Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News

~ John W. Howell

 

White’s seahorse released in Australia – Supplied by Dr. David Harasti

Today’s good news story comes from my favorite source, the Good News Network. Here is the story.

‘Best One We’ve Ever Done’–Scientists Release Hundreds of Endangered Seahorses Back Into the Wild

By

Andy Corbley

 

Marine biologists restoring populations of seahorses off Australia’s east coast are ecstatic at the best efforts they’ve seen so far.

Hundreds of White’s seahorses, the only seahorse or seadragon species on Australia’s national endangered species list, were released into the waters north of Newcastle into specially-made “hotels.”

The project was conducted through a private-public effort consisting of the Sydney Aquarium and the Department of Primary Industries, (DPI) an agency that oversees hunting, agriculture, fishing, and forestry.

A generation ago, divers might see two dozen White’s seahorses at a time off Sydney Harbor at a refuge called Port Stephens, but coastal development and boat moorings have disrupted the habitat of these beautiful and strange creatures.

Sydney Aquarium has a very successful breeding program for the animal that uses individuals from Port Stephens as broodstock. The fathers raise the eggs of the next generation in a belly pouch—a feature unique in the entire animal kingdom—and are collected in large bags of seawater after they hatch.

They are then taken to the refuges and lowered down into their hotels. The hotels are essentially cages meant for much larger animals. They create plenty of nooks and crannies that serve as habitats for them and their prey species, like crustaceans.

Recently, aboard a DPI boat off Nelson Bay, Dr. David Harasti, a scientist with the department, released 350 baby seahorses at one time.

The seahorse “hotels” – Dr. David Harasti

“That was the best one we’ve ever done—350 baby seahorses sitting around in their new home,” he told ABC au, who filmed him doing the release.

“It’s great to see, and I can’t wait to go back in a couple of weeks and see how they’re doing.”

Harasti is also planning to check up on his charges this coming October.

The good news here is that with work, endangered species can be saved. Today’s JohnKu talks about what saving endangered species means to us. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Endangered by John W. Howell © 2023

Vanishing Species,

Are the early warning signs . . .

For the rest of us.

74 thoughts on “Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF – Fri-Yay Good News”

  4. Another great JohnKu and Fri-yay! I look forward to your Friday posts, John, because of the hope they convey. With all that is happening in our world, there are those who work tirelessly (and quietly) to create a future we can all embrace. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We all have to embrace hope, Gwen. When the world spins out of control it is the one thing that can give us the focus to continue to try and make it right again. You are right about those who work to create a future. They are there. I hope you have a super weekend. 😊

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  6. Doesn’t it make you feel good to see things like this. I like the “Zoo” programs on TV about the Bronx Zoo (all 5 including the NY aquarium), Chester Zoo, UK and San Diego. They breed and release creatures all over the world.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Like everyone else, John, I love this story! You know a nature-lover like me is going to be happy to see such a wonderful thing. And sea horses are so interesting … and CUTE! … it makes the news even better. I hope this turns out to be a very successful endeavor, and look forward to more good news when they go back to check on them.

    Thanks for sharing, John, and your JohnKu is on the money! Enjoy the rest of your Fri-Yay, and have a super weekend! 😀

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  13. I love that you have dedicated Fridays to wonderful stories like these. Your JohnKu hit the nail on the head.
    Happy Friday to you and all your girls!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Love your JohnKu — so very true. Great story, too. Have a splendid weekend, John (and Happy Mother’s Day to the Producer!)

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  29. IMHO, humans should have been the first of the endangered species. Then the rest would probably be fine right now.
    As it is, in all our hubris, we’ve made a mess.
    At least some humans are dong what they can. I wish them and all of the beautiful little sea horses great success.
    Lovely JohnKu.
    Thank you for these weekly “Good News” posts, John!
    õẋ õẋ õẋ õẋ

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