Latest news with #Sauropod
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Humpback Whale Bubble Rings May Be an Attempt to Communicate With Us
Humpback whales caught blowing giant bubble rings underwater may have been attempting some kind of communication with their audience of human onlookers, a new study suggests. Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are known for blowing spiral bubble nets to hunt with, but not all bubbles have the same meaning in the world of whales. Some are intended to be playful; some frisky; and others are downright aggressive. The particular genre of bubble-blowing documented in the report took the form of perfect circles, similar to ones described by biologist Roger Payne as "madly spinning doughnut-shaped clouds that look like giant smoke rings about three feet in diameter that rise rapidly to the surface." An international team of biologists and photographers reviewed videos and photos of whales producing bubble rings, taken from below the water by a swimmer or overboard from a boat, and above the surface either from a boat, a plane, or a drone. This variety of sources adds to the context in which the whales produce their rings, particularly important if we want to know whether they're meant as communication with humans or not. Their data included a dozen separate examples of rings being made by the whales, equalling a total of 39 bubble rings generated by 11 different humpback whales. "Out of the 12 episodes of ring production reported here, ten episodes were collected near a boat or human swimmers, while six episodes had more than one whale present," the researchers report. "Despite these ample opportunities for intra- and interspecies aggression, there was no evidence of agonism toward conspecifics or aggression toward boats or swimmers in any of the ring episodes." Quite the contrary, in fact. Far from showing signs of avoiding humans, eight of nine ring blowers approached the boat or swimmers, with exceptions to when they were blowing bubbles while feeding. Whales of many different species have been observed exhaling near research and tourist vessels, exhibiting playful and friendly behavior. Intentionally blowing bubbles may be one more sign of wilful interaction, much as we might engage with other animals in whimsical acts of fun. While these facts support the fantastic notion of whale-to-human communication, we're going to need a lot more data before we can be sure of the true meaning of these effervescent messages – and whether they're really intended for us at all. "Whatever the reason for their creation, maintaining vigilance in the field will help elucidate the frequency and function of bubble rings," the researchers write. "Both playful and communicative overtures of bubble rings may hold deeper meaning for humpback whales and their potential for interspecies communication." The research is published in Marine Mammal Science. New Tyrannosaur Species Could Be a Missing Link to The Giants The World's Largest Organism Is Slowly Being Eaten First Evidence of a Sauropod's Last Meal Shows How They Ate Their Food
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Taupō dinosaur sculpture Boom Boom creates a stir at Riverside Park
A lot were critical of the sculpture with people questioning the dinosaur's connection to Taupō and saying it was a 'waste of ratepayer money'. Amanda Maclaren described it as an 'Eyesaur', with Wendy Johnson commenting it looked 'tacky ... and ridiculous'. Maxine Hay commented: 'Good god!! And how much did THAT MONSTROSITY COST', while Lynette Clunie said it looked like 'a cheap foil party balloon' for kids. However, other people disagreed, saying it was 'cool'. Thea Davies commented: 'Love it, brought a smile to my face when I saw it earlier - can't wait to see what else gets added to the trail'. Kimberley Gillies agreed. 'He is fabulous! Well done Taupō Sculpture Trust.' Boom Boom was created by Auckland-based artist Gregor Kregar and is the 13th artwork of Taupō's sculpture trail, which starts on the lakefront near Rifle Range Rd, continues through the town and culminates at Riverside Park. The park will be transformed into a dedicated sculpture park to revive the space, with Boom Boom being the first of 21 artworks Taupō Sculpture Trust hopes to add to the park over the next decade. In Kregar's concept art document, he explained the inspiration behind the piece was Taupō's environment. 'Taupō is an extremely important geological site and has produced two of the world's largest eruptions. 'My work makes reference to this history and how it has shaped and influenced the area.' The rock base would echo 'the giant boulders that would have been ejected by the volcanic force of the Taupō eruptions ', while the Sauropod dinosaur would resonate 'with the pre-historic history of the location'. Kregar also said the style of the dinosaur was inspired by an inflatable toy to represent the town's standing as a 'playful holiday destination'. As part of the 2018-28 long-term plan, Taupō District Council agreed to give the trust a one-off grant of $100,000 towards a 'destination sculpture' provided the trust could raise the same amount. Talking to the Waikato Herald this week, Taupō Mayor David Trewavas said the arts community had waited a long time for support and deserved the grant. 'We are quick to support lots of sporting events, like the Ironman and Supercars, and no one says a thing ... Why can't the arts community have a go.' Trewavas wouldn't comment on what he thought of Boom Boom. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... It's certainly a bit out there, but art is meant to spark conversations. [Boom Boom] certainly does that.' Councillor John Williamson, who holds the council's Arts and Culture portfolio, agreed. '[The sculpture] created a lot of interest ... I personally have no objection to it.' Williamson said he didn't believe the sculpture was a waste of money and believed it would be a 'great asset' to the town. The sculpture park project was granted resource consent from the council in November 2023. The trust wanted to revive the park which they believed was 'under-utilised', apart from being 'phenomenally successful for events like the Summer Concert'. Within the next year, the trust expects to add two further sculptures. All sculptures are selected by the trust.
ABC News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Queensland banks on nostalgia with new Holiday tourism campaign that revives an 80s hit
Queensland tourism officials are harking back to the 1980s with a campaign based on a cover of Madonna's hit Holiday to remind potential visitors what it's like to visit Queensland. That Holiday Feeling features a video showing singer-songwriter Kita Alexander apparently escaping heavy traffic in a rainy city to blue skies in scenic areas of the state. A clip posted to social media shows destinations from Coolangatta on the Gold Coast to Mossman Gorge in Far North Queensland, with the state's west represented by Charlotte Plains in Cunnamulla. A twisted metal sculpture of a Sauropod and her babies on the Natural Sciences Loop in the Quilpie Shire. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Queensland is trying to revive a lull in tourist numbers in 2024, when the cost-of-living crisis ate into holiday funds and better dollar exchange rates saw more people travel to Asia. "It's more than a tagline, it's a great opportunity for Queensland," Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said as he launched the That Holiday Feeling campaign on Sunday. Queensland Tourism's last campaign centred on Bluey, the hugely popular animated series about a family of blue heelers from Brisbane. This year's campaign seems more grown-up. Instead of bouncing a red balloon from scene to scene, holidaymakers are seen paddleboarding, hiking, swimming and snorkelling. Queensland is trying to attract more tourists to coastal destinations like Lady Elliot Island off Queensland. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Mr Powell couldn't put a figure on the cost of this year's campaign. But he said, if successful, it could roll out right up to 2032. "The exciting thing about this brand is that it's not just one campaign. This is multiple campaigns this could go four or five years," he said. " It could go all the way up to the Olympics. " Campaign built on nostalgia Nostalgia is driving the That Holiday Feeling campaign, with hopes holidaymakers will remember past trips to Queensland and decide to come again. The original Holiday single was released by Madonna in 1983 and reached the Top 10 in several countries. "We're unashamedly targeting other jurisdictions, so New South Wales, Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia," Mr Powell said. "Most of those would have had a family or themselves holiday in Queensland and they would remember that feeling that they had, holidaying here. We want to remind them of that." The broad campaign is also targeting Queenslanders, as well as international travellers. Several locations including Mossman Gorge in Far North Queensland feature in the new tourism campaign. ( Supplied: Tourism and Events Queensland ) Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said the state was unmatched by any other destination at home, or abroad. "The platform That Holiday Feeling is really hard for anyone else, any other state, any other country in the world to argue with us on," Mr Davidson said. " We are the place to come to for a holiday in Australia, and we are the place to come to for a holiday globally. " Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell says the state's trying to attract domestic and foreign tourists. ( ABC News: Lucas Hill ) Signs of an uptick over Easter Encouraging signs of a recovery in tourist numbers emerged on the Gold Coast over Easter, where occupancy rates hit 90 per cent, up 10 per cent on last year, Mr Powell said. Officials had feared that tourists would avoid the coast in the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred, which caused severe erosion on several beaches. "We worked with all of our airlines, we offered deals on and as a result we turned around what were some concerning stories and (we've) seen one of the most wonderful Easter school holiday periods yet," Mr Powell said. Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said he was looking forward to seeing further momentum in numbers. "The Gold Coast has always been the jewel in the crown of Queensland tourism, so we look forward to the new campaign building on the momentum we have been building, with record visitor spend over the last year," Mr Tate said. Kita Alexander sings a version of Madonna's hit "Holiday" in Queensland's latest tourism campaign. ( ABC News: Lucas Hill ) Originally from Queensland, the campaign's "face" now lives in Byron Bay but returns to Hamilton Island for holidays. "I just love the beaches and the heat," said Ms Alexander, whose debut album was released last year. She said the highlight of making the campaign was lying on her back in the ocean for an hour near Heart Reef in the Whitsundays while a drone filmed overhead. "I was on my back telling the ocean I was its friend, because I was out there by myself," she said. " But I was fine and had the best time ever, and it was so magical. "
