Nature/Wildlife
We live busy lives, often in urban settings, so when the time comes for a vacation, many of us know that the best thing to do is to turn to nature. Nothing blows the cobwebs away more than a trek in the mountains or communing with creatures in the deep forest. Whether peering into a volcano, riding horseback along a trail, or spotting wildlife on a river cruise, something deep within us needs to feel connected to the natural world. All regions of the world present opportunities for enjoying nature.
In cooler temperate climates you may seek out snow-capped mountains such as the Alps, while equatorial regions offer the dense jungles of Asia or the vast plains of Africa. Anywhere animals live free offers us the chance to witness their majesty and understand better our place in the natural order. We can give ourselves privileged memories of seeing lions, elephants and gorillas on safari, or witness orangutans, monkeys and birds in the trees of the rainforest. The oceans and coastlines of the world offer opportunities for encounters with whales, dolphins, penguins, seals and more. Nature is always good for the soul.
Bad Week for Thailand’s Dugong Population
Last week was grim for the already dwindling dugong population along Thailand's Andaman Coast, the Phuket Gazette reported. No less than 3 of the mammals died, seemingly due to fishing activities in the region. The first dugong carcass the Phuket Marine Biological...
Coral Transplanting in Mabul July 09
Are you looking for a way to make your diving holiday about more than just diving? Do you want to contribute and better then marine environment? For the 12th year running, Sipadan Water Village Resort in Sabah, Malaysia, is celebrating Mabul Marine Day and you will...
Mabul Shark Finning Scrutinised by Tourism Ministry
A picture post on the WetPixel forum showing shark finning on Mabul Island sparked an outcry from the diving community and a flurry of emails to the Sabah Department of Fisheries. Enquiries regarding the forum thread made the Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment...
Thailand’s Giant Clam Calamity
From Phuket, Thailand the Phuket Marine Biological Centre recently gave an update on the status of giant clams in Thailand's coastal waters. It didn't paint a rosy picture. Worldwide Giant clams are on the endangered species list, and in Thailand are official...
Baby Green Turtles released in Phuket
Over 300 baby green turtles were released in Cape Panwa in the south-east of Phuket last week, in celebration of HM Queen Sirikit's birthday and Thailand's Mothers' Day. Led by naval officers from the Third Naval Area Command, municipality officers, staff from local...
Coral Reef Symposium – Reef Alert
The environment and climate change is a hot topic, pun intended. At the 11th International Coral Reef Symposium held recently in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the damage of climate change on corals was underscored. Scientists from the International Union for the...
More Dolphins Beach near Phuket
Yet another report of beached dolphins surfaced marking the third beaching of dolphins on beaches surrounding the dive sites of Phuket in the last two weeks. In the latest incident three rough-toothed dolphins, a species rarely seen around Phuket, were found in the...
It’s official: Cleaner fish clean
Whether it's mola-mola off Nusa Lembongan, batfish in the Similans off Thailand, Manta Point in the North Male Atoll or cleaner shrimp in Mabul, cleaning stations, where fish go for the human equivalent of a spa treatment, are an integral part of the reef. Through 13...
False Killer Whales beach off Phuket
A pod of false killer whales caused a stir near Phuket last Friday when around 20 of the animals beached on Koh Racha Yai.In the incident that occurred 25 km south of Phuket, the pod apparently got disorientated while navigating a narrow channel near Ao Paktok....