While in the waters of Lembeh, Indonesia, diver Pall Sigurdsson and friends encountered a tiny veined/coconut octopus who had made a home inside a disposable plastic cup. These particular cephalopods are known for making protective shelters out of shells and other found items, such as coconut shells, but Sigurdsson was very concerned about the octopus’ safety inside the flexible plastic container.

While a shell is a sturdy protection, a passing eel or flounder would probably swallow the cup with the octopus in it, most likely also killing the predator or weakening it to a point where it will be soon eaten by an even bigger fish.

Rather than leave the octopus to a cruel fate, Sigurdsson and friends spent a great deal of their diving time searching for a new shell. They tried several shells, but the octopus didn’t respond until the perfect one was found.

We found this particular octopus at about 20 meters under the water, we tried for a long time to give it shells hoping that it would trade the shell. Coconut octopus are famous for being very picky about which shells they keep so we had to try with many different shells before it found one to be acceptable.

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In a very tragic turn of events, there are five elephants who are believed to have died while attempting to save one of their babies that accidentally slipped and fell over the side of a waterfall.

Located in southern Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park, the waterfall is aptly named Haew Narok or Hell’s Fall.

Officials from Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation explained that experts were called into the scene during Saturday’s early morning hours after a group of elephants were blocking a road beside the waterfall.

Haew Narok waterfall, in Khao Yai national park, has been closed to all as of today (Saturday) after six elephants fell into a deep ravine and drowned.#ThaiPBSWorld #Elephants pic.twitter.com/kiTWSIShyX

— Thai PBS World (@ThaiPBSWorld) October 5, 2019

According to a BBC News report, three hours later, the baby elephant was spotted at the foot of the waterfall and the five dead elephants were nearby.

There were two living elephants also near the edge of the cliff, however, Thai officials attempted to move them.

Haew Narok is comprised of three drops, all totaling more than 150 meters high. Normally, it’s a popular tourist destination, but after the death of the elephants, it has been made off-limits.

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The steep - almost absolute vertical - drop at Haew Narok Waterfalls in Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Nayok is roaring. The park’s and central Thailand’s largest waterfalls, this is a stunning multi-tiered cascade that requires a serious uptrek. A guided walk is highly recommended. Also, always check the weathers prior to your visit. #AmazingThailand #ReviewThailand #OpenToTheNewShades #InstaTravel #TravelThailand #ThailandTravel #ExploreThailand #WanderlustThailand #ThaiTravel #ThaiTraveling #TravelThai #ThailandTravels #HaewNarok #HaewNarokWaterfall #NakhonNayok #KhaoYai #KhaoYaiNationalPark #ThaiNationalPark #NationalParkThailand #ThaiWaterfall #WaterfallThailand

A post shared by Amazing Thailand (@tourismthailand) on Jul 3, 2019 at 2:51am PDT

Chief of the DNP, Thanya Netithamkul, said to the local media that elephants could be heard crying Saturday morning in the creek that leads to the waterfall, as reported by xinhuanews.



Netithamkul explained, “Park officials rushed to the scene to find a baby elephant aged around three years drowned on the top layer of the waterfall. They also noticed two adult elephants, which were frantically trying to advance into the flowing water to save their young, looking extremely exhausted. I have ordered the national park to close the area to tourists, and will find ways to prevent such accidents from happening again in the future.”

Six wild elephants found dead at "Haew Narok Waterfall" in Thailand, at the same place where it happened as well in 1992. pic.twitter.com/naXD9ubttP

— Edwin Wiek (@EdwinWiek) October 5, 2019

Elephants are herd animals who rely on one another for protection and food. As a result of the very tragic occurrence, the founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, Edwin Wiek, stated that any elephants left in the herd will find survival very difficult.

Not only that, but the tragedy has also taken its emotional toll on the elephants as they’ve been displaying signs of grief. Wiek spoke to the BBC and said, “It’s like losing half your family. There’s nothing you can do, it’s nature unfortunately.”

Sadly, this isn’t the first time something tragic like this has occurred. Back in 1992, a herd of eight elephants were killed after they fell down the cliff.

Khao Yai National Park is the third-largest national park in Thailand. It’s renowned for its wild animals who freely roam the land. What remains unclear is whether or not the waterfall will be reopened to visitors.

In the meantime, we wish the surviving elephants of the herd all the condolences and good vibes. Family loss is family loss no matter what species.

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If you are a nature lover, you are going to absolutely love these photos. These were taken very carefully but a photographer that obviously knew what she was doing. These are incredible photos of a fiery-throated hummingbird that are certainly incredible to look at.

They show the gorgeous design of the feathers as well as the fantastic color that makes this particular kind of hummingbird one of the most gorgeous that you are going to find in the world.

jessfindlay
It makes you just want to sit here and stare at it all day in appreciation. Luckily for you, these photos aren’t going anywhere, so go ahead and do just that. You won’t be the only who is going to do so, that’s for sure.

jessfindlay
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A lost baby koala thought it had found its mum when it hitched a ride on a pet dog in Stirling, Adelaide.

7news.com
Stirling local Henry told 7News he discovered the joey nestled in the fur of his dog, Tony, after letting his pet out in the backyard on Sunday (local time). Henry, who believed the motherless joey thought the dog made a perfect parental replacement, managed to capture the case of mistaken identity in an adorable video.

The joey initially refused to let go of Tony, who appeared bemused by his new furry passenger. The joey eventually hopped off, climbing back into the nearby trees.
The video, uploaded to Facebook by the Australian news outlet, has some viewers wondering if Koala Rescue should have been notified.


"Although very cute, it's also very sad. Obviously something happened to the mother... Koala Rescue should have been called," one woman commented.
"The baby koala had obviously lost his mother... Koala Rescue should have been called to help," said another.

Henry told 7News it's fairly common to see koalas in the town, which is located roughly 16 kilometres from the city centre in the Adelaide Hills. However, he said he has never seen a joey cling to a dog before.

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