors and you will learn about the six seasons of the Noongar calendar, each based on an aspect of the natural world from blooming plants to the hibernation of animals, as well as aboriginal dreamtime and the Waugal – the rainbow serpent who is an embodiment of life and water. Explore the city. In the city, Elizabeth Quay is a central hub with pop up projects, such as aboriginal art installations and music events on display throughout the summer. Close by in Barrack Square is the famous Bell Tower where visitors can take a tour of the distinct building, learn about the English history of its 12 bells from St Martin-in-the-Fields Church and discover how the tower's design was conceived following an architectural competition. Perhaps combine sightseeing with foot tasting and head out on a Foodloose Tour ( an original Perth tour that takes visitors on a journey through the vibrant Northbridge, uncovering hidden gems, culinary must-dos and the latest food and drink hotspots. Visit Freemantle. An absolute must do for any trip to Perth. The City of Freemantle is a 20-minute drive or train journey away from the city centre. Labelled 'Freo' by the locals, Fremantle is a hive of independent businesses from second hand bookstores to markets and various eclectic food and drink establishments. It is a living shine to the European history of the area with museums, tours and a prison that each hold key details and stories about the birth and development of the region. Head out with experienced guides on a tour with Two Feet and a Heartbeat ( to learn about the significance of the limestone buildings and the difference between Convict and Federation era architecture. Stop off for a hot drink on the Cappuccino Strip, named as such for the plethora of coffee shops that populate South Terrace, and call in at the prison for one of the four tours that explain the history and significance of the building from how it was built to the countless escape attempts from famous inmates. As far as shopping goes, the century-old Fremantle markets ( are open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and feature top-notch food stalls, local souvenir and textile shops as well as fresh produce for those who like to sample local delicacies. As a port city, boat trips are also available from Fremantle to the nearby Rottnest Island and there are two museums, the Shipwreck Museum and the WA Maritime Museum, which detail the dangers of exploration and discovery at sea. Go to Rottnest Island As previously mentioned, ferry trips to Rottnest Island ( can be taken from Fremantle or the Perth city centre and cost $85 (£40.50) a return. Sat 18km off shore, it is a half hour boat ride away and is the sun, sea and surf holiday destination for Australians. Resembling a seriously up-market Haven Park, Rottnest is undergoing a $42m redevelopment to create a 109-room, 5-star hotel which hopes to reflect the cultural history of the island. Named The Lodge Wadjemup to honour the aboriginal people's name for the island the hotel has lake view rooms, and a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant called Sunsets which hopes to amaze visitors with its style and class. Other accommodation includes eco discovery tents, cabins and beach-side chalets while Segway Tours WA ( offer a fun, humorous, enjoyable, and knowledgeable way to explore the island. There are plenty of spots to swim, snorkel and enjoy water sports and as the home to Australia's quokka population Rottnest is a protected nature reserve. Head to the beach Cottesloe Beach is accessible by car or train and stretches along the west coast just 20 minutes from the city centre. A popular spot for locals and tourists alike, but not overly crowded, the white sand beach offers sun and sea favoured by holiday goers while British tourists will appreciate Amberjacks - a fish and chip shop right on the promenade. Water activities are in abundance including surfing, windsurfing and bodyboarding. For the sports minded Sea View Golf Club is a little walk down the sea front heading towards Fremantle. See the Swan Valley vineyards and distilleries Another must do. Spend a day or two north of Perth in the Swan Valley ( Over 150 attractions including vineyards and distilleries are open to visit and experience. Old Young's Gin Distillery ( which specialises in award winning gins and vodkas, is an authentic family run business for over 10 years. Owner James Young offers tastings and lunch as well as a brief insight into the history of the region. Just don't ask him his opinion on cricket unless you have a whole afternoon free to chat. No trip to the Swan Valley is complete without a stop off at the impressive Mandoon Estate. Established in 2008 by the Erceg family who purchased the historical 'Roe Family property' in Caversham, the estate focuses on a range of premium wines. It has three dining venues in the Wild Swan, Homestead Brewery and The Lawn and even provides accommodation for lengthier stays in the Swan Valley. Nestled right on the Swan River, the Mandoon Estate can be reached by boat, car or bus and supplies unique and local beers from in its brewery alongside the large variety of homegrown wines. For those looking to enjoy Australia's distinctive wildlife, the Swan Valley is also home to the Caversham Wildlife Park ( Home to over 2000 animals and 200 species, the Wildlife Park hosts animal presentations every day so visitors can get a feel for the Australian wildlife. Special tickets are available to hold koala's, meet wombats and feed kangaroos and a child-friendly farm show explores how local farmers survive and thrive in Western Australia. Check out the WACA redevelopment Cricket fans heading to Perth will want to visit the WACA. It is a ground full of history and tradition most often viewed in the early hours of the morning on television from across the world. The place of Adam Gilchrist's record-breaking test century in 2006 has undergone a major redevelopment since the Perth Stadium was constructed. Two swimming pools, a public gym and a sports museum are in the process of being added for the benefit of the local community while the facilities for athletes are being upgraded to meet ICC standards. Traditionalists fear not though as the ground retains its character and continues to host cricket matches from the Sheffield Shield to Women's Big Bash games. Where to stay Crown Towers For visitors who prioritise proximity to the Perth Stadium, Crown Towers is the height of luxury with three expansive lagoon pools, fine dining restaurants and up-market shopping. Built in 2016 in compliment to the Perth Stadium, Crown Towers has unparalleled views of the city skyline and the exclusive Crystal Club experience provides personalised service. Located on the 15th floor it offers an open terrace, sparkling champagne, concierge services, complimentary breakfasts and evening canapes. Book here. Hougoumont Hotel Heading to Fremantle? The quaint and quirky Hougoumont Hotel is a stone's throw away from the Cappuccino Strip and has small boutique rooms built using shipping containers. It is themed to suit the nearby surroundings of the port and offers Cabin and State rooms decked out with luxuries such as Nespresso coffee machines and toiletries fom Apelles Apothecary. For a slightly more historically themed place to stay look to Airbnb to hire out former prison warder cottages. Book here. DoubleTree by Hilton If a place in the city centre is desired, the DoubleTree by Hilton is perfectly situated on the Swan River just off Barrack Square. Its quayside location provides easy access to boats that head to the Perth Stadium or Swan Valley and a 10-minute walk will bring you into downtown Perth where you can visit the shopping malls and historic buildings like the Old Court and Royal Perth Mint. Book here. Where to eat Pink Taquito - Yagan Square Stories ( is a five-storey precinct in Yagan Square populated by nine bars, three restaurants, pop-up and rooftop bars and Perth's biggest beer garden. There truly is something for everyone from live music to colourful cocktails. The latest chapter at the prolific Stories establishment is Pink Taquito. A small but fun bar that provides an electric atmosphere with delightful tacos and tequila-favoured cocktails. Authentic Mexican food delivered with a modern and cheeky twist Pink Taquito will delight with its street-style food and bright creations. The Reveley - Elizabeth Quay This three-floor precinct established in 2016 offers different vibes and cuisines depending on where you dine. The ground floor favours family friendly bistro pub food while the first-floor restaurant serves contemporary modern Australian dining and fresh ocean fish including the seasonal barramundi with fennel dressing. The final floor is a rooftop bar complete with live DJs, bar service and cocktails. Il Lido Canteen – Cottesloe Columns of wine decorate the interior of this consistently busy Italian restaurant just off Cottesloe beach. Four long wooden tables encourage a friendly and familial atmosphere in Il Lido ( while large chalkboard menus, dim lighting and whitewashed walls provide a distinctly Italian feel to the Western Australian coastline. Standouts from the menu include Shark Bay scallops and the Italian sausage and datterino gigli. Tonic & Ginger (The Old Synagogue) - Fremantle One of four unique hospitality venues situated in a former Jewish synagogue, Tonic & Ginger is a bright and vibrous venue specialising in Asian cuisine. It's sharing menu encourages conversation between delicate but substantial courses. Try the fire cracker cauliflower with bang bang sauce or the all-encompassing $72 Feed Me course option.
BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Aqua Park Penarth: Opening date for new water park at Cosmeston
A new water park is set to open this summer, despite concerns being raised for wildlife in the attraction will open at Cosmeston Country Park on 5 July, Vale of Glamorgan Council has announced, after it entered into an agreement with Aqua Park Group to trial a water park during the summer and councillors raised concerns about the plans, but council officials insisted conditions would be in place to protect wildlife and the attraction would be restricted to the eastern side of the water park will be similar to the Aqua Park attraction which used to be at Cardiff Bay, featuring an assault course with inflatable equipment, slides and climbing frames. The attraction was moved because water quality concerns left it "unable to operate" at the council's director of place, Marcus Goldsworthy, said the decision to move the attraction presented an opportunity for the council to generate income for improving park facilities at Cosmeston, according to the Local Democracy Reporting concerns about the impact it could have are ongoing, with a petition opposing the plans gaining 3,965 signatures so a scrutiny committee meeting in March, Conservative councillor Anthony Ernest said the more he heard about plans for the water park, the more concerned he grew about its potential Elliot Penn, a Labour councillor, asked about water quality monitoring on site. Mr Goldsworthy said the water at Cosmeston is tested twice a year to ensure quality is maintained and added the lake has been used for water-based activities in the of Glamorgan Council's cabinet member for sustainable places, Bronwen Brooks, said the water park would be a "great addition to the already fantastic offer at Cosmeston Country Park"."Consultation with residents through the council's placemaking work has shown there is appetite locally - particularly among young people - for more varied leisure activities, and the re-introduction of water-based activities at Cosmeston will help us to ensure that our country parks are for everyone," she the end of September, the council will carry out an evaluation of the water park pilot and decide if it will go out to tender for someone to operate an attraction on the site next year.
