Marine life
33,000 dragons and some octopuses: What happened when 5 million pieces of Lego went overboard
Nearly 30 years ago millions of Lego pieces plunged into the sea in what became known as the Great Lego Spill. They are still bobbing up today.
- by Aimee Ortiz
Latest
Russian ‘spy’ whale found dead in Norway
Hvaldimir, whose name is a combination of the word hval, the Norwegian word for whale, and Vladimir, after the Russian president, was first spotted by fishermen in Norway in 2019.
- by Kieran Kelly
Exclusive
Perth
Reprieve for Perth’s little penguins as state holds off on construction
The government’s changed its plans to carry out construction work during the breeding season of an already decimated little penguin population, it can be revealed.
- by Holly Thompson
Rare orca pod spotted off Sydney’s northern beaches
The orcas, who were hunting humpback whales, haven’t been spotted in Sydney waters for more than five years.
- by Riley Walter
Explainer
Natural world
Clever birds and killer bots: What to know about swarm intelligence
Birds, bees and ants all co-operate to solve problems with no one in charge. Here’s what humans are learning from them.
- by Angus Holland and Jackson Graham
Whale leads rescuers on harbour chase, before slice of freedom
The humpback moved erratically and often quickly, lunging across Sydney Harbour’s coves and bays and then hugging the coastline. It was untangled from the fishing line with a few deft cuts.
- by Nick O'Malley and Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Humpback whale entangled in fish trap in Sydney Harbour
Rescuers have been working to free the distressed juvenile whale. A GPS tracker has been attached to the animal to help find it at first light and resume the operation.
- by Riley Walter
The ‘hidden treasure’ buried under the sand at popular eastern suburbs beach
A beautiful yet ephemeral cove has been uncovered after the coast copped a lashing from winter storms.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Dolphin attacks spoil summer along stretch of Japanese beaches
One man told local media that he was swimming close to the shore when a dolphin bit his arm and tried to force itself on top of him, almost pushing him underwater.
- by Hisako Ueno and Yan Zhuang
The Great Barrier Reef keeps bleaching. Why are we told corals are thriving?
Australia’s unique marine wonder is under increasing pressure from rising temperatures, but the science is still being questioned.
- by Mike Foley
Exclusive
Gas
‘Unacceptable’: Red flag for Woodside’s Browse gas project poses problem for federal government
Concerns about endangered whales and turtles and the risk of an oil spill near a pristine reef present a major challenge for the federal government.
- by Peter Milne