Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Elephant breaks sprinkler to make a fountain
Faa Sai, a formerly abused elephant now retired at the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand, decided that the sprinkler pressure wasn't strong enough, so she breaks the pipe to make her own fountain.
YouTube link.
YouTube link.
3D-printed prosthetic legs enable Derby the rescue dog to run for the first time
Derby the dog was born with a congenital deformity characterised by small front legs and no front paws. While always cheerful, Derby was, until now, only able to get around on soft surfaces. Hard surfaces cause severe abrasions on his front extremities.
Having fostered Derby back in October, through the dog rescue group Peace and Paws in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, Tara Anderson, a director at 3D Systems, decided to help. Anderson first decided to get Derby a cart, which he actually could use quite well.
However, she felt as though it was inhibiting him from playing with other dogs, and could not provide Derby with the full motion of running. So, with the help of 3D Systems, their Freeform Product Manager, Kevin Atkins, and ABC Certified Orthotist at Animal Ortho Care, Derrick Campana, the team was able to come up with a design for two prosthetic legs, after creating several different iterations. Using a plethora of different 3D technologies, including 3D scanners, as well as highly sophisticated 3D modelling software, the team was able to create very unique prostheses for Derby, which fit him perfectly.
At first, they created Derby a “running man” like prothetic, but Anderson was concerned that they would too easily dig into the ground. So, she came up with more of a looped design, which the team created and then printed on a 3D Systems’ ProJet 5500 MultiJet 3D printer. This printer allows for the printing of dual materials, creating rigid as well as flexible parts on the same object. Derby’s adopted parents, Sherry and Dom Portanova were extremely impressed by the results that were provided by Anderson, 3D Systems and Campana, in the creation of the dog’s prosthetic legs.
YouTube link.
“When I saw him sprinting, it was amazing,” exclaimed Dom Portanova. “I couldn’t believe it! He runs with Sherry and myself every day, at least 2-3 miles. He runs faster than both of us, he never really tires out [and] he’s just so happy to [run].” The very first time the prosthetic legs were fitted to Derby, he immediately started running, as if it was totally natural for him. It is almost as if Derby was born for these legs, and the legs born for him. Derby, Anderson, and the Portanova’s are very pleased with the results. While it originally took some time for Derby to get used to his new prosthetic legs, and the development team a while to get just the right fit and iteration, in the end they turned out perfect.
However, she felt as though it was inhibiting him from playing with other dogs, and could not provide Derby with the full motion of running. So, with the help of 3D Systems, their Freeform Product Manager, Kevin Atkins, and ABC Certified Orthotist at Animal Ortho Care, Derrick Campana, the team was able to come up with a design for two prosthetic legs, after creating several different iterations. Using a plethora of different 3D technologies, including 3D scanners, as well as highly sophisticated 3D modelling software, the team was able to create very unique prostheses for Derby, which fit him perfectly.
At first, they created Derby a “running man” like prothetic, but Anderson was concerned that they would too easily dig into the ground. So, she came up with more of a looped design, which the team created and then printed on a 3D Systems’ ProJet 5500 MultiJet 3D printer. This printer allows for the printing of dual materials, creating rigid as well as flexible parts on the same object. Derby’s adopted parents, Sherry and Dom Portanova were extremely impressed by the results that were provided by Anderson, 3D Systems and Campana, in the creation of the dog’s prosthetic legs.
YouTube link.
“When I saw him sprinting, it was amazing,” exclaimed Dom Portanova. “I couldn’t believe it! He runs with Sherry and myself every day, at least 2-3 miles. He runs faster than both of us, he never really tires out [and] he’s just so happy to [run].” The very first time the prosthetic legs were fitted to Derby, he immediately started running, as if it was totally natural for him. It is almost as if Derby was born for these legs, and the legs born for him. Derby, Anderson, and the Portanova’s are very pleased with the results. While it originally took some time for Derby to get used to his new prosthetic legs, and the development team a while to get just the right fit and iteration, in the end they turned out perfect.
Man arrested for allegedly shoplifting during 'Shop with a Cop' event
A Florida man faces allegations of retail theft, accused of shoplifting from a Walmart at a most inopportune time.
Grant Scott Timm, 35, was arrested last Wednesday evening on a charge of retail petit theft with a value of $100 or less after he was allegedly caught shoplifting at the Walmart in Lecanto during the Shop with a Cop event hosted by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
Shop with a Cop brings numerous deputies, firefighters and underprivileged children together to shop for Christmas gifts. According to the arrest report, a deputy found Timm acting suspiciously and removing items in various sections of the Walmart before leaving the store. A deputy approached Timm in the parking lot and asked him if he had purchased anything.
Timm said no, but said he took some steaks, the report said. Timm reportedly produced a package of steaks and a packaged bicycle computer from his waistband. He stated to the deputy that he was hungry and did not have any money to pay for the items. Authorities later found methadone tablets, not prescribed to him, inside a cigarette carton in Timm’s possession. Timm was arrested and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. Bond was set at $2,500.
Grant Scott Timm, 35, was arrested last Wednesday evening on a charge of retail petit theft with a value of $100 or less after he was allegedly caught shoplifting at the Walmart in Lecanto during the Shop with a Cop event hosted by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
Shop with a Cop brings numerous deputies, firefighters and underprivileged children together to shop for Christmas gifts. According to the arrest report, a deputy found Timm acting suspiciously and removing items in various sections of the Walmart before leaving the store. A deputy approached Timm in the parking lot and asked him if he had purchased anything.
Timm said no, but said he took some steaks, the report said. Timm reportedly produced a package of steaks and a packaged bicycle computer from his waistband. He stated to the deputy that he was hungry and did not have any money to pay for the items. Authorities later found methadone tablets, not prescribed to him, inside a cigarette carton in Timm’s possession. Timm was arrested and transported to the Citrus County Detention Facility. Bond was set at $2,500.
National Park to remove all bins in bid to stop overflowing rubbish
All rubbish bins at Litchfield National Park in Australia's Northern Territory will be removed in an unusual tactic to stem overflowing rubbish at the popular tourist destination. The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT advised that, as of January 19, it will be up to the 300,000 annual visitors to be responsible for removing their own rubbish and disposing of it elsewhere.
Top End Region District Manager Lincoln Wilson said they were confident that placing the responsibility of rubbish removal on to visitors would work. “We are confident that phasing out of rubbish bins within Litchfield National Park will be a win for visitors, taxpayers and the environment.
“The park does not have recycling capacity and to stop recyclable items adding to landfill we encourage all visitors to take their litter away with them to centres that allow for reuse and recycling, along with environmentally safe disposal of items such as batteries, oils and chemicals.”
Rangers will monitor the Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole day use and campground areas where bins will be removed to ensure the measure is effective. Mr Wilson added that it would also reduce the risk of native wildlife spreading the rubbish and building a dependency on it.
Top End Region District Manager Lincoln Wilson said they were confident that placing the responsibility of rubbish removal on to visitors would work. “We are confident that phasing out of rubbish bins within Litchfield National Park will be a win for visitors, taxpayers and the environment.
“The park does not have recycling capacity and to stop recyclable items adding to landfill we encourage all visitors to take their litter away with them to centres that allow for reuse and recycling, along with environmentally safe disposal of items such as batteries, oils and chemicals.”
Rangers will monitor the Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Buley Rockhole day use and campground areas where bins will be removed to ensure the measure is effective. Mr Wilson added that it would also reduce the risk of native wildlife spreading the rubbish and building a dependency on it.
Police question thinking behind Irish tourist's positioning of kayak on roof of his car
A senior police officer in New Zealand is astounded that a tourist drove along a busy road with a kayak tied to his roof crossways, endangering other traffic.
The visitor from Ireland was stopped by a police patrol on State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai on Sunday afternoon.
Rather than tying the kayak to the roof of his car lengthways, the tourist had attached the kayak crossways, so its ends were protruding over either side of the car.
District road policing manager Inspector Freda Grace said the man told police he had secured the kayak that way so it would not damage his car. "To make matters worse the officer was already on her way to a vehicle crash, and this driver's behaviour could very easily have caused another - imagine if he had encountered a cyclist driving like this," she said.
Update: It turns out that the driver wasn't Irish, but Jonathan Waters from Auckland, and he disputes the version of events as described in the police report.
The visitor from Ireland was stopped by a police patrol on State Highway 25A between Kopu and Hikuai on Sunday afternoon.
Rather than tying the kayak to the roof of his car lengthways, the tourist had attached the kayak crossways, so its ends were protruding over either side of the car.
District road policing manager Inspector Freda Grace said the man told police he had secured the kayak that way so it would not damage his car. "To make matters worse the officer was already on her way to a vehicle crash, and this driver's behaviour could very easily have caused another - imagine if he had encountered a cyclist driving like this," she said.
Update: It turns out that the driver wasn't Irish, but Jonathan Waters from Auckland, and he disputes the version of events as described in the police report.
Sheep rescued from roof of house by firefighters reacted with stoic composure
Firefighters in Austria were called out to rescue a sheep stuck on the roof of a house on Sunday afternoon.
A local resident noticed the animal on the roof in Langenlois and called the fire brigade.
Volunteer firemen used a ladder to get to the roof and carry the sheep back down to the ground. Spokesman Christoph Firlinger said that the sheep reacted with “stoic composure” to being rescued.
The animal was not injured and it remains a mystery how it got onto the roof. It had escaped from its pasture and has now been returned to its owner.
A local resident noticed the animal on the roof in Langenlois and called the fire brigade.
Volunteer firemen used a ladder to get to the roof and carry the sheep back down to the ground. Spokesman Christoph Firlinger said that the sheep reacted with “stoic composure” to being rescued.
The animal was not injured and it remains a mystery how it got onto the roof. It had escaped from its pasture and has now been returned to its owner.
Dog walkers warned after dog treats with fish hooks in them found at popular exercise spot
Dog owners at a popular area for exercising pets in Devon are being warned to look out for fish hooks planted in dog treats and scattered on the ground.
The hooks appear to have been deliberately dropped on the tidal road at Aveton Gifford, near Kingsbridge, where many locals and visitors walk their dogs.
A warning has been posted on the village’s community Facebook page, urging others to look out for the ‘baited’ hooks and to keep their dogs away. The post, by Emma Jane, reads: “All dog walkers please be aware that I found what appear to be some sort of animal treat/pellets on large fish hooks on the ground by the bench on the tidal road (at the point where the road crosses the creek).
“I found three in total, surrounded by the same pellets without hooks. Unfortunately my dog found them first (fingers crossed he is ok). I did have a good look but there may be more.” Emma Jane later posted that her dog Alf, had three fish hooks removed from his colon, but is now doing really well, and should be fine.
The area has been the scene of conflict recently over the feeding of swans on the river. Huge numbers of swans have a been attracted to the Avon estuary as a result of regular feeding and in one incident a horse rider was thrown when her mount was ‘spooked’ by the swans.
A warning has been posted on the village’s community Facebook page, urging others to look out for the ‘baited’ hooks and to keep their dogs away. The post, by Emma Jane, reads: “All dog walkers please be aware that I found what appear to be some sort of animal treat/pellets on large fish hooks on the ground by the bench on the tidal road (at the point where the road crosses the creek).
“I found three in total, surrounded by the same pellets without hooks. Unfortunately my dog found them first (fingers crossed he is ok). I did have a good look but there may be more.” Emma Jane later posted that her dog Alf, had three fish hooks removed from his colon, but is now doing really well, and should be fine.
The area has been the scene of conflict recently over the feeding of swans on the river. Huge numbers of swans have a been attracted to the Avon estuary as a result of regular feeding and in one incident a horse rider was thrown when her mount was ‘spooked’ by the swans.
Police unable to help man whose neighbour put photo of Cliff Richard in window overlooking him
A Brighton man phoned police after his neighbour posted a photo of a grinning Sir Cliff Richard in a window overlooking his dining room.
James Maltby said the image of the beaming pop star was “creepy” but police told him they could not do anything about the picture because it was not a zombie.
Mr Maltby believes his neighbour posted the image on the property to get back at him after he reported him to the council over allegations he was breaching planning rules – which his neighbour denies.
Mr Maltby said: “I woke up and he has stuck a picture in his window of a face of Cliff Richard looking down at us. I called the police and they said there was nothing they can do about it. They said if it was a picture of a zombie they could do something about it, but because it is a picture of a face they cannot. It is a creepy image. I think he is trying to send us a message saying he knows it is us.”
The neighbour, James Dean, said he was “surprised to find myself amidst a most bizarre misunderstanding” and the image was posted by a “comrade” as a “comical greeting”. Mr Dean works in the building and denied breaking planning rules by also living there. He said he often worked “long hours and nocturnal shifts” in the building for the design studio of which he is creative director. He added that since hearing of Mr Maltby’s objection he had taken the photo down, and “would like to apologise for any offence caused.”
A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police received a report on Sunday last week that a man had put up a picture of Cliff Richard in a window facing the informant’s garden. Officers spoke to the informant but informed him that displaying the picture was not an offence. The informant was encouraged to speak to the owner of the building to resolve the issue.” A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Our planning enforcement team has been contacted [about the building] and they are investigating whether a change of use has taken place.”
Mr Maltby said: “I woke up and he has stuck a picture in his window of a face of Cliff Richard looking down at us. I called the police and they said there was nothing they can do about it. They said if it was a picture of a zombie they could do something about it, but because it is a picture of a face they cannot. It is a creepy image. I think he is trying to send us a message saying he knows it is us.”
The neighbour, James Dean, said he was “surprised to find myself amidst a most bizarre misunderstanding” and the image was posted by a “comrade” as a “comical greeting”. Mr Dean works in the building and denied breaking planning rules by also living there. He said he often worked “long hours and nocturnal shifts” in the building for the design studio of which he is creative director. He added that since hearing of Mr Maltby’s objection he had taken the photo down, and “would like to apologise for any offence caused.”
A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police received a report on Sunday last week that a man had put up a picture of Cliff Richard in a window facing the informant’s garden. Officers spoke to the informant but informed him that displaying the picture was not an offence. The informant was encouraged to speak to the owner of the building to resolve the issue.” A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Our planning enforcement team has been contacted [about the building] and they are investigating whether a change of use has taken place.”
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