Some good news this September
In light of current events, you’ve probably noticed that we’ve been sharing some good news stories each month. We’re going to keep bringing you these posts to help take our minds off the pandemic for a minute and hopefully spread a little bit of joy.
Fossils found in New Zealand suggest the ancestor of all penguins lived on Earth’s lost 8th continent, Zealandia
Between 35 and 50 million years ago, most of Earth’s eighth continent, Zealandia, sank. Today, we know a tiny part of this continent as New Zealand.
While scientists have known that penguins roamed Zealandia 60 million years ago, a recent discovery has revealed that this continent was likely where the earliest ancestor of all penguins, as we know them today, lived.
Researchers found a set of well-preserved 3 million-year-old penguin fossils, which included a skull and wing bone. This discovery serves as the missing link between ancient and modern penguins, and reveals that New Zealand may have been a biodiversity hotspot for penguins for millions of years, which is a huge change compared to the 7,000 years that was previously thought.
Story via Business Insider Australia
DNA test confirms pup found in north-eastern Victoria is second purebred alpine dingo
“An absolute miracle” – a second purebred alpine dingo pup was found by chance in north-eastern Victoria. A farmer situated 190km northeast of Melbourne found a tiny fluff ball in the middle of a dirt track. When he edged closer he realised it was a very young, abandoned pup. The farmer handed the pup into the Australian Dingo Foundation who tested the pup’s DNA to confirm it was a purebred alpine dingo.
This is such a significant discovery because of the widespread belief that there are no purebred alpine dingoes remaining in the wild. As a native species that is vital to the function of a healthy natural ecosystem, this find is a miracle. The dingo pup will now join other purebred dingoes at the Australian Dingo Foundation’s Dingo Discovery Centre and Research Sanctuary in Toolern Vale.
Morven locals band together to rebuild burnt-down pub
The local pub is a quintessential feature of any outback Australian town.
In Morven, a town in south-western Queensland, the pub was sadly destroyed by fire in 2016. The town missed their local watering hole and the social cohesion it had brought to the community.
So, eight couples from the community decided to band together their funds and skills to build a new pub. The group utilised their building, plumbing and electrical skills, as well as the help of the wider community, to build what is now a modern outback pub.
Community members have praised the group for reinvigorating the town and bringing its people together.
We hope these stories provided you with at least a moment’s relief from all the other news we get these days! Stay tuned for next month’s good news stories.
