Pink pond boosts park visitors - 4th Dec 2023

This image of a bright pink pond in Hawaii is genuine, and hasn't been digitally enhanced. It's shocked locals, but wildlife experts have quickly discovered the cause - extreme dry weather and some weird red bacteria.

Whilst it might look strangely attractive, park rangers at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge have been recommending visitors and their animals to keep their distance.

Scientists believe it's the result of tiny microorganisms called 'halobacteria'. These red-coloured bacteria grow in lakes with a high salt content, such as the Dead Sea.

However, the pretty colour's a symptom of a far larger problem, Hawaii's shortage of rain. With little or no fresh water flowing into Keālia Pond, its salt content has shot up to twice the salt levels of seawater, ideal conditions for the bacteria.

For months, the lack of rainfall on Maui island has had a negative impact on wildlife and the local economy. Over the past 20 years, dry weather has cost the state millions of dollars, says the Hawai'i Farm Bureau. It's the second most expensive natural disaster for the US after hurricanes. Abnormally long dry periods threaten farmers' cattle and other livestock, and increase the chances of deadly wildfires.

The park's a protected natural environment for endangered species of waterbirds which nest there. Rangers say the birds don't appear to have been harmed by the bacteria, but they advise visitors against eating fish from the area.

The reserve's seen a dramatic increase in visitors, but not for the reasons manager Bret Wolfe might have hoped for. Instead of coming to learn about their conservation programme, they come "to see the pink water, " explained Wolfe, rather amused.

With Hawaii's state government predicting continued dry weather throughout the winter and spring due to El Niño, it's likely this bubblegum-pink pond will keep on drawing visitors.