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Can you give Buster a home? RSPCA struck by 'unprecedented' influx of animals

By RYAN KISIEL

Playful Ridgeback cross Buster only has three legs and is desperate to be rehomed after an animal centre reached its full capacity

They are unlikely to feature on a calendar or a television commercial promoting toilet paper.

With three legs or missing an eye, these dogs are among dozens who are desperate for a new home after spending months in a rescue centre.

Buster, an eight-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback cross, lost a leg in an accident and has failed to find a new owner despite staff describing him as very playful and energetic.

Visitors also regularly pass by Staffordshire Bull Terrier Spikey, as they wrongly assume he has lost his eye in a fight rather than due to glaucoma.

Spikey is often passed by because he only has one eye and people assume he has been in a fight - which is not the case

And they are just two among an ‘unprecedented’ influx of unwanted pets at the RSPCA’s Blackberry Farm Animal Centre near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. In September alone, there were 178 arrivals.

Centre manager Julie Allen said: ‘It is depressing and heartbreaking. We can care and nurture these animals, but what they desperately need is a good kind owner to look after them.’

To adopt an animal from the centre, call 0300 123 0752.

Sasha gave birth to 9 puppies which have all been rehomed, but no one has wanted to take Sasha

source :dailymail

Horse rider forced to 'pick up her own head' after suffering broken neck in horrific accident

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Thea Maxfield, 26, from Bicester, Oxfordshire with her horse Hammie - just a year after another horse, Fiorella, threw her off and left her with a broken neck

A horse rider suffered such a severely broken neck in an horrific riding accident that she was forced to 'pick up her own head'.

Thea Maxfield, who suffered a clean 'hangman's break' when she fell from her dressage horse, tried to get out of the animal's way as it galloped around after the fall.

But when she attempted to pick herself up, the horrified 26-year-old found her head stayed where it was.

Realising she had to move or risk being stomped on by her horse, named Thiorella, Thea cupped her hands around her own head and lifted it into place in an effort to avoid damaging her spinal cord

She said: 'As soon as I came off the horse I knew something was wrong. I went to get up but my head stayed on the floor.

'I couldn't move my neck or my head and I had to literally pick my head up and carry it in my hands.

'My horse was galloping around and I just had to get out of the way. When we arrived at the hospital I was told that this type of fracture can kill people.'
After managing to stagger to safety, watched by her frightened mother Diane, 66, she was whisked to hospital by ambulance.

Doctors initially warned Thea that she could be permanently paralysed and spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair. But they fixed a permanent brace to her neck for three months help to fuse the bones back together.

Astonishingly, after just seven months Thea was riding again, thanks to technology honed on the FOrmula One track, which helped her make a lightning recovery.

Paralysed: The injury could have left Ms Maxfield in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, or even dead

Thea became the first person in the world to undergo treatment for a broken neck using a specially-adapted head brace connected to a computer by tiny sensors.

The sensors, which measure the force and stresses an F1 car goes through as it speeds round the track, were used to assess the strength and weakness of Thea's neck. This information was fed into a super-computer and her physiotherapists used it to tailor an exercise routine to ensure her neck healed at the perfect rate.

Thea, who runs a stud farm in Bicester, Oxfordshire, said: 'I didn't have that much hope of a recovery but I've been incredibly lucky to have been able to use this new technology which has helped me tremendously.'

Physiotherapist Don Gatherer developed the device used to treat Thea, which is usually used to measure the force of steering wheels, suspension and airflow on F1 cars.

Don was then able to tailor the exercises exactly needed to repair Thea's neck without causing further injuries.

Doctor's said that Thea might need a few years before she recovered, but she was riding horses again after just seven months.

Pioneering: Thea Maxfield used Formula 1 technology during rehabilitation from the 'Hangman's Break' she suffered after being thrown from her horse

She now plans to compete in the Prix St George's level 2 dressage competition next year.

Thea said: 'I couldn't believe it when my horse went berserk. She bucked twice vertically in the air and I was thrown into the air. It's ironic that I had been rehabilitating the horse at the time and she was the one that injured me.

'My recovery has been speeded up beyond belief. I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to use the technology.'

Physiotherapists usually give patients exercises based on how comfortable they feel in certain positions.

Don, from Ayelsbury, Buckinghamshire, believes the TGP Analysis device could also be used to test if benefits claimants are 'faking' injury.

He said: 'We can precisely measure the muscle strength, enabling us to create a safe training programme whilst ensuring forces exerting on the muscle during training are within guidelines.

'Previously, Thea lacked strength but combined with using our patented harness that prevents excess loads from being applied, she has improved core strength to improve posture and stability.

'The accuracy of this system couple with the analysis software enables physios to use it as a method of understanding what muscle force is actually possible.

'This enables the physio to ensure the right treatment is administered or, in the case of benefit claimants, data will be available to assess suitability. The data from the machines could also be used to test if benefits claimants have genuine problems.'

source: dailymail

He didn't see that one coming: Paul the psychic 'World Cup octopus' is found dead

By MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE

Paul correctly predicted the results of six World Cup games involving German, including the final when he went for Spain

Paul the octopus, who won unlikely worldwide fame correctly predicting a host of World Cup matches, has died, his owners said today.

Stefan Porwoll, manager of the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in Germany, said: 'His success made him almost a bigger story than the World Cup itself.'

Paul predicted the winners of all Germany's World Cup clashes, and then of the final by selecting one of two boxes, each loaded with a mussel food treat and marked on the outside with one of the teams.

Staff at the centre said his death was not entirely unexpected, since common octopuses generally only live a couple of years.

'He appears to have passed away peacefully during the night, of natural causes, and we are consoled by the knowledge that he enjoyed a good life here,' said Mr Porwoll.
'We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds and erect a modest permanent shrine.'

Paul will live on meanwhile in the form of a range of commercial enterprises ranging from special clothing lines to mobile phone applications.

He will also feature in a documentary to be released early next year.

source: dailymail

Now that's what I call a catnap! Sweet Pea the lioness has a head for heights as she dozes amongst the treetops

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Enjoying her catnap: Sweet Pea the lioness catches 40 winks in her favourite sleepy spot amongst the treetops

This is one cat up a tree that the fire brigade might think twice about rescuing.
Sweet Pea, a lioness at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire, has taken a shining to shinning up trees and taking an afternoon nap there.

The sleepy feline has made a habit of clambering up the sweet chestnut tree in her enclosure and hiding amongst its foliage.

But it is not all bad news for birds who nest in the trees.

Instead of clambering up the branches to prey on feathery food, Sweet Pea is more interested in catching 40 winks instead of a snack.

The four-year-old clearly has a head for heights - she can swiftly climb the 30ft in just a matter of seconds before settling down for a cheeky snooze.

So far Sweet Pea has managed to find her way back down again by herself, but staff at Longleat are - understandably - nervously monitoring the situation in case she ever needs assistance.

Bad news for birds: Sweet Pea the lioness has a habit of clambering up the trees to take her afternoon nap

Hey, come down from there: Sweet Pea takes in the view of Longleat Safari Park while enjoying her siesta

Ian Turner, Longleat's deputy head keeper, said Sweet Pea's siesta habit is unusual as lions normally scale trees because they want to keep their food away from rivals.
'She has only just started climbing up the tree but it is already very much her favourite thing,' he said.

'In the wild lions are known to climb trees when they want to feast on a piece of meat that they don't want another lion getting hold of.

'She must have fabulous views over the parkland although I have to admit I won't be joining her for a look.

'It is good to see such natural behaviour but we're just hoping that she doesn't get stuck up there.'

source: dailymail

'The Emperor' is dead: Fury as giant red stag that was Britain's biggest wild animal is gunned down

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Killed: The Emperor was the largest stag on Exmoor and was thought to be the biggest wild animal in the UK

Britain's biggest wild animal - a red stag nicknamed 'The Emperor' - has been shot dead.

The giant stag of southern Exmoor was killed close to a busy main road in the middle of the annual rut.

The shooting - believed to have been carried out by rich sportsmen after a trophy head - has enraged deer experts and wildlife fans who believe wild red stags should be protected during the mating season.

Popular: The Emperor with his female companions during this year's annual rut. It's thought he was killed by sportsmen looking for a 'trophy head'

Thought to be the largest wild animal in the British Isles, Emperor weighed around 300lb and stood at 9ft tall from the ground to the top of his antlers.

He was believed to be about 12 years old.

Exmoor-based deer expert Peter Donnelly said: 'It's a disgrace that this magnificent animal has been shot at this time because it could be that he didn't get to rut properly this year, therefore his genes have not been passed on this time round.

'The poor things should be left alone during the rut, not harried from pillar to post.

'There are people who are prepared to spend quite ridiculous sums of money to have a trophy on their wall,' added Mr Donnelly, from Dulverton, Somerset.
'People talk about £1,000 for a good head.'

Mr Donnelly admitted older stags do need to be culled because they find it hard to survive after a certain age - but said The Emperor was not at that stage yet.

Red deer stags are the biggest indigenous land animal left in Britain and those in Exmoor are larger than the ones in Scotland because of their diet.

Earlier this month, wildlife photographer Richard Austin tracked The Emperor down - but kept his exact location a secret for fear of poachers.

He said at the time: ‘I’m so glad he’s come back again looking even bigger and better than last year.

‘He’s so big none of the others are willing take him on.’

‘The way he struts around thrashing his massive set of antlers into the hedges lets everyone know who’s boss.'

source: dailymail

Is this dessert going cheep? Family of robins found nesting in supermarket fancy a bit of Birds

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Home comforts: A robin perches on a packet of Birds desert at Tesco's in Osterley, West London

This little robin chose just the right spot to perch when it visited a branch of Tesco’s... in among the Bird’s range of dessert toppings.

As it says on the packet, the red-breast looked like a dream topping on the supermarket shelf.

A family of the birds was nesting in the storeroom of the supermarket in Osterley, West London.

Staff have now managed to remove the birds without harming them.
A member of staff said: 'It's very cute, but it is not very easy to get out.
He's got in here somehow and seems to be enjoying the attention.'

One shopper said: 'Robins are cute at any time, but it was hilarious seeing it perched on top of the Bird's dream topping packet.

'It didn¹t seem like it was in any hurry to leave.'

Last year the Mail reported on another daring robin, who became accustomed to flying into a Suffolk crockery shop and perching on mugs - emblazoned with pictures of robins on of course!

It appears the owl might not be the only wise feathered friend!

Caught on camera: The family of robins were removed from the supermarket without being harmed after being found nesting in the storeroom

Just down the road in Surrey, an equally shocking discovery was made....an ALBINO robin.

The pure white bird, nicknamed Snowy, has a rare condition which means all its brown and red pigment is missing. It has been visiting a garden in Westcott, near Dorking in Surrey for the last month.

The pale bird was captured on camera by keen photographer Esther Ellis, 36, who was fascinated by the strange-looking bird with its pale plumage.

'It was amazing to see it. I got a tip-off that the robin had been visiting the garden and the owner of the house invited me to go along and take some photos,' she said.

'It was a wonderful surprise to see the bird. It looks and sounds like a normal red-breasted robin but it is completely white.'

Rare: An albino robin has been spotted in a UK back garden. The pure white bird, nicknamed Snowy, has a rare condition which means all its brown and red pigment is missing.

source: dailymail

It's a happy-potamus! Grinning hippo poses for zoo-goers' snaps

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Happy hippo: Jay Parker, 35, gets a rare moment with Otis at San Diego Zoo

There's an old campfire song that asks the question 'What can make a hippopotamus smile?'.

The singalong poplular with scouts and girl guides across America suggests that hippo happiness is not down to 'a party with paper hats, or cake and candy that makes him fat'.

And it's clearly not. In fact, it seems all it requires to bring the beautiful best out of the three-tonne beast is a camera and an IT consultant.

This amazing holiday snap of the beaming behemoth was taken at San Diego zoo by Lauren Parker, the wife of Jay Parker, who is pictured alongside Otis the happy hippo.

'We took the picture on holiday at San Diego Zoo, my wife is a big fan of animals so we always try and visit somewhere when we are away,' said Mr Parker.

'Actually the week we were there the zoo had just put two hippos together for the first time in the tank.

'Hippos are not usually that friendly and the two they had in the tank - the male Otis and the female Funani - had been having a bit of a fight with each other that day.

'The hippo behind me is Otis, when we saw his face we just thought we had to get a picture.'

Mr Parker said he wasn't sure if Otis was happy or not after his day's ordeal with Funani - in fact he might even have been asleep.

Second snap: Otis was so comfortable with the camera he also posed for a picture with Lauren Parker

He said: 'If you look at Otis's back you can see the scaring from his fight with Funani, this is normal hippo behaviour but I don't think he won.

'When I look at his face I think he looks pretty tired by it all, or maybe he's having a happy dream - either way it's a great picture.'

To add another dimension to the memorable snap, the picture has become something of an internet hit and pops up on blogs and chatrooms from USA to China.

Mr Parker, 35, from Little Rock, Arkansas, even gets fan mail from people telling him he is their computer screensaver or Facebook profile picture.

He said: 'It's kind of strange to think there are people out there with a picture of me on their computer, but I guess I'm just the hippo man as far they're concerned.

source: dailymail

Zoo Atlanta's 13-year-old giant panda Lun Lun is pregnant with her third cub

Yang Yang, a 13-year-old giant panda, is pictured at a zoo Friday, Oct. 22, 2010, in Atlanta. Zoo Atlanta's 13-year-old giant panda Lun Lun is pregnant with her third cub and expected to give birth early next month. In June, Lun Lun was inseminated with sperm from her partner, Yang Yang, after the two had failed to mate.

Colter Kleisner, 4, of Columbus, Ga. , gets a closer look at Yang Yang, a 13-year-old giant panda, behind a window at a zoo in Atlanta on Friday, Oct. 22, 2010. Lun Lun, Zoo Atlanta's 13-year-old giant panda, is pregnant with her third cub and expected to give birth early next month. In June, she was inseminated with sperm from her partner, Yang Yang, after the two had failed to mate.

This undated photo provided by Zoo Atlanta shows the ultrasound confirming the pregnancy of Giant panda Lun Lun. Zoo Atlanta said Friday, Oct. 22, 2010 that they have confirmed the pregnancy with an ultrasound of mother Lun Lun. This will be the third cub for the 13-year-old panda. The Animal Management and Veterinary Teams estimate that a birth should occur in 10 days to 2 weeks. While cautiously optimistic, experts caution that Lun Lun could still miscarry or reabsorb the fetus as her pregnancy progresses.

Yang Yang, a 13-year-old giant panda, eats bamboo leaves at a zoo in Atlanta on Friday, Oct. 22, 2010. Lun Lun, Zoo Atlanta's 13-year-old giant panda is pregnant with her third cub and expected to give birth early next month. In June, Lun Lun was inseminated with sperm from her partner, Yang Yang, after the two had failed to mate.

photo: AP photo

Is this the world's smallest horse? Tiny foal Bella stands just 21 inches tall and weighs 56 pounds

Cute: Miniature horse Bella sits on her owner Alison Smith's knee at her rescue centre in North Dakota

She might weigh the same as a bag of groceries, but what Bella lacks in height she makes up for with cuteness.

For the tiny foal, who at 21 inches tall and 56 pounds, may just be the world's smallest horse.

Aged just six months old, Bella Contessa is no taller than a normal sized pumpkin and has to use a special ramp to eat from her manger.

Cute factor: Bella, the miniature foal, could be the world's smallest horse at just 21 inches tall

Currently staying with Alison Smith, the founder of Triple H Miniature Horse Rescue in Mandan, North Dakota, Bella spends her days in her own paddock with best friend and fellow miniature horse Lilly.

Part of the miniature horse family, Bella was born 15 inches tall and weighed an incredible nine pounds - around the same weight as an average baby.
The typical miniature foal is born anywhere between 18-22 inches tall depending on the horses sex and weighs up to 22 pounds.

'As a horse, Bella has perfect conformation and is not as commonly thought a dwarf horse,' said Alison, who has cared for Bella for the best part of a month.
'All the vets we work with a Triple H have told us that she is the smallest horse they have ever seen with perfect form, with no dwarf characteristics, no health issues and is just a tiny horse.

'She is a cute and beautiful fluke.'

Standing in Bella's way for the title of worlds smallest horse is another miniature horse from New Hampshire, Einstein.

Born the month before Bella and weighing just six pounds and standing 14 inches high after his birth, Alison expects the competition with Einstein to be totally good-natured.

'Guinness have told us that they don't differentiate at the moment between miniature horses or miniature horses with dwarf characteristics,' explained Alison, 48.

'We have heard that Einstein has definitely grown and that given that he is a month older than Bella makes us think that she is definitely in the running.'

Small but perfectly formed: Bella grooms herself next to a slightly larger horse

Feeding time: Bella uses a ramp to reach her food bucket as she shares a meal with her miniature friend Lilly

Officially, Guinness recognises the smallest horse in the world as Thumbelina, a 17.5-inch miniature brown sorrel mare who has held the title since July 2006.
However, she is classed as a dwarf miniature horse.

'We are hoping that Guinness separate between dwarf miniature horses and miniature horses born with perfect conformation," said Alison.

'I mean, before the year is out, both horses will have done up to 90 percent of their growth and then that will be a good time to see who is going to claim the title.

'But in the meantime, Bella is happy playing with Lilly and our two goats that roam the property here at the Triple H.

'She has such a pleasant disposition and this Christmas she is going work for the Salvation Army helping with their collections for the poor and needy.
'The children are going to love her.'

source: dailymail

Who needs a trainer? Wild dolphins show they can do exactly the same tricks as their captive cousins

By DAVID DERBYSHIRE

Bianca the dolphin 'walks' on her tail, a skill which she is believed to have learned from a captive dolphin that was released into the wild

Tail walking is a guaranteed crowd pleaser in any dolphin show.

But these remarkable creatures are not performing for a human audience but are simply entertaining themselves.

In an incredible discovery, a group of six wild bottlenose dolphins have taught themselves to 'walk' backwards on the water using their tails.

Marine biologists say the craze is spreading through the community of dolphins in Adelaide at an astonishing rate and that the only plausible explanation is that they are doing it for fun.

The discovery shows how dolphins are even brighter than we realised.
Dr Mike Bossley has been observing the dolphins in Port River, Australia, for 24 years and previously reported tail walking in two adult females - Billie and Wave.

Billie is thought to have picked up the skill during three weeks in captivity in 1988.
The female was looked after by a local dolphinarium after she became trapped behind a marine lock and was unable to return to the sea.

After three weeks in a tank she was released into the wild with a “3” branded on her dorsal fin to make her easy to spot.

Billie returned to her usual haunts and - to the astonishment of experts - began to tail-walk herself.

Despite receiving no formal training, the researchers believe she learned the trick by watching other captive dolphins being fed for performing the trick.

Now - two decades after being released back into the wild - she is passing on the skill. Over the last few years she has taught the trick to five other dolphins in her group .

Another dolphin performs tricks for fun. Scientists have discovered five of the animals tail-walking in the wild

Dr Bossley, of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, said Wave’s Calf Tullula, Bianca and her calf Hope, and the calf Bubbles have all taken up the past time.

'Culture in the wider sense of the term, defined as "learned behaviour characteristic of a community2, is now frequently on show in the Port River', says Dr Bossley. 'This cultural behaviour is of great significance for conservation.

'Cultural behaviours in animals have been identified in several species, particularly chimpanzees. However, most if not all the cultural behaviours described to-date have been of a utilitarian nature, mainly to do with obtaining food. A well known chimpanzee example is using a twig to extract termites from a nest in the Gombe Stream reserve.

'The only dolphin example seen up to now is in Shark Bay, West Australia, where a small group of dolphins habitually carry a sponge on the end of their jaw while fishing to protect them from fish spines.

'As far as we are aware, tail walking has no practical function and is performed just for fun - akin to human dancing or gymnastics. As such, it represents an internationally important example of the behavioural similarities between humans and dolphins.'

It is thought one dolphin, called Billie, started the trend of tail-walking after she was released off the south coast of Australia in 1988

Tail walking is one of the most popular tricks in dolphin show. Rewarded with food, dolphins learn to surge vertically out of the water and then propel themselves backwards 'walking' through the water.

But while it is common in captivity, it is extremely rare in the wild.

The WDCS team are watching Billie and her group to see whether the trick is a form of play, or communication. They also want to see if even more members of the dolphin group will join in.

Other captive dolphins in America have worked out how to bait visiting sea gulls.
The animals learned to hold back fish from feeding time, and then use it to attract passing sea birds. When the gulls swooped, the dolphins would grab them and present them to the astonished trainers.

source :dailymail

The ultimate underwater snap! Shark flashes a grin for the camera

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Toothy grin: Canadian photographer Todd Mintz has been trying to get a picture of a smiling shark for eight years

It's a smile so wide no photographer could resist.

Award winning marine snapper Todd Mintz certainly couldn't turn it down, even though the teeth belong to a giant lemon shark, which have been known to launch frenzied attacks on humans.

Yet Mintz braved the tropical waters of the Bahamas to stand just inches from the enormous beast to in order to capture this fin-tastic photo.

Mintz - who has worked as an underwater photographer for 14 years - spent days at a time patiently waiting for one of the sharks to show off his teeth.

He has been trying to capture an image of a 'smiling shark' for eight years and finally succeeded after attaching his camera to a pole, which he lowered into the water from the back of a boat, using a remote trigger to fire off the shot.

And in his long sought-after photograph the smiling sea creature bears an uncanny resemblance to Bruce the Shark, from the film Finding Nemo, who was voiced by Australian comedian Barry Humphries.

Are they related? Bruce the Shark from the film Finding Nemo, who liked to smile but wasn't to be trusted

While Mintz is in no doubt about the danger this particular breed poses he says he loves working with the enormous creatures which, at up to 13ft long, are one of the largest species of shark in the world.

Lemon sharks like this one have been known to attack swimmers and surfers in the shallow waters off the American coast, although one has never been responsible for a recorded death.

Mintz - who has won dozens of international awards for his incredible pictures of marine life - says he got hooked on taking underwater snaps after he borrowed a waterproof camera the first time he went diving.

He has been on dozens of week-long dives in and around the warm waters of the Bahamas, capturing amazing images of sharks and other sea creatures.

He said: 'Timing the image and anticipating the shark coming in close were the toughest part of capturing the shot.

'To me, photography is all about the shark and the photographer mixing together to capture a moment in time.

'I hope that in my images I can inspire people to take an interest in wildlife and nature and the beauty that it holds.'

source: dailymail

The incredible B-arkour dog: Tre T reveals no cat is safe with amazing freerunning skills

By OLIVER PICKUP

Tre T the Ukrainian freerunning dog, who has become an Internet sensation, scales a wall here

Meet Tre T, the free-running dog. With his breath-taking mastery of Parkour, he takes walkies to a whole new level.

The death-defying pooch, who lives in Ukraine, is shown here running and jumping on walls, climbing trees, scaling ladders, fences and huts.

Tre T jumps from object to object with guile and grace, without a paws for thought. Any cats in the area had better beware: there's no way of escaping from this dog.
Scoll down for the amazing video of Tre T

The amazing pooch climbs up trees, over walls and fences - and never stops wagging his tail

The five-year-old jumps from object to object with guile and grace, without a paws for thought

The five-year-old American Staffordshire Terrior has become an Internet sensation with his skills.

You'll struggle to keep this guy in the doghouse as he loves mastering the outdoors - and his waggy tail shows that.

It's not suprising that Tre T, who weighs 33kg, has managed to attract nearly 200,000 hits on YouTube with his freerunning talents.

The dog's skills have attracted nearly 200,000 hits on YouTube and any cats watching will be petrified of Tre T - hiding up a tree will not help them escape him

Parkour, or freerunning, originated in France and has become popular in the last decade.

It is a philosophy which includes the physical practice of traversing objects in both urban and rural settings.

The goal is to move from one point to another as quickly and efficiently as possible.
And this doggy has shown that he can learn new tricks. Click on his video below.

Parkour has become popular in the last decade, and has featured in films, music videos and photography exhibitions

The death-defying stunts make it exhilarating to watch - and Parkour provides an amazing adrenaline rush to those who do it

source :dailymail

We like to move it, move it - Dancing lemurs stage special tribute Madagascar's King Julien

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

We like to move it, move it: These Sifaka lemurs dance across their feeding ground in the Ifotaka forest of Madagascar

These lemurs have staged their own special tribute to King Julien XIII from the Disney film Madagascar with an extraordinary dance routine.

The moves are not just for entertainment though, this Sifaka lemur family uses the technique to travel around their territory in the Ifotaka forest of Madagascar, Africa.

It's a case of 'Strictly Run Dancing' for these animas, as the quickest way for them to avoid predators and reach their foraging grounds is to spring onto their hind legs and raise their arms to balance.

Nice moves: The 'dancing' is reminiscent of the dance moves by King Julien XIII from the Disney film Madagascar

These pictures show the lemurs 'dancing' across their feeding ground. Once settled in the trees Sifakas can then happily eat plants and enjoy the day while safely off the ground.

One of the pictures shows a lemur pirouetting just like a ballet dancer while another looks like it's pulling of a disco move just like John Travolta in 70s blockbuster Saturday Night Fever.

A third shows how a female is even able to prance as a tiny baby clings to her.

Travelling in style: The dance moves are actually the best way for the animals to move quickly and avoid predators

British wildlife photographers Matt Burrard-Lucas, 21 and brother Will, 27, both from London, who captured these amazing shots, had to wait a year to gain access to the Sifaka's territory due to political instability in the region.

'The political situation in Madagascar has been unstable so we were prevented from travelling to the country,' Will said.

'But when we got there we enjoyed the sights of the Sifaka lemurs.

Inspiration: King Julien XIII who featured in Disney funny film Madagascar showing off his own moves

'Once we arrived we spent several weeks with the Sifakas, learning their behaviour and letting them get used to us.

'They were very amusing to work with, extremely playful and unpredictable.'
The Sifaka's name comes from their distinctive call that sounds like 'shafik'.

Living throughout the forests of Madagascar and are unique to the island, they are highly social and live in troops of up to 40 individuals, but are threatened by increased human encroachment into their feeding grounds.

source :dailymail

Poisoned in the woods: Ordeal of family hit by mystery illness that's killed 30 pets

By CLAIRE ELLICOTT

Nigel and Janette Young with their six-year-old son Robert and their four Highland Terrier dogs - Molly, Mona, Kip and Sandy - who became ill after visiting Laughton forest

When Nigel and Janette Young took their dogs to the woods, they were expecting a relaxing afternoon of walking and playing ball games.

Instead, their excursion resulted in all four dogs being put on intravenous drips after falling seriously ill.

Scores of pets have been struck down by the same mystery illness, which causes vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, diarrhoea and breathing difficulties, after being walked in woodland - and up to 30 have died.

But despite various theories about what is causing the deaths, such as deadly blue algae or poisonous fungi, none has proved conclusive and experts are baffled.

Fortunately for the Youngs, their West Highland terriers Kip, Sandy and Mona, all aged eight, and the dogs' mother Molly, 11, are now recovering at home after four days in a vet's hospital.

Mr and Mrs Young, both 45, and their six-year-old son Robert took the terriers for a walk in Laughton Wood, near Scotter, Lincolnshire.

But when they returned home, the dogs became restless and were scratching and licking their paws.

The Youngs took them to a vet, who prescribed antibiotics. But the dogs' conditions deteriorated overnight as their mouths locked shut and they became dangerously dehydrated.

They were taken to a vet's hospital and kept on drips for four days before they were well enough to return home.

Suffering: The dogs at home, five days after falling ill

But other pet owners haven't been so lucky. At least ten dogs have died after falling ill following walks in wooded areas in North Nottinghamshire.

The affected areas include Sherwood Forest, Clumber Park, Haywood Oaks, Blidworth Woods, Sherwood Pines and Thieves Wood.

Other dogs have fallen ill in Lincolnshire and after walks in the Queen's 20,000-acre Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, but have recovered.

In 2009, after a spate of similar illnesses, Natural England carried out tests on samples taken from infected dogs but found no trace of manmade poisons.

One theory is that the dogs ingested a natural poison, such as fungi, but their owners say they didn't notice their pets eating anything unusual.

Mystery: A killer disease affecting dogs has spread to the Queen's Sandringham Estate, in Norfolk

Veterinarian Janice Dixon said she had treated several ill dogs who had been taken for walks in the Sherwood Forest area but found no sign of fungi in their vomit or faeces.

Another possibility is that a tick or mite could have caused the deaths. But both Mrs Dixon and Natural England found no signs of the creatures on the dogs who died.
Former dog trainer Ryan O'Meara, who edits K9 magazine, has suggested blue-green algae might be causing the deaths.

Dogs do not need to drink infected water to be affected, but merely have to walk in a boggy area and lick their paws to get the toxin in their system.

Mrs Dixon also suspects algae might be the cause, as small quantities - just 20 parts per billion - are enough to kill a dog.

It is difficult to test for the algae on live animals as samples are needed from the liver, but the Environment Agency examined a number of specimens. Although they found blue-green algae in some, other samples were clear.

As a result of the deaths, signs have been put up around the affected forests warning dog owners to keep their animals on leads.

Stuart Burgess, of the Forestry Commission, said: 'The deaths have been locally concentrated and we think ten to 30 dogs may have died as a result of this mystery illness.

'We don't know what's causing it yet, but we're working with other agencies to get to the bottom of it.'

source : dailymail

Eight firefighters spend four hours on dramatic high-tech rescue of baby kitten flushed down the toilet by toddler

By RICHARD SHEARS

Saved: Cain the two-day-old kitten is plucked from the drainage pipes after his owner Alannah Merleto flushed him down the toilet

A two-day-old kitten in Australia was dramatically rescued by eight fireman over the course of four hours after the pet was flushed down the toilet by his toddler owner.

Alannah Merleto, three, had a habit of flushing things down the loo so when her mother Ammie asked her where the kitten was she feared the worst.
'Down the toilet,' the little girl replied.

Habit: Alannah, three, often flushed items down the toilet according to her mother and has now promised not to take Cain anywhere near the bathroom

Their Sydney home was turned upside down as the family searched for the kitten.
It was then that they heard the tiny cries coming from the pipes under the house.
'I didn't know what else to do, so we rang the fire brigade,' said Mrs Merleto.

No less than eight firemen turned up and, using a camera on an 80ft long chord, they were able to see the kitten on a small monitor.

It was stuck well and truly in a bend in the pipes, where there was just enough air for survival.

It was not going to be a simple operation, but the firemen assured little Alannah and her mother that they would do their best.

First, they dismantled the toilet then went under the house to smash through a concrete slab with jackhammers.

It was four hours before they were able to reach the part of the pipe where the small cat was trapped.

They cut their way through - and out came the kitten - a soggy moggy but otherwise none the worse for wear.

Relief: Ammie Crofts cries as the tiny kitten is pulled out of the drain at her Sydney home

Team: Eight firefighters were involved in the rescue and smashed through flooring to access the pipes

High tech: Firefighters pushed a tiny cable at the end of a cord down into the pipes to pinpoint where Cain was

The Merletos decided to name the kitten Cain, after the fireman who led the rescue operation.

'Cain actually worked as a plumber before he joined the fire brigade, so he was certainly a handy member to have on the crew,' Superintendent Ian Krimmer of the New South Wales Fire Brigades told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

As for Alannah, she has promised her mother she'll never take the kitten near the toilet again.

Safe and sound: Cain back with his mother Pusska and his siblings

source :dailymail