Hard to believe all the issues that are happening in Auckland are due to toxins from sea slugs on the North Shore beaches in Auckland... seems a very limited area too which surprises me.
Auckland Regional Public Health Service has advised emergency doctors that the TTX found in one small slug on Narrow Neck beach could if eaten be enough to kill a dog or a child.
TTX is a potent poison - 100 times more poisonous than potassium cyanide - found in tropical puffer fish and blue-ringed octopus.
This is the first time it has been found in New Zealand and the first time it has been reported in sea slugs.
Somehow I think we might have to avoid the beaches when we visit the area later this month - just not worth the risk with little kids! Would like to think we see Devenport.. just from the safety of well above the water line.
Note to self - try to resist licking or eating the sea slugs while up there.
