Move over, dinosaurs—Hong Kong scientists are tracking real-life prehistoric survivors! 🌍 This week, researchers began underwater monitoring of endangered horseshoe crabs, creatures that’ve roamed oceans for 450 million years (yes, they outlived T-Rex 🦖). But now, these spiky-tailed marvels face their toughest challenge yet: surviving the 21st century.
Why care about these walking hubcaps? 🦀 They’re coastal ecosystem superheroes! Their eggs feed migratory birds, their blue blood helps medical research, and their DNA holds evolutionary secrets. But shrinking beaches, fishing nets, and human appetites are pushing them toward extinction.
Using tech straight from a spy movie 🕵️♂️, scientists are tagging adults to map their movements. 'If we can protect their nurseries and migration routes,' says marine biologist Dr. Lee, 'we might rewrite their story from tragedy to triumph.'
