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Lost, Exotic Sea Creature Washes Ashore In Malibu
The Los Angeles County Natural History Museum took possession this week of a rare, ribbon-like, serpentine fish typically found in deep, tropical waters, that floundered near the shore in Malibu and died.
The first person on the scene to identify the 12-foot-long oarfish was an 8-year-old boy who studied the bony, silvery-scaled sea creature in school.
"The fact that it was close to shore at all is unusual," said Cynthia Reyes, director of the California Wildlife Center, reports the LA Times.
The Malibu-based center took tissue samples before handing over the animal to the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum where it will join a small oarfish collection that includes a 14-foot specimen recovered from Santa Catalina Island in 2006.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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