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| Dangerous jellyfish on rise in UK | Dangerous jellyfish on rise in UK |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Record numbers of potentially dangerous Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish have been found on the South West coast for the second year in a row. | Record numbers of potentially dangerous Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish have been found on the South West coast for the second year in a row. |
| At least 14 creatures have so far been washed up and reported in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Wight. | At least 14 creatures have so far been washed up and reported in Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and the Isle of Wight. |
| The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said "unusually large" numbers of man-of-wars had been found, which it put down to the recent strong winds. | The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said "unusually large" numbers of man-of-wars had been found, which it put down to the recent strong winds. |
| People are being urged not to touch the jellyfish which can give a nasty sting. | People are being urged not to touch the jellyfish which can give a nasty sting. |
| The man-of-wars (physalia physalis), which are also known as bluebottles, usually live in tropical waters far out in the open sea. | The man-of-wars (physalia physalis), which are also known as bluebottles, usually live in tropical waters far out in the open sea. |
| But strong winds have been blowing them in to the shores of the South West and experts said more were expected. | But strong winds have been blowing them in to the shores of the South West and experts said more were expected. |
| Three have been found in Kimmeridge Bay, Burton Bradstock and Durdle Door in Dorset, one near Holcombe, in Devon, and one on the Isle of Wight in the past week. | Three have been found in Kimmeridge Bay, Burton Bradstock and Durdle Door in Dorset, one near Holcombe, in Devon, and one on the Isle of Wight in the past week. |
| Peter Richardson, from the MCS, said since mid-July, the charity had received at least another 10 reported sightings. | Peter Richardson, from the MCS, said since mid-July, the charity had received at least another 10 reported sightings. |
| He said: "There will be more than that out there. That's just the ones that are being reported to us." This man-of-war was found by Chris Lavis at Smuggler's Cove in Devon | He said: "There will be more than that out there. That's just the ones that are being reported to us." This man-of-war was found by Chris Lavis at Smuggler's Cove in Devon |
| Mr Richardson said that between 2003 and 2006 only five Portuguese man-of-wars were found on UK shores, mainly in the South West. | Mr Richardson said that between 2003 and 2006 only five Portuguese man-of-wars were found on UK shores, mainly in the South West. |
| But last summer that rose to 10. | But last summer that rose to 10. |
| "Last year we started getting more reports, so two years in a row now we've had unusually large numbers of man-of-wars reported," Mr Richardson said. | "Last year we started getting more reports, so two years in a row now we've had unusually large numbers of man-of-wars reported," Mr Richardson said. |
| "We are expecting more to wash up. As long as the wind prevails, they will keep coming." | "We are expecting more to wash up. As long as the wind prevails, they will keep coming." |
| Anaphylactic shock | Anaphylactic shock |
| The MCS has not had any reports of anybody being stung in the UK but Mr Richardson urged beach-goers to be careful as they had a painful sting. | The MCS has not had any reports of anybody being stung in the UK but Mr Richardson urged beach-goers to be careful as they had a painful sting. |
| "The jellyfish look very pretty and the danger is if a child picks one up to show his mum he could have a nasty sting. | "The jellyfish look very pretty and the danger is if a child picks one up to show his mum he could have a nasty sting. |
| "There are records of some fatalities. You're not guaranteed to die but some people go into anaphylactic shock. | "There are records of some fatalities. You're not guaranteed to die but some people go into anaphylactic shock. |
| "Some people have been finding them and reporting it to lifeguards, who have picked them up and taken them away." | "Some people have been finding them and reporting it to lifeguards, who have picked them up and taken them away." |
| A man-of-war is made up of a colony of creatures to form one jellyfish. | A man-of-war is made up of a colony of creatures to form one jellyfish. |
| The long tentacles can grow up to 165ft (50m) and hang from a balloon-like float resting on the surface. | The long tentacles can grow up to 165ft (50m) and hang from a balloon-like float resting on the surface. |
| Man-of-war colonies are usually found in the Florida Keys and off the Atlantic coast, the Gulf Stream, the Gulf of Mexico, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean. | Man-of-war colonies are usually found in the Florida Keys and off the Atlantic coast, the Gulf Stream, the Gulf of Mexico, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean. |
| Are you concerned about the arrival of Portuguese man-of-war jellyfish on the South coast of the UK? Have you seen one? Send us your experiences using the form below: | |
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