They have a head like a horse, a tail like a monkey, possess the ability to change colour like a chameleon, and to grow weed-like appendages on their body. On top of that, they are socially monogamous, the males are the ones who give birth, and seahorse babies are called "fry"! But across the world, seahorses are in trouble, threatened by habitat loss, and sold in a massive global trade, with tens of millions of them taken from the sea each year. Scientists say this can’t go on, or seahorses will severely decline, but are existing conservation efforts enough to save them? Here in Malaysia, a researcher is looking at how cultural practices can turn the tide in favour of seahorse conservation. Joining us to discuss this are Dr. Adam Lim, the Chairperson of Save our Seahorses Malaysia, and Wong Siew Lyn, who runs environmental journalism portal Macaranga.

Image credit: Shutterstock.

Produced by: Juliet Jacobs

Presented by: Juliet Jacobs

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Categories:  Environment,  Science

Tags:  The Bigger Picture,  Earth Matters,  seahorse,  seahorse conservation,  Traditional Chinese Medicine,  TCM,  Save our Seahorses Malaysia,  Macaranga.org,  Dr Adam Lim,  species extinction,  IUCN,