Officials killing off coral-eating starfish in Great Barrier Reef

A major outbreak of coral-eating starfish has been found munching Australia's world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, scientists said on Friday, prompting the government to begin culling the spiky marine animals. The predatory crown of thorns starfish feeds on corals by spreading its stomach over them and using digestive enzymes to liquefy tissue. This outbreak hits as the reef is still reeling from two consecutive years of major coral bleaching.

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