Latest news with #Yahoo News
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie snorkeller's deadly find 'cruising' in popular rock pool
A seasoned snorkeller was stunned to spot a small, deadly creature "cruising around" the rock pool he was exploring, telling Yahoo News he may likely "never see one again in my life" despite spending hours of his time under the waves. Scott Gutterson has been diving the waters off Kiama on NSW's South Coast for eight years and, despite getting up close and personal with rays, sharks, and even finding a message-in-a-bottle, he was still overjoyed to find a blue-lined octopus earlier this month. The octopus is one of the most venomous creatures in the ocean. "It was like a 50-cent-sized rock that wasn't moving... I must have got too close because it got defensive and its colour changed a lot," he told Yahoo. It was the distinctive blue lines that drew Scott's attention to the octopus, a clear warning sign from the creature not to get any closer. The blue-lined octopus, a species of the more commonly known blue-ringed octopus, carries enough venom to kill 26 adults within minutes. However, they are usually very timid. Their bite is small and often painless, often only occurring if the creature is picked up. There have been at least three documented deaths and multiple near-fatalities from blue-ringed octopuses, according to the Australian Museum. 👀 Warning to always 'check rock pools' after little boy's deadly beach encounter 😲 Boy's innocent beach mistake with deadly blue-ringed octopus 🥲 Woman pictured 'playing with death' on beach holiday Deadly creature 'hard to spot' in Aussie waters Due to their size and timid nature, few snorkellers are lucky enough to come across blue-lined octopuses in the wild. Scott explained one of his mates has regularly snorkelled at known habitats around Kiama in search of the species, but has left without so much as a glimpse. "My friend has literally gone to places where they know blue octopuses are there, and hasn't been able to find them. They're very little creatures that are hard to spot at the best of times... That's why it was pretty cool to see," he said, explaining he revisited the rock pool twice after the octopus encounter to try to find it again, but had no luck. "It caught me by surprise. I wasn't expecting to see one in the rock pool that day," Scott said. He explained there was great visibility in the shallow rock pool, and his excitement caused people to gather above him, with one passerby even snapping a shot of Scott with the octopus. "To see this little guy just cruising past... it was just amazing." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Confronting moment endangered manta ray is pulled from ocean for aquarium trade
Denis Richard, who was leading a tour off Florida, told Yahoo News his group was 'totally outraged' when they saw fishermen pull the manta ray aboard. Video transcript This is the confronting moment an endangered manta ray was hauled out of the ocean, right in front of a stunned tour group. Dennis Richard, who was leading a tour group off Florida, told Yahoo News his group was totally outraged when they saw the fishermen pull the manta ray aboard. Richard said it took them over a half hour to bring the manta ray to the boat. I was yelling at them, asking if they were going to release the animal, and they said, no, we have a permit. Richard believes the manta ray was being acquired for the commercial aquarium trade and is now concerned about the animals' welfare following the stressful event. However, he says there was one upside, adding, it was enlightening for the tourists. I'm glad they could witness it, so they can do something with their outrage. They can investigate, they can talk to their friends, their representatives about an injustice that allows the capture of endangered species, especially for public display.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Suspected methanol poisoning survivor calls for major change after friend's death
Bethany Clarke lost her childhood best friend, Simone White, after the pair drank spirits poured for them at a hostel while holidaying in Laos in November 2024. Video transcript A survivor of a suspected methanol poisoning is urging international airports to raise public awareness over the risks of potential alcohol poisoning at popular travel destinations. Bethany Clark lost her childhood best friend Simone White after the pair drank spirits poured for them at a hostel while holidaying in Laos in November 2024. Ever since, Bethany has been campaigning to get better education out there for young Aussies. She believes posters and leaflets at international airports would go a long way in helping travellers make informed choices and ultimately would save lives. Speaking to Yahoo News, Bethany said, I can't see the harm in having messaging in the majority of international airports. I just think it would be a sensible, very cost-effective idea. People aren't reading the news, but if you're flying out of an airport, you're probably going to sit on a toilet, put posters on cubicle doors. Bethany admitted she knew little of the risks before flying to Laos, where 6 people died after drinking alcohol suspected to be contaminated with methanol. Adding, if somebody's pouring out of a bottle in a bar within a hostel setting and you've had a look at the reviews and no one has had a bad experience, I suppose you think I'm safe, and that's the trouble. She believes having airports and airlines opting to easy messaging will be a quick way to raise awareness and have a lasting impact.
