Humans: 0 Environment: -35437865

Official: Australian oil spill worse than thought

This is released just 4 hour ago:

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — Ten times more oil than originally thought leaked from a ship to blacken miles of white sand beaches along Australia’s northeast coast, a government official said Saturday.

Authorities declared a disaster zone along 37 miles (60 kilometers) of some of Australia’s most popular beaches in Queensland state after they were covered in a blanket of heavy fuel oil that spilled from a ship hit by rough seas on Wednesday.

Queensland state Deputy Premier Paul Lucas told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio Saturday that officials originally thought between 5,300 and 7,900 gallons (20,000 and 30,000 liters) of oil had leaked from the ship. Lucas said it is “now apparent” that the amount of oil spilled was around 60,700 gallons (230,000 liters). He did not explain how he arrived at that estimate or offer any further details.

rest of article found here.

Fisherman catches rare 1,000 pound hammerhead shark; then promptly kills it.

STATE (Bay News 9) – A Florida fisherman caught a trophy fish near West Palm Beach: a hammerhead shark that weighs more than 1,000 pounds.

The shark was caught off Singer Island. It was almost 14 feet long.

It may not be the biggest ever caught. The current record is 1,280 pounds.

Ben Underwood has died.

Ben Underwood has died. I have just heard that modern human marvel Ben Underwood, featured here for his amazing echolocation talent, passed away on January 19, 2009 at age of 16. He was taken by the same cancer that claimed his sight and leaves behind a legacy of inspiration few will ever match. I offer my sincerest condolences to his family and friends.