Saturday, August 01, 2009
Two-headed calf born in Colombia
This is Jenifer, a cow born with two heads but only one brain. The weight of the double head means Jenifer cannot stand without help, so the farmer has built a hammock to support her.
Jenifer was born last Friday at a farm in Rivera, 150 miles from Bogota.
Farmer Marino Cabrera, claims he has never seen anything like it in 30 years as a cattle breeder.
The calf's four-year-old mother had already gave birth to a normal and healthy calf.
"She's a very cute thing, beautiful, I see her as a pretty thing that God sent, he sent her as she is," Rosario Leyva, the wife of the farm's caretaker said.
The condition, known as Polycephaly, is incredibly rare, but can occur in both animals and humans.
Jenifer was born last Friday at a farm in Rivera, 150 miles from Bogota.
Farmer Marino Cabrera, claims he has never seen anything like it in 30 years as a cattle breeder.
The calf's four-year-old mother had already gave birth to a normal and healthy calf.
"She's a very cute thing, beautiful, I see her as a pretty thing that God sent, he sent her as she is," Rosario Leyva, the wife of the farm's caretaker said.
The condition, known as Polycephaly, is incredibly rare, but can occur in both animals and humans.
Baby crocodile scares plane passengers
A baby crocodile caused panic on a flight from Abu Dhabi to Cairo when it escaped from a passenger's luggage, Egyptian airport officials say.
Passengers screamed as the crocodile, measuring about 30cm (1ft), made its way down the cabin before eventually being captured by crew members.
All passengers on the Egypt Air flight were questioned about the reptile, but none admitted taking it on board.
The crocodile was handed to local authorities when the plane landed. Reports said it will be donated to a local zoo.
Passengers screamed as the crocodile, measuring about 30cm (1ft), made its way down the cabin before eventually being captured by crew members.
All passengers on the Egypt Air flight were questioned about the reptile, but none admitted taking it on board.
The crocodile was handed to local authorities when the plane landed. Reports said it will be donated to a local zoo.
Indian car stereo thief stripped and flogged in public
A car stereo thief was stripped of his clothes and beaten mercilessly by an angry mob, after being caught red handed in Chamrajpet in Bangalore. The stereo-lifter has been identified as M S Virupaksha, an employee of Intertitle company at the Information Technology Park, Bangalore.
The incident took place around 03:00 PM on Thursday, Jul 30 when Virupaksha was caught red handed when he was dismantling a stereo in Maruti 800 by the car owner. He was flogged continuously for 15 minutes by the angry public.
Suresh, the car owner said that when he walked up to his Maruti 800 was shocked to see stereo lifter in his car. "It took me a few seconds to realise that the person inside was actually dismantling my car stereo," said suresh. He also said he managed to grab the thief and raised an alarm to the crowd.
Virupaksha was freed only after the police reached to the place and took him to the police station.
The incident took place around 03:00 PM on Thursday, Jul 30 when Virupaksha was caught red handed when he was dismantling a stereo in Maruti 800 by the car owner. He was flogged continuously for 15 minutes by the angry public.
Suresh, the car owner said that when he walked up to his Maruti 800 was shocked to see stereo lifter in his car. "It took me a few seconds to realise that the person inside was actually dismantling my car stereo," said suresh. He also said he managed to grab the thief and raised an alarm to the crowd.
Virupaksha was freed only after the police reached to the place and took him to the police station.
Mexican police investigate hotel over stockpiling Cancun beach sand
Tourists have found their little piece of Cancun beach paradise ringed by crime-scene tape and gun-toting sailors after a hotel was accused of illegally stockpiling sand. Environmental enforcement officers backed by Mexican navy personnel closed off hundreds of feet of powder-white coastline in front of the hotel.
Mexico spent $19 million to replace Cancun beaches washed away by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. But much of the sand pumped from the sea floor has since washed away, leading some property owners to build breakwaters in a bid to retain sand. The practice often merely shifts sand loss to beaches below the breakwaters.
"Today we made the decision to close this stretch of ill-gotten, illegally accumulated sand," said Patricio Patron, Mexico's attorney general for environmental protection. "This hotel was telling its tourists: 'Come here, I have sand ... the other hotels don't, because I stole it."'
Mr Patron said five people were detained in a raid for allegedly using pumps to move sand from the sea floor onto the beach in front of the Gran Caribe Real Hotel. The hotel is also suspected of illegally building a breakwater that impeded the natural flow of sand onto other hotels' beaches, he said.
An employee of the hotel's marketing office said nobody was available to comment on the allegations. Authorities said the hotel owner ignored previous orders to remove the breakwater. A knot of angry tourists gathered around the closed beach. Some were irked by the sight of police tape and "Closed" signs.
Mr Patron said he regretted any inconvenience for tourists, but said the government is planning projects to restore beaches throughout Cancun in an orderly, environmentally responsible way. "I apologize to the tourists for this problem, but it is a question of enforcing the law," he said.
Mexico spent $19 million to replace Cancun beaches washed away by Hurricane Wilma in 2005. But much of the sand pumped from the sea floor has since washed away, leading some property owners to build breakwaters in a bid to retain sand. The practice often merely shifts sand loss to beaches below the breakwaters.
"Today we made the decision to close this stretch of ill-gotten, illegally accumulated sand," said Patricio Patron, Mexico's attorney general for environmental protection. "This hotel was telling its tourists: 'Come here, I have sand ... the other hotels don't, because I stole it."'
Mr Patron said five people were detained in a raid for allegedly using pumps to move sand from the sea floor onto the beach in front of the Gran Caribe Real Hotel. The hotel is also suspected of illegally building a breakwater that impeded the natural flow of sand onto other hotels' beaches, he said.
An employee of the hotel's marketing office said nobody was available to comment on the allegations. Authorities said the hotel owner ignored previous orders to remove the breakwater. A knot of angry tourists gathered around the closed beach. Some were irked by the sight of police tape and "Closed" signs.
Mr Patron said he regretted any inconvenience for tourists, but said the government is planning projects to restore beaches throughout Cancun in an orderly, environmentally responsible way. "I apologize to the tourists for this problem, but it is a question of enforcing the law," he said.
Hundreds of babies dropped off Indian roof
Rights activists lashed out yesterday at local officials who allowed hundreds of infants to be dropped from the roof of a mosque in western India in the belief that the fall — which ends when the babies are caught in a bedsheet — would ensure good health and prosperity for their families.
The ritual at the Baba Umer Durga, a Muslim shrine, is believed to have been followed for nearly 700 years, and each year hundreds of people, both Hindus and Muslims, take part in the ritual.
The infants, mostly under two years old, were dangled Thursday from the roof of the shrine near Sholapur, about 280 miles south of Mumbai, before being dropped about 50 feet onto a bedsheet held aloft by parents and other believers.
With high child mortality rates, especially in India's rural areas, many people resort to rituals which they believe can ensure their children's health.
Child rights activists expressed outrage about the babies being dropped. "This shows the complete failure of the local administration to prevent this practice and to create awareness about children's health," said Ranjana Kumari, a civil rights activist in New Delhi.
"It is also a reflection of the lack of access to health services, that forces people to behave in this irrational manner," Kumari said.
The ritual at the Baba Umer Durga, a Muslim shrine, is believed to have been followed for nearly 700 years, and each year hundreds of people, both Hindus and Muslims, take part in the ritual.
The infants, mostly under two years old, were dangled Thursday from the roof of the shrine near Sholapur, about 280 miles south of Mumbai, before being dropped about 50 feet onto a bedsheet held aloft by parents and other believers.
With high child mortality rates, especially in India's rural areas, many people resort to rituals which they believe can ensure their children's health.
Child rights activists expressed outrage about the babies being dropped. "This shows the complete failure of the local administration to prevent this practice and to create awareness about children's health," said Ranjana Kumari, a civil rights activist in New Delhi.
"It is also a reflection of the lack of access to health services, that forces people to behave in this irrational manner," Kumari said.
Dogged poochs amazing journey
Cookie the pet dog was determined not to be left behind when British businessman Mark Francis and his wife Branka came home to London for a break from their firm in Croatia. So after giving Mark's in-laws in Split the slip, mongrel Cookie started following her nose on an amazing journey to find her master.
Cookie found her way to the local ferry where the family often sailed from for trips to their holiday home on the island of Hvar. She waited patiently for the right ferry and trotted onboard before stowing away for the two hour trip.
And only when the island-hopping ferry reached the right port, Cookie emerged from her hiding place and headed down the gangplank.
"Cookie had been left with Branka's parents but as soon as she and Mark were gone, she slipped out the back door. They have a holiday home on Hvar and she obviously thought that was where they were going," said a family friend.
Meanwhile, Mark's frantic in-laws were ringing round friends and reporting Cookie missing to the police. The mystery was only solved when a neighbour on Hvar called Mark to tell him loyal Cookie had been sitting outside their empty home for three days.
"Mark was overjoyed to get her back. She's an incredibly loving and loyal animal and hates to be left out of things," explained a neighbour.
Cookie found her way to the local ferry where the family often sailed from for trips to their holiday home on the island of Hvar. She waited patiently for the right ferry and trotted onboard before stowing away for the two hour trip.
And only when the island-hopping ferry reached the right port, Cookie emerged from her hiding place and headed down the gangplank.
"Cookie had been left with Branka's parents but as soon as she and Mark were gone, she slipped out the back door. They have a holiday home on Hvar and she obviously thought that was where they were going," said a family friend.
Meanwhile, Mark's frantic in-laws were ringing round friends and reporting Cookie missing to the police. The mystery was only solved when a neighbour on Hvar called Mark to tell him loyal Cookie had been sitting outside their empty home for three days.
"Mark was overjoyed to get her back. She's an incredibly loving and loyal animal and hates to be left out of things," explained a neighbour.
Underweight India team told to eat at least 15 eggs a day
India's unfancied rugby sevens side must bulk up if they hope to make an impact at next year's Commonwealth Games, eating seven meals and at least 15 eggs a day, the country's South African coach said yesterday.
"I have told them (his players) they must eat at least 15 eggs a day, six for breakfast and the remaining nine any time, any how, during the day," the country's South African coach Norman Laker said.
"The players have three meals a day and that's not enough. In South Africa, elite rugby players have seven meals a day." India is rated a lowly 83rd out of the 95 teams in the International Rugby Board rankings which are currently headed by South Africa.
"Indian players weigh 72-77 kg on an average whereas the international players weigh between 88 and 100 kg. That is the weight difference you have to make up," Laker said ahead of the team's departure to South Africa for a training stint.
"I have told them (his players) they must eat at least 15 eggs a day, six for breakfast and the remaining nine any time, any how, during the day," the country's South African coach Norman Laker said.
"The players have three meals a day and that's not enough. In South Africa, elite rugby players have seven meals a day." India is rated a lowly 83rd out of the 95 teams in the International Rugby Board rankings which are currently headed by South Africa.
"Indian players weigh 72-77 kg on an average whereas the international players weigh between 88 and 100 kg. That is the weight difference you have to make up," Laker said ahead of the team's departure to South Africa for a training stint.
Tortoise is a real cage fighter
If you're a tortoise and a fire breaks out, you just have to keep your head down – or rather, in.
So, when Shelli's cage was engulfed – along with his owner's house – it was feared he was toast. Such was the intensity of the blaze, it melted his cage, gutted the bedrooms of Becky Smith's home and left her two other tortoises, Pecan and Bimble, dead.
She assumed the worst for Shelli. He was so hot he 'phfizzed' when firefighters put him in water – and then poked his head out.
'The firemen said he was steaming when they put him in the bucket of water and he was so hot they couldn't pick him up,' said Ms Smith, 27. 'It's a miracle he is OK – especially when you see the state of the cage.'
Vets kept him in overnight and Shelli is now nibbling cucumber again.
'He didn't eat for a few days and still smells a bit smoky but has no other long lasting effects,' added Ms Smith. The fire began at the house in March, Cambridgeshire, while she was out when a heat lamp fell over into his cage setting wood chippings alight.
So, when Shelli's cage was engulfed – along with his owner's house – it was feared he was toast. Such was the intensity of the blaze, it melted his cage, gutted the bedrooms of Becky Smith's home and left her two other tortoises, Pecan and Bimble, dead.
She assumed the worst for Shelli. He was so hot he 'phfizzed' when firefighters put him in water – and then poked his head out.
'The firemen said he was steaming when they put him in the bucket of water and he was so hot they couldn't pick him up,' said Ms Smith, 27. 'It's a miracle he is OK – especially when you see the state of the cage.'
Vets kept him in overnight and Shelli is now nibbling cucumber again.
'He didn't eat for a few days and still smells a bit smoky but has no other long lasting effects,' added Ms Smith. The fire began at the house in March, Cambridgeshire, while she was out when a heat lamp fell over into his cage setting wood chippings alight.
Ugly dog seeks lovely owner as RSPCA struggles to find a home for bald, speckly ET
With the head of a meerkat and the body of a spotted piglet, ET the dog would come last in any beauty contest. And sadly for him, he fares equally badly in the popularity stakes.
For the last three months he has been ignored by visitors to the kennels which took over his care after his elderly owner was unable to cope with him. Yet staff say he has a delightful personality and would make someone a perfect pet.
'Normally it only takes a few weeks to find a dog a new home but no one wants ET,' said Dawn Fields, head kennelmaid at the Hillside Boarding and Rescue Centre in Waltham Abbey, Essex.
'I think it's purely because of his looks. We put him in the first kennel people see as they come in but they hurry on past him.
'Then we put him in the last kennel but nothing seems to help. I can't understand it - he's so ugly he's adorable.'
Four-year-old ET, named for his resemblance to the Spielberg movie alien, is one of only 27 Mexican Hairless dogs in the UK. Miss Fields said: 'I think his owner obviously had a sense of humour with his name, it suits him though.'
For the last three months he has been ignored by visitors to the kennels which took over his care after his elderly owner was unable to cope with him. Yet staff say he has a delightful personality and would make someone a perfect pet.
'Normally it only takes a few weeks to find a dog a new home but no one wants ET,' said Dawn Fields, head kennelmaid at the Hillside Boarding and Rescue Centre in Waltham Abbey, Essex.
'I think it's purely because of his looks. We put him in the first kennel people see as they come in but they hurry on past him.
'Then we put him in the last kennel but nothing seems to help. I can't understand it - he's so ugly he's adorable.'
Four-year-old ET, named for his resemblance to the Spielberg movie alien, is one of only 27 Mexican Hairless dogs in the UK. Miss Fields said: 'I think his owner obviously had a sense of humour with his name, it suits him though.'
Skunk pack 'spotted' in English countryside
North American skunks are thought to be stalking the English countryside. A young skunk, which has been nicknamed Ozzy, was handed into a wildlife centre after it was spotted in the isolated Forest of Dean, Glos.
Experts believe the animals could have been released into the wild after being kept as pets when new legislation banned removing their scent gland in 2007. The foreign invaders - known for their pungent scent and distinctive white stripe - are thought to have mated and multiplied in the wild.
They have recently been reported rummaging through rubbish and prowling allotments near Coleford.
This black and white skunk - whose nickname is loosely based on 'osme', the Greek word for smell - is now being cared for at the Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in nearby Tewkesbury, Glos.
Caroline Gould, the centre's founder, said: "When he was bought in we had no idea what to do with him and frantically searched the internet for advice.
"There could well be a family of wild skunks which are living quite well in the countryside. There have been reports of sightings of adults and young after some were released in the wild elsewhere."
Experts believe the animals could have been released into the wild after being kept as pets when new legislation banned removing their scent gland in 2007. The foreign invaders - known for their pungent scent and distinctive white stripe - are thought to have mated and multiplied in the wild.
They have recently been reported rummaging through rubbish and prowling allotments near Coleford.
This black and white skunk - whose nickname is loosely based on 'osme', the Greek word for smell - is now being cared for at the Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre in nearby Tewkesbury, Glos.
Caroline Gould, the centre's founder, said: "When he was bought in we had no idea what to do with him and frantically searched the internet for advice.
"There could well be a family of wild skunks which are living quite well in the countryside. There have been reports of sightings of adults and young after some were released in the wild elsewhere."
Flying underwear causes power cut
A power cut which brought part of a Lincolnshire village to a standstill has been blamed on discarded underwear.
More than a dozen houses and a set of traffic lights in Leadenham were affected on Wednesday, with police being called to direct traffic. Engineers traced the fault and found a thong had short circuited a power line.
It is believed the clothing was carried by a helium balloon from a nearby party. It became lodged in the wires and caused a fault when soaked by rain.
Andrew Barrow, from Central Networks, said: "Flying objects do occasionally cause us problems but in this case it was more risque than risky.
"What we think happened in this case was the offending article was on the line for some time but it was the heavy rain yesterday - wet things conduct electricity - which led to the short circuit." He added: "The main thing to say here is that if people do see something on the lines, don't try and get them down yourselves, that is when it becomes dangerous."
The finger of suspicion has been pointed at the local polo club's annual ball. Emma Rose, from Leadenham Polo Club, said: "It may never be proven exactly where this came from but it could have been our party. We think it may have been a joke, with someone taking the item from an overnight bag and setting it on its way."
More than a dozen houses and a set of traffic lights in Leadenham were affected on Wednesday, with police being called to direct traffic. Engineers traced the fault and found a thong had short circuited a power line.
It is believed the clothing was carried by a helium balloon from a nearby party. It became lodged in the wires and caused a fault when soaked by rain.
Andrew Barrow, from Central Networks, said: "Flying objects do occasionally cause us problems but in this case it was more risque than risky.
"What we think happened in this case was the offending article was on the line for some time but it was the heavy rain yesterday - wet things conduct electricity - which led to the short circuit." He added: "The main thing to say here is that if people do see something on the lines, don't try and get them down yourselves, that is when it becomes dangerous."
The finger of suspicion has been pointed at the local polo club's annual ball. Emma Rose, from Leadenham Polo Club, said: "It may never be proven exactly where this came from but it could have been our party. We think it may have been a joke, with someone taking the item from an overnight bag and setting it on its way."
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