The Islas Ballestas off the coast of the Chincha and Pisco valleys remain an important location for many seabird species, as well as seals and other marine animals. Birds today are less abundant than they were in the past, leading to decreased guano accumulation compared to earlier eras – credit, Jo Osborn New archaeological evidence … Read more
Arctic polar bear near Svalbard by Trine Lise Sviggum Helgerud via SWNS Polar bears are in better physical health than they were 25 years ago, despite the decrease in sea ice, reveals new research. The well-being of the iconic white mammals living around the Norwegian island of Svalbard has improved in the face of climate … Read more
– credit, CCS / Photo taken under NOAA permit 25740-02 As the Critically-Endangered North Atlantic right whale continues its long, slow journey back from the brink of extinction, there have been many joyful milestones worth celebrating. With the year still so young, there’s already been another: a record-number of sightings taken by a single aerial … Read more
– credit, Patricia del Amo Martín, released in a statement © How do you hunt a whale when your boat is made of logs lashed with vines and your harpoon is carved from animal bone? That’s what Spanish researchers were left wondering when they discovered evidence from a museum in southern Brazil that indigenous people … Read more
credit – Andre Smits, via SWNS Underwater photographers and free divers recently rescued a mobula ray tangled in a rope while being circled by sharks. After swimming away, the injured ray unexpectedly returned, circling the divers in what they described as a “thank you” moment. The mobula ray was trapped more than 30 feet below … Read more
SWNS / Get Busy Rowing team Incredible footage shows a team of rowers coming face to face with a whale in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The 4-man team encountered the animal midway through their 3,000-mile (4,800km) adventure to raise money for charity. SWNS news reported that the men were suddenly surrounded by a … Read more
Pterois miles, or lionfish, in the Cyclades – credit, Paolo Gamba, CC BY-2.0. In parts of the Mediterranean, invasive lionfish have devastated local marine biodiversity, but an allegiance between fishermen and chefs may mean the invader has met its match. On the island of Cyprus, the strategy is now clear: if we can’t beat it, … Read more
A Bryde’s whale Brydes whale surprises divers – by Emily Marzilli via SWNS A free-diving instructor had a once-in-a-lifetime moment when a massive Bryde’s whale suddenly emerged during a feeding frenzy in Mexico’s Pacific waters. Emily Marzilli of Baja California Sur was diving near a giant sardine bait ball, which is a survival tactic for … Read more
Pia It was 75 years ago the last time there were as many octopus in British waters as there are now, with the UK’s Wildlife Trusts declaring that 2025 was the ‘Year of the Octopus.’ These eight-legged spineless creatures, one of the most fascinating to inhabit our planet, have been seen in record numbers by … Read more
(left) the North Atlantic right whale when it was sighted in Ireland (right) and when it was sighted in Boston – credit, Naomi D’arcy (left) and Center for Coastal Studies, taken under NOAA permit 25740-03 (right) “But where else would one expect to find a right whale with Irish connections if not off Boston?” They … Read more