Latest news with #Indo-Australian
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Incredible creature spotted just metres from shore thrills Aussie tourists: 'Rarely come so close'
Various species of whales are putting on a show for eager spectators as they move along the east and west coasts of Australia, with the annual migration now in full swing. A group of tourists were treated to an incredible spectacle when they were gathered on rocks at Cheynes Beach, a popular stop-off for caravanners on Western Australia's south coast, hoping to catch a glimpse of at least one of the animal's leaping out of the water. In that lucky group last Saturday was Brian Willey who told Yahoo News he and his wife travel to the area a couple of times every winter to photograph the whales. However, this weekend was a little different, with Willey catching sight of a species he had never seen before roughly 15 metres from the shore. The keen wildlife photographer was flying his drone, filming a humpback with his telephoto lens, when a much bigger whale suddenly 'came around the corner'. 'Straight away I could see it was a distinctive blue colour, and the length was much longer than a normal humpback,' he said. 'I followed it for about five minutes and took about a dozen photos. People were so excited to see such a huge whale so close.' It wasn't until afterwards Brian learned he had likely captured footage of a pygmy blue whale, which 'rarely come so close' to the shore, Catherine, assistant manager at the Cheynes Beach Caravan Park, told Yahoo. While it's typical to see a lot of whale activity in the area this time of year, she said locals have been thrilled to see 'quite a few blue whales coming past as well'. Both pygmy blue whales and Antarctic blue whales, the two subspecies of blue whales found in Australia, can be found in the waters near Albany, Alexia Wellbelove, the Australian Marine Conservation Society's threatened species campaign manager, told Yahoo. Because of this, it's hard to be 'totally certain' about the species seen in Willey's photos, but it's 'very possible that it is a pygmy blue whale, as they are sighted along the coastline at this time of year travelling north', she said. 'In the field it is very hard to tell the two apart as the main difference is the size — with around six metres difference in adult whales between the two,' Wellbelove explained. 'However, pygmy blue whales are found in the Great Australian Bight and along the coastline of Western Australia from November through to May when they start to migrate north.' 🔧 Tradies dismantle wharf after massive find in water underneath 🛥️ Tourists witness brutal event as whales 'change their behaviour' in seconds 🐳 Amazing drone footage confirms start of exciting phenomenon off Aussie coast Every year, endangered pygmy blue whales travel from southern and western Australia where they feed up to Indonesia to breed — which is why they are also known as the 'Indo-Australian pygmy blue whale', Wellbelove said. Incredibly, they can grow up to 24-metres long and live for 90 years. Despite their size, 'very little is known about the population size of blue whales' Wellbelove told Yahoo. 'Much more is known about the Antarctic blue whales which was last estimated to be around 2,000 individuals.' Sadly, like most whales, they face a 'plethora of threats', including climate change impacting ocean temperatures and upwellings where they feed, and collisions with vessels involved in commercial, recreational or industrial activities. 'Blue whales are under increasing threat in our busy oceans and so are listed as endangered under our national environment law, the EPBC Act, Wellbelove said. 'It is essential that the most critical places — where these whales feed and breed — are protected from these threats as we continue to learn more about their populations to better understand how to assist their recovery.' Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
India's butterfly family gets a new member from Arunachal
Arunachal Pradesh's Leparada district has yielded the newest member of India's butterfly family. The Euthalia malaccana has long been a subject of taxonomic debate. Initially identified as a subspecies of Euthalia adonia before being established as an independent species, this butterfly is found primarily in Southeast Asia, with records from northern Thailand, the Malay Peninsula, and the Sunda Islands. Its presence in India remained questionable, with earlier reports casting doubts on its occurrence in the Indian subcontinent. Photographs and detailed field observations by Roshan Upadhaya, a citizen scientist and an Arunachal Pradesh policeman, and Lucknow-based citizen science expert Taslima Sheikh, confirmed the butterfly's presence in the frontier State, thus extending its known range in the Indo-Australian region. Their documentation was published in SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia, an international journal since 1973. 'Fieldwork was carried out across multiple sites, including Lai Ho along the Basar-Sago Road, with local guides assisting us in navigating remote areas. The species was identified based on distinctive wing patterns,' Mr. Upadhaya said. Basar is the headquarters of the Leparada district. Five individuals of this species were documented in the area at an altitude of 685 metres above mean sea level between 2023 and 2024. The photographic evidence and external morphological characteristics were cross-referenced with descriptions in the literature. The study marked the first definitive record of Euthalia malaccana in Arunachal Pradesh, contributing to the broader understanding of Papilionoidea diversity in the northeastern region. The species is characterised by a blue apical spot on the forewings, which is prominent in males, while females display larger apical spots. The hindwings are adorned with reduced red spots. These features distinguish it from closely related species such as Euthalia lubentina.
First Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
IPL Resumes On May 17, Uncertainty Continues In PSL First Sports With Rupha Ramani
IPL Resumes On May 17, Uncertainty Continues In PSL | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G IPL Resumes On May 17, Uncertainty Continues In PSL | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G The Indian Premier League 2025 is officially back on track, resuming on May 17 after a brief suspension. BCCI announced the revised schedule, including the final on June 3. The governing body also quashed all the reports surrounding more double headers and limited venues. While the IPL Governing Council has been meticulous and confident despite regional tensions, the Pakistan Super League finds itself struggling, with the UAE refusing to host the remaining matches. Rupha Ramani also dives into the controversy surrounding uncertainty over Australian cricketers' availability, supported by Cricket Australia, and how this might strain Indo-Australian cricket relations. Also on the show, a fresh twist has emerged in Virat Kohli's retirement decision. His childhood mentor and Delhi Ranji coach say Kohli was looking forward to playing the England series. What changed for the former India captain? And Shahid Afridi is once again in trouble. The former Pakistani captain led a victory rally in Karachi in the midst of deteriorating India-Pakistan relations. What are the implications of these actions? -- Indian Premiere League | IPL | BCCI | Cricket | IPL Resumption | Virat Kohli | Retirement | Ranji | Test Cricket | First Sports | Rupha Ramani | Firstpost | Sports News #indianpremierleague #ipl2025 #bcci #cricket #iplresumption #viratkohli #viratretirement #ranjicricket #testcricket #firstsports #rupharamani #sportsnews #firstpost Firstpost is an Indian news and media website. Get all the incisive opinions, in-depth analyses and other visual stories that matter to you and the world right here on this channel. Subscribe to Firstpost channel and press the bell icon to get notified when we go live. Follow Firstpost on Instagram: Follow Firstpost on Facebook: Follow Firstpost on Twitter: Follow Firstpost on WhatsApp: See More
First Post
17-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
IPL To Resume After A Break, Aussie Cricketers Uncertain First Sports With Rupha Ramani
IPL To Resume After A Break, Aussie Cricketers Uncertain | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G IPL To Resume After A Break, Aussie Cricketers Uncertain | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G The Indian Premier League 2025 is officially back on track, resuming on May 17 after a brief suspension. BCCI announced the revised schedule, including the final on June 3. The governing body also quashed all the reports surrounding more double headers and limited venues. While the IPL Governing Council has been meticulous and confident despite regional tensions, the Pakistan Super League finds itself struggling, with the UAE refusing to host the remaining matches. Rupha Ramani also dives into the controversy surrounding uncertainty over Australian cricketers' availability, supported by Cricket Australia, and how this might strain Indo-Australian cricket relations. -- IPL | Indian Premiere League | IPL Resumption | PSL | BCCI | First Sports | Rupha Ramani | Firstpost | Sports News #ipl2025 #indianpremierleague #iplresumption #psl #bcci #firstsports #rupharamani #sportsnews #firstpost Firstpost is an Indian news and media website. Get all the incisive opinions, in-depth analyses and other visual stories that matter to you and the world right here on this channel. Subscribe to Firstpost channel and press the bell icon to get notified when we go live. Follow Firstpost on Instagram: Follow Firstpost on Facebook: Follow Firstpost on Twitter: Follow Firstpost on WhatsApp: See More
Shafaq News
02-04-2025
- Health
- Shafaq News
Myanmar earthquake: Nearly 3,000 dead
Shafaq News/ The powerful earthquake that struck Myanmar last week has killed nearly 3,000 people, as search and rescue operations continue across hard-hit regions, officials said on Wednesday. The 7.7-magnitude quake struck on Friday near Mandalay, the country's second-largest city, leaving 2,886 dead, 4,639 injured, and 373 missing, according to the State Administration Council. Authorities have declared a state of emergency in six regions. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have warned of severe shortages in shelter, medical aid, clean water, and other basic services, while health officials say the risk of disease outbreaks is rising with the monsoon season approaching. Additionally, UNICEF reported that children are among the most affected, with cases of family separation and limited access to care. "Rescue efforts have been slowed by damaged infrastructure, limited access to remote areas, and a shortage of heavy equipment," the Myanmar Red Cross Society said. Rescue teams deployed from China, Russia, India, Thailand, and Singapore, though relief operations remain constrained by security conditions in several regions. Myanmar sits on a major seismic fault line where the Indo-Australian, Eurasian, and Burma tectonic plates converge. The earthquake is among the most powerful to strike the country in over a century.
