A man's boat broke down near a tiny Italian island in 1989, and he ended up living there alone for 32 years as its caretaker.

Budelli Island sits off the coast of Italy and covers just 1.6 square kilometers. It's famous for its pink sand beach, which gets its color from tiny sea creatures called Miniacina miniacea. The island became a protected area in 1994 because of its rare ecosystem.Morandi's boat engine broke down in 1989 during his sailing trip to Polynesia. By pure chance, the island's caretaker was leaving that exact day due to health problems. Park officials needed someone immediately to stop vandals and illegal campers from damaging the island.During his 32 years there, Morandi kept detailed records of environmental changes. He noted that water temperatures rose 2-3 degrees Celsius over three decades. He also saw tropical fish like parrotfish and barracuda arrive in waters where they had never lived before. His daily weather notes helped scientists at the University of Sassari study climate change.The island was extremely isolated. The nearest town was 2.5 kilometers away across the water. Supply boats came twice a week in summer and once a month in winter. Morandi used solar panels for electricity and collected rainwater to drink. He grew vegetables in a small garden and caught fish for food.In 2021, park authorities forced the 81-year-old Morandi to leave despite protests from environmental groups. Over 18,000 people signed a petition to let him stay. Scientists said his presence had protected the island from damage that happened on similar islands without caretakers.