Latest news with #marineanimals
News24
27-05-2025
- General
- News24
Massive elephant seal pays Gordon's Bay residents a ‘surprise' visit
An elephant seal has been spotted in a residential area in Gordon's Bay. The SPCA said it is working on a plan to safely remove the seal. Residents have been urged to keep their distance. Gordon's Bay residents woke up to an unexpected visitor in front of their homes on Tuesday morning after an elephant seal took a short trip inland. The seal was spotted outside homes in Sir Lowry's Pass Road. SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham confirmed the incident, describing it as a 'surprise'. 'Our SPCA inspectors are currently on-site in Sir Lowry's Pass Road, where a rather unexpected visitor - an elephant seal - has found its way into a residential area,' she said. 'We're actively working on a safe and stress-free plan to relocate this magnificent marine mammal. Please avoid the area to help us give the seal the space and calm it needs while we carry out the rescue.' According to the Two Ocean's Aquarium, southern elephant seals are the largest of the world's seal species. Males can grow to lengths of nearly seven metres and weigh as much as five tonnes. Females are much smaller than males, typically reaching three metres in length and weighing up to 900kg. Elephant Seal Surprise in Gordon's Bay SPCA Inspectors are currently on site in Sir Lowry's Pass Road, where a rather unexpected visitor — an Elephant Seal — has found its way into a residential area. They're actively working on a safe and stress-free plan to relocate this… — alexlansdowne (@alexlansdowne) May 27, 2025 Southern elephant seals have a wide distribution in the Southern Ocean, with the majority of breeding and resting sites on the Subantarctic and Antarctic Islands. The seals spend up to 85% of each year at sea, only visiting land during breeding, moulting, and winter periods. Elephant seals regularly come ashore along Cape Town's coastline to moult. Among the most famous of these is a southern elephant seal named Buffel. Buffel first appeared in Buffelsbaai in 2016. In the years to follow, Buffel began to reappear on Duiker Island, Fish Hoek Beach, and around Cape Point for his annual moult.
News.com.au
23-05-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Shock as Sydney Zoo confirms death of two bull sharks
Two bull sharks have died at Sydney Zoo from an 'accidental impact'. In a post to social media on Friday, the zoo confirmed it was 'deeply saddened' by the loss of its two marine inhabitants. 'Extensive investigations by our animal care and veterinary staff, with support from external specialists, included comprehensive necropsies,' it wrote. 'These examinations found trauma consistent with accidental impact. 'While the precise cause cannot be definitively confirmed, preliminary findings suggest a combination of environmental and biological factors may have played a role in this isolated incident.' The zoo said all other species in the aquarium were 'currently healthy' and remained under close observation. 'The wellbeing of our animals remains our highest priority,' it added. The bull shark section under the animal page on the zoo's official website has already been taken down. Some animal lovers have reacted with anger to the news, taking to social media to argue such large mammals shouldn't be kept in small enclosures. 'Translation: We put a species that needs a huge amount of space in an enclosed tank and they ran into the glass walls until it killed them,' one wrote. Another asked: 'How can it be isolated if two sharks collided with it'. 'Sorry but these sharks should never of been in captivity as bull sharks are not designed for tanks,' a third said. 'It is sad they have past.' 'Accidental impact from what? I think further explanation is owed here,' another added. Bull sharks can measure between two to four metres long and weigh up to 600kg. They are known to be one of the more aggressive species of shark, having attacked 119 people in Australia.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Activist gather for ‘Empty the Tanks' protest at Gulf World Marine Park
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – It's been nearly two months since we first told you about the backlash Gulf World Marine Park is facing due to growing concerns over their treatment of the animals. On Saturday, a second protest was held in partnership with Empty the Tanks. Empty the Tanks is a worldwide nonprofit dedicated to the protection of marine animals in captivity. Members of the organization held protests across the globe last Saturday, but Panama City Beach's event was rescheduled for today due to weather. FDEP conducts search warrant on Gulf World Marine Park and Marine Institute In the past year, Gulf World has had four dolphins die and has removed all their sea lions and seals from the property. They are under investigation by several state agencies, including Florida Fish and Wildlife and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection but those investigations remain active. A local animal activist says it's important to keep the movement alive for the sake of the animals still in their custody. We have reached out to the dolphin company and Gulf World, but have not received a response. The company is still undergoing bankruptcy hearings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
