Mussel farmers in Bulgaria are battling rising Black Sea temperatures that are killing their crops. As marine heatwaves intensify, experts warn that climate change could devastate Europe’s mussel supply. Veteran farmer Nayden Stanev has lost up to 80% of his mussels in recent years, forcing him to adapt his farming techniques. While the Mediterranean suffers even worse, the Black Sea is also heating fast — with grave consequences for biodiversity and livelihoods.

“They’re suffocating”: Mussels dying as Black Sea heats up

More than two dozen&nbsp;whales&nbsp;died in a mass stranding at a&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;beach&nbsp;renowned as a&nbsp;death trap&nbsp;for the ocean giants, wildlife rangers said Friday.

The Department of Conservation said 29 long-finned pilot&nbsp;whales&nbsp;were already dead when the pod of 34 marine mammals was found at remote Farewell Spit on the South Island late Thursday.

Department spokesman Dave Winterburn said rangers were providing care for five survivors but noted "the&nbsp;whales&nbsp;have now been out of the water for some time".

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"While this event is unfortunate, whale strandings are a natural phenomenon," he said.

"The cause of this stranding is not known."

Farewell Spit, a 26-kilometre (16 mile) hook of sand that protrudes into the sea, has been the scene of more than 10 pilot whale strandings in the past 15 years.

The largest was in February 2017, when almost 700 of the mammals beached, resulting in 250 deaths.

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Scientists are unclear about why the&nbsp;beach&nbsp;is so deadly. One theory is that the spit creates a shallow seabed in the bay that interferes with the&nbsp;whales' sonar navigation systems.

Pilot&nbsp;whales, the most common species of whale in&nbsp;New&nbsp;Zealand&nbsp;waters, are particularly susceptible to mass strandings.

The&nbsp;whales, which grow up to six metres (20 feet) long, are regularly found beached in large numbers.

More than two dozen whales died in a mass stranding at a New Zealand beach renowned as a death trap for the ocean giants, wildlife rangers said Friday. The Department of Conservation said 29 long-finned pilot whales were already dead when the pod of 34 marine mammals was found at remote Farewell Spit on the South Island late Thursday.

More than two dozen whales died in a mass stranding at a New Zealand beach renowned as a death trap for the ocean giants, wildlife rangers said Friday. The Department of Conservation said 29 long-finned pilot whales were already dead when the pod of 34 marine mammals was found at remote Farewell Spit on the South Island late Thursday. Department spokesman Dave Winterburn said rangers were providing care for five survivors but noted "the whales have now been out of the water for some time". Also read | 'An extraordinary find': A 36-million-year-old prehistoric whale fossil found in Peru "While this event is unfortunate, whale strandings are a natural phenomenon," he said. "The cause of this stranding is not known." Farewell Spit, a 26-kilometre (16 mile) hook of sand that protrudes into the sea, has been the scene of more than 10 pilot whale strandings in the past 15 years. The largest was in February 2017, when almost 700 of the mammals beached, resulting in 250 deaths. Also read | New Zealand offers visas to 4,000 Ukraine war refugees Scientists are unclear about why the beach is so deadly. One theory is that the spit creates a shallow seabed in the bay that interferes with the whales' sonar navigation systems. Pilot whales, the most common species of whale in New Zealand waters, are particularly susceptible to mass strandings. The whales, which grow up to six metres (20 feet) long, are regularly found beached in large numbers.

Death Trap: Over two dozen whales dead in New Zealand mass stranding

Beavers are back - literally! For the first time in 400 years, beavers have built a dam in Exmoor, England. Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents, and they were introduced into the region by the National Trust, who also undertook restoration work in the area.

The dam was spotted at the Holnicote Estate close to Minehead in England. These were also the first beavers to be released into the wild by the trust in 125 years of its existence.&nbsp;The dam creation process includes collection of vegetation.&nbsp;After they moved into a 2.7 acre enclosure in January, the trust, along with the Exeter University have been monitoring them.

SkyNews reported that local workers and rangers have referred to the beavers as “ecosystem engineers” for they have successfully created a wetland just nine months after water was introduced.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/wuhan-food-markets-are-selling-wild-animals-again-324272" hreflang="en">Wuhan food markets are selling wild animals, again</a>

The construction done by beavers has created deep pools of water - which not only provides animals protection from predators but also a safe place to hoard food.

Humans also get the benefits of this creation. Beaver dams are capable of preventing flood, as they slow down the stream water and then store water as it flows. The project manager, Ben Eardley told Sky News that owing to the ongoing climate crisis which continues to worse, beaver dams are one of many solutions.

He referred to the dam as “incredibly special”, and says that the appearance of such dams is testimony to the changing landscape.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/fatal-crashes-including-wild-animals-dipped-by-over-50-due-to-coronavirus-restrictions-says-study-324252" hreflang="en">Fatal crashes including wild animals dipped by over 50% due to coronavirus restrictions, says study</a>

Even though the dam has been in place for only a few weeks, it has been able to create a wetland! Eardley claims that they have spotted kingfishers. With the extension of habitat, they expect to see amphibians, insects, bats, and birds.

While referring to the rain that took place in the region recently, he said that this is testimony to the role played by beavers in engineering the landscape.

In the 16th century, beavers became extinct in the UK, for they were hunted for fur, meat, and scent glands. Over the last 20 years, the animals have been reintroduced in the country.

Beavers are back - literally! For the first time in 400 years, beavers have built a dam in Exmoor, England. Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents, and they were introduced into the region by the National Trust, who also undertook restoration work in the area.

Beavers are back - literally! For the first time in 400 years, beavers have built a dam in Exmoor, England. Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents, and they were introduced into the region by the National Trust, who also undertook restoration work in the area. The dam was spotted at the Holnicote Estate close to Minehead in England. These were also the first beavers to be released into the wild by the trust in 125 years of its existence. The dam creation process includes collection of vegetation. After they moved into a 2.7 acre enclosure in January, the trust, along with the Exeter University have been monitoring them. SkyNews reported that local workers and rangers have referred to the beavers as “ecosystem engineers” for they have successfully created a wetland just nine months after water was introduced. Also read: Wuhan food markets are selling wild animals, again The construction done by beavers has created deep pools of water - which not only provides animals protection from predators but also a safe place to hoard food. Humans also get the benefits of this creation. Beaver dams are capable of preventing flood, as they slow down the stream water and then store water as it flows. The project manager, Ben Eardley told Sky News that owing to the ongoing climate crisis which continues to worse, beaver dams are one of many solutions. He referred to the dam as “incredibly special”, and says that the appearance of such dams is testimony to the changing landscape. Also read: Fatal crashes including wild animals dipped by over 50% due to coronavirus restrictions, says study Even though the dam has been in place for only a few weeks, it has been able to create a wetland! Eardley claims that they have spotted kingfishers. With the extension of habitat, they expect to see amphibians, insects, bats, and birds. While referring to the rain that took place in the region recently, he said that this is testimony to the role played by beavers in engineering the landscape. In the 16th century, beavers became extinct in the UK, for they were hunted for fur, meat, and scent glands. Over the last 20 years, the animals have been reintroduced in the country.

'Ecosystem engineers': Beavers create first dam in Exmoor, England in over 400 years!

This is the year of remarkable discoveries. Recently&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-announces-discovery-of-27-coffins-buried-2500-years-ago-329084">Egypt discovered&nbsp;27 coffins buried 2,500 years ago</a>&nbsp;and Siberian scientists discovered <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/russia-39000-year-old-cave-bears-remains-found-intact-in-siberia-327171">39,000-year-old cave bear's remains</a>.

Now, Chilean scientists have added to the list by rediscovering a&nbsp;species of frog which was last seen more than 80 years ago.

This has raised the topic of the discovery made by&nbsp;American researcher and collector Frank Gregory Hall who had discovered the species in 1935 which was named as&nbsp;Hall’s water frog. He had discovered the species&nbsp;in a tiny hot spring oasis near Ollagüe in Chile’s Atacama desert.

This discovery has pointed that the ghost species is the same as the one discovered by Hall.

“We asked the museum where Hall’s (discovery) is registered. ... They sent us photographs of the larvae, photographs, comparisons, drawings,” said César Cuevas, a researcher with the Catholic University of Temuco.

Researchers continue to work to establish the frog’s taxanomic ties to other species found in the region in order to determine how different, and therefore, how rare, it really is, Cuevas said.

The main aim of the scientists is to protect its habitat as the increasing mining and tourism industry can face a threat to this aquatic species. “These animals are strictly aquatic. In just five minutes out of the water, they die,” Cuevas said.

The research was published in the journal Zootaxa.

This is the year of remarkable discoveries. Recently Egypt discovered 27 coffins buried 2,500 years ago and Siberian scientists discovered 39,000-year-old cave bear's remains.

This is the year of remarkable discoveries. Recently Egypt discovered 27 coffins buried 2,500 years ago and Siberian scientists discovered 39,000-year-old cave bear's remains. Now, Chilean scientists have added to the list by rediscovering a species of frog which was last seen more than 80 years ago. This has raised the topic of the discovery made by American researcher and collector Frank Gregory Hall who had discovered the species in 1935 which was named as Hall’s water frog. He had discovered the species in a tiny hot spring oasis near Ollagüe in Chile’s Atacama desert. This discovery has pointed that the ghost species is the same as the one discovered by Hall. “We asked the museum where Hall’s (discovery) is registered. ... They sent us photographs of the larvae, photographs, comparisons, drawings,” said César Cuevas, a researcher with the Catholic University of Temuco. Researchers continue to work to establish the frog’s taxanomic ties to other species found in the region in order to determine how different, and therefore, how rare, it really is, Cuevas said. The main aim of the scientists is to protect its habitat as the increasing mining and tourism industry can face a threat to this aquatic species. “These animals are strictly aquatic. In just five minutes out of the water, they die,” Cuevas said. The research was published in the journal Zootaxa.

Chilean researchers rediscover species of 'ghost' frog that was found decades ago

The oil leakage from a Japanese bulk carrier off the coast of Mauritius is causing the ocean life around the carrier to die.

In Pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/images-show-the-extent-of-ecological-damage-caused-by-oil-spill-off-mauritian-coast-319374">Images show the extent of ecological damage caused by oil spill off Mauritian coast</a>

On Tuesday, volunteers fished out scores of dead eels dripping in oil in a bid to skim the oil off the surface in what are considered the most pristine beaches in the Indian Ocean. An estimated 1,000 tonnes of oil is currently in the ocean, and more expected to flow in as the ship nears a breaking point.

Home to renowned reefs

Mauritius is home to world-renowned coral reefs. Now, thousands of species run the risk of drowning in a sea of pollution.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/mauritius-struggles-to-preserve-ecosystem-amid-catastrophic-oil-spill-319807" hreflang="en">Mauritius struggles to preserve ecosystem amid catastrophic oil spill</a>

The pristine&nbsp;turquoise waters of Mauritius have turned murky brown. Thousands of endangered species and spectacular corals are at risk.&nbsp;A Japanese ship owned by the Nagashiki shipping company has been oozing fuel into the island nation's seawater.&nbsp;

The MV Wakashio&nbsp;believed to have been carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil&nbsp;ran aground on a coral reef on July 25 and now&nbsp;a massive round-the-clock clean-up drive is underway.

Creative solutions underway

Mauritians have made floating booms of human hair and leaves&nbsp;to mop up the oil from leaking further.

Some hair salons are even offering discounts to those donating hair.&nbsp; A&nbsp;state of emergency has been declared in Mauritius as fishermen try and salvage their precious waters. For now, close to 500 tonnes of oil has been safely pumped out of the water.

What is of grave concern is that large cracks have appeared in the hull of the cargo ship which has prompted the prime minister to warn that it may break in two.

Mauritius is home to some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world. It's rich flora and fauna attract tourists from across the globe.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/japanese-ship-that-caused-mauritius-oil-spill-was-approved-in-annual-checks-319686" hreflang="en">Japanese ship that caused Mauritius oil spill was approved in annual checks</a>

Tourism is a major contributor to this island economy and added around $1.6 billion to its coffers last year. Authorities are worried that the oil spill near the blue bay marine park may endanger the corals, fish and other marine life and locals worry that this catastrophe could hamper their livelihood.

A spokesperson for the Mitsui Osk Lines, the operator of the ship, has profusely apologised for the spill.&nbsp;

An aerial view of the Mauritius coastline serves as a reminder of the havoc wreaked by mankind upon nature. For now, the entire country's ecosystem hangs in the balance.

The oil leakage from a Japanese bulk carrier off the coast of Mauritius is causing the ocean life around the carrier to die. In Pics: Images show the extent of ecological damage caused by oil spill off Mauritian coast On Tuesday, volunteers fished out scores of dead eels dripping in oil in a bid to skim the oil off the surface in what are considered the most pristine beaches in the Indian Ocean.

The oil leakage from a Japanese bulk carrier off the coast of Mauritius is causing the ocean life around the carrier to die. In Pics: Images show the extent of ecological damage caused by oil spill off Mauritian coast On Tuesday, volunteers fished out scores of dead eels dripping in oil in a bid to skim the oil off the surface in what are considered the most pristine beaches in the Indian Ocean. An estimated 1,000 tonnes of oil is currently in the ocean, and more expected to flow in as the ship nears a breaking point. Home to renowned reefs Mauritius is home to world-renowned coral reefs. Now, thousands of species run the risk of drowning in a sea of pollution. Also read: Mauritius struggles to preserve ecosystem amid catastrophic oil spill The pristine turquoise waters of Mauritius have turned murky brown. Thousands of endangered species and spectacular corals are at risk. A Japanese ship owned by the Nagashiki shipping company has been oozing fuel into the island nation's seawater. The MV Wakashio believed to have been carrying 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil ran aground on a coral reef on July 25 and now a massive round-the-clock clean-up drive is underway. Creative solutions underway Mauritians have made floating booms of human hair and leaves to mop up the oil from leaking further. Some hair salons are even offering discounts to those donating hair. A state of emergency has been declared in Mauritius as fishermen try and salvage their precious waters. For now, close to 500 tonnes of oil has been safely pumped out of the water. What is of grave concern is that large cracks have appeared in the hull of the cargo ship which has prompted the prime minister to warn that it may break in two. Mauritius is home to some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world. It's rich flora and fauna attract tourists from across the globe. Also read: Japanese ship that caused Mauritius oil spill was approved in annual checks Tourism is a major contributor to this island economy and added around $1.6 billion to its coffers last year. Authorities are worried that the oil spill near the blue bay marine park may endanger the corals, fish and other marine life and locals worry that this catastrophe could hamper their livelihood. A spokesperson for the Mitsui Osk Lines, the operator of the ship, has profusely apologised for the spill. An aerial view of the Mauritius coastline serves as a reminder of the havoc wreaked by mankind upon nature. For now, the entire country's ecosystem hangs in the balance.

Oil spill off Mauritian coast is killing aquatic life

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