Thursday, May 15, 2014
Chinese chicken walks like a penguin
A very special chicken is impressing people in Jinhua, China, by walking upright like a penguin.
The owner of the chicken said he found him whilst on a business trip in eastern China. He bought the three-year-old from a local farmer for 10,000 Yuan (£960, $1,600) but is now donating it to a local zoo.
YouTube link.
The chicken was brought back with his owner and has built himself quite a fan base strolling around the streets entertaining onlookers.
It is said to have contracted a cartilage disease when it was small, which caused its body to become malformed. After completing its quarantine, the chicken will be ready to meet visitors at the zoo.
The owner of the chicken said he found him whilst on a business trip in eastern China. He bought the three-year-old from a local farmer for 10,000 Yuan (£960, $1,600) but is now donating it to a local zoo.
YouTube link.
The chicken was brought back with his owner and has built himself quite a fan base strolling around the streets entertaining onlookers.
It is said to have contracted a cartilage disease when it was small, which caused its body to become malformed. After completing its quarantine, the chicken will be ready to meet visitors at the zoo.
Two-year-old girl bitten by wolf at Belgrade Zoo
A two-year-old girl was bitten by a baby wolf at a Serbian zoo while its owner was distracted on a mobile phone. The young girl was strolling down a pathway with her family at Belgrade Zoo last month when the attack occurred and footage has only just been released.
"It is a polar wolf that was manually brought up and fed, it is not aggressive and acts like a dog," Vuk Bojovic, the zoo's director said. "Any individual that is aggressive is not released from its cage. We have been in contact with parents and we will offer help if needed."
YouTube link.
Mr Bojovic said the wolf, which is about 10-months-old, was in an area of the zoo designated for "baby" animals and walking cubs on leashes is a common practice. Security vision of the incident shows the girl being led by her hand down a paved walkway when she comes across a wolf cub on a leash.
The child and animal momentarily lock eyes before the beast lunges at the girl without warning. The girl was briefly lifted into the air in a desperate tug of war between the guardian and the wolf, biting her before being restrained by its handler and bystanders. The child was taken to hospital where she spent two days being treated for bumps and bruises a a minor cut to the back.
"It is a polar wolf that was manually brought up and fed, it is not aggressive and acts like a dog," Vuk Bojovic, the zoo's director said. "Any individual that is aggressive is not released from its cage. We have been in contact with parents and we will offer help if needed."
YouTube link.
Mr Bojovic said the wolf, which is about 10-months-old, was in an area of the zoo designated for "baby" animals and walking cubs on leashes is a common practice. Security vision of the incident shows the girl being led by her hand down a paved walkway when she comes across a wolf cub on a leash.
The child and animal momentarily lock eyes before the beast lunges at the girl without warning. The girl was briefly lifted into the air in a desperate tug of war between the guardian and the wolf, biting her before being restrained by its handler and bystanders. The child was taken to hospital where she spent two days being treated for bumps and bruises a a minor cut to the back.
Ghost of Michael Jackson spotted in photo taken at live tribute show
When 14-year-old Reece Saava went to the Churchill Theatre in Bromley, south east London last Saturday, the last thing he expected to come across was the ghost of Michael Jackson.
However he went home with photographic evidence of the king of pop's return from the grave at a Michael Jackson live tribute show. Reece's mother, Angela, 54, was at the show with her son. She said: "It is certainly very spooky to say the least.
"The image is so clear. Sometimes you can see these things in photos, it is an image of something but you are almost willing it to be something else. But you look at that and it is clearly a face and it does look like Michael Jackson.
"And the fact it was a Michael Jackson event and there he was makes it all the more eerie. My son does not normally take very well to this sort of thing so I have been trying to play it down." In the photo, Jackson's ghost is seemingly peering over the shoulder of a Michael Jackson impersonator.
However he went home with photographic evidence of the king of pop's return from the grave at a Michael Jackson live tribute show. Reece's mother, Angela, 54, was at the show with her son. She said: "It is certainly very spooky to say the least.
"The image is so clear. Sometimes you can see these things in photos, it is an image of something but you are almost willing it to be something else. But you look at that and it is clearly a face and it does look like Michael Jackson.
"And the fact it was a Michael Jackson event and there he was makes it all the more eerie. My son does not normally take very well to this sort of thing so I have been trying to play it down." In the photo, Jackson's ghost is seemingly peering over the shoulder of a Michael Jackson impersonator.
Village street gets new mannequin
A Derbyshire village has been donated a new mannequin for
its high street after the previous one that had stood there for 22 years was
stolen. The plastic statue called Dolly had been a popular fixture in Shirland, near
Alfreton, for two decades. Owner Carol Wilson said everyone had been "devastated" since she disappeared
from outside a cafe last month in broad daylight.
A replacement has now been donated to the village by a resident. Ms Wilson bought the beloved mannequin while on holiday in Skegness and placed it outside her antiques and second-hand shop in Main Road. "We're devastated. She used to get a lot of attention outside the shop," Ms Wilson said.
"We used to dress her accordingly to the weather and one summer we put her in a bikini which caused one or two accidents. She would even get postcards from people on their holidays. She became a real pillar of the community." Police are investigating the theft but all that has been seen of Dolly is a shoe that was found in a lay-by.
Cafe owner, Vicki-Jayne Potter, said: "The whole village is in uproar. We have all searched for her in the fields and everywhere but there's been no sign of her. It would be nice to get Dolly back but Rosie is a replacement for the village to keep her legacy going." Ms Potter said Rosie had been given a more modern outfit and haircut and would now be chained down.
A replacement has now been donated to the village by a resident. Ms Wilson bought the beloved mannequin while on holiday in Skegness and placed it outside her antiques and second-hand shop in Main Road. "We're devastated. She used to get a lot of attention outside the shop," Ms Wilson said.
"We used to dress her accordingly to the weather and one summer we put her in a bikini which caused one or two accidents. She would even get postcards from people on their holidays. She became a real pillar of the community." Police are investigating the theft but all that has been seen of Dolly is a shoe that was found in a lay-by.
Cafe owner, Vicki-Jayne Potter, said: "The whole village is in uproar. We have all searched for her in the fields and everywhere but there's been no sign of her. It would be nice to get Dolly back but Rosie is a replacement for the village to keep her legacy going." Ms Potter said Rosie had been given a more modern outfit and haircut and would now be chained down.
Police seek carrier bag on head robber
A man who robbed a shop with a plastic carrier bag covering his head is being
sought by police in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.
At approximately 8.40am on Friday, May 10 a man entered the Day One store with a white ‘Londis’ plastic bag over his head and walked behind the counter.
He brandished a knife and asked the member of staff for money. He then removed money from the till and made off . The staff member was not injured during the incident.
DC Paula Mowbray from the Local Crime Unit said: “It is quite unusual for a robbery to be committed where the suspect uses a carrier bag as a means to attempt to conceal their identity. We would like to speak with the man pictured as he may be able to assist our enquiries. I would also like to hear from anyone who may recognise him.”
At approximately 8.40am on Friday, May 10 a man entered the Day One store with a white ‘Londis’ plastic bag over his head and walked behind the counter.
He brandished a knife and asked the member of staff for money. He then removed money from the till and made off . The staff member was not injured during the incident.
DC Paula Mowbray from the Local Crime Unit said: “It is quite unusual for a robbery to be committed where the suspect uses a carrier bag as a means to attempt to conceal their identity. We would like to speak with the man pictured as he may be able to assist our enquiries. I would also like to hear from anyone who may recognise him.”
Would-be bank robber gave cashier his full name and address
A hapless criminal wearing socks over his shoes tried robbing a bank with a breadknife just minutes after giving the cashier his full name and address.
Armed with the knife, Dean Richard Smith, 27, stormed a bank in in Treorchy, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, demanding money, a court heard.
But Smith, 27, was forced to leave empty handed, despite an elderly gentleman in his 70s he was standing next to offering him £20 of his own money to leave.
Rachel Knight, prosecuting at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, said Smith, of Treorchy, had gone to the Barclays Bank branch in Treorchy, on April 15 to change his address. But just 30 minutes later, Smith was seen on CCTV wearing a jacket with his hood up, socks over his shoes, and sunglasses, rush up to the glass partition and demand money from cashier Catherine Stockton. She could see that he was holding a bread knife across his body as he demanded all the cash to be handed over.
“He was not shouting. He was rushed but not angry or agitated. He sounded desperate,” said Ms Knight. She raised the alarm by pressing the panic button as she tried to keep the situation calm and it was only when he heard that they planned to lock the doors that he left. “After the incident, they closed the bank and made a cup of tea for the elderly gentleman,” said Ms Knight. “Since the incident, Ms Stockton has been very wary about people who look like him. She can’t help thinking about it every time a young person comes into the bank.
“She was very thankful nobody was injured.” Smith told police that he had been inspired to carry out the robbery after seeing the tills full of money on his earlier visit. Steven Jeary, defending Smith, who admitted attempted robbery and having an article with a blade, said: “He told the police it was stupid and he was very sorry but he was desperate for money.” Judge Richard Twomlow jailed him for two and a half years. He will also have to pay a £120 victim surcharge.
Rachel Knight, prosecuting at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, said Smith, of Treorchy, had gone to the Barclays Bank branch in Treorchy, on April 15 to change his address. But just 30 minutes later, Smith was seen on CCTV wearing a jacket with his hood up, socks over his shoes, and sunglasses, rush up to the glass partition and demand money from cashier Catherine Stockton. She could see that he was holding a bread knife across his body as he demanded all the cash to be handed over.
“He was not shouting. He was rushed but not angry or agitated. He sounded desperate,” said Ms Knight. She raised the alarm by pressing the panic button as she tried to keep the situation calm and it was only when he heard that they planned to lock the doors that he left. “After the incident, they closed the bank and made a cup of tea for the elderly gentleman,” said Ms Knight. “Since the incident, Ms Stockton has been very wary about people who look like him. She can’t help thinking about it every time a young person comes into the bank.
“She was very thankful nobody was injured.” Smith told police that he had been inspired to carry out the robbery after seeing the tills full of money on his earlier visit. Steven Jeary, defending Smith, who admitted attempted robbery and having an article with a blade, said: “He told the police it was stupid and he was very sorry but he was desperate for money.” Judge Richard Twomlow jailed him for two and a half years. He will also have to pay a £120 victim surcharge.
Pie maker under fire over squirrel meat fillings
A firm that shoots grey squirrels to
use in its pies has come under fire from animal rights campaigners.
Leicestershire-based pie maker Phil Walmsley won a gold award for his
squirrel pie at the British Pie
Awards held in Melton Mowbray.
Welfare group Animal Aid said it was inhumane to shoot grey squirrels and wrong to scapegoat them. But Mr Walmsley said sustainable culling of grey squirrels gave "our native breed a chance to repopulate". Kate Fowler, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said: "Grey squirrels don't go round bashing red squirrels on the head and it's a bit rich to blame grey squirrels for the demise of the reds."
She said: "There are lots of reasons why red squirrels are in decline in parts of the country, largely to do with things like forestry plantations and pesticides. Grey squirrels are hardier and more able to adapt, so if you cut down a forest, the greys can live in what we leave behind. The reds can't." She said shooting squirrels was a "pretty inhumane" way to control numbers as it was hard to get a clean shot at them.
Mr Walmsley, from Old Dalby, said: "At the end of the day they are not a native breed and have nearly eliminated our red squirrels. I'm a strong believer that if they are sustainably culled it gives our native breed a chance to repopulate." He added: "We live in the countryside and a large proportion of squirrels I get myself - I go out with a rifle and shoot them. There is a demand and I think it's fair enough." Mr Walmsley, whose family-run firm also makes crocodile and zebra pies, said people liked to try something a "bit different".
Welfare group Animal Aid said it was inhumane to shoot grey squirrels and wrong to scapegoat them. But Mr Walmsley said sustainable culling of grey squirrels gave "our native breed a chance to repopulate". Kate Fowler, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said: "Grey squirrels don't go round bashing red squirrels on the head and it's a bit rich to blame grey squirrels for the demise of the reds."
She said: "There are lots of reasons why red squirrels are in decline in parts of the country, largely to do with things like forestry plantations and pesticides. Grey squirrels are hardier and more able to adapt, so if you cut down a forest, the greys can live in what we leave behind. The reds can't." She said shooting squirrels was a "pretty inhumane" way to control numbers as it was hard to get a clean shot at them.
Mr Walmsley, from Old Dalby, said: "At the end of the day they are not a native breed and have nearly eliminated our red squirrels. I'm a strong believer that if they are sustainably culled it gives our native breed a chance to repopulate." He added: "We live in the countryside and a large proportion of squirrels I get myself - I go out with a rifle and shoot them. There is a demand and I think it's fair enough." Mr Walmsley, whose family-run firm also makes crocodile and zebra pies, said people liked to try something a "bit different".
Panic after squirrel dived into leisure centre pool and bit man on the finger
A squirrel sparked panic on Monday after it dashed into a busy leisure centre before leaping in the pool and biting a swimmer on the finger.
The rodent had somehow gained access to the public pool at the Riviera Centre in Torquay, Devon, and was trying to escape the clutches of lifeguards with nets when it took the plunge.
Amid screams, shouts and some squealing, the desperate animal paddled around in circles while swimmers scattered to the pool edge. When one member of the public waded over to rescue the frightened creature, grabbing its tail and tossing it to safety, it bit him on the finger. The squirrel then scampered to safety through an open door, invigorated but seemingly unharmed by its experience.
Jacquie Lovett, swimming instructor at the Waves Leisure Pool said: “I came in to do a lesson and was told by the lifeguards that there was a squirrel on top of the wave chamber. The squirrel then decided to run out. One of the lifeguards tried to chase it out and it went into the curtain. Then it jumped into the swimming pool.” About 20 members of the paying public scattered while the squirrel proved itself an adept swimmer.
“It was doing a few strokes, going under the water and then coming up for air,” said Jacquie. “It was in the deep end. There were two lifeguards on one side and me on the other side thinking we have got to go in and save it. I would say it was in there for a maximum of about a minute.” Staff warned members of the public not to approach the squirrel but one brave swimmer swam over and lobbed it to safety. His finger wound was not serious. “It looked like a drowned rat,” said Jacquie. “Then it ran out through a door we had opened.”
Amid screams, shouts and some squealing, the desperate animal paddled around in circles while swimmers scattered to the pool edge. When one member of the public waded over to rescue the frightened creature, grabbing its tail and tossing it to safety, it bit him on the finger. The squirrel then scampered to safety through an open door, invigorated but seemingly unharmed by its experience.
Jacquie Lovett, swimming instructor at the Waves Leisure Pool said: “I came in to do a lesson and was told by the lifeguards that there was a squirrel on top of the wave chamber. The squirrel then decided to run out. One of the lifeguards tried to chase it out and it went into the curtain. Then it jumped into the swimming pool.” About 20 members of the paying public scattered while the squirrel proved itself an adept swimmer.
“It was doing a few strokes, going under the water and then coming up for air,” said Jacquie. “It was in the deep end. There were two lifeguards on one side and me on the other side thinking we have got to go in and save it. I would say it was in there for a maximum of about a minute.” Staff warned members of the public not to approach the squirrel but one brave swimmer swam over and lobbed it to safety. His finger wound was not serious. “It looked like a drowned rat,” said Jacquie. “Then it ran out through a door we had opened.”
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