Stunning Video Shows Thousands Of Pink Jellyfish Swimming Near Beach In Philippines

COVID-19 might have quarantined humans all over the world, but nature has seemingly benefitted from the disruption. Peacocks were seen roaming the streets of Mumbai and the Olive Ridley sea turtle population has increased due to a lack of tourists along Odisha’s coast.

According to Mail Online, thousands of pink jellyfish (also known as sea tomato or labong-labong) have been spotted off Corong Corong Beach in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines.

The Independent quoted Sheldon Rey Boco, a Ph.D. candidate in marine biology at Griffith University, Australia, saying,

“These hundreds or thousands of medusae are probably present in late January or February but because of wind, current and tidal conditions, they only seem to appear during March in Palawan. The atmosphere, water velocity, current, tide and even geological features of the bay or any body of water can influence the occurrence of medusae and their blooms. There are years when blooms or populations of a jellyfish are high and there are also years when they are few or even almost absent.”

While their appearance might be attributed to natural causes, Benny Antiporda of The Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources believes that the lack of harvesting (they are dried, sold and exported as food) might be the reason for their large numbers. Marine biologist Dr. Ryan Baring further adds that a lack of tourists during lockdown might have brought them to the surface.

Everyone is mesmerized by the footage, which is yet another silver lining amidst the quarantine.

We’re also noticing lower pollution levels, the chirping of birds (instead of the incessant honking of vehicles) and clear blue skies in India. Guess the 21-day lockdown does have some positive effects after all.

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