Hundreds of 'by-the-wind sailors' wash up on England beach — experts warn not to touch
Hundreds of 'by-the-wind sailors' have washed up on a beach in northwest England, prompting wildlife experts to warn the public against touching them. These marine organisms are not jellyfish but are closely related to the Portuguese man o' war and can deliver a painful sting.
Why it matters
This environmental phenomenon highlights the impact of weather patterns on marine life and the importance of public safety awareness regarding coastal wildlife.
Hundreds of exotic-looking marine creatures known as "by-the-wind sailors" washed up along a beach in northwest England after persistent westerly winds pushed them ashore, prompting warnings from wildlife experts not to touch them because of their painful sting.The unusual sight was reported at St Bees beach in Cumbria, where beachgoers stopped to photograph the striking blue creatures scattered across the shoreline.Local resident Louise Nicholson said she initially mistook them for seaweed."There were hundreds of them and there were lots of visitors to the area taking photos," she told the BBC. "They are absolutely beautiful, only about 2ins (5cm) in size.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in