Stoatally Crazy!!

It wasn't just humans enjoying the unprecedented snow fall in Britain last week. Michael Cox of Wiltshire captured a snow-crazed stoat going berserk in his back garden! The crazy little fella!

How many tentacles does it take an octopus to solve a Rubik's cube?

That's the question researchers wanted to answer - so they gave 25 octopuses a Rubik's cube each and watched them go!

Full story here.

Maybe a Rubik's cube will keep Otto out of trouble!

There's sNOw news like snow news

News of our beloved animal friends snow antics is coming to us in a veritable flurry, so time for an update;



Twycross Zoo have reported that their elephants are in the midst of a snow dance performance possibly hoping for sunnier weather soon.





London Penguins are said to be "baffled by white flakes in the sky" but later "proved their mettle and ventured outdoors to inspect a scene they had never seen before – snow."



In Bristol the lion-tailed macaque monkeys have been happily playing outside in the snow, enjoying a light hearted snowball fight. Allegations that they were not monkeys but rather UWE students who had broken in during their day off has been strongly denied by zoo officials.

Panda Attacks!

We at Amazing Animal News often comment on how rubbish pandas are. "They eat nothing but bamboo and can't reproduce for love nor money," we would often holler across the office. So you can imaging the surprise when Pete Billcliff, our current intern and budding young animal journalist, informed us that a vicious Panda has recently attacked not one, not two, but three people.

Gu Gu the Panda' most recent victim was the hapless Mr Zhang Jiao of China who fell over a 5 foot wall into the blood thirsy animal's pen while trying to catch, you guessed it, a toy panda. While we here in the UK spend every waking hour filling in risk assessments and COSHH forms, it's clear that there's certainly no panda-ing to health and safety in China.

Displaying characteristic Chinese patriotism and confucian philosophy, Mr Zhang said, "The panda is a national treasure, and I love and respect [him], so I didn't fight back," Zhang said. "The panda didn't let go until it chewed up my leg and its mouth was dripping with my blood."

Sea Lion can write his own seal

We've all heard of spelling bees, and Animal News told the world about painting elephants - but get ready to be amazed by the sea lion who can write Chinese!

Digital Journal has more:

Peter the writing sea lion, is the pride and joy of the staff at Ningbo Zoo, China. It took them three months to teach him to write in Chinese. Is he ready now for the big time and signing checks? ...

This very special six-year-old male sea lion can write the Chinese character for a “bull” and can sign his own unique ‘sea lion” seal. He can actually hold the seal and stamp it on paper as a signature that sort of reads: ‘Peter was here.’

It is expected that Peter will demonstrate his writing skills for tourists during the up and coming Spring Festival at the zoo, but currently permission has not yet been granted by his agent, Harry, the orangutan, and his attorney, Martin Van Parrot, both of whom reside a few cages down.

And who said you can't teach an old (sea) dog lion new tricks???

It's panda-monium out there!!

It's not only us mere humans which are enjoying the snow our animal friends are having the time of their lives too.

The Austrian times reports this heart-warming tale;

There's only one word for it when this young cub got sight of his first ever snow - panda-monium.

Giant panda cub Fu Long was clearly delighted to be frolicking with his proud mum at Vienna's Schönbrunn zoo as heavy snow covered the whole of Europe.

And 18-month-old Fu Long really got a taste for snow - gobbling down mouthfuls of the stuff as if it was ice cream, said his keepers at the Austrian zoo.

Koala Bare

First, we had a penguin who was afraid of water, but now what really takes the bucket is a koala who prefers water to trees!!! The baby koala in question has become an internet sensation due to the circulation of the sensational topless photo pictured above - featuring said koala chillaxing in a bucket-bath. Australian website new.com.au takes up the story:

Wildlife officers have come to the rescue of an abandoned baby koala who found internet stardom by being the bear in a bucket...

"The mum had become distressed and disorientated by the heat so she left the baby on its own without realising," [said] Tracey Young... "They’re normally up in the tree together, in a pair, and we see them all the time."

Ms Young’s nephew first spotted the distressed animal on the family property in Maude, between Melbourne and Geelong. "I had to scoop water up in my hand to get it to drink and at first it wasn’t very unresponsive... Eventually it realised the water was in the bowl and it just climbed in itself."

A viral email showing the koala taking its refreshing dip generated media interest in the marsupial.

It has been quite a day for Australian animal news!

Hat tip: Perez

A coo for anti-pigeon smuggling efforts

Australian authorities have finally caught a member of an elusive pigeon smuggling ring - and they nabbed him literally with his pants down.

For trapped in each trouser leg was a pigeon trying to enter Oz illegally.

The pigeon mastermind behind the ring is still at large.

An arresting officer told Animal News:

The pigeons thought they could smuggle themselves into Australia by being hidden down under. The dude's socks were full of guano. We got them in the end but it was a bit hairy. And I'm not just talking about the legs!

This is not the first time that pigeon criminals have been caught in a smuggling ring, and their crime also extends to spying. But the last animal airport smuggling scheme we heard about was a monkey passing for a baby bump. Will this animal crime wave never end?

Hat tip: Doug

But why?

And we thought monkey karate was exploitative!

Say NO to monkeys sitting on a goat tightrope walking!

Couple waddle down the aisle in rare penguin marriage

Marriage rates for humans may be going down, but wedding planners needn't panic as they may have plenty of penguin business coming their way - because penguin matrimony is definitely on the up!

Little Brat and Little Beauty recently got married in a Chinese zoo and are looking forward to a life of wedded bliss.

One insider told Animal News: "I think Little Brat just did it for the tax breaks, he's not a romantic. But Little Beauty just loves confetti! I think that was her main motivation."

A more cynical onlooker had another take on the affair: "Penguin marriage may be increasing but that just means one thing - get ready for a whole lot of penguin divorce!"

DO NOT DEFILE MY TEMPLE!

The BBC have reported a loyal follower of the hindu god Hanuman has been defending his temple. The local infidels had been planing in destroying the temple just to widen some poxy road. We salute this faithful agent of Hanuman.

No Kentucky rain for aquaphobic penguin

From The Sun (which has a video):

While his feathered friends dive happily through the icy depths, poor Kentucky the penguin perches hopelessly on his favourite rock.

Why? Because he’s afraid of WATER.

The petrified penguin, described as a ’runt’ by his keepers, is terrified by the cold H20. He refuses to take the plunge with his other 23 penguin pals at Blackbrook Zoological Park, in Leek, Staffs. Staff at the zoo have seen 11-year-old Kentucky become a surprise hit with visitors at the park due to his unusual phobia. The hapless Humbolt penguin was born smaller than his Arctic brothers and sisters and has had malting problems since birth which make the water ’a bit too cold for him’, staff say.

Looks like we won't see Kentucky water-skiiing any time soon...

Imagine 101 of these!!!

Yes that really is a dalmation riding a bike.

Hat tip: Sophie

Reptile born during reign of Queen Victoria fathers 11

From Metro:

A reptile in New Zealand has unexpectedly become a father at the ripe old age of 111 - after receiving treatment for a cancer which had made him hostile toward prospective mates.

The centenarian tuatara, named Henry, was thought to be long out of the mating game, until he was caught canoodling with a female named Mildred last March. That consummation that resulted in 11 babies being hatched on Monday.

....

Henry was at least 70 years old when he arrived at the museum, 'a grumpy old man' who attacked other reptiles, including females. He stayed that way until a cancerous tumor was removed from his genitals in 2002, said Hazley.

'I went off the idea he was good for breeding,' Hazley told The Associated Press, but once the tumor was removed, 'he was no longer aggressive.'

Henry may be a bit of a dinosaur (and that's not just because he's reptilian) but apparently 111 is not too old to become a Dad!

Chirac taken down by depressed Maul-tese pet dog

From Perez Hilton:

Woof! That must have hurt!

According to new reports, 76-year old former French president, Jacques Chirac, was hospitalized after he was mauled by his 'clinically depressed', little, white Maltese pooch, Sumo. Yes, Sumo as in the Japanese sport. The ex-pres was apparently fascinated by sumo wrestling!

The elder statesman is expected to make a full recovery. Can we just pause for a minute, though. How the fuck is a dog "clinically depressed"?????? And how do you treat that????

The former president's wife, Bernadette, told the media, "The dog went for him for no apparent reason. We were already aware the animal was unpredictable and is actually being treated with pills for depression. My husband was bitten quite badly, but he is certain to make a full recovery over the coming weeks."

Mrs. Chirac did not reveal where on his body the former pres was attacked. Sumo was given to Chirac as a gift from his gandson. What's going to happen to Sumo? Eternal sleep????

It's a hen, for cluck's sake!

Yet another outbreak of cross-species canoodling! (see here and here)

The Pakistan Daily Times reports:

A hen in China has reportedly shacked up with a dog to help raise its three newborn puppies.

Owner Yang said the hen moved into the dog’s kennel after it gave birth last month. Since then, the hen refuses to leave the kennel, staying inside all day and only walking out when the dog is nursing its puppies.

Yang says the hen is very protective of the puppies and refuses to allow strangers to come close to the kennel. The dog seems to have given up the idea of driving the stubborn intruder out and has decided to share the space with the hen.

That hen is doggone crazy! But the dog might be feeling a tad hen-picked...

Snout for trout

From the wires:

A pig in China has started to catch fish from a pond for its supper.

Han, the pig's owner, created a small pond for breeding tropical fish, at her home in Dahangou village, Zhenping. She gave up on the venture when the market price for the fish dropped - but found she still had one eager customer.

"I was amazed to see that the pig I raised is helping himself to fish from the pond," she told the Eastern Asia Trade and Economic News. "It steps into the shallow water, catches fish in its mouth and happily eats them on the spot."

Han said she was happy for the pig to help itself to the fish rather than let them go to waste. "Maybe it just decided it wanted a bit more protein in its diet," she added.

Is Your Rabbit Road Worthy?

Haredly a day goes by when the Amazing Animal News office isn't excited by a new facility or venture designed to improve our pets' lives. Fresh in the AAN inbox today was news of free MOTs for rabbits.

Yes, geek veterinary scientists at Bristol University have announced The Rabbit Clinic, the UK's first and only dedicated rabbit-only clinic! Spokesperson Sharon Redrobe, Head of the Rabbit Clinic at Langford, said: "Even if your rabbit looks fine, it's still a good idea to bring them in for a quick MOT." So don't hang around bunny-lovers, hop on down to Langford and give your rabbit a servicing.

The opening of the clinic coincides with National Rabbit Week 2009, during which the message that rabbits are 'fibrevores' will be promoted. As part of the week's events members of the Bristol public are invited to a Rabbit Awareness evening at the Small Animal Practice on Tuesday 27 January. If you have been unaware of rabbits until this time, AAN strongly urges you to attend this event.

The elephant art club

A group of elephants in Thailand regularly get together for a painting session - these creatures have art in their souls and a paintbrush in their trunks.

The elephants' artistic talents have long been appreciated by tourists but have now started to create waves in the art world. One canvas even sold for £20 000, with more modest efforts going for £2 000 apiece.


The £20 000 painting was created by new recruit Lankam - just as with all artistic communities, fresh blood proved to be a stimulant of greater creativity and stylistic novelty.

Other hobbies pursued by this group of talented elephants include playing football and basketball. But with their art club, these amazing animals have scored a veritable slam dunk!

Pooh Two

From The Scotsman:

In the 80 years that have passed since AA Milne last wrote about him, generations of young readers must have wondered what happened to Winnie the Pooh and his young owner.

In October, they will be able to find out, the publishers Egmont announced yesterday, with the publication of the first authorised sequel to Milne's books, Return to Hundred Acre Wood.

Family saves Bounty's bacon

We're not telling porkies, a Potteries family really has adopted a pig!

A family of animal lovers didn't know what they were letting themselves in for when they offered to foster a pot-bellied piglet.

The Lawtons allowed Bounty to stay with them on a temporary basis ten months ago after he was rejected by her mother. But porker won over their hearts and is now a permanent fixture.

The 82kg (13-stone) pet dominates the living room, where he spends the night in a sleeping bag, requires feeds every three hours – raising the family food bill by £100 a month – and enjoys being taken for walks....

[Mother Audrey Lawton:] 'He's very affectionate and likes it when Michelle lies with him, giving him strokes and kisses, and he licks your face. When you come home he makes a noise that says he's happy to see you.'

Here at Animal News, we think it would have been more fitting if Bounty had been adopted by this family:


Bounty's story just about sums up the essence of Animal News - simply a series of highs and lows, pigs and troughs...

The amazing story of Argentinian streetboy saved by gang of wild cats.

From the Daily Mail:

A young boy was kept alive by wild cats while living rough on the streets, it emerged today. The one-year-old ...was discovered by police in Misiones, in Argentina, surrounded by eight of the animals.

The cats snuggled up with him during freezing nights that would otherwise have killed him, doctors believe. The boy was seen eating scraps foraged by his feline friends while they licked him. And they hissed as police approached the child.

Officer Alicia Lorena Lindgvist said: ‘I was walking and noticed a gang of cats sitting very close together. It is unusual to see so many like that so I went for a closer look and that’s where I saw him. The boy was lying at the bottom of a gutter. There were all these cats on top of him licking him because he was really dirty. When I walked over they became really protective and spat at me. They were keeping the boy warm while he slept.’

The officer, who noticed scraps of food near the boy in the Christ King district, also told The Sun: ‘The cats knew he was fragile and needed protecting.’

Police have found the boy’s father who is homeless and said he had lost the boy several days ago while out collecting cardboard to sell. He told officers cats had always been protective of his son.

Many observers have noted the similarity between this story and that portrayed in the 1967 Disney movie 'The Jungle Book', in which a young boy, Mowgli, is raised in the jungle by wolves and is befriended by an amiable bear named Baloo.

Hat tip: Chris

It's a Big Brother life: eviction bird finds love

Cock lovers everywhere were outraged when Basil the Cockerel was evicted from his home on a housing estate in Gateshead - allegedly for noise violations. Even a heartfelt plea to the Queen fell on deaf ears. Apparently, if you're not a swan, you can forget about it. Not all birds are equal!

But, as with every cloud, this story has a silver lining. Basil has decided that moving has its upsides, for he has fallen in love with a fellow resident of his new home - Bonnet the Hen.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

My name is Bronx. I'm a bulldog. And I'm an alcoholic.

Metro has the shocking story of a dog forced to become an alcoholic:

A man who plied a dog with Stella Artois lager has received the first ever conviction for getting a dog drunk.

Andrew Wilson, 31, of Bristol, gave American bulldog Bronx a can of Stella Artois beer and was accused of forcing him to drink vodka before giving the hound a beating.

By the time he was found he was over the drink drive limit for a human, it has been reported.