Latest news with #VictorianNationalParksAssociation
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Aussies urged to head to beach to hunt for 'butterflies of the sea'
Aussies are being encouraged to head down to their local rock pool this weekend to look for incredibly diverse sea slugs. The tiny marine creatures are so bright and colourful they even inspired one of the world's most iconic musicians. Sea slugs are found throughout Australia, but this weekend, authorities are calling on Victorians to find and document them in the name of science. There is a wide range of sea slug species, and understanding where they are distributed and what environments they can thrive in gives scientists an insight into the impact of increasing ocean temperatures. "It is helping science and our understanding of these species, their distributions, their movement, and how it's all being impacted by climate change," said Kade Mills, the ReefWatch Coordinator from the Victorian National Parks Association. "And work is now beginning to look at whether they are going to be indicators of disturbance and pressures from things other than climate change." 👨 Fisherman's incredible catch set to 'feed whole family' for months 😲 Woman captures 'strange' encounter in shallows at beach 🎣 Fishermen catch fish 'rarely seen' in Aussie waters Aussies are being asked to head to shallow waters at low tide to spot the sea slugs. If one is found, simply snapping a picture and sharing it on the iNaturalist app will go a long way in helping further research. "Rock pooling is probably one of the easiest and most successful ways for people to find them," Kade explained. The rockpools in San Remo, a coastal town in southern Victoria, are of particular interest as the area is a renowned hot spot for sea slugs in the state. Kade told Yahoo News sea slugs come in "every colour of the rainbow" and continue to inspire artists around the world, thanks to their vibrancy and impressive patterns. Rock god David Bowie himself was inspired by sea slugs, with an entire blog dedicated to documenting all the times his fashion appeared to mimic that of a sea slug species. The slugs are often dubbed the "butterflies of the sea", and most are harmless to humans, with only a few causing skin irritation if skin contact is made. Hunting for them this weekend will not only help scientists, but the initiative also aims to make those involved feel good. "It's a way to get people out and connected with nature in a slow, meaningful way, and to sort of look at the world that we often overlook," Kade said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
Aussies divided as travellers push for major change at national parks
Hundreds of travellers are calling for a major change to Aussie national parks. They're asking for long-established bans on dogs entering most national parks around the country to be lifted. 'This law makes it very difficult for many Australians with their family pet to visit some of the most beautiful areas in Australia,' the petition states. Al, who co-created the petition with his partner told Yahoo News he thinks pet dogs can co-exist alongside lyrebirds, koalas and bandicoots. "The rest of the world allows dogs in their national parks," he said. That's true in Canada and some parts of the United Kingdom and the United States, but Australia's closest neighbour New Zealand has a blanket ban. The petition has had a mixed response on a forum for caravan owners who travel with dogs, with many warning there are too many "irresponsible" dog owners with pets that aren't properly controlled. "I don't think people would keep their dogs on a lead and the wildlife would suffer," one person said. But it has struck a chord with some dog owners, with close to 650 people signing the petition in 48 hours. One signatory called the national park dog exclusion 'unfair'. 'You should be able to take all family members into national parks… including well-behaved on-leash fur ones,' another person wrote. Related: 😳 Surprising twist after hundreds boycott Great Northern Beer Dogs are permitted inside many reserves and state parks around the country, but other than service animals, they're banned in national parks The petition argues that pet owners are forced to shell out for house sitters and expensive kennels if they want to enter many of the country's wild forests, beaches and mountains. To avoid ruining the parks, the petition's creators have suggested dog owners would need to pick up after their dogs and keep them on a leash at all times. But national park advocates have labelled the plan 'flawed' despite them acknowledging it's 'well-intentioned'. 'It's coming from a good place because we all love our dogs. But the problem is that dogs smell, and that smell can drive away wildlife,' Jordan Crook from the Victorian National Parks Association told Yahoo News. 'There's mountains of evidence on the issue in Australia. Lyrebirds and shorebirds like hooded plovers can abandon their eggs altogether if there's a dog around. Bandicoots and wallabies can be scared away if there's a dog in the area.' ☠️ A quarter of koalas monitored during controversial road project die 💧 Sad photos after rare Aussie flood event 🌳 Charming Aussie town split over future of 80-year-old trees Even if dogs are leashed and unable to chase wildlife, they could still have an impact on many species. 'Their barking, scent and wee can deter them. And they smell different to dingoes, so the response from wildlife is a lot different,' Crook said. Some states allow dogs to enter reserves and state parks, but on the whole introduced species like dogs, cats and horses are not allowed inside national parks. That's because they provide the country's only safe habitat for some species. 'We're going into their only home a lot of the time. We can't forget that when we enter these natural areas,' Crook said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
