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Thursday, August 02, 2012
Chimp proves to be more intelligent than human
Filmed at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay, this chimpanzee is using sign language to convey that it wants the biscuit on the ground, whereas the human has convinced himself that it wants help with escaping.
YouTube link.
YouTube link.
Disappointment over best dressed dead possum competition
A New Zealand school which held a best dressed dead possum competition is defending the event which has been labelled "sick".
Photos from the Uruti School competition held on Tuesday in Taranaki, show a skinned possum dressed as a boxer, some in baby clothes and two relaxing on mini beach towels. Another photo shows a young girl holding a dead possum dressed up as a bride.
Pauline Sutton, principal of Uruti School which is about 40km north of New Plymouth, has defended the event and says feedback has all been positive. "When people die, don't we dress them up?" she said. It is the first time the school has held a dress-up possum competition and Ms Sutton says it may not be the last.
However, SPCA spokeswoman Jackie Poles-Smith says the competition is disappointing. "The SPCA's focus is on teaching children respect and empathy for animals and they didn't do that," she said. "Animals deserve respect even after death."
There's a photo galley here.
Photos from the Uruti School competition held on Tuesday in Taranaki, show a skinned possum dressed as a boxer, some in baby clothes and two relaxing on mini beach towels. Another photo shows a young girl holding a dead possum dressed up as a bride.
Pauline Sutton, principal of Uruti School which is about 40km north of New Plymouth, has defended the event and says feedback has all been positive. "When people die, don't we dress them up?" she said. It is the first time the school has held a dress-up possum competition and Ms Sutton says it may not be the last.
However, SPCA spokeswoman Jackie Poles-Smith says the competition is disappointing. "The SPCA's focus is on teaching children respect and empathy for animals and they didn't do that," she said. "Animals deserve respect even after death."
There's a photo galley here.
Orphaned wombat and baby kangaroo become best friends and share same pouch
They are unlikely friends, but orphaned animals Anzac the joey and Peggy, the wombat have become best mates.
At just over five months old, Anzac was taken to the Wild about Wildlife Kilmore Rescue Centre in Australia after he was rescued in the Macedon Ranges.
Missing his mum, Anzac was placed with Peggy, the wombat, and the two now sleep together in the same pouch. Lisa Milligan, from the Wild about Wildlife Kilmore facility, said the unlikely friends were comforted by each other's movement and heartbeat.
"There are lots of baby animals about at the moment, and they are orphaned for a range of reasons," Ms Milligan said. She said the babies were developing their own personalities; Anzac was very social while Peggy was boisterous and cheeky.
At just over five months old, Anzac was taken to the Wild about Wildlife Kilmore Rescue Centre in Australia after he was rescued in the Macedon Ranges.
Missing his mum, Anzac was placed with Peggy, the wombat, and the two now sleep together in the same pouch. Lisa Milligan, from the Wild about Wildlife Kilmore facility, said the unlikely friends were comforted by each other's movement and heartbeat.
"There are lots of baby animals about at the moment, and they are orphaned for a range of reasons," Ms Milligan said. She said the babies were developing their own personalities; Anzac was very social while Peggy was boisterous and cheeky.
Man urinated on woman at bar after she rejected his advances
Boulder police arrested a Longmont man who witnesses said urinated on a woman at a local bar after she rejected his advances Saturday on night. The woman told police she was standing next to the bar at Shooters Grill and Bar at about 11:45 p.m. when a man,later identified as Timothy Paez, 22, came up behind her and put his arm around her.
The woman turned around and said, "Um, really?," and Paez took his arm off her. According to police, a few seconds later, the woman said she felt some sort of liquid hitting her leg. She initially thought Paez was spilling his beer on her, but when she turned around she told police she saw Paez with his penis exposed urinating on her leg and the front of the bar.
The bar's staff escorted Paez outside and contacted a nearby police officer. The officer said Paez was visibly intoxicated and most of his answers were "unintelligible." The officer said Paez admitted to urinating on someone, but could not clearly say who.
At one point he thought he had urinated on another male, but then retracted that statement. Paez was arrested on suspicion of public indecency and harassment and taken into custody. He remains at the Boulder County Jail. His bond has not been set, and a court hearing has not yet been scheduled.
The woman turned around and said, "Um, really?," and Paez took his arm off her. According to police, a few seconds later, the woman said she felt some sort of liquid hitting her leg. She initially thought Paez was spilling his beer on her, but when she turned around she told police she saw Paez with his penis exposed urinating on her leg and the front of the bar.
The bar's staff escorted Paez outside and contacted a nearby police officer. The officer said Paez was visibly intoxicated and most of his answers were "unintelligible." The officer said Paez admitted to urinating on someone, but could not clearly say who.
At one point he thought he had urinated on another male, but then retracted that statement. Paez was arrested on suspicion of public indecency and harassment and taken into custody. He remains at the Boulder County Jail. His bond has not been set, and a court hearing has not yet been scheduled.
South Australian Government rejects complaints about 'offensive' road safety signs
Complaints about the use of the words "wanker", "cock" and "knob" in a road safety campaign have been rejected by the South Australian Government. Road Safety Minister Jennifer Rankine has told independent MP Bob Such that the results of the campaign "vastly outweigh it being labelled as irresponsible". Dr Such wrote to Ms Rankine in June on behalf of constituents who had complained to him about the road safety messages on the highway leading to SA from Victoria.
"Three signs in particular were considered to be offensive and degrading to our state - namely those which used pictures to suggest that driver should drive carefully and not be a wanker, a cock or a knob," Dr Such said. "In particular, the travellers felt the signs were an irresponsible and unfortunate introduction to visitors to SA." In a letter to Dr Such, Ms Rankine said the campaign had been developed by the Motor Accident Commission specifically for country drivers. She said the campaign had been extensively researched.
"The campaign visually implies words that more closely reflect the everyday language of its target audience," Ms Rankine said in her letter. "Judging the level of offence of a word is subjective. However, the MAC believes current community standards would not categorise the words used in the campaign as strong or obscene." Ms Rankine said it was unlikely the campaign would be understood by children. "Prior research showed that campaigns using humour and regional residents using `real' language would be well received by the target audience."
And Ms Rankine revealed the campaign was showing encouraging results. She said there had been a 9 per cent peak reduction in seatbelt non-compliance, a 5 per cent peak reduction in drink driving, a 15 per cent peak reduction in speeding and a 15 per cent peak reduction in speeding 10km/h or more over the speed limit. Ms Rankine said 55 per cent of respondents indicated they had actually intervened to prevent a mate from making a bad driving decision as a result of seeing the campaign.
"Three signs in particular were considered to be offensive and degrading to our state - namely those which used pictures to suggest that driver should drive carefully and not be a wanker, a cock or a knob," Dr Such said. "In particular, the travellers felt the signs were an irresponsible and unfortunate introduction to visitors to SA." In a letter to Dr Such, Ms Rankine said the campaign had been developed by the Motor Accident Commission specifically for country drivers. She said the campaign had been extensively researched.
"The campaign visually implies words that more closely reflect the everyday language of its target audience," Ms Rankine said in her letter. "Judging the level of offence of a word is subjective. However, the MAC believes current community standards would not categorise the words used in the campaign as strong or obscene." Ms Rankine said it was unlikely the campaign would be understood by children. "Prior research showed that campaigns using humour and regional residents using `real' language would be well received by the target audience."
And Ms Rankine revealed the campaign was showing encouraging results. She said there had been a 9 per cent peak reduction in seatbelt non-compliance, a 5 per cent peak reduction in drink driving, a 15 per cent peak reduction in speeding and a 15 per cent peak reduction in speeding 10km/h or more over the speed limit. Ms Rankine said 55 per cent of respondents indicated they had actually intervened to prevent a mate from making a bad driving decision as a result of seeing the campaign.
Dead humpback whale found in Sydney swimming pool
A dead humpback whale washed up in a Sydney ocean pool early on Wednesday, surprising morning swimmers and causing a major headache for rescuers who must now remove it. The 38 foot young adult humpback, which appeared to have been dead for several days, washed up at Newport beach's ocean baths overnight as rough seas lashed parts of Australia's east coast. Ocean baths are open-air man-made structures on the edge of the beach filled with sea water.
"It does have some external injuries but there's no way of knowing whether they were anti-mortem or post-mortem," said Wendy McFarlane from the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA). McFarlane said one possible explanation for the otherwise seemingly healthy animal, estimated to be about 25 to 30 tonnes, to die at sea could be that it had been struck by a ship.
Newport beach, which is north of Sydney city, was closed because of the risk of sharks being attracted to the carcass as wildlife experts mulled their best options to remove the giant creature. McFarlane said one option could be to demolish the pool wall and let the animal wash up on the beach. Another solution could be to pull it out to sea at high tide, or bring in an excavator to lift it over the damaged pool wall at low tide.
YouTube link.
Whales are often seen off Australia's coast in June and July as they make their annual winter migration from Antarctica up to the warmer waters off Queensland state, and again as they return before November. National Parks and Wildlife Service area manager Chris Grudhoff said while a dead animal was unfortunate, it signalled there were increasing numbers of whales in the waters off Australia. "The upside of the fact that we are seeing more dead whales is that it indicates that we have a whole healthy population out there in the ocean," he said.
"It does have some external injuries but there's no way of knowing whether they were anti-mortem or post-mortem," said Wendy McFarlane from the Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia (ORRCA). McFarlane said one possible explanation for the otherwise seemingly healthy animal, estimated to be about 25 to 30 tonnes, to die at sea could be that it had been struck by a ship.
Newport beach, which is north of Sydney city, was closed because of the risk of sharks being attracted to the carcass as wildlife experts mulled their best options to remove the giant creature. McFarlane said one option could be to demolish the pool wall and let the animal wash up on the beach. Another solution could be to pull it out to sea at high tide, or bring in an excavator to lift it over the damaged pool wall at low tide.
YouTube link.
Whales are often seen off Australia's coast in June and July as they make their annual winter migration from Antarctica up to the warmer waters off Queensland state, and again as they return before November. National Parks and Wildlife Service area manager Chris Grudhoff said while a dead animal was unfortunate, it signalled there were increasing numbers of whales in the waters off Australia. "The upside of the fact that we are seeing more dead whales is that it indicates that we have a whole healthy population out there in the ocean," he said.
Vengeful bull gores man to death, follows him to hospital, then turns up at his funeral
A bull bided its time and gored an Indian man to death when an opportunity came a day after the latter had thrown hot water on it. The bull followed the man when he was being taken to a hospital and later appeared at the crematorium during his funeral in little-known Deori Township in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh.
The bull apparently kept a watch on frail Bhoop Narayan Prajapati, 65, and attacked him when he was having his morning tea, a day after he had thrown hot water on it for sitting in front of his hut. Prajapati ran inside his thatched hut to escape, but the bull followed him, pushed him to the ground twice and gored him. Neighbours, Bhura Khan and Nikhil Soni, came to the rescue of Prajapati. They hit the bull with sticks to scare it away.
When the bull was out of sight, they rushed the him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. He died due to internal injuries to his stomach and chest. Much to people's surprise, the bull arrived at the hospital following Prajapati. Deepak Chourasia, a town-dweller, said that when the remains of Prajapati were being consigned to flames the bull again sprang a surprise by arriving at the crematorium. Prajapati's house is very close to the hospital and the crematorium is less than half-a-kilometre away, Chourasia added.
There is history between Prajapati and the bull. Six months ago, the bull had attacked him after he hit the animal with a stick. Prajapati was at that time admitted to a hospital where he stayed for more than a month due to leg injury, Deori police station inspector R P Sharmasaid. "I have also come to know during investigations in the case that the bull followed Prajapati to the hospital and the crematorium. It's something strange and surprising," Sharma said. "We are going to write a letter to the civic body to put this bull in a government shelter," the inspector added.
The bull apparently kept a watch on frail Bhoop Narayan Prajapati, 65, and attacked him when he was having his morning tea, a day after he had thrown hot water on it for sitting in front of his hut. Prajapati ran inside his thatched hut to escape, but the bull followed him, pushed him to the ground twice and gored him. Neighbours, Bhura Khan and Nikhil Soni, came to the rescue of Prajapati. They hit the bull with sticks to scare it away.
When the bull was out of sight, they rushed the him to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. He died due to internal injuries to his stomach and chest. Much to people's surprise, the bull arrived at the hospital following Prajapati. Deepak Chourasia, a town-dweller, said that when the remains of Prajapati were being consigned to flames the bull again sprang a surprise by arriving at the crematorium. Prajapati's house is very close to the hospital and the crematorium is less than half-a-kilometre away, Chourasia added.
There is history between Prajapati and the bull. Six months ago, the bull had attacked him after he hit the animal with a stick. Prajapati was at that time admitted to a hospital where he stayed for more than a month due to leg injury, Deori police station inspector R P Sharmasaid. "I have also come to know during investigations in the case that the bull followed Prajapati to the hospital and the crematorium. It's something strange and surprising," Sharma said. "We are going to write a letter to the civic body to put this bull in a government shelter," the inspector added.
London mayor Boris Johnson in unintentional high wire act
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, got stuck dangling in mid-air while riding a zip wire.
Mr Johnson was featuring as a “special guest” in Victoria Park, London, to ride the 1,050ft (320m) zip line, donning a hard hat and two Union flags as he attempted to sail down.
Instead, he ground steadily to a halt on the wire about 65ft (20m) from the end as the wire sagged, and was left dangling inelegantly in front of a watching crowd.
YouTube link.
The Mayor spent around five minutes hanging comically from the drooping line wearing a hard hat, as spectators took video footage and photographs of his misfortune.
Mr Johnson was featuring as a “special guest” in Victoria Park, London, to ride the 1,050ft (320m) zip line, donning a hard hat and two Union flags as he attempted to sail down.
Instead, he ground steadily to a halt on the wire about 65ft (20m) from the end as the wire sagged, and was left dangling inelegantly in front of a watching crowd.
YouTube link.
The Mayor spent around five minutes hanging comically from the drooping line wearing a hard hat, as spectators took video footage and photographs of his misfortune.
Pensioner heartbroken at theft of Oor Wullie statue
Grampian Police are investigating after thieves stole a pensioner’s prized statue of Oor Wullie. William Ord, 74, discovered the 2ft ornament was missing from his garden in a sheltered housing complex on Sunday morning. The heartbroken OAP, from Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, said: “I got up and my wife was standing in the kitchen and noticed it had gone from the bottom of the garden.
“I’ve had it for nine years and it was a 65th birthday present from my family. I’ve taken a photograph along to the police office. I just hope someone has seen something and I can get it back.” William said his family paid £60 for the ornament, which shows the comic-strip character sitting on his trademark bucket.
But he fears it might be difficult to find a replacement and said it was priceless because of its sentimental value. William believes it would have taken more than one person to carry away the concrete figurine. He said: “It’s a couple of feet high and is made of cement. It’s really heavy and it took all my strength to carry it to and from the shed in wintertime.”
Investigating officer PC Alex Ritchie appealed for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously near William’s home in Davah Court. He said: “The item taken is very distinctive and of considerable size. It was of much sentimental value to the owner, who is quite upset. Had anyone been seen in possession of this item, I’m sure it would stick in the memory.” Officers believe the Oor Wullie statue was taken between 8am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.
“I’ve had it for nine years and it was a 65th birthday present from my family. I’ve taken a photograph along to the police office. I just hope someone has seen something and I can get it back.” William said his family paid £60 for the ornament, which shows the comic-strip character sitting on his trademark bucket.
But he fears it might be difficult to find a replacement and said it was priceless because of its sentimental value. William believes it would have taken more than one person to carry away the concrete figurine. He said: “It’s a couple of feet high and is made of cement. It’s really heavy and it took all my strength to carry it to and from the shed in wintertime.”
Investigating officer PC Alex Ritchie appealed for witnesses who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously near William’s home in Davah Court. He said: “The item taken is very distinctive and of considerable size. It was of much sentimental value to the owner, who is quite upset. Had anyone been seen in possession of this item, I’m sure it would stick in the memory.” Officers believe the Oor Wullie statue was taken between 8am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday.
Police hunt man who fell through bus shelter roof sans trousers
Police in Cheshire want to speak to a man who pulled his trousers down on top of a bus stop, bounced up and down and fell through it.
The man, believed to be in his early 20s, was filmed climbing on top of the shelter in Green Lane, Wilmslow.
YouTube link.
He jumped up and down a few times before smashing through it and onto the ground, causing £560 worth of damage to the bus shelter roof.
Anyone who recognises him is asked to call Wilmslow Neighbourhood Police.
The man, believed to be in his early 20s, was filmed climbing on top of the shelter in Green Lane, Wilmslow.
YouTube link.
He jumped up and down a few times before smashing through it and onto the ground, causing £560 worth of damage to the bus shelter roof.
Anyone who recognises him is asked to call Wilmslow Neighbourhood Police.
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