Scientists have identified a new species of walking shark in Papua New Guinea, the Hemiscyllium dudgeonae. This animal uses its fins as legs to move along the seafloor, and locals call it the lazy shark. The discovery highlights the region's natural richness, but the species already faces extinction due to coastal development and coral bleaching. Urgent protection is needed.
How technology can map and save its habitat 🛰️
The walking shark's habitat loss is accelerating due to coastal expansion and coral bleaching, phenomena that satellite technology and underwater drones can monitor in real time. Predictive modeling tools help identify critical areas for its reproduction. However, these systems require local investment and political will. Science provides precise data to delineate marine protected areas, but without immediate action, the map will be of little use.
The marine sloth that doesn't even run to save itself 🐢
Calling it a lazy shark is not just because of its way of walking. At this rate, its extinction will be as slow as its walk, but just as certain. While humans build hotels on the coast, it crawls along searching for healthy coral. Maybe it should hurry up, even just a little. After all, if it doesn't, in a few years no one will remember how a fish with legs moves.