If you go down to the beach today‚ you’re in for a big surprise … as scores of pufferfish are reported to be washing ashore due to changing ocean temperatures off KwaZulu-Natal.

According to provincial authority KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife‚ reports have come in about incidents of the poisonous fish washing ashore in areas along the north and south coasts on Thursday.

The authority’s Jennifer Olbers said: “Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has received reports from the Ballito area‚ Salmon Bay‚ Sheffield‚ Tinley Manor‚ Richards Bay and Clansthal‚ on the KZN South Coast‚ of pufferfish washing ashore.

 “Presumably there has been a rapid change in water temperature and this may be the reason that they are washing ashore.”

But the phenomenon also comes with health implications‚ particularly for animals.

“Members of the public have been asked to handle these fish with care. They can lead to poisoning of pets who consume them. Parents are asked to be vigilant of their children on the beach and ensure that they do not handle any pufferfish‚” said Olbers.

She added that the fish should be buried about half a metre below ground to prevent dogs from digging them up. And anyone who handles the fish should do so with gloves “to avoid any contact with the skin“.