Shuffling trails and spewing whales

Paleontologists in the South Australian outback recently unearthed 25-million-year-old platypus fossils, revealing that these ancient monotremes possessed teeth for crunching crayfish and clams, unlike their modern, toothless descendants. In other developments, a group of high school students successfully rescued an injured hiker in the Warrumbungle National Park by constructing a makeshift stretcher from tent poles and a hammock. Meanwhile, a rare piece of ambergris—a waxy substance produced by sperm whales—washed up on a Western Australian beach, highlighting the intersection of marine biology and economic value. Additionally, the community of Meekathara organized a workshop to repair 100 abandoned bicycles for local children, while nature broadcaster Sir David Attenborough celebrated his 100th birthday, marking a century of contributions to environmental education and global awareness regarding habitat preservation.