Wally the Walrus has been on quite a journey. Native to the Arctic, Wally has been spotted swimming very far from home, including in the Isles of Scilly off the coast of southwest England. No one is sure why Wally has ventured so far, but his behavior has started to disrupt the local boating industry. Listen to learn more about the journey of Wally the Walrus and how locals are responding to his presence.
Story Length: 2:29
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March 17, 2022
2:19
For years, scientists have been making underwater recordings of orcas, also called killer whales. Orcas spend much of their time in an icy, dark area of the world, the Arctic, where they can be difficult to find, and scientists were hoping the recordings might help them better track and study the marine mammals. Recently scientists started listening to the recordings, which span thousands of hours. Listen to hear the sounds of killer whale calls, and learn what the recordings are teaching researchers about orca behavior and habitat.
Read MoreSeptember 8, 2021
4:59
Researchers in the Pacific Northwest are trying to save sunflower sea stars that have been disappearing in recent years. These brightly colored, voracious predators with up to twenty-four arms are dissolving into piles of goo, and over 95% of them are gone. Listen to hear what is causing the sunflower sea stars to vanish and learn how researchers have formed special bonds with the creatures as they work to save an endangered species.
Read MoreJune 2, 2021
3:57
Fishing vessels near the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador, are threatening the shark population by accidentally catching the animals in their fishing nets. The Galapagos is home to dozens of different shark species, and some are nearing extinction. Even a special area of the ocean set aside to protect the sharks has not solved the problem. Listen to a professor explain more about the threat to Galapagos sharks and how they might be better protected.
Read MoreMarch 17, 2021
2:27
Coral reefs, home to fish and plant life in oceans throughout the world, have been severely damaged by climate change, among other human impacts. In the Caribbean Sea, the dead and dying reefs have been taken over by seaweed that has choked out any new coral reefs trying to grow. To tackle the problem of dying reefs and to figure out a way to restore them, scientists paired up with an unlikely partner – the Caribbean king crab. Listen to hear a marine scientist explain how seaweed hurts coral reefs and how crabs may be able to help bring them back.
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