This issue of Wildlife News Round-Up includes headlines about cooling rains on the Great Barrier Reef, the protection of albatrosses and other seabirds, and the rebound of the rare Mekong dolphin.

• New Zealand Takes Action on Longlining (Save the Albatross)—The New Zealand Government has established new restrictions on longline fishing in an effort to protect albatrosses and other seabirds.

• Rains Helping Cool Barrier Reef (BBC News)—Monsoons in northern Queensland have helped to cool the waters around the Great Barrier Reef and in doing so have helped to reduce the likelihood of coral bleaching this summer.
• Celebrating Crocodiles in Papua New Guinea (WWF)—Crocodile conservation is the theme of a WWF-sponsored festival in Papau New Guinea. The country is home to the world's largest populations of fresh and saltwater crocodiles.
• Rare Mekong Dolphin Making a Comeback (CNN)—WWF Cambodia has announced that the rare Mekong dolphin is showing signs of a modest recovery after a ban on net fishing in the region.
• Mercury Contamination Of Fish Warrants Worldwide Public Warning (Science Daily)—A recent declaration on the extent of mercury contamination in fish points to a worldwide health risk associated with eating fish.
• Seabirds Make the Agenda on UN Fisheries Meeting (BirdLife International)—The UN's Food and Agricultural Organization announced steps toward the establishment of 'best-practice' fishing guidelines to reduce seabird bycatch.

Photo © Staphy / iStockphoto.