A conservation group has announced the discovery of a massive coral colony on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, describing it as one of the largest single colonies documented to date.

In a statement on Thursday, Citizens of the Reef said preliminary measurements indicate the colony stretches approximately 111 metres.

It has a footprint of about 3,973 square metres, far exceeding the typical 30-35 metre range reported internationally for comparable colonies.

The group withheld the exact location to prevent potential disturbance and said relevant authorities have been informed to support long-term protection.

The scientists involved in the discovery cautioned against interpreting the find as evidence of widespread reef recovery or diminishing climate threats.

Instead, they described it as an example of uneven resilience and underscored the importance of identifying and safeguarding ecological strongholds within vast reef systems. 

(Xinhua/NAN)