Aaron Sterling is laughing about how his once particularly clandestine passion is now en vogue – a hobby du jour. “When I was in my early 20s, it was a lot more hidden,” he tells me over Zoom, dressed in an all-black tracksuit and working a big smile. “So I wasn't really shouting from the rooftops: ‘I watch birds’. That’s changing now!” 

Sterling, now in his 30s, is witnessing his beloved citizen science herald a new era, with an online, global community of diverse young people discovering birdwatching. Young people are boosting a collective interest in what 10 years ago – maybe even five – was generally considered the reserve of older, white, middle classers who could pick a Nightingale out from their battered old birding book with the same ease as they could spot Bill Oddie in a crowd. The ‘birdwatching’ hashtag has 167 million views and counting on TikTok, where young, new birdwatchers contrast and compare local birds from their regions and share tips.
 
Sterling has been active in this online community, and also works as a wildlife photographer and birdwatching advocate. He first became interested in birding after receiving wildlife books from his mum aged 10, and finding himself drawn to the winged variety, and begging her for binoculars. His initial tallies recorded what you might expect from someone situated in the inner city of Birmingham: “It was like: ‘Seagull times six. Pigeon, 200,’" he says with a laugh.


It’s simple enough to suggest that after a protracted period of being inside during lockdown, people’s interest in the outside has boomed. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) noted a 70% increase in website views over the first lockdown, with more than 50% of those on pages looking at bird identification.
 
Sterling encourages people to get out there, and really look around. In episode two of Woo's Nature Calling, he introduced hosts Mary Steven and Niko B to the joys of bird-watching, for the first time. He does quick run-down for beginners like me: the Robin (friendly) Sparrowhawk (not friendly) Mockingjay (known for mocking other birds' songs), Bullfinch (“you have to see the colours up close”). 

I ask him what his favourite bird is, and he screws his face in mock anguish: “Can I pick two?”. Eventually, he settles on the Kingfisher, because of its rarity and dazzlingly tropical, fluorescent orange and blue feathers, and then the Short-eared Owl, because of its mystery and expert predatory ability (“a crazy bird!”).
 
During our chat, I take this advice and keep one eye out of my window in Brixton for a while. I seek some joy from the often-overlooked blurs darting around the south London sky. Half an hour later, I find myself transfixed – small, brightly pigmented lime green birds settle on a tree outside my door, perching over a car. Sterling tells me these are Parakeets, which is news to me. He makes the point that they’ve probably visited every day, I just haven’t thought to really look at them. This, for Sterling and other birders, is a major part of it – it’s about finding new ways of seeing after a period of stasis.

A typical birding afternoon sees Sterling suited up in camouflage (often with a tracksuit like the one he wears now underneath) and might see him out for six to eight hours walking around RSPB nature reserves. He’s usually armed with a pop up chair, a 600mm lens Canon, and a Kit Kat Chunky if it’s a particularly long day. He will stay completely silent to listen out for birdsong, his favourite being the Blackbird. This is most typically heard during the breeding season, from March through to July – it’s one of the UK’s most prolific, and one you’ve probably heard twinkling above you in the spring.

It can be a struggle, he admits, not to reach for the airpods. But there’s nice advantages to being open to birdsong to keep in mind on your next jaunt outside: in 2019, scientists at the University of Surrey studied the “restorative benefits of birdsong”, testing whether it really does improve our mood. They discovered that, of all the natural sounds, bird songs and calls were those most often cited as helping people recover from stress, and refocus their attention. Being in nature, full stop, is good for us too of course – in the 1980s, researchers at the Nippon Medical School in Tokyo first published their research into the health benefits of shinrin-yoku (which you may know as ‘forest bathing’), which showed that nature calms the stress response in our central nervous system, and can contribute to blood pressure reduction, improvement of autonomic and immune functions, as well as of alleviating depression. In 2019 too, the RSPB released a single of birdsong for International Dawn Chorus Day (May 5, stick it in your diary) that actually cracked the UK’s music charts – it featured once common British bird species like the Starling, Swift, and endangered Turtle dove and Grey partridge, to draw attention to British birdlife’s extinction worries.
 
Anecdotally, Sterling feels the benefits, and wants you to feel it too. He’s evangelical about how searching for an elusive Kingfisher can be what he calls ‘a cheat code’ to calm. “If you do actually take the time to get out in nature, the benefits are crazy,” he says. “Like I can be, ‘Ah, can't get through this week’. And the weekend, I'll make sure I get out, phone off, slow down, and de stress. We live these really fast-paced lifestyles, don’t we?”

The act of something as small as birdwatching as a person of colour, especially a young Black man, can feel radical too. It’s an act of taking up spaces that have been overwhelmingly white. “I've had people see me and be like, ‘Are you in the right place?’ There's the whole (prejudice) thing of being quite big, strong, and aggressive. But it's like, ‘Nah, man. We just sit in a hide and watch birds. Happy days’,” he says.


In 2020, a white woman, Amy Cooper, called the police on a Black male birdwatcher. The incident made international news, and it sparked debate about just who is able to enjoy nature in peace. How can we expand the accessibility of green space for some communities who are made to feel like outsiders and aggressors? Groups like Flock Together, a birdwatching collective for people of colour, Facebook meet-up groups like POC in Nature, and British Birdwatchers are testament to a mission to reclaim green spaces for people of colour and the most marginalised.

Sterling takes Woo, armed with binoculars and a positive, skyward-facing attitude, into the hills for a hike. We’re on the look-out for a Red Kite, thrilled at the excitement of a prospective Heron spot and a shared mission for a glimpse at Starlings.
 
Sterling hopes to get a diverse range of people as excited as he is about rediscovering birds. His infectious energy and enthusiasm is palpable. I ask him how successful he’s been in recruiting friends. “When I'm pushing it to people, I just feel like I’m sharing a secret, and when they come out, they're like, ‘Yeah, this is sick’.” The camo and tracksuit uniform he dons is a sartorial, aesthetic plus. “They love the drip. They love the swag,” he says with a smile.


Birding and its impact on mental health may have long term effects, with new research suggesting a positive link between the hobby and the care of dementia patients, concentration, and even eyesight, as distance viewing (looking at horizons far away) is good work for our eyes. As global warming sees the concerning change of migration patterns, birdwatchers are seeing the impact of climate change first hand in the future – a dynamic and crucial way to get people engaged with the climate emergency, and one that could inspire more collective action and responsibility for the planet should we be concerned for our feathered friends.
 
Sterling continues to be inspired by the burgeoning birdwatching communities both URL and IRL, and as a simple, beautiful hope for an optimistic future world. Before we part ways on our hike, he articulates a simple dream for the future: “I would love for a day for me to go to a nature reserve and there's all sorts of people there.”


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The thrill of nature’s call is revitalising a hobby once reserved for old men in anoraks. Aaron Sterling shares the joy of birding



Eyes up! The young birdwatching community is taking flight

The climate crisis is furious and real, there’s no denying it, but as with all crises, it’s the terrible stories that tend to dominate feeds. But behind the scary statistics, progress is being made. Activists are fighting for change, new organisations and initiatives are being rolled out and on a global level, mindsets are changing. Public attitudes towards the environment are shifting, and those who are concerned about the health of the planet are much more likely to make the important lifestyle changes needed to of it. 
 
There are successes worth celebrating, and Woo is committed to documenting them. Below is a welcome and refreshing list of positive climate news, detailing the steady progress, foremost thinkers and innovations, in addition to educational resources and charities to support. We don’t say share this to diminish the negative but necessary news, it’s merely to highlight that it isn’t all bad. 
We all need something to alleviate the eco-anxiety that, according to the National Office of Statistics, [75% of UK adults suffer from, to varying degrees.](https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/wellbeing/articles/threequartersofadultsingreatbritainworryaboutclimatechange/2021-11-05#:~:text=In%20October%202021%2C%20three%2Dquarters,either%20very%20or%20somewhat%20worried.)  So, we’ll keep adding to this rolling inventory, bookmark it and refer back whether you’re feeling sad, stressed or like you need to do something – anything! – to help.


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## COP26

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in October 2021, Indian PM Narendra Modi pledged that India will become [carbon neutral by 2070](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/01/narendra-modi-pledges-india-will-reach-net-zero-emissions-by-2070). Although the rest of the world, bar China, is aiming for 2050, it’s better late than never. What’s more, 110 world leaders have promised to address deforestation to the point of reversing it by 2030.
 
## Magic Mushrooms 

You might munch mushrooms or rely on microdoses of them to keep you happy and sane, but don’t overestimate their role in the fight against climate change. Right under our feet, in forests and fields, uphill and down dale, are vast fungal networks that decompose organic and inorganic waste into nutrients, filter water and treat disease. They also help to store carbon safely in the soil ([some studies suggest up to a staggering 70%](https://time.com/507/why-some-mushrooms-may-be-magic-for-climate-change/#:~:text=They%20found%20that%20soils%20dominated,more%20nitrogen%20from%20the%20soil.)), even after trees have died.


## Get Fit And Pick Up Shit
 
Lizzie Carr started paddleboarding after surviving cancer, but now she uses it as a way to pick plastic from the UK’s waterways from London to Glasgow, she collects water samples to monitor pollution as she paddleboards. If you’re looking for an active and social way to get involved this is it. [Visit the Planet Patrol for more details](https://planetpatrol.co/clean-ups/),
 
## Ethical Living
 
Contrary to the headlines, you don’t have to subsist on bugs or be a staunch vegan to do your bit. If you do eat and enjoy meat, try consuming it more ethically – especially red meat which has the biggest environmental impact. Try to eat seasonal produce, and reduce the amount of flights you take. If you drive and own a car, consider a hybrid or electric one. Switch off lights, stop the tap when you’re brushing your teeth and don’t leave the shower running unnecessarily when you potter or scroll or whatever else it is you’re doing. Head to second-hand shops for furniture and clothes, instead of buying new – and mass.


## Get to Know: Vanessa Nakate 

25-year-old Ugandan climate activist [Vanessa Nakate](https://www.instagram.com/vanessanakate1/?hl=en) is fighting for the voices of the climate crisis that are not being platformed, not being listened to, and not being amplified. After The Associated Press cropped Nakate out of an image from a press conference with [Greta Thunberg](https://www.instagram.com/gretathunberg/?hl=en) and three other white climate activists, Nakate spoke out in a video statement. “You didn't just erase a photo. You erased a continent,” she stated. Since then, Nakate has continuously advocated for climate action in Africa and the Global South at conferences and climate strikes – including COP26, where she delivered a [speech](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeLWEbvXzSA) calling for tangible change from the leaders and corporations branding the conference as a success.
 
## Give and Feel Great
 
Ahead of your fridge or kitchen cupboard clear out, download [Olio](https://olioex.com/). Aware and rightly horrified that the UK wastes around £16bn worth of food every year in the UK, this app lets you upload details of what it is you’re giving away, whether three tangerines or a tub of ice cream. Maybe you’re going on holiday, need to thaw your freezer or you simply don’t like something you bought? Set your location, state when you’re in for someone to be able to collect and confirm the recipient. With an intuitive interface and reward badges, it couldn’t be simpler or more addictive. It also works for old electricals, clothes, and well, just about anything.
 
Click [here](https://olioex.com/) to download the app

## Tonne of Terrific Bricks
 
Gjenge Makers, founded by Kenyan engineer Nzambi Matee, turns plastic into bricks. By combining used plastic water bottles and general waste with sand, she’s created blocks that are up to seven times stronger than concrete. What’s more, they don’t weigh as much which means the carbon footprint in transporting them is reduced too.
 


## Bacteria Better Than Yakult
 
A recent study has shown that microbes have evolved to eradicate (some) plastic. Of the 200 million types tested, 30,000 were found to be able to munch their way through 10 different types of plastic, of which polyethylene terephthalate polymer is one – you know the stuff that drinks bottles are made from? With [1 million bottles every minute](https://www.plasticsoupfoundation.org/en/2017/07/the-worlds-population-consumes-1-million-plastic-bottles-every-minute/) around the world, they’ll have to work fast, but scientists are currently working out how to harvest and evolve said enzymes as a way to sustainably break down plastic.
 
## A Precedent For Change
 
A court ordered Royal Dutch Shell to [cut its carbon emissions by 45% by 2030](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/may/26/court-orders-royal-dutch-shell-to-cut-carbon-emissions-by-45-by-2030). The first time a company has been obligated to operate in accordance with the Paris agreement. Given the grave havoc oil companies wreak on the world, it’s a step in the right direction.


## Intersectional Environmentalist

Founded by environmental activist and content creator  [Leah Thomas](https://www.instagram.com/greengirlleah/?hl=en), [Intersectional Environmentalist](https://www.instagram.com/intersectionalenvironmentalist/?hl=en) is a non-profit organisation, climate justice community, and online resource hub centering BIPOC and historically under-amplified voices in the environmental space. Launched in 2020 after Leah Thomas went viral for stating “Environmentalists for Black Lives Matter” on Instagram, the organisation has amassed over 400,000 followers and uses its reach to champion meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable change through consulting with companies and brands, providing resources, and prompting one million people to sign a [pledge](https://www.intersectionalenvironmentalist.com/take-the-pledge) to ​​stand in solidarity with BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled communities, and the planet.

## Level Up With The Breakdown

Filmmaker (and former YouTube star) [Jack Harries](https://www.instagram.com/jackharries/?hl=en) has dedicated his work to documenting stories surrounding climate change. Besides founding creative studio [Earthrise](https://www.instagram.com/earthrise.studio/?hl=en) – which aims to platform people who are doing important work in climate activism – and covering environmental stories in environmental stories in Greenland, Somaliland, Bhutan, Kiribati and Borneo, Harries launched a docu-series, [The Breakdown](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Ec5NXzcESo60F3UgtgQRA), which dives into topics like climate justice, climate denial, and climate solutions while prompting viewers to sign petitions and engage with environmental organisations.

## Get Gardening with [Poppy Okotcha](https://www.instagram.com/poppyokotcha/?hl=en)

Writer, speaker, and environmentalist Poppy Okotcha has amassed over 73,000 followers on Instagram through advocating for regenerative gardening – a form of horticulture which uses methods like permaculture, forest gardening, and organic soil practices to reverse climate change and restore biodiversity. Check out her Instagram for practical gardening tips that you can use at home to create change.

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It may feel like humanity has decimated the planet, but rest assured: there’s still hope yet

How to Alleviate Your Eco-Anxiety 

Team Woo

Is one of the antidotes to the mental health crisis already on our doorstep? In a pioneering new comedy series, TikTok superstar Oatmilk Leader [Mary Steven] and musician Niko B ditch the city to forge an unexpected new relationship with the outdoors



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Nature’s Calling

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Gone are the days of frying in oil, laid on Bacofoil in the sun. Now common sense, science and every dermatologist, doctor and skinfluencer in between tells us that if we are to preserve and protect our skin, we must be religious and diligent in our approach to SPF. Even when rain falls and the sky is scuffed with clouds. Yes, ‘UV rays cause damage to the skin, 365 days a year,’ says consultant dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite. No matter how lengthy and loving your skincare routine is, if you’re not wearing SPF, you are, in a word, screwed, because UV damage from the sun is responsible for [90% of all visible and premature ageing. ](https://www.skincancer.org/blog/photoaging-what-you-need-to-know/)


# Decoding the label

Let’s start with SPF. Meaning sun protection factor, it refers to how long you can stay out in the sun without getting burnt. For example, SPF 30 allows you to stay out 30 times as long, and SPF 50– ok, you get it. It might sound like a leap between the two, but the difference in protection is pretty minimal, with [SPF 30 blocking 98 % and SPF 50 blocking 98%](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/306838#:~:text=The%20protection%20offered%20by%20sunscreens,UVB%20block%2C%20at%2098%20percent). Which one is right for you? Head dermatologist and author of The Skincare Bible, Dr Anjali Mahto, says that melanin-rich skin is relatively more protected than fair skin, meaning that an [SPF 15 - 30 usually suffices](https://www.standard.co.uk/beauty/spf-chemical-mineral-reef-friendly-suncream-a4180086.html). Otherwise, you better believe that 50 is best. No matter what skin tone you have, however, broad-spectrum protection is non-negotiable as it shields you from both UVA rays, associated with ageing, and UVB rays, associated with burning. Both, it has to be said, can cause cancer. 

# Physical vs. Chemical2
 
On to the different types of SPF: chemical and physical. Chemical sunscreens contain ingredients that sink into the skin and absorb harmful UV rays, whereas physical sunscreens, which are also referred to as mineral sunscreens, sit on top of the skin, providing a physical shield against UV rays. Because they’re waterproof, sweatproof, lightweight and imperceptible, physical formulas are great for your face. Darker skin tones benefit especially as they leave no white cast. Also, those with facial hair, as there’s no tell-tale clogging. 
 
It’s worth noting that unlike physical formulas, chemical sunscreen doesn’t work straight away, so applying at least 30 minutes before you go out in the sun is a must. Physical formulas tend to be better for those with sensitive skin, or who suffer from conditions such as rosacea or melasma, as they’re free from the chemicals that can be irritating. For the same reason, they also score high on the environmental front. Irrevocably damaging coral reefs, in 2018, Hawaii passed a law blocking the sale of chemical sunscreens that contained oxybenzone and octinoxate.


# Don’t Rely On Your Skincare 

Even if your moisturiser shouts about SPF, you’re not necessarily covered.. ‘Often when it’s built in you’re only getting UVB protection, but you need UVA too,’ says Dr Justine Hextall. What’s more, the protection that’s shown on the packaging is only true if you’re applying and reapplying enough, which according to no-nonsense dermatologist Dr Sam Bunting, is half a teaspoon of pure SPF on your face and neck. What’s more, you need to reapply approximately every two hours, something that even the most attendant of skin enthusiasts would fail at.

You’ll struggle to find a dermatologist who doesn’t love this stuff. Lightweight and oil-free, it doesn’t clog pores or congregate in cracks. 
 


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Helicare - 360° Gel Oil-Free SPF50

Sensitive skin? This gentle, does what it says on the tin formula is for you. It may remind you of the stuff your parents used to paste you in as a kid - intense is the operative word, but it will give you peace of mind. 


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Avène - Intense Protect SPF50+

This dermatologically tested vegan lotion smells like a tropical island, and waterproof for over an hour, will enable you, should you be so lucky, to splash around on one too. Dispensing a light mist, the wide 360 nozzle makes it a dream to apply. 


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Sun Bum - SPF 50 Lotion

From one of the industry’s most respected dermatologists, this silky formula has a soft-blur focus effect, acting like something of a primer, while offering skin broad spectrum protection. Plus, with 5% niacinamide you can expect it to brighten skin and lessen the look of pores.
 


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Dr Sam - Flawless Daily Sunscreen SPF 50 

This mineral, mattifying formula curbs shine, while improving the look of skin and its functions overall. As you’d imagine of a mass brand leading the sustainability charge, its packaging is made from 50% recycled packaging, and has a 100% recycled plastic cap. 


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REN - Clean Skincare Clean Screen Mineral SPF30

invisible formula for lazy SPF’ers, you’re good to go with just one spray. You can apply under your make-up or over it and top up throughout the day, all with change from a tenner. 


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Garnier - Ambre Solaire Sensitive Hydrating Face Sun Cream Mist SPF50

Make Extreme Screen part of your routine and say sayonara to sub-par protection, stickiness, and that dreaded white cast. It’s super-light but clocks in at SPF50, hydrating enough to replace your usual body moisturiser when you CBA, and has light shimmery sheen to add glow. And, it’s four hours resistant to water and sweat. Take Sensitive skin, allergies, acne prone? Ultra Violette’s SPF BFF Quiz to find your perfect match.

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Ultra Violette - Extreme Screen SPF 50+ Hydrating Body & Hand SKINSCREEN

# Build a skincare routine to level-up radiant skin

You’ve applied (and re-applied and re-applied) SPF and the sun has gone down… so now what? While our skin is in a protective state during the day, warding off harmful sun damage and oxidation, it goes into a restorative mode at night – regenerating skin cells and using oxygen and nutrients to heal and repair any damage created during the day and set itself up to protect against further damage the next day. Luckily – by building a nighttime skincare routine packed with gentle, hydrating products and nourishing antioxidants – you can optimise this process to level-up your radiant skin.
 
Simply speaking, night-time skincare routines should be broken up into three steps: cleansing, treating, and hydrating. To remove any make-up, oils, sweat, or SPF from the day, start with an oil-based cleansing balm, such as the [VERSED Day Dissolve Cleansing Balm](https://www.lookfantastic.com/versed-day-dissolve-cleansing-balm-74ml/13191009.html?affil=thggpsad&switchcurrency=GBP&shippingcountry=GB&thg_ppc_campaign=71700000088329924&adtype=&product_id=13191009&gclid=CjwKCAjwopWSBhB6EiwAjxmqDduuWn_V3lRFoF1fz6p7MlQK_81UjXxo9Pm98cgn8L9GpRKViRWg_BoC5LsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) with eucalyptus oil and vitamin E. Unlike make-up wipes, a balm will gently break down make-up, conditioning the skin without stripping the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Afterwards, double-cleanse with a hydrating cleanser to ensure all impurities are removed from the skin, and follow up with an antioxidant-packed serum – such as [The Ordinary’s Resveratrol 3% + Acid Ferulic 3%](https://www.cultbeauty.com/the-ordinary-resveratrol-serum-3-ferulic-acid-3-30ml/11638500.html) or [Glossier’s Super Glow](https://www.glossier.com/products/super-glow?locale=en-GB&g_campaign=UK_Google_Shopping&g_campaignid=2050872603&g_adgroupid=72658301655&g_adid=359123521563&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=pla-408246908819&g_adtype=&g_merchantid=107339476&g_productchannel=online&g_productid=SUP-021-00-00&g_partition=408246908819&&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=UK_Google_Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwopWSBhB6EiwAjxmqDR7fm3vbC0-ycYxoeYfybEC3dx5h99-Jf7m93SAOfM_C0WfpKqKgbRoCqzYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) with vitamin C – to feed your skin before its healing process at night. Finish off your skincare routine with a hydrating moisturiser to lock in the products, fight night-time moisture-loss, and replenish your skin before it recharges overnight.


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With so many myths and misinformation, consider this your ultimate guide to safe summer sun.


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8 SPFs to help you nail sun protection

8 SPFs to help you nail sun protection once and for all


You thought a skincare routine was a human-only necessity? Think again. A [new study](https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)00541-7) by a team of wildlife biologists from the University of Zurich has shown that dolphins are using coral as a ‘face scrub’ to ward off pathogens that cause disease.

The team has been surveying a community of 360 Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in the Red Sea since 2009. Their observations show that not, only would dolphins use the coral to help their skin, but they’d also form an orderly line – queuing up nose-to-tail to take turns on the coral. They would also keep to a strict skincare routine, rubbing themselves against the corals as soon as they wake up and right before they go to sleep… I envy their consistency. 

## Why do dolphins need a skin care routine?

Due to their thick, smooth and resilient skin, dolphins can be prone to yeast and bacterial – as well as scars caused by viral pox infections. The new research suggests that dolphins are using the readily available coral to promote healthier skin.

“It’s very intensive,” Angela Ziltener told [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/19/pharmacy-in-the-sea-dolphins-use-coral-as-medicine-for-skin-ailments), recalling her experience observing the dolphins, as one of the study's leading authors one of the study’s lead authors. “They don’t just go through [the coral] – they go up, they come back down again and they rub their belly, their ventral area and the back.”

During their research, the team also observed that the dolphins would meticulously choose and repeatedly return to the same coral species – suggesting they knew which type of coral was better for their skin. 
This hypothesis was affirmed when the scientists ran samples on the corals chosen by the dolphin, revealing at least 17 different bioactive metabolites with antibacterial, antioxidative and oestrogen-like hormonal properties – all of which are beneficial for a dolphin’s skin!

The new findings have received a widely positive reception from the scientific community. Michael Huffman, from Kyoto University who has studied primate self-medication since the 1980s said that this study was “very valuable work” in understanding how dolphins (and other marine species) interact in the wild. Speaking [with Science](https://www.science.org/content/article/these-dolphins-might-be-self-medicating?rss=2) he noted, “I’ve long awaited a really solid study of self-medication in a marine animal species.”

“If you think about it, they have no other options. If they have a problem with the skin, what can they do?” Gertrud Morlock, from Jestus Leibig University Geissen, Germany, and another lead author of the study, told [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/19/pharmacy-in-the-sea-dolphins-use-coral-as-medicine-for-skin-ailments). “If the dolphins have a skin infection, these compounds could have something like a healing property.”


## Pollution, fishing and global warming are putting dolphins are risk

This study, once again, goes to prove the importance of protecting these fascinating and intelligent creators. Like pretty much all things in life, the neglectful actions of humans are putting dolphins, as well as other precious forms of marine life, in danger. 

Despite, the [Encyclopedia of Life](https://eol.org/) ranking the bottlenose dolphin as “least concern” regarding their risk of endangerment, the nonprofit [International Union for the Conservation of Nature](https://www.iucn.org/) – which maintains a worldwide “Red List” of at-risk wildlife species – considers 36 of the world’s 40 different dolphin species to be in trouble.

The cause? You guessed it: widespread and constant forms of human-driven pollution. For instance, the run-off of agricultural and industrial chemicals into rivers that drain into coastal areas is having a [detrimental impact on the species](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/dolphins-in-trouble/) – poisoning the dolphins and causing reproductive problems. Dolphins are also falling victim to the unethical fishing industry, as well as rising sea temperatures.


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Scientists found that dolphins in the red sea rub have an exfoliating and antibacterial regime



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