The Australian government has announced plans to create a marine park the size of Germany in the Southern Ocean marine zone. The goal is to protect the various species of animals, including penguins and seals, who live around Macquarie Island, a remote habitat found between Tasmania and Antarctica. By tripling the size of the marine park that currently surrounds the island, the ecosystem will be able to flourish and remain safe from human interference. This plan will increase the amount of protected ocean in Australia to 48.2%, which is a big win for environmental conservationists. The massive marine park is a vital step in preserving wildlife in the southern hemisphere, where climate change greatly threatens plant and animal life.
Image via Pete Oxford / WWF
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