A Lake in Melbourne, Australia Has Turned Pink

Locals are thinking pink in Melbourne, Australia after a confluence of environmental factors turned the waters of one park’s salt lake a bright flamingo hue.

As The Telegraph reports, Westgate Park, located in the suburb of Port Melbourne, is now home to the vivid body of water. Its unusual color can be attributed to high salt levels, hot temperatures, sunlight, and little rainfall, according to Parks Victoria, a government agency that manages the Australian state’s national parks, sites, and lands.

“Algae growing in the salt crust at the bottom of the lake produces the red pigment (beta carotene) as part of its photosynthesis process and in response to the extremely high salt levels,” Parks Victoria explained on Facebook. They added that Westgate Park’s lake will likely return to its normal color once winter arrives (it’s currently the end of summer in Australia), bringing cooler temperatures and increased rainfall. In the meantime, park visitors should refrain from taking a dip, Parks Victoria advised.

Westgate Park’s pink lake isn’t the only one in Australia: The continent has a couple of them, including Lake Hillier of Australia’s Recherche Archipelago, which is bubble gum pink year-round. Learn how it gets its color by watching the video below, courtesy of the SciShow.

[h/t The Telegraph]