Putting the PAN in chimpanzee: Kanzi loves nothing more than a good fry-up, skipping a few million years of evolution in the process

By DAVID DERBYSHIRE

Skill with a skillet: After slaving over a hot stove, Kanzi tucks in to his creation

Eagerly he collects wood from the ground, snaps the branches into small pieces and carefully balances them in a pile. Then, taking care not to burn himself, he gently strikes a match and gets ready for a fry-up.
Like all red-blooded males, Kanzi loves messing around with a barbecue. But then, as these extraordinary pictures show, Kanzi is no man. He is a bonobo - pygmy chimpanzee - and his love of fire is challenging the way that we think about our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.
For although bonobo apes and larger chimpanzees use twigs and leaves as tools, none has ever shown such skill for cooking food.

Kanzi is one of eight bonobos in the care of Dr Sue Savage-Rumbaugh, one of the world’s leading experts in ape behaviour and language. She believes 31-year-old Kanzi’s fascination with fire reveals a deep intelligence.

Kanzi carries his barbie in a backpack (left) before finding some dry wood and breaking it down to size

Dr Savage-Rumbaugh, of the Great Ape Trust, in Des Moines, Illinois, adds: ‘Kanzi makes fire because he wants to. He used to watch the film Quest For Fire when he was very young which was about early man struggling to control fire. He watched it spellbound over and over hundreds of times.’
He was also fascinated by the camp fires his keepers made to cook food. And he was encouraged to interact with humans and copy them. At the age of five, he was making small piles of bone dry sticks.


The chimp searches for the perfect site for a camp fire then carefully piles sticks onto a bed of dry leaves

He was taught to use matches, a skill he picked up quickly. There’s something eerie about watching Kanzi strike a match. The way he then holds the flame - taking care not to burn himself - is remarkably human.
‘Fire is one of the most important factors in our evolution,’ says Dr Savage-Rumbaugh. ‘When humans learned to control fire and to domesticate dogs we began to feel a new level of safety which freed us to become creative and to create more sophisticated cultures.’
‘Fire enabled us to cook meat, which helped break it down and meant we could eat more of it. Plants we cooked on fires were made more digestible. In short, cooking led us to eating better, which meant we developed large brains.
‘We sat around in communal groups cooking, stoking and simply watching the fire - a situation in which language and conversation started to develop.’

His hands look almost human as he strikes a match and, with a look of satisfaction, watches the smoke start to rise

Kanzi - the name means Treasure in Swahili - does not stay close to make sure his fire stays lit. But he does throw on more wood from a distance. And he has learned how to cook. He will take a marshmallow, stick it on the end of a twig and hold it carefully over the flames, ensuring it doesn’t burn.
He can place a grill pan on the fire and cook hamburgers. When he has finished with the fire, Dr Savage-Rumbaugh asks him to put it out using a bottle of water. He will carefully pour the liquid over the flames until it has been extinguished.
Kanzi is now incredibly passing on his skills to other apes. His son Teco, who lives in the same research centre, watches Kanzi as he solves problems. The researchers believe he may learn to make fires, too.

Healthy flames, it's time to set up the barbecue and then get the pan on

Kanzi, who weighs 12st, is the brightest of the apes at the Great Ape Trust. With two other apes at the centre, he uses paper keyboards to communicate with Dr Savage-Rumbaugh and fellow primatologist Liz Pugh.
In conversation with the researchers he points to symbols, known as lexigrams, on the keyboards representing different words.

A few treats go in and Kanzi stirs them expertly

He has learnt to ‘say’ around 500 words through the keyboard, and understands 3,000 spoken words.
Bonobos are one of the most endangered species and there are around 10,000 to 50,000 left in the wild, all in Africa’s Democratic Republic of Congo. They share 98 to 99 per cent of their DNA with us.
For Kanzi’s own safety, he is only allowed to make fires under close supervision. But his behaviour raises fascinating questions.

And for dessert... he pops a marshmallow on a stick and toasts it with care

What would happen if he was released into the wild where other bonobos could copy his behaviour? And could wild bonobos learn how to master fire independently just like our own ancestors?
You don’t have to be a fan of the Planet Of The Apes movies - in which intelligent apes threaten mankind’s supremacy on the Earth - to find those questions disturbing.


Just right: The barbie ape enjoys his pud... whose turn to do the washing up?





source :dailymail

Feeling more than a little peckish: Birds jostle to eat fleas from backs of antelope

By LUCY BUCKLAND

Form an orderly queue! Bank myna birds graze on fleas from the antelope's fur in Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India

It was definitely a case of you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours as these birds queued up to snack on fleas from the backs of strolling antelopes.
And these nilgai antelopes were more than happy to provide a resting place for dozens of bank myna birds who plucked irritating fleas from their backs in Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan, India.
The nilgai were feeding in their grassland home when the birds decided they wanted a snack of their own and landed on their backs, necks and heads.

Photographer Chhotu Khan, who lives in the national park, said it was a rare phenomena for all the birds to land in such a formation.
Amazingly, the nilgai did not seem at all bothered by the birds pecking at their fur.
Mr Khan, 28, said: 'I was there to do some bird watching when I saw a flock of bank mynas fly from nearby trees and land on the nilgais' backs. They landed on all the nilgai, including the juveniles.

I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine: The antelope looked more than happy to have the birds on their backs in these stunning photos

'The birds fed on fleas and other bugs, cleaning the nilgai of these harmful insects.
'The birds sat there for 20 to 25 minutes and I was very happy to get this shot because it does not happen very often.
'The nilgai do not get irritated because they know that the birds are doing them good. I did not see them making much of an effort to get away from the birds.'
He added: 'Wildlife is so unpredictable and you never know what you may experience and that is the beauty of this.
'I was very happy to be able to capture the birds and the relationship between the species.'

Grazing: It was a lengthy snack for these bank myna birds who stayed on the antelope's back for around 25mins

source: dailymail

Meet your therapist: Last year Billy the terrier was saved by the kindness of strangers. Now he is repaying the debt by bringing joy to the desperatel

By PHILIPPA TOMSON



Billy Boy in his uniform , all set for his first day 'at work'



Fastening his smart little jacket — slightly baggy at the sides but comfortable — I stand back and beam at Billy with pride. This is his first day at ‘work’ and I’m willing him to do well. As he walks into the room, he is greeted with cries of delight. There are so many smiling faces ready to greet him, he doesn’t know who to approach first. This new boy obviously is a big hit.

Billy, my two-year-old Tibetan Terrier, is on his first official day of duty at St Cuthbert’s Hospice in Durham as a Pets As Therapy dog. He is there to provide people with terminal or life-limiting illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis, cancer and motor neurone disease with a much deserved and longed-for cuddle.



Miracle: Billy after his accident. He escaped from the garden and ran across a dual carriageway, where he was hit by a car with such force that its number plate split



He is one of more than 5,000 dogs, and a select few cats, working throughout the UK, visiting hospices, hospitals, care homes and special-needs units, providing love and comfort to more than 150,000 desperately ill people, many of whom are missing dearly loved pets back home.

Yet according to Pets As Therapy founder and chief executive Maureen Hennis, these visits provide more than a bit of light relief and can actually help improve the health of patients.

‘The act of stroking a dog reduces both blood pressure and stress levels and brings a little bit of comfort and normality to a life which might be spent mainly in a hospital or hospice,’ she explains.



Philippa with Billy Boy on his first day, left, and Christine McGowan, right, gets a cuddle from the Tibetan Terrier



Maureen launched the charity along with a group of friends in 1983 after becoming convinced of the therapeutic benefits that stroking a pet could bring to patients.

And it’s a role that my dog Billy, I am proud to observe, is embracing with relish. He scampers over to the chair of retired civil servant Beryl Colquhoun, 76.

‘Aren’t you gorgeous!’ she cries. ‘The best looking lad in here, I can tell you.’

Beryl is here to give her husband, Stan, a break from being her full-time carer. Having lost her own dog, Bracken, three years ago, she’s delighted to have a pooch back in her life, albeit briefly.



Placid: A dog has to go through a variety of tests to see if it has the right temperament to deal with people in a hospice environment



And she’s not the only one: ‘Didn’t you see the change in people’s faces when he came in? They lit up,’ she remarks, looking about the room. ‘It relaxes you, it takes you out of yourself and it’s something a bit different, something wonderful.’

Soon I feel like we are on a royal visit: so many people are eager to meet Billy, it’s hard to ration out our time. Next in line is Joan Gallent, 72. Like everyone else here, it’s obviously a relief for her to have something else on which to focus and talk about other than illness. ‘I’m a retired nurse so I already know dogs love contact with people,’ she says.



source: dailymail

Looks like chicken tonight: Siberian Tigers fed LIVE birds for tourists to gawk at

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



Ambush: The group of hungry tigers rush up to their keeper's car as they wait to be fed at the Siberian Tiger Forest Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang



These keepers at a Chinese tiger reserve look like they're about to end up on the menu themselves after being ambushed by a gang of the hungry big cats at feeding time.

The incredible scene was captured at the Siberian Tiger Forest Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, which is home to 800 of the critically endangered animals and also serves as a breeding centre.



In a flap: An unlucky chicken desperately tries to escape after being served up for supper in a Chinese Safari park's tiger enclosure



A few moments later the hungry tigers were treated to a meal of live chickens.

Siberian Tigers, also known as Amur tigers, are the world's largest cats. They are found primarily in eastern Russia's birch forests as well as parts of China and North Korea.

In the 1940s they were hunted close to extinction with only 20 to 30 remaining in the wild. However over the past 60 years, their numbers have increased to 500. The animals are hunted for their body parts which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.



Cat fight: Two of the majestic animals square up. The park is home to more than 800 Siberian tigers and is also a breeding centre for this endangered species







source: dailymail

Home on the range: The fearless deer that roam FBI academy where marksmen fire off more than a million bullets a month

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



Safe haven: Despite the shooting ranges, the FBI Academy is one of the safest places for deer during hunting season.



Call it a playground for Bambi and G-Men, where imaginary criminals are hunted and deer are the spectators.

The 547-acre FBI Academy, where some of America's best marksmen fire off more than 1 million bullets every month, happens to be one of the safest places for deer during hunting season.

The property on the Marine Corps base in Quantico, Virginia, is home to some of the FBI's most elite forces and training programs as well as a de facto wildlife refuge where deer, fox, wild turkeys, groundhogs and vultures roam fearless and free.



Oblivious: The deer don't seem bothered by the sound of gunfire



In recent years, a black bear was spotted running across a parking lot, and a groundhog cornered an FBI agent coming out of the cafeteria, hoping to score some human food, FBI spokesman Kurt Crawford said.

Turkey vultures are often seen perched atop the 500,000sq ft national crime lab where the FBI analyzes evidence, including the remains of the former al-Qaida leader in Iraq, the Associated Press reports.

The wild animals are as much a fixture at the academy as the hostage rescue team and criminal profilers.



Spent shell casings: More than a million bullets are fired a month at the Academy



The most common furry friends on the sprawling campus some 30 miles outside Washington are the deer, a regular at the shooting ranges, driving courses and physical training trails.

On a December afternoon, deer grazed above one of the academy's 16 practice shooting ranges. They stood just 15 feet away from the paper targets. Nearby, shots popped loudly from a Colt M4 Carbine rifle, and the white-tailed deer did not flinch.



Free to roam: A deer runs towards the wooded area near a shooting range



source: dailymail

Taking the lead: The guide dog that helps his blind best friend get around

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



Special relationship: Elly (top), the blind pug, relies on her best friend Franky (bottom) to help her to find her way around on walks and to get food and water



This pair of pugs are firm friends with a very special relationship - one acting as the eyes of the other.

Franky acts as a guide dog to his fellow pug Elly, helping on walks or to find food and water because she isn't able to find her own way.

The duo, both four years old, are inseparable, with white-coated Elly following Franky everwhere he leads. She sniffs the air to find her friend, the nuzzles into his side to trot along with him.



Best friends: Elly sniffs the air to locate Franky, then nuzzles his side so he can lead the way



But their special relationship poses a challenge for RSPCA workers who are trying to find a home for them both together.

Vets nursed the duo back to health after they were found in poor conditions, and hope someone will come forward who is prepared to house them both together.

Elaine Buchan, manager of the RSPCA centre in Newport, South Wales, said: 'This little duo obviously love each other very much.

'Franky is extremely boisterous and playful and Elly is very affectionate and cuddly. He looks out for her and provides support while guiding her on walks or to food or water.

'They both like to partake in doggy delights such as playing with toys and sniffing trees, but it is clear to centre they did not have that life before.'



Inseparable: RSPCA workers in Newport, south Wales, hope that someone will come forward who can offer Elly and Franky a home together



Both Franky and Elly need operations before they can be rehomed, but their vets are confident that the dogs will be a delight to anyone willing to take them in.

Mrs Buchan added: 'There's absolutely no option of homing them separately as it would break their hearts and also be wholly impractical.

'They're great little dogs and I'm already jealous of the lucky owner who will get to care for such a loving pair.'



source: dailymail

Holy cow! Live animals given outlandish full-body makeovers at traditional bull-painting festival

By ANNA EDWARDS



Pretty as a picture: A participant in the bull painting festival shows off his artistic skills



With their intricate patterns and bright colours, it is hardly surprising if these curious-looking painted bulls attract close attention.

But the reason behind their colourful hides is actually meant to ward off intruders.

Artistic residents in Jiangcheng County, Yunnan Province, China decorated their bulls for a festival, but the tradition began from a small Chinese group who believed painting their bulls would protect their village.



Art attack! This bull might scare off tigers, but the audience peer in to get a closer look



The Hani minority tale preached that the painted bulls would scare away tigers from wandering into their homes.

And this tradition now gives people the prefect excuse to show off their artistic talents.

Altogether 48 teams joined this year's China-Laos-Vietnam Bull Painting Festival.



That's not your average canvas! This participant painstakingly created a countryside scene on his bull



With bright blues, dazzling yellows and splashes of deep red and green, these bulls' makeover was a bright change from their usual brown or white skin.

Elaborate scenes of countryside, people, weather and patterns were painstakingly etched and tidily painted, including even the bulls' horns.



Bulls eye! This painter proudly shows off his bulls' pattern



The Hani people in China are mainly spread across the counties on the the Honghe River in the Yunnan Province.

They have a population of 1.4 million, mostly engaged in agriculture.

Nearly all Hani People worship the nature, ghosts and spirits and ancestors and follow the belief that everything in the world has a soul.



source: dailymail

'Our guinea pigs are breeding like rabbits': Animal rescue centre is overrun after owner fails to separate the sexes in his garden

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



Adorable... but unfortunately there are far more than just three of them. A guinea pig owner allowed the sexes to mix together and the numbers quickly multiplied



Propped up on their paws and peering eagerly at the camera, these guinea pigs could melt hearts with their cuteness.

The trouble is, there’s a lot more than just five of them.

An animal rescue centre has been inundated with 63 of the rodents after a pet owner made the mistake of leaving the small clutch of them he originally owned to their own devices in the garden. They weren’t separated by sex, so they mated freely and produced a mini population boom.



Baby boom: RSPCA worker Judith Yates is helping to care for the glut of guinea pigs



The unnamed owner was overwhelmed by the sheer number of babies, and the matter was reported to the RSPCA.



Not just for Christmas: These two cute babies are up for adoption. There are currently 63 of them - but there are even more babies on the way



The charity sent officers to investigate and, although the guinea pigs were healthy and in good condition, took them in at the owners’ request.

There are now 63 waiting to be rehomed, 40 of which are at the Ashley Heath Animal Centre in Ringwood, Hampshire.

Seven have been confirmed as pregnant, and staff believe even more could be expecting.

Eight of the animals are already mothers, and there are 21 baby guinea pigs running happily around the improvised ‘maternity wing’ of the centre. Of the adults, 13 are ready to be adopted.



Multiplying: The couple who owned these did not think to separate out the sexes and they rang the RSPCA when they were left with a lot of babies



A spokesman for the RSPCA said: ‘When you talk about breeding like rabbits and breeding like guinea pigs, it’s virtually the same thing.

‘They are all in good condition and really, really cute so we’re hoping to rehome them when they’re ready.

‘They have come from a home where they were allowed to run around in the garden without being separated by sex.’



Advice: The RSPCA said people should have their pets neutered if they don't want the babies because their centres are being overrun by offspring



RSPCA inspector Graham Hammond, who brought the guinea pigs to the centre, said: ‘By failing to be a responsible pet owner and preventing their animals from breeding, people are simply passing on the problem to someone else.

‘RSPCA animal centres are full of animals which should never have been bred and we are struggling to find homes for them so I would urge people to gets their pets neutered.'



source: dailymail

I’m forever blowing bubbles: Beluga whale waves for the camera as performs tricks by pushing out circles of water

By GAVIN ALLEN



Ring of truth: One could be forgiven for thinking these photos are not real but blowing bubbles is a skill that appears to be learned by some beluga whales



It's one thing for a whale to be talented enough to blow circular bubbles underwater, but this looks a touch like showing off.

This white whale has the confidence to wave to the camera as she is doing it.

These amazing photograph of her underwater antics were taken at Kamogawa Sea World in Kamogawa, east of Tokyo, in Japan, on Christmas Day.



Bye bye, bubble: This image, taken at at Kamogawa Sea World near Tokyo, appears to show a beluga waving off another circular bubble



White whales, also known as beluga whales, inhabit the Arctic Ocean and are known to be highly intelligent, with the ability to chatter among themselves.

They also emit ultrasound waves, which help them navigate vast waters and locate each other.

The bubble blowing is a skill that appears to be learned by some belugas, and this is not the first time one has been snapped in the act.

A 10-year-old beluga who perfected the technique over a period of last three years has been an attraction at the Shimane aquarium in Japan.



Blowing bubbles: This beluga whale was captured creating a halo effect by photographer Hiroya Minakuchi at the Shimane aquarium in Japan



The 58-year-old, from Osaka, is the only person outside the aquarium who is allowed to dive with the belugas.

He said: 'This beluga started making bubble rings when she was seven. And a couple of years ago she developed her technique.

'Now she blows the water from her mouth to make a current, which is not visible for us underwater. She then blows air from her blow hole into the current and that makes a ring shape.



source: dailymail

These elephants will never forget their family moments thanks to photographer's Family Affairs project

By KATIE SILVER

Female Asian elephant calf Ongard nuzzling her mother, Kulab. 'Just as they do in the wild - these Asian elephants have a matriarchal co-existence,' the photographer said

They say an elephant never forgets and thanks to these photos of one family's tender moments neither will we.
A photographer has captured a magical moment where this family of gentle giants is briefly reunited by staff at Melbourne Zoo.
In one comical shot male youngster Ongard interrupted ‘mummy and daddy time’ by pushing between his father, Bong Su, and mother, Kulab, while they were attempting to mate.

Young elephant Mali (left) nuzzling her mother, Dokkoon (right). Australian photographer, Arthur Xanthopoulos took the heart-warming pictures

Australian photographer, Arthur Xanthopoulos took the heart-warming pictures while visiting his local elephant enclosure.
‘Just as they do in the wild - these Asian elephants have a matriarchal co-existence,’ explained Arthur.
‘This is also evident at Melbourne zoo where Mek Kapah is the matriarch ensuring things don't get out of hand.
‘As a result Bong Su is kept away from the females in his own enclosure and is allowed to occasionally interact with the herd for breeding purposes.’

Bull Asian elephant, Bong-Su (centre) with two of his females, matriarch, Num-Oi (left) and Kulan (right). Proud 37-year-old father Bong Su carefully manages his relationships with the four females he must breed with before he is sent home to Thailand

‘Both Mali and Ongard learn by mimicking their parents.’
Arthur's pictures show how proud 37-year-old father, Bong Su was lucky enough to join in with the rearing of his daughters.
‘Witnessing the family group interact is quite a spectacle, especially with the two young calves which are always entertaining and playful,’ said Arthur.

Cute one-year-old Asian elephants Mali and Ongard (pictured) play fight each other one moment and nuzzle their parents the next, in a display of touching affection akin to that of human families

‘Usually the calves are like any other toddler running around and playing and so pay no attention to visitors.’
Asian elephants live in the wild in South Asian countries such as India and Bangladesh, as well as South East Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia.
There are thought to be only 50,000 left in the wild and their population is in decline.
Arthur's mission in taking these intimate portraits is to raise awareness for the plight of these charismatic beasts.

Young elephant, Mali, plays in the water. Asian elephants live in the wild in some South Asian countries and South East Asian countries like Thailand and Indonesia. There are thought to be only 50,000 left in the wild and their population is in decline.

source: dailymail

Quarter of a million turn out to watch Boxing Day hunts as minister calls for ban to end

By DANIEL MARTIN and KATIE SILVER



Debate over repeal: Arguments have been raised for reversing the hunting ban, on the day the century old Ledbury Hunt holds it's traditional Boxing Day meet



David Cameron has been challenged to bring forward legislation to repeal the ban on hunting with dogs – by the minister in charge of the sport.

More than 250,000 people will turn out for a traditional Boxing Day hunt today at 300 spots across the UK, according to estimates by the Countryside Alliance.

This comes the day after agriculture minister Jim Paice said the Hunting Act ‘simply doesn’t work’ and made a ‘mockery’ of the law.



The Boxing Day Atherstone Hunt rides through Main Street in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. Hunting is a 'point of pride for rural communities', said the Countryside Alliance



Atherstone Hunt riders gather at Market Square before Boxing Day Hunt at Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. Some 250,000 hunters are expected out today despite the current Hunting Act



Hunters Jonathon Seed, Joint Master and Huntsman with the Avon Vale Hunt, toasts hunt supporters in Lacock, England



The Prime Minister is known to support the lifting of the ban and the Coalition agreement promised MPs a free vote.

However, he has not yet set aside Parliamentary time for a vote – and earlier this year a group of modernising Tory MPs known as the Blue Fox group described the prospect of a vote as ‘dead and buried’.

In comments that will reignite the hunting debate, Mr Paice said he was in favour of the sport while visiting Milton Park in Peterborough ahead of the annual hunt.

Hunt supporters have described the act as ‘failed’.



The Boxing Day Beaufort hunt meets at Worcester Lodge, Gloucestershire. Paice says the current ban makes a 'mockery of it'



He added that there were ‘absurdities’ in the legislation.

‘It has been criticised by virtually all levels of authority – by the courts, by the police – as unenforceable,’ he said.

‘Efforts by the pressure groups to force the police to enforce it are just distracting the police from more important issues.

‘To me the whole thing is making the law a bit of a mess and making a bit of a mockery of it.’



British tradition? Much debate exists as to whether the ban on hunting should be lifted. David Cameron has yet to set aside parliamentary time for a vote



Challenge: Agriculture minister Jim Paice



Preparing for the hunt in Gloucestershire. Around 20 Tory MPs and 40 Lib Dems oppose repeal of the ban



The Government has promised to allow MPs a vote on whether to bring forward legislation to repeal the Hunting Act, which made it illegal to hunt wild animals using dogs.

Around 20 Tory MPs and 40 Lib Dems oppose repeal of the ban, meaning any vote would be finely balanced.

Mary Creagh, Labour’s environment spokesman, said: ‘People are worried about their incomes falling, prices rising and losing their jobs, yet this out of touch Tory government wants to bring hunting back.'





source: dailymail