The Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, and is actually bigger than the Great Wall of China. The reef is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is also the world’s largest reef system.
The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space
The reef is home to over 1,500 different species of fish, as well as 215 species of birds, 6 species of sea turtles, and 30 species of whales and dolphins.
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
An interesting animal found around the Great Barrier Reef is the endangered dugong. Dugongs, also known as sea cows, face great dangers in today's highly commercialized waters. They are often found caught in fishing nets, sometimes leading to their death. They are now protected by the government in Australia.
The endangered Dugong, also known as a sea cow, feeding off of sea grass on the ocean floor.
Lastly, Due to climate change, the Great Barrier Reef is in significant danger moving forward. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation Launched the ZooX Fund in 2007, to help gather research and plan ahead on how to protect the fragile marine life found in the Great Barrier Reef as climate continues to change over the coming years.
To learn more about The Great Barrier Reef Foundation visit http://www.barrierreef.org/