Durban beachgoers, beware the sting of the bluebottle

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The South African Association for Marine Biological Research or SAAMBR has cautioned swimmers and those walking along the beachfront to be wary of bluebottles blown onto shore by the north-easterly winds.

DURBAN - BEACHGOERS have been advised to tread cautiously as the north-easterly winds have blown in bluebottles to the shore.

"Watch out when you are on the beach as the stinging cells in their tentacles can still sting! Be careful if you are stung as some people can have allergic reactions to the stinging cells. A cloth soaked in hot water can help relieve the pain. The best is to stay away from them and don’t swim when there are many in the water," the Association warned.

"The float - the bag-like part filled with a special gas mixture - is used as a sail for movement and the animal can adjust the shape and position of the float depending on the wind. The tentacles are armed with stinging cells and can reach many meters in length. Out in the ocean, blue bottles feed on tiny fish and other floating animals that they immobilise with their stinging cells. Bluebottles are related to corals, anemones and jellyfish," the SAAMBR said.

 

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They should warn Bheki Cele, cos that's where he spends most of his time patrolling 🤷🏻‍♂️ SAPoliceService

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