Extinction of dinosaurs 'led to mammals growing 1000 times bigger'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The largest land mammals that ever lived, Indricotherium and Deinotherium, which would have towered over the living African elephant (front)


Mammals grew in size 1000-fold after being left a food bonanza by the extinction of the dinosaurs, research has shown.

From their origins as small shrew-like animals, some became enormously large - and the same pattern was seen all over the world.

They included giants such as Indricotherium, a hornless rhinoceros relative from Eurasia that stood 18 feet high and would have dwarfed an African elephant.

Dr Jessica Theodor, from the University of Calgary in Canada, one of the study's authors, said: 'Basically, the dinosaurs disappear and all of a sudden there is nobody else eating the vegetation.

'That's an open food source and mammals start going for it, and it's more efficient to be a herbivore when you're big.'

The research, which looked at the fossil record of mammals around the world, showed that after the dinosaurs disappeared 65 million years ago ecosystems did not take long to re-adjust.


An African elephant would have been dwarfed by prehistoric mammals


'Within 25 million years the system is reset to a new maximum for the animals that are there in terms of body size,' said Dr Theodor. 'That's actually a pretty short timeframe, geologically speaking. That's really rapid evolution.'

When mammals shared the Earth with the dinosaurs they grew no heavier than about 10 kilograms, said the researchers.

But after the dinosaurs' exit they quickly exploded in size to a maximum of 17 tonnes.

'Nobody has ever demonstrated that this pattern is really there,' said Dr Theodor, one of 20 researchers from around the world who worked on the study. 'People have talked about it but nobody has ever gone back and done the math.

'We went through every time period and said OK, for this group of mammals what's the biggest one? And then we estimated its body mass.'

The scientists gathered data on Perissodactyla, odd-toed ungulates such as rhinos and horses, Proboscidea, which included elephants, mammoths and mastodons, Xenarthra, the anteaters, tree sloths and armadillos, as well a number of other extinct groups.

The results showed that mammals in colder climates grew the most since bigger animals are better at conserving heat.

The research appears today in the journal Science.


source :dailymail

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Knock, knock. Moo's there! The runaway cow who ended up staring down a shocked housewife

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Unexpected visitor: the cow found itself in housewife Caroline Lowbridge's back garden after making a bid for freedom


A Nottinghamshire housewife has been left stunned after a runaway cow being chased by the police crashed into her back garden.

Caroline Lowbridge couldn't believe her eyes when the enormous animal came crashing through her garden fence - with a team of police officers and an angry farmer in hot pursuit.

The pedigree cow made a break for freedom as farmer John Croft tried to load it into a trailer - and leaped over a 9,000 volt fence before galloping off down the A52, in Nottingham.

Officers tailed the animal for almost two miles before finally entering into a police stand-off with the cow in Caroline's garden.

Caroline, from West Bridgeford, Notts, said: 'I was in my kitchen when I spotted this thing crashing through my garden fence.

'It came right up to the kitchen window and was breathing on the glass. I was scared as I thought it was going to smash its way into the house - you could tell it was really angry,' she added.

'The police tried to block it off by parking a police van across my neighbour's garden. But the cow smashed into the van and ploughed its way through the fence into another garden.


We are not a-moo-sed: police tried to corner the cow which was described as 'really annoyed'


'It was really annoyed.' Police had nearly managed to grab hold of the cow when it charged at the police line, scattering officers.

It took more than an hour for then to eventually coax the cow onto a trailer and return it to the farm, two hours after it originally escaped.

Farmer John said: 'We were getting about 50 pedigree cows off the field and into the cowshed for winter. 'This one just made a bid for freedom. It cleared the fence and legged it down the road.

'I was in a state of panic. I wasn't able to follow it as it just sped off like lightning down the public footpath. 'I jumped into the car but we lost it pretty quickly - but luckily the police called to say they had spotted it and were on its tail.


Bovine bother: the cow was eventually caught and returned to the farm two hours after it escaped


'I raced straight there with the trailer, and eventually, it gave up and decided to come home.

'It's doing good now," he said. 'We took it back to the stables and it calmed down over some water and food.

'We've never had this happen before and will be taking extra precautions now to make sure it doesn't happen again.'

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Police said: 'Officers tried to corner the cow but it charged at them, causing one to take evasive action to avoid injury.

'The cow smashed through fences at the rear of three properties, before eventually being cornered.' PC Wendy Brown, one of the officers who caught the cow, said: 'This was definitely one of the strangest incidents I've had to deal with.'


source: dailymail

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Pegasus takes flight! Or how a trick of the eye created a mythical creature in the wild

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Just an illusion: it might look like a mythical creature at first glance, but the crane is behind the antelope


At first glance it looks like Pegasus, a winged divine horse from Greek mythology, or something out of a Harry Potter movie.

However this extraordinary mutation of antelope and bird is actually a clever optical illusion.

The picture was taken as the antelope was being pursued by an Indian Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird in the world.


The Indian Sarus Crane, the tallest flying bird in the world, as it looks without an antelope in front of it


The animal had stumbled upon the bird's nest and had quickly been shooed away by the protective mother.

As the chase ensued, amused onlookers at the Keoladeo National Park, in Rajasthan, India, noticed the animals appeared to blend in to one.

The spectacle was caught on camera by photographer Jagdeep Rajput, who said people had compared the mutation to Pegasus, a mythical winged horse.

Mr Rajput, 49, from Delhi, added: 'The crane had laid a single egg and when the bull got close she chased it away.

'I was hoping to get a picture of the interaction between the two animals but I never expected I'd get anything like this.

'When I show people the photograph their first reaction is that it must be Photoshopped.

'Other say it looks like some new species of mammal or a bovine version of Pegasus.'
Pegasus was a mystical horse-god creature from Greek mythology.

Usually portrayed as white in colour he has been used in illustrations and literature throughout the centuries.

From the Middle Ages until the 17th century, Pegasus was a symbol for wisdom and fame.

He later became a symbol of poetry and still appears in movies and video games today.
In the 1997 Disney cartoon Hercules, Pegasus was portrayed as the hero's sidekick although the pair never encountered each other in Greek mythology.


source: dailymail

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Toddler mauled to death by uncle's pet bulldog 'did not stand a chance'

Fatal attack: the dog which mauled the 18-month-old toddler was an American bulldog (file photo)


A mother screamed in terror as her 18-month-old daughter was ripped apart by the family dog, an inquest has heard.

Zumer Ahmed was attacked at the family home in Crawley, West Sussex, by her uncle's pet dog, Game.

The American Bulldog burst into the kitchen when Zumer's two-year-old brother opened the back door to the garden and bit her head, the inquest at Horsham Magistrates Court heard yesterday.


Speaking at the inquest, West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield questioned whether American Bulldogs should be kept by families with young children.

Zumer Ahmed sustained horrific injuries after being set upon by the animal on April 17.

She was in the kitchen when the pet - six times her weight - entered the house from the back garden and started attacking her.

Two workmen nearby were alerted and tried in vain to rescue Zumer from its jaws but her injuries were too severe for her to survive.

Ms Schofield said that very little mention is made of the potential threat such dogs pose to young children.

She accepted she may face criticism from dog lovers and organisations for raising doubts over whether they should be kept in a young family environment.

But she said the case highlighted a 'real risk' to young children and that the death had left those close to Zumer 'completely and utterly devastated'.

'The little girl did not stand a chance,' Ms Schofield said at the inquest at Horsham Magistrates' Court.

'The dog was six times her weight and was acting instinctively. The dog, an American Bulldog, does not come under the Dangerous Dogs Act.


Danger: the house where the attack happened had this sign making reference to the dog owner


'And even today the American and English Bulldog are listed on the internet as suitable for family pets. Very little is mentioned, if anything, to the potential threat to children.

'But this case shows that there is a real risk to young children and that this case is not uncommon.

'Many dog lovers and organisations will be critical of me to question whether it is safe for children to live in close proximity to these dogs.

'However, one function of my role is around prevention of future deaths.'

Ms Schofield said she could not make any recommendations under the coroner's rules as owning such dogs remained a 'personal choice'.

'However, I'm aware that this case has attracted a lot of publicity and I therefore hope that the press will highlight this case and the danger of keeping such dogs in a family environment with young children,' she went on.


source: dailymail

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It's puppy love as Amanda Holden meets a homeless spaniel on the red carpet

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Puppy love: Amanda Holden arrives for the Collars & Coats Gala Ball to mark 150 years of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London


Showing off her slender figure in a flattering floor-length gown, Amanda Holden knew she was looking her best as she walked the red carpet last night.

But her beauty couldn't compete with the charms of her small friend - one of the residents of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

The King Charles Spaniel cuddled up to her as they posed for photos at the Collars & Coats Gala Ball.


Looking good: The Britain's Got Talent judge hosted the charity event


Britain's Got Talent presenter Amanda hosted the charity fundraiser at Battersea Power Station.

She was greeted by a welcoming committee of 150 dogs lining the red carpet as she arrived.

She tweeted: 'Just finished hosting Battersea Dog and Cat Home 150th Birthday Ball at Power Station!! Fab nite !Raised lots of dosh for our furry friends!'


Time to get down: The puppy decides he's had enough of posing


Amongst the guests joining Amanda was HRH Prince Michael of Kent, the Home’s President.

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke provided the entertainment, along with Spike’s All Star Band featuring Roger Daltrey, iconic lead singer of The Who, Queen guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, Meat Loaf singer Patti Russo.

The ball came as the charity celebrated 150 years of helping London's unwanted animals.


Braving the cold: The Miss England finalists


Dog lovers: Mis-Teeq singer Su-Elise Nash and Shane Ward at the charity event


source: dailymail

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A two week old Black-tailed Marmoset infant sits on the back of its mother

A two week old Black-tailed Marmoset infant sits on the back of its mother in their enclosure at Chester zoo, northern England November 25, 2010.



A two week old Black-tailed Marmoset infant sits on the back of its mother in their enclosure at Chester zoo, northern England November 25, 2010.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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a ring-tailed lemur sits at the table during its Thanksgiving feast

In this photo provided by the San Francisco Zoo, a ring-tailed lemur sits at the table during its Thanksgiving feast, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, at the San Francisco Zoo, in San Francisco.

The "turkey" is made of omnivore chow with mashed bananas, while the platters consist of Madagascar green bean salad, sweet potato goulash, Sifaka (fruit) salad, and their beverage is cranberry juice with water.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo

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A baby white-naped mangabey monkey

This photo provided Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010 by the Bioparco Zoo of Rome shows a baby white-naped mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus), born on Nov. 7 being fed by its zoo keeper after it was refused by its mother, in Rome. White-naped mangabey monkeys, found in Ghana and Ivory Coast forests, are listed amongst the most endagered primates. The Bioparco Zoo is part of a group of European zoos involved in the breeding programs (European Endagered Species Programmes) of endagered species.




This photo provided Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010 by the Bioparco Zoo of Rome shows a baby white-naped mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus), born on Nov. 7 held by its zoo keeper after it was refused by its mother, in Rome. White-naped mangabey monkeys, found in Ghana and Ivory Coast forests, are listed amongst the most endagered primates. The Bioparco Zoo is part of a group of European zoos involved in the breeding programs (European Endagered Species Programmes) of endagered species.




This photo provided Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010 by the Bioparco Zoo of Rome shows a baby white-naped mangabey monkey (Cercocebus atys lunulatus), born on Nov. 7 being fed by its zoo keeper after it was refused by its mother, in Rome. White-naped mangabey monkeys, found in Ghana and Ivory Coast forests, are listed amongst the most endagered primates. The Bioparco Zoo is part of a group of European zoos involved in the breeding programs (European Endagered Species Programmes) of endagered species.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo

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23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo

Walker, a 23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.




Walker, a 23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.



Walker, a 23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.



Walker, a 23 month polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.




Walker, a 23 month old polar bear who arrived from Holland's Rhenen Zoo two weeks ago, experiences snow for the first time in his 4 acre enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie, Scotland November 25, 2010. Britain shivered in sub-zero temperatures on Thursday as snow fell unseasonably early, with more wintry weather on the way. Up to 10cm (4in) of snow settled in northern Scotland and north-east England overnight, the earliest major snowfall in 17 years.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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Anything you can do... incredible moment a wolf catches a salmon using fishing technique copied from a bear

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Gotcha: The wolf wrestles with his catch within just yards of a brown bear as he looks to bring in his own


His powerful jaws clamped around a huge salmon, this wolf looks mightily pleased with himself.

This wonderful photograph captures the rare moment that a wolf was caught on camera fishing after learning the technique from bears.

With a massive grizzly in the foreground the wolf can clearly be seen setting itself, leaping and then grabbing the huge fish from the water.

The amazing sequence - which some even dubbed a hoax or photoshopped - was captured in just minutes by wildlife photographer Paul Stinsa.

Along with a party of enthusiasts Mr Stinsa was on actually on an expedition to see bears not wolves in Katmai National Park, Alaska.

But it turned out some of the best shots of his life were waiting for him at a spot named Brooks Falls - when out of the blue a wolf appeared from the trees.

Just feet from the far more powerful grizzly bear the incredible moment unfolded before Mr Stinsa's eyes as he watched from a viewing platform.

Paul and others had been standing on the platform looking at a large and a small male bear fishing, but when the action stopped some decided to leave.

The party were also surprised to see a wolf at the river earlier but it had been chased off by the bears.


The wolf plunges into the freezing water after learning the technique from bears fishing on the same river


He said: 'Nothing was happening at the falls, and some of the viewers left the platform to head back to camp.

'This would prove to be a mistake, as the wolf soon came trotting down the riverbank and into the water across from the viewing platform.

'I stood on the platform, scrambling to set the camera properly to photograph a dark, moving subject against a black background on an overcast day.

'I watched intently as the wolf slowly crept through the shallow water along the rock wall below the falls, sneaking up on the resting salmon from downstream.

'As the wolf neared the base of the falls, it dove headfirst into the pool. In a flurry of splashing water, it pulled its head out of the river with a salmon, desperately flopping, clamped in its jaws.

'The wolf then cautiously walked downriver and ran up the trail into the woods.'
Mr Stinsa and the rest of the group were left stunned - none of the rest of the group had been quick enough to get their camera out.


Success: Wet but triumphant the cunning wolf steps out of the river with a huger salmon clasped in its jaws


Mr Stinsa, 42, from Chicago, USA, said: 'Nobody on the platform, including the park ranger, had ever heard of this behaviour from a wolf, much less witnessed it.

'We all felt as though we had received a unique bonus on our bear- viewing trip.
'Apart from a local paper in the US no one else has seen these pictures, but a lot of people have said they are a hoax on the internet.

'When I think of the risk and difficulty for the wolf required to evade territorial brown bears to either feed pups or hide the dead fish in the woods without being attacked, I'm amazed at the intelligence shown by the wolf while fishing at Brooks Falls.

'What appeared obvious to everyone watching that afternoon was that this wolf had fished like this before.

'Its fishing skill was not an accident but rather a repeatable, successful process. The wolf had no intention of scavenging the leftovers from the bears.

'It had managed to catch all 15 fish and take them into the woods, returning each time by the same trail, without coming into contact with the bears walking in the forest above the river.'


souerce:

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10-day-old cheetah cub

This photo provided by the San Diego Zoo shows Kiburi, a 10-day-old cheetah cub, after he opened his eyes, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010, at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's Animal Care Center.

He took in the world, gobbled down a bottle, played for a little while, and then went back fast asleep in the window of the nursery.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo

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Poached egg? No, it's a rare jellyfish that looks just like it should be on your breakfast plate

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The jellyfish looks like a poached egg that has been dropped into a pan of water. The creature has a very mild sting which has little effect on humans


They might look tasty but you probably wouldn't want one of these on your toast in the morning.

For these bizarre fried eggs are actually a peculiar type of jellyfish that has just been successfully born in captivity.

The photos were taken by keen photographer Torben Webber, who scrambled for his camera after hearing the unusual creatures had been born.

The odd jellyfish are found naturally in the Mediterranean, because they require a huge amount of sunlight to survive.

When captive they are incredibly difficult to breed - but staff at Basel Zoo, Switzerland, have managed to imitate their natural conditions and a new batch of tiny jellyfish have been born.

A staff member said: 'Breeding is a real challenge because they're only found in far-off ocean fisheries and transportation is so difficult.

'So we have to mimic the natural environment with special daylight lamps to illuminate the aquarium as well as making sure there are lots of meals a day.

'The young jellyfish are tiny, just a few centimetres but they take the egg shape right away - we have to keep them away from the lights at first in case they toast.'


The fried egg jellyfish need lots of sunlight to survive and are hard to breed in captivvity


The fried egg jellyfish, also known as medusa, produce eggs that are fertilised in sea water, which then develop into a tiny larva fixed to sea bed organisms.

They can measure up to 35cm in diameter when fully grown, and in contrast to most jellyfish they move on their own by moving the 'white' of the egg in a waving motion.

Torben took his amazing pictures on November 4 with his Nikon d3s camera.
He said: 'They're beautiful creatures - but they are very unusual looking.'


source: dailymail

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One of the newly born twins panda cubs grimaces in their incubator

One of the newly born twins panda cubs grimaces in their incubator at the Madrid Zoo on October 8, 2010 in Madrid. The two panda cubs, born on September 7, 2010, are the first giant panda twins to be conceived using the artificial insemination method outside of China.



A chinese specialist takes care of one of the newly born twins panda cubs resting in their incubator at the Madrid Zoo on October 8, 2010 in Madrid. The two panda cubs, born on September 7, 2010, are the first giant panda twins to be conceived using the artificial insemination method outside of China.




Newly born twins panda cubs rest in their incubator at the Madrid Zoo on October 8, 2010 in Madrid. The two panda cubs, born on September 7, 2010, are the first giant panda twins to be conceived using the artificial insemination method outside of China.


source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages

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Artyom, a three-year-old Amur tiger

Artyom, a three-year-old Amur tiger, looks out of his enclosure at the zoo of Rostov-on Don November 23, 2010. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will try to thrash out a deal with Asian leaders on Tuesday to double the world's wild tiger population by 2022 and save it from extinction.




Artyom, a three-year-old Amur tiger, looks out of his enclosure at the zoo of Rostov-on Don, November 23, 2010. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin will try to thrash out a deal with Asian leaders on Tuesday to double the world's wild tiger population by 2022 and save it from extinction.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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The feeding of the 5,000? Not quite, but pensioner lands record-breaking halibut that's big enough to provide almost 1,000 fish suppers

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

It's a miracle: Gunther Hansel spent more than two hours reeling in the 8ft 2ins halibut - and needed the help of five crewmates to land the fish


A 70-year-old angler will have no need to visit his local chippie for the foreseeable future - after reeling in a record-breaking halibut that weighed more than 34 stone.

Gunther Hansel spent more than two hours battling with the 8ft 2in flatfish while on a trip to Iceland's Western Fjords.

And when he finally got his prize alonhgside his fishing boat, the German pensioner needed the help of five crewmates to haul the beast aboard.

The monster fish weighed in at a mighty 482lbs 13ozs - big enough to serve up almost 1,000 individual fillets.

But rather than shop around for a bigger freezer, Gunther sold his prize catch for around £2,500 once he returned to shore.


You're going to need a bigger freezer: Gunther and his crewmates were able to wynch the 34-stone fish onto the deck of their boat


Gunther, from Magdeburg near Berlin, said afterwards: 'This is the fish I have been fishing for all my life.'

He used a 30lb line and a plastic lure to snare the fish.

Halibut thrive in cold north Atlantic waters and can reach up to 15 feet in length.

The previous record for a halibut was held by anglers Bosse Carlsson and Hans-Olov Nilsson who caught a 464lbs speciman off Norway in July 2009.



One for the record books: Gunther, third from left, poses with some of his crewmates and his record-breaking catch


source: dailymail

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I need a ride... and make it snappy: Crazy crocodile crosses river on the back of a hippo

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

They'll never see me up here: The croc was snapped on the back of a hippo in Tanzania


How did the crocodile cross the lake?

He hopped on the back of a hippo to get to the other side.

It may sound like a joke but these amazing pictures from Tanzania capture a crazy croc doing just that.

Caught in the middle of a hippopotamus fight, the reptile grabbed on to one of the powerful mammals' backs.

The three-ton beast was so distracted by the commotion around her that she had no idea a five-year-old predator was perched on top of her.

British wildlife guide Mark Johnson took the incredible pictures while he was guiding tourists on a river safari on the Luwego River near Lukula.


Nearly there... must hold on: The croc found himself taken for a ride after a brawl between the hippopotami on the Luwego River near Lukula


The female hippo made her way to shore but ended up with the scaly intruder on her back as she emerged from the water.

Mr Johnson, who moved to Tanzania as a child, and his group watched in amazement as the croc clung on for half-a-minute before it slid into the water.

'It has to be one of the funniest things I've ever seen,' he said.


Undetected: The five-year-old croc remains on top of the hippo and almost gets to the other side


'It was a gorgeous October afternoon - a peak time of year for game viewing - and we were driving up the sand banks in the middle of the river.

'It's dry at this time of year and all the animals congregate at the remaining water, bringing crocs and hippos a bit closer than they usually like.

'Two huge male bulls in close proximity erupted into a fight, causing the rest of the herd to head away.

'In the excitement I think the croc sought refuge from being stood on and had climbed on to a passing hippo's back.

'After a while the croc unceremoniously fell off her and we all burst into laughter.'



Splashdown: The crocodile was unceremoniously dumped off the hippo near the edge of the bank and swam away (at the bottom of the picture)


He showed his pictures to amused locals who confirmed they had never seen anything like it before.

Hippopotami and crocodiles do not generally interact with each other - but their love of the same water-based habitat sometimes causes unavoidable clashes.

The mighty herbivores are usually too big to be threatened by crocodiles.
'You will find many crocodiles near hippos because their diet consists mainly of fish,' Johnson added.

'The fish hang around the hippos to eat their dung. In turn the crocs eat the fish.'

Extremely heavy hippos can outrun humans. Known as one of Africa's most dangerous animals, they have been recorded running at speeds of up to 19mph on their short stubby legs.

Crocodiles live up to a staggering 150 years and can survive on just one big meal a year.




source: dailymail

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Miracle of the dog who was hit by 80mph train and survived (thanks to £14,000 of surgery)

By ANDREA LEVY

Up and running: Tyler the Gordon Setter has made a miraculous recovery after being hit by an express train


With a habit of bounding away at the first scent of adventure, he was always a bit of a handful.

But Tyler the Gordon Setter’s curiosity nearly cost him his life when it took him into the path of a train.

Struck at 80mph, he sustained multiple injuries, the most serious of which was a smashed pelvis which had separated from his spine.

His owners, Leanne and Andy Hill, feared he would have to be put down.

Incredibly, three years later, after £14,000 of treatment including three operations and swimming lessons, the five-year-old is back on his paws.

Only half the medical costs were paid by insurance, but the Hills think their pet was worth every penny.

‘It’s an absolute miracle he survived,’ said Mrs Hill, 42, a housewife from Waltham Abbey, Essex.

‘When a railway worker said he had been hit we were told we may never even find his remains. He is a wonderful dog and he has been through so much to get to this stage.

‘It has been hard work for all of us but it is amazing to see him back to his old self and running around again.’


A special stroke: Tyler is put through his paces in the swimming pool by vet Jo Wimpenny


Bionic dog: An X-ray shows Tyler's broken bones and the brace and pins that were used to repair his leg


Tyler and his sister Billie, were being walked by Mr Hill’s sister when the accident happened at Cheshunt station, Hertfordshire, in May 2007.

Mrs Hill, whose husband is a project manager, added: ‘They had always been quite mischievous and did sometimes wander off. But we’d never had any problems.

‘That morning we were resting at home after a holiday when we suddenly got a phone call at 7am from the station master saying he had Billie in his office but our other dog had been hit.

‘Andy raced to the station and was told he probably wouldn’t find Tyler but he walked up and down the line and suddenly spotted him on the sidings.’

Tyler was conscious but unable to move. The couple were told he probably survived because the Stansted Express train was going so fast that the bow wave of high pressure air at the front effectively cushioned him.

Tyler spent five days in intensive care before he was transferred to another vet’s in Hendon for an operation to screw his pelvis back on to his spine.

A few days later he had another operation to fix his left leg which was badly broken, followed by a third procedure to pin broken toes on his other leg.


Tyler with his owner Leanne Hill: 'We were told that if the train had been going slower he would have been killed'


After a week he was allowed home, where Mrs Hill, who has a five-year-old daughter, Florence, spent the next four months sleeping downstairs next to him.

‘You couldn’t leave him, he was in a lot of pain. It was touch-and-go. He got so many infections and he lost a lot of weight. We wondered if we had done the right thing or if we should have had him put down.’

In the end the Hills decided to send Tyler to an animal rehabilitation centre in Hertfordshire where he began hydrotherapy three times a week. Five months later he was able to take his first tentative steps in the garden.

‘People think we are mad but it has all been worth it,’ added Mrs Hill.

‘He is back to his old self now. He looks a little wonky, but from a distance you would never know.’


source: dailymail

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Safety stick for dogs: Two-foot long pet toys made of rubber go on sale after inventor's Jack Russell was injured playing fetch

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Barking: The flexible Safestix were designed by Army sergeant Paul Blair after his four-year-old Jack Russell Razzle (above) was hurt chasing a stick


A soldier has invented a rubber stick for dogs over health and safety fears that real wood is too dangerous.

Vets say the traditional game of fetch could lead to serious injuries from splinters and sharp points.

So now Rubber Safestix - which are approved by the Royal Veterinary College and The Dogs Trust - are hitting the shelves of some of Britain's biggest pet retailers.

The 2ft-long flexible sticks were designed by Army sergeant Paul Blair, 39, after his beloved four-year-old Jack Russell Razzle was badly hurt chasing a stick.

He spent 18 months working with vets, designers and air hostess wife Helen, 29, to create Safestix after failing to find a product that replicated a large stick.

Sgt Blair, who is with the Parachute Regiment at Netheravon, Salisbury, Wiltshire, said he hoped the sticks would become a hit with pet owners.

He said: ‘I'm not trying to be the fun police but I do want to get the safety message out to educate dog owners about the dangers of throwing sticks.

‘I was just throwing a normal stick for my Jack Russell. He ran on to it in an awkward way and a splinter came off and punctured the inside of his mouth.

‘I started researching similar injuries online and found that they are very common so I decided to do something about it.

‘The Safestix is one of the biggest dog toys on the market so it really replicates playing with a stick for dogs, which they love.’

Paul, who lives in Amesbury, Wiltshire, designed the product with vets and wife Helen after Razzle was injured during a walk in the village 18 months ago.

The Parachute Regiment Major used all of his life savings and support from family and friends to finance the Safestix brand.

He is now planning to leave the Army - which he has served in for 16 years - to develop the brand by launching other products and taking Safestix to Europe and the US.

Professor Dan Brockman from the Royal Veterinary College praised Safestix as ‘perfect’.


Playing safe: Dogs Winston and Stanley engage in a harmless tug-of-war game


He said: ‘This product would seem like the perfect alternative to a piece of wood.
‘It has been carefully designed with no rough ends or edges and is made of material that is tough enough to withstand even my terrier's teeth.’

The Safestix are designed to be long-lasting and are made from tough rubber, which has twists in it to make it ‘more interesting’ for dogs to chew and catch.

Three new Safestix versions - a shorter 50cm stick, an ‘extra tough’ one and a teeth cleaning mint stick - will go on the market next year.

Vet Estela Birlisdon, from Manor Farm Veterinary Surgery in Warminster, Wiltshire, said she had treated numerous dogs with stick-related injuries.

She said: ‘I think they appear harmless but they can cause some fatal injuries - we've seen injuries where sticks have migrated through to the lungs.

‘So, I always try and warn people that it might be free to throw a stick out on a walk, but ultimately it can be very costly for your pet and for your bank balance.’
Two thousand Safestix went on sale in pet stores across the UK today.


source :dailymail

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One-month-old lion cubs play in their enclosure at Sofia Zoo

One-month-old lion cubs play in their enclosure at Sofia Zoo in Sofia November 22, 2010. The cubs were born last month in the zoo.



A lion named Stefani plays with her one-month-old lion cub in their enclosure at Sofia Zoo in Sofia November 22, 2010. Two lion cubs were born last month in the zoo.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

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