Latest news with #FrankieHobro
Wales Online
20 hours ago
- General
- Wales Online
Clawed carcass on Anglesey beach leaves one person asking if a 'tiger' had washed up
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Beachgoers were left stunned after finding a large clawed carcass on an Anglesey beach. The discovery was made this morning on Traeth Lleiniog at Llangoed, near Beaumaris. They initially noticed the bones of the carcass. They then saw the long claws on the animal that had perished, ruling out the possibility it was the carcass of any local livestock. A local resident sent pictures to North Wales Live, saying it "not joking, it looks like tiger or some other type of big cat". North Wales Live contacted local sealife expert Frankie Hobro, who owns Anglesey Sea Zoo in Brynsiencyn. She was able to explain what the group had come across. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone (Image: Andrew Harkiss) She said: "This is an easy one and actually it isn't land based. This is definitely the carcass of a seal, almost definitely a grey seal from the patches of skin colour and remnants of fur and also from what I can tell of the size of, although this is more tricky to estimate without a scale. "They do indeed have very impressive claws as this shows - very useful for hauling themselves out of the water over slippery seaweed-covered rocks. (Image: Andrew Harkiss) "They also have extremely impressive teeth but it looks as if the jaw is either not present or not distinguishable on this carcass - possibly just the angle from which the photograph is taken. "Grey seal jaws are seriously impressive, very comparable to the jaw of an Alsatian dog, but with the teeth pointing more backwards into the mouth. "All in all an adult grey seal is a force to be reckoned with and demands the utmost respect. These big 'sea dogs' are common in large numbers around our coasts here but they should not be approached even when they looked benign, and in fact it is illegal to deliberately disturbed a herd of seals when they are hauled out." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
North Wales Live
a day ago
- General
- North Wales Live
Clawed carcass on Anglesey beach leaves one person asking if a 'tiger' had washed up
Beachgoers were left stunned after finding a large clawed carcass on an Anglesey beach. The discovery was made this morning on Traeth Lleniog at Llangoed, near Beaumaris. They initially noticed the bones of the carcass. They then saw the long claws on the animal that had perished, ruling out the possibility it was the carcass of any local livestock. A local resident sent pictures to North Wales Live, saying it "not joking, it looks like tiger or some other type of big cat". North Wales Live contacted local sealife expert Frankie Hobro, who owns Anglesey Sea Zoo in Brynsiencyn. She was able to explain what the group had come across. Join the North Wales Live She said: "This is an easy one and actually it isn't land based. This is definitely the carcass of a seal, almost definitely a grey seal from the patches of skin colour and remnants of fur and also from what I can tell of the size of, although this is more tricky to estimate without a scale. "They do indeed have very impressive claws as this shows - very useful for hauling themselves out of the water over slippery seaweed-covered rocks. "They also have extremely impressive teeth but it looks as if the jaw is either not present or not distinguishable on this carcass - possibly just the angle from which the photograph is taken. "Grey seal jaws are seriously impressive, very comparable to the jaw of an Alsatian dog, but with the teeth pointing more backwards into the mouth. "All in all an adult grey seal is a force to be reckoned with and demands the utmost respect. These big 'sea dogs' are common in large numbers around our coasts here but they should not be approached even when they looked benign, and in fact it is illegal to deliberately disturbed a herd of seals when they are hauled out."
Wales Online
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Wales Online
Record sea heatwave grips Wales but not all visitors will be welcome
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Exotic sea creatures could start being washed up on Welsh beaches as water temperatures soar, scientists believe. The UK and Ireland in the grip of a marine heat wave with some waters now 4C warmer than usual for the time of year. Already a surge in sea and land temperatures has seen more people flocking to beaches, with warmer waters reducing the cooling effect of sea breezes. However, Britain's waters remain distinctly chilly for most swimmers and toe-dippers. The heatwave is most intense in the Celtic Sea and off the west coast of Ireland, where current sea surface temperatures are up to 4C warmer, according to the Met Office. Around the UK coastline, the sea is 1.5C-2.5C warmer, with hotspots in Cardigan Bay and along the North Wales coast. These temperatures are 'what we would usually expect around mid-June,' said the national forecaster. Classing the event as 'extreme', the Met Office said surface temperatures (SSTs) reached levels for April and May that were the highest since satellite monitoring began in 1982. Not only is the heatwave significant due to its intensity, observers have been surprised by its longevity. So far it's lasted more than two months: usually, marine heatwaves in UK waters dissipate after two to four weeks. Sea temperatures are finally expected to start dropping in the coming days as cooler weather settles over Britain. Dr Ségolène Berthou, scientific manager for regional coupled modelling at the Met Office, said: 'The heatwave is the result of several overlapping factors. Prolonged high-pressure systems brought a dry, sunny spring and weak winds and waves, creating ideal conditions for warming. 'This means the sea started to warm mid-February, one month earlier than usual. Additionally, the waters around the UK were already warmer than usual coming out of winter, a trend that has been building over the past 40 years, with an average increase of 0.3C per decade.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now (Image: Met Office/Ostia) Climate change is causing oceans to warm around the globe and is making marine heatwaves more likely. On May 19 the average UK sea surface temperature reached 12.69C – well above the country's marine heatwave threshold for May (11.3C). Scientists suspect warmer waters could increase the annual influx of jellyfish to UK shores. Already a number of sightings have been made of the huge barrel jellyfish washed up on beaches in Gwynedd and Ceredigion. A marine expert has warned it could see other exotic and unusual sea creatures arriving on Welsh shores in greater numbers. Frankie Hobro, director of Anglesey Sea Zoo, Brynsiencyn, believes some may pose a greater risk to beachgoers, underlining the need for greater awareness of marine medicine. Some might be first-time visitors, other more mature versions of juveniles currently spotted in UK waters. While many will be welcome, such as bluefin tuna, sunfish and basking sharks, others will not, she said. Candidates include pufferfish and Box jellyfish, one of the most poisonous animals on Earth. Others already on British beaches could become more of a pest, such as the weever fish. This little critter buries itself in the and can deliver an excruciating sting. Another occasional visitor which also packs a powerful sting is the Portuguese man o' war, which could arrive in larger numbers and sizes, said Frankie. (Image: Peter Southwood/Wiki) Algal blooms are also expected to become more commonplace due to calmer and warmer seas., with patches of green algae developing that can threaten other marine life. On the plus side, bioluminescence displays next to beaches may become more numerous and spectacular. However, heat stress could drive other marine life away from Britain's shores. 'There is no escape from the heat for sea creatures within it,' Frankie told North Wales Live. 'They can't turn on air conditioners under water, or escape it.' While the warmer waters might be discernible to some swimmers, they are still distinctly nippy for the casual bather. Dr Berthou said temperatures in the North Sea have already peaked, whereas west Ireland and the Celtic Sea are currently experiencing their highest levels. During marine heatwave events, a layer of warm water forms at the surface. She added: 'This layer acts like a lid, trapping heat near the surface and preventing it from mixing into deeper, cooler waters. 'It can be compared to a layer of olive oil floating on water; this thin surface layer allows heat from solar radiation to accumulate near the surface. When this layer forms, surface temperatures can increase fast: the last nine days have seen a sudden additional 1C warming.' Dr Jonathan Tinker, a Met Office marine climate scientist, said the prolonged warming can amplify land heatwaves by reducing the cooling effect of sea breezes and by altering rainfall patterns. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox He added: 'With projections suggesting UK summer sea temperatures could rise by up to 2.5C by 2050, such events are likely to become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting. Marine heatwaves offer a glimpse into how changing ocean conditions could shape future weather conditions.' Find the weather forecast where you live
North Wales Live
22-05-2025
- Climate
- North Wales Live
Record sea heatwave grips Wales but not all visitors will be welcome
Exotic sea creatures could start being washed up on Welsh beaches as water temperatures soar, scientists believe. The UK and Ireland in the grip of a marine heat wave with some waters now 4C warmer than usual for the time of year. Already a surge in sea and land temperatures has seen more people flocking to beaches, with warmer waters reducing the cooling effect of sea breezes. However, Britain's waters remain distinctly chilly for most swimmers and toe-dippers. The heatwave is most intense in the Celtic Sea and off the west coast of Ireland, where current sea surface temperatures are up to 4C warmer, according to the Met Office. Around the UK coastline, the sea is 1.5C-2.5C warmer, with hotspots in Cardigan Bay and along the North Wales coast. These temperatures are 'what we would usually expect around mid-June,' said the national forecaster. Classing the event as 'extreme', the Met Office said surface temperatures (SSTs) reached levels for April and May that were the highest since satellite monitoring began in 1982. Not only is the heatwave significant due to its intensity, observers have been surprised by its longevity. So far it's lasted more than two months: usually, marine heatwaves in UK waters dissipate after two to four weeks. Sea temperatures are finally expected to start dropping in the coming days as cooler weather settles over Britain. Dr Ségolène Berthou, scientific manager for regional coupled modelling at the Met Office, said: 'The heatwave is the result of several overlapping factors. Prolonged high-pressure systems brought a dry, sunny spring and weak winds and waves, creating ideal conditions for warming. 'This means the sea started to warm mid-February, one month earlier than usual. Additionally, the waters around the UK were already warmer than usual coming out of winter, a trend that has been building over the past 40 years, with an average increase of 0.3C per decade.' Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Climate change is causing oceans to warm around the globe and is making marine heatwaves more likely. On May 19 the average UK sea surface temperature reached 12.69C – well above the country's marine heatwave threshold for May (11.3C). Scientists suspect warmer waters could increase the annual influx of jellyfish to UK shores. Already a number of sightings have been made of the huge barrel jellyfish washed up on beaches in Gwynedd and Ceredigion. A marine expert has warned it could see other exotic and unusual sea creatures arriving on Welsh shores in greater numbers. Frankie Hobro, director of Anglesey Sea Zoo, Brynsiencyn, believes some may pose a greater risk to beachgoers, underlining the need for greater awareness of marine medicine. Some might be first-time visitors, other more mature versions of juveniles currently spotted in UK waters. While many will be welcome, such as bluefin tuna, sunfish and basking sharks, others will not, she said. Candidates include pufferfish and Box jellyfish, one of the most poisonous animals on Earth. Others already on British beaches could become more of a pest, such as the weever fish. This little critter buries itself in the and can deliver an excruciating sting. Another occasional visitor which also packs a powerful sting is the Portuguese man o' war, which could arrive in larger numbers and sizes, said Frankie. Algal blooms are also expected to become more commonplace due to calmer and warmer seas., with patches of green algae developing that can threaten other marine life. On the plus side, bioluminescence displays next to beaches may become more numerous and spectacular. However, heat stress could drive other marine life away from Britain's shores. 'There is no escape from the heat for sea creatures within it,' Frankie told North Wales Live. 'They can't turn on air conditioners under water, or escape it.' While the warmer waters might be discernible to some swimmers, they are still distinctly nippy for the casual bather. Dr Berthou said temperatures in the North Sea have already peaked, whereas west Ireland and the Celtic Sea are currently experiencing their highest levels. During marine heatwave events, a layer of warm water forms at the surface. She added: 'This layer acts like a lid, trapping heat near the surface and preventing it from mixing into deeper, cooler waters. 'It can be compared to a layer of olive oil floating on water; this thin surface layer allows heat from solar radiation to accumulate near the surface. When this layer forms, surface temperatures can increase fast: the last nine days have seen a sudden additional 1C warming.' Dr Jonathan Tinker, a Met Office marine climate scientist, said the prolonged warming can amplify land heatwaves by reducing the cooling effect of sea breezes and by altering rainfall patterns. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox He added: 'With projections suggesting UK summer sea temperatures could rise by up to 2.5C by 2050, such events are likely to become more frequent, intense and longer-lasting. Marine heatwaves offer a glimpse into how changing ocean conditions could shape future weather conditions.'
BBC News
08-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Tourism: More Welsh attractions 'at risk' as Oakwood shuts
More Welsh attractions could follow Oakwood theme park in going out of business, with one owner describing "the most worrying time" in his 32 years in the Davies, who runs Heatherton World of Activities, near Tenby in Pembrokeshire, will see his wage bill go up £250,000 because of increases to National Insurance and minimum wage, and grimly predicted others "are not going to last".The owner of a marine zoo on Anglesey said small operators are at "breaking point", and the boss of the national show caves in Swansea county admitted "we can't carry on life this".Oakwood shut after almost 40 years due to a drop in visitor numbers. Operators such as Heatherton, which employs about 160 people, are being hit from "all sides" Mr Davies said, with increases in minimum wage, National Insurance, as well as higher supply and energy costs. "It's the most worrying time we've ever had in 32 years of running the attraction," he said. "If everything carries on the way it does others [attractions] are not going to last." Three Welsh attractions have recently failed according to the Welsh Visitor Attractions Association (WAVA), hitting a tourism sector that employs 150,000 people in Wales. The sector is facing a new burden in 2027 when the Welsh government could let councils charge £1.25 a night Welsh tourism tax, affecting guests at hotels, B&Bs and self-catered accommodation, or a75p charge for hostel and campsite Davies called the tax a "suicide mission for the industry" that could cost his business an extra £200,000 a year, depending on how the tax is implemented. "Welsh government is discouraging the whole industry," he claimed, accusing ministers of seeing it as a "cash cow to be milked".Frankie Hobro, owner of Anglesey Sea Zoo, said she expects more closures to be announced in the coming months. "Since Covid, we haven't recovered with our visitor numbers, down 23%," she said."On top of that, we've got a cost of living crisis so people are earning less so we've got less visitors spending less."Ms Hobro said she is worried about the mental health of some operators. "We are the people that are putting their life and soul into this kind of thing," she said."We're resourceful, we want to make things work, and yet these people are at absolute rock bottom."Operators are cutting costs and staff to survive, she said, but are now facing a future hurdle in the Welsh tourism added: "All these things are stacking up and there's a breaking point with everybody and particularly with small business owners." WAVA secretary Ashford Price, told the BBC Radio Wales Phone In that more Welsh attractions could fail if the tourism season is poor. the organisation represents more than 80 of Wales' main visitor attractions."I feel that the Welsh government has made life difficult for tourism in Wales," he said, pointing to rules over second homes, and proposals for a tourism tax. "In the last year, 29% fewer visitors have stayed overnight in Wales, and the tourist tax is sure to make the situation worse," he added. Mr Davies, who is also chairman of Dan-yr-Ogof - the National Exhibition Caves Centre for Wales - in Abercrave, Swansea county, said attractions "can't survive" if current trends continue. "We need visitor numbers to key places like Dan-yr-Ogof caves going," he said. "We can't carry on like this."He called for government changes."We don't spend enough on marketing and certainly some of the policies that the Welsh government have derived... like the tourism tax, the 182 day law for self caters, they are putting people off," he explained. Welsh Conservative Samuel Kurtz MS said Oakwood was "part of the fabric" of Pembrokeshire's tourism offer. "To lose a key cornerstone of that if going to make the season ahead quite difficult I think," he said. Charles Davies admitted in the short-term Heatherton would benefit from the closure of Oakwood, saying they had already picked up more school bookings. "In the longer terms though, will people still want to come to Pembrokeshire if we don't have a theme park?" he asked. He said Heatherton will have to find the money to "keep up to date"."It's a battle to have lots of attractions on site, which we are managing to do," he said. "At moment we are on hold with everything… hopefully everything goes well this summer." Prof Calvin Jones of Cardiff Business School said tourism was "rapidly changing" since Covid, with people once again "jumping back on a plane to go somewhere". "There's a need of understanding what tourists want into the future, how to provide that for them," he said. "Unfortunately it does seem running a theme park obviously with its high costs and very high safety requirements just doesn't seem to be viable." The Welsh government has not helped, he admitted, with the environmental and cultural priorities behind policies such as the second home and tourism tax initiatives. "It's very hard to find a goldilocks position," he added. A Welsh government spokesperson said it wanted to "work closely" with the Welsh tourism sector to help address the challenges businesses face."Tourism makes an important contribution to the Welsh economy and to Welsh life," a spokesperson added.
