Breaking Waves: Ocean News

Old Faithful, measuring more than 4 metres, rehomed to Sunshine Coast facility after removal from far north Queensland waterhole Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast An “iconic” saltwater crocodile has been transported more than 1,600km to Australia Zoo – made famous by Steve Irwin – almost two months after its controversial removal from its far north Queensland habitat. But while the Sunshine Coast zoo said it was proud to become the “forever home” of Old Faithful, as the crocodile that measures longer than 4 metres is known, traditional owners said they were “very upset” by the outcome, which conservationists describe as a “cover-up”. Continue reading...

Researchers to investigate whether environmental factors may have affected female animal’s pigmentation An amateur photographer in southern Spain has captured unprecedented images of a white Iberian lynx, prompting researchers to investigate whether environmental factors could be at play as wildlife watchers revelled in the rare sighting. Ángel Hidalgo published the images on social media, describing the singular animal as the “white ghost of the Mediterranean forest”. Continue reading...

London mayor says government should stay true to its beliefs and face down those who claim net zero adds to cost of living Keir Starmer’s government has shown a lack of confidence that it has the answers to the country’s problems, the mayor of London has said, as he called on the chancellor to back green investment in this month’s budget. Speaking on the eve of a summit of world mayors in Rio de Janeiro, Sadiq Khan said the Treasury should be more supportive of the energy secretary, Ed Miliband, in his pursuit of the government’s target of an 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. Continue reading...

The dark nights are here and staying in is more appealing than ever. But there’s a very real cost to not venturing out Since the clocks changed, a damp, dark blanket settles over York from about 5pm – and it’s brilliant; the perfect excuse to stay in. I love every quiet corner of home: my armchair, angled for a perfect view of bird goings-on and bleak skies outside; my marshmallowy bed; the sofa, stacked with blankets; the kitchen (I don’t cook, but it’s where snacks live). What could be nicer than sinking into the stifling embrace of multiple heated throws as a jacket potato crisps up in the oven and I succumb to a smorgasbord of good winter telly? Why would I ever move? Me and everyone else. Right? We’re sleepmaxxing and soup-making in our slippers, sparking up fairy lights and enthusiastically appropriating hygge and gezellig (Dutch for cosy). We’re sharing memes on the thrill of someone else cancelling social plans before we’re forced to and proclaiming our Jomo. It’s natural to retreat in winter: we’re animals. But it’s not just a seasonal phenomenon now, and I’m conscious I need, and maybe you also need, to get a grip and go out. Continue reading...