Endangered seahorse returns home amid lockdown to enjoy ‘lack of boats and people’

Conservation charity records highest number of native seahorses found in single dive in Studland Bay since 2008

Spiny seahorses, which haven't been seen in Studland Bay for at least two years, have been recolonising their seagrass habitat in the area (Seahorse Trust)

An endangered seahorse native to the UK has taken advantage of the lockdown to recolonise its former stronghold in Dorset, marine conservationists have said.

The Seahorse Trust, a world-leading charity for seahorse conservation, found 16 spiny seahorses – including pregnant males and a juvenile that had been born this year – during a regular survey dive at Studland Bay.

The discovery marks the largest number of seahorses found in a single dive on the site since the trust began monitoring the area in 2008. Before now, a seahorse had not been seen at the site for two years.