Rare Seahorses found in Thames
Colonies of the endangered short-snouted seahorses have been found living in the Thames River, the BBC reported. Scientists conducting routine surveys have found five seahorses in the river in the past 18 months, the Guardian reported.
This announcement came in the wake of the species gaining legal protection last month, the Guardian reported.
“Now they are protected, conservationists are more relaxed about telling the world they are there,� Alison Shaw, manager of the marine and freshwater conservation program and the London Zoo, said. (Guardian)
Under the law, anyone found killing, injuring or taking these animals would face a fine and six months of imprisonment, the Guardian reported.
BBC reported that the seahorses thrive in muddy, shallow waters or seagrass beds. They usually live around the Canary Islands or Italy, but their presence in the Thames indicates that the river’s water quality is improving.
“It demonstrates that the Thames is becoming a sustainable bio-diverse habitat for aquatic life,� Shaw said.