World Animal Week 2008

Yesterday marked the first day of World Animal Week 2008. World Animal Week is an annual event that runs from 4 October until 10 October. It is designed to raise awareness on animal cruelty, and if people support it, it could make a massive difference to the way animals are treated daily.

If it gets spread around enough, governments might want to help out in the fight against the mistreatment of animals worldwide. One thing you can do this World Animal Week is sign this fantastic online petition. You could also spread the word and change the world.

This week, think about the animals who suffer dreadfully every day. Raise awareness. Thank you.

Their Life is Live

If you live in the United Kingdom, or can access BBC1 and live in a different country, you might like to watch Big Cat Live later today. This is another version of Big Cat Diaries & Big Cat Week, that have been running since 1996. It will run daily for eight episodes, up until next Sunday and comes live from the Masai Mara in Kenya. It will feature daily reports on lions, leopards & cheetahs, so you can see them in their day-to-day lives.

If you want to watch it, tune into BBC1 at 18:10 BST (British Summer Time) today.

A Rhinoceros Return

The Black Rhino was poached terribly in the 1980s. In the decade before that, there were 20,000 of them living in the wild of Kenya. But that number has reduced to just 500.

But something great has happened. For the first time in more than 25 years, captive Black Rhinos have become wild Black Rhinos. It is a landmark in African wildlife conservation.

They were bred as part of a wildlife program to increase the population, and it has been so successful that it is the right time for this to happen.

As well as poaching, the numbers decreased because of habitat loss. I hope that these rhinos are able to thrive. It may take some time, but this is a step forward.

Wildlife and You: October 2008

I haven't done one of these in a while, so sorry if it isn't that good.

Anyway, October is a busy month in the northern hemisphere. Red Deer males in Europe will start their annual rut in a week or two. The most notable places are the island of Britain, especially Scotland, and central Europe. Scandinavia & the Baltics are also good places to see this, among others.

Elsewhere in the northern hemisphere, many swan & geese species will start to arrive in countries such as Holland, the United Kingdom, Germany & Ireland from the arctic to spend the Winter there at the end of the month.

In the southern hemisphere, native species will start to give birth, and some migrating birds may arrive from Europe & North America.

If you take any photos this month, I would love for you to upload them to an image hosting website and send me the link(s) via the comment sections, along with the name you want me to use to credit you. I will probably take some so you can enjoy the British Autumn (or Fall if that's what you call it) from your home, or wherever you read this. Thanks in advance.

Creatures of Coral

A mass of new species have been discovered in the Coral Sea Islands, an overseas territory of Australia. The creatures all live around the Lizard & Heron islands.

Those areas are quite popular with scuba divers, which is surprising that they haven't been found before. The new species of coral and crustaceans help a survey to record every living thing in the ocean.

The biggest discoveries include new species of Taniads (above) and Bristle Worms. Taniads can have claws as long as their bodies!

Dr. Ron O'Dor, a chief scientist, said, "Amazingly colourful corals and fishes on reefs have long dazzled divers, but our eyes are just opening to the astonishing richness of other life forms in these habitats."

I think this is brilliant news. Let's hope we have these creatures forever.

A Craze of Cute

Sugar Gliders are the new pet craze in the United Kingdom. However, this is not a good thing as many people aren't skilled enough to look after them.

The mammals originate from Australia & the island of New Guinea. They need to be fed live insects, are nocturnal and need to be with another Sugar Glider. The marsupials can become blind from bright light and deaf from radios & televisions. Also, most British homes aren't damp or hot enough for them to survive.

Siân Bailey breeds the creatures, but admits they are a lot harder to keep than average pets.

The RSPCA has released this warning. I hope that no Sugar Glider gets mistreated and that the RSPCA don't have to do too many rescues.

Four

Hello! Two days ago, it was Smudgie's birthday. If you don't know who Smudgie is, he's my pet rabbit. Anyway, as a treat for you after me not updating this for ages, I am showing you some photos I took that day.

His birthday card

Smudgie reading his card (well, after reading it)

Smudgie opening his prezzie

Having a clean

Going back to open it

Almost there!

It's a tent!

Smudgie checking out his tent

Resting

There you go. I hope you enjoyed looking at them.

Rogue Pups

The above image was made by myself (albeit quickly).

The RSPCA has found out some shocking truths. Rogue traders (no, not the band) are selling ill puppies.

To undergo this operation, the charity bought six puppies from one of these dodgy dealers. They looked after them well. Two became sick. One of those died. That one is in the above picture.

Last year alone, the RSPCA received 700 calls about sick canine pets that became ill soon after they gave it a home.

Mark Evans, from the RSPCA warned, "The RSPCA believes that many are likely to have been exposed to disease and may become seriously ill, or even die, within days or weeks of entering their new home."

He also advised people to only get one from well-known places and always see the one you want to buy with its mother.

I am shocked at the behaviour of some people. I hope they get shut down, and that any puppies they have are treated well and have a good life.

Please comment.

Thank you.

The Stuff of Nightmares

The creature pictured above has recently been discovered in the gardens of Caerphilly & Cardiff. It's called a Ghost Slug.

Unlike other British slugs, this one is white instead of brown or black, doesn't have any eyes, lives underground and eats worms instead of plants. In fact, it eats worms by sucking them up.

The scientific name for this unusual invertebrate is Selenochlamys ysbryda, with the latter of the two words coming from ysbryd, Welsh for ghost.

Although this is a new species, it is similar to other slugs found in the countries of Turkey & Georgia. The Ghost Slug isn't a native species to the U.K.; the most likely explanation of their existence here is that of being brought over in plant pots.

This is exciting news. There is another species we know now, and, even if it's not in danger of dying out, we can still find ways to help it thrive.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Mean and Seen

Oink the Water Buffalo is a victim. A victim of criminal damage.

His hay has been set on fire, he has been thrown at by bricks and has had washing up liquid put into his water.

He is getting old at the age of fifteen, and this is certainly not helping him. He was rescued and lives in the county of Derbyshire, where the attacks have taken place.

They are worse during the school holidays, which is not good news for Oink seeing as the six week long Summer holidays are only a week and a half away.

But fear not. CCTV is being installed to protect the mammal, and the police will find it easier to catch the thugs. Local groups are also raising support for new fencing around the enclosure of the Water Buffalo.

I find it shocking and disturbing that anyone would do this. I hope the new ideas work well.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Fat Vets and Pets

The PDSA has released a warning about the rising number of obese pets in Scotland. Of course, the rest of the U.K. and other countries have it too, but these are not as severe.

This isn't the first time an animal charity has raised this problem. The RSPCA has done so many an occasion.

The issue has been highlighted because, even though only three out of ten dogs are overweight, seven out of ten at their Scottish clinics are.

This is serious as the rotund animal in question generally will have a shorter lifespan than others of the same species.

The main cause is over-feeding. I'm not sure about a lot of pet foods, but they usually have guidelines for how much you should feed your loving creature. If everyone tries to follow these, and makes sure that plenty of exercise is given, everyone will be happy.

Please comment.

Thank you.

The First Year

The above image was made by myself and is copyright © Animalz 2008

So, one year ago today, this site was created. The above image is the new banner, replacing the previous one that ruled Animalz for eleven months. Expect it to grace Animalz for the foreseeable future. All of the photos were taken by myself.

I don't really know what else to say, except that the revamp is on this site is just about finished. All we have left now is my post quantity, which will hopefully be at least one every three days.

Please comment. Thank you.

150th Post!

The above image was made by myself and is copyright © Animalz 2008.

As we approach one year, I have finally managed 150 posts. I may not be doing anything special for this 'special' post, but I have created an image (not a very good one, but it'll do), and that image is a taster of what is to come after the revamp. Every fifty posts, I will create another image using any animal-related photos since the last 'special' post (with the exception of birthday posts). The penguin photo was actually taken before this site was created, if you wanted to know.

The next post will be on Monday, Animalz's birthday, and the revamp on this site will officially commence!

I hope you enjoy the next fifty posts!

Please comment. Thank you.

Revamp

I've done it again.

Fear not, though. As we approach Animalz's first birthday, a revamp is coming.

This site is first on my priority list. It is however, third on my quantity list (these are out of four), meaning I can tell you what changes you can expect.

Well, a new banner and posting more frequently are the things. The next post is my 150th on this site and will be made someone time this week, before the birthday in seven days time.

I hope you all enjoy the changes.

Please comment.
Thank you.

Now Spring has Sprung

The fourth series of Springwatch will air later at 20:00 BST on BBC2, for all you Brits out there and for other people who might receive the channel. Springwatch is coming live from Norfolk this year, and will be following many animal families like usual. Later on in the series they should be announcing the results of the survey to see when Spring arrived.

Catch it every Monday to Thursday at the time above for three weeks. There is also a spin-off for pre-schoolers.

Please comment.
Thank you.

The Devil's Way

They may look scary, and not appealing, but they are. To me they are, anyway.

The Tasmanian Devil, named because it looks like to a demon to some people and it only lives in the Australian state of Tasmania, is being wiped out. But for once, it isn't our fault.

They are getting cancer. The marsupials bite each other, and that is what it believed to be spreading the disease.

Tens of thousands have lost their lives since the nineties, the decade before the one we are currently in. It is feared that the mammals could be gone for good within five years. That means we'll have until 2013 at the latest to see these creatures. That's only if we don't do anything to help.

The Australian government has been trying to think of ways to help the carnivores. One way has already been put into action. The healthy animals have been moved to other parts of the country, where D.F.T.D. has not struck (that's Devil Facial Tumour Disease to you and me).

I hope the species is saved before it's too late. I would love to see one in the wild. I did visit Sydney for two days a few years back, on the way back from New Zealand, but that is miles away from Tasmania.

Please comment. Thank you.

Going, One by One

Animals are dying, one by one. The Zoological Society of London and the World Wildlife Fund tries to keep track of 1400 species, but more than one in four individual creatures are now dead.

Marine species are the worst affected. Hammerhead Shark populations are falling extremely fast, and the Baiji is feared extinct.

Pollution, farming, over-fishing & hunting are the main reasons. Not only are populations declining, one in every hundred species becomes extinct each year due to human activity.

This is being called one of the "Great Extinction Episodes" of Earth.

I hope the species recover and have a good future, however unlikely that may be.

Please comment. Thank you.

Three Years 'til Death

There is a very big danger about. Orangutans in Borneo are the victims. And this is why.

Within three years, the largest population of wild orangutans might not be on Borneo anymore. Within three years, they could all be dead.

2011 could see the end. And it's our fault.

As much as I hate to say it, we are doing this. Palm oil is a very big trade, and it comes at a very big price. The price of the rainforest.

Orangutans are endangered anyway, but this just adds to it. There are only 20,000 left in Borneo, a decline from 31,000 in 2004. It is vital that they survive.

If the government there doesn't do anything to stop this terror, the mammals will become homeless and starve to death. If they do find food, it will be the palm oil seeds, which means farmers will be poaching them.

These orangutans are entering their darkest days.

This story makes me extremely upset and extremely angry. I hope something helps them to survive.

Please comment. Thank you.

The Return of the Cull

Last week, the government of South Africa announced that a ban on elephant killing is to be lifted. It is meant to help other wildlife species in the area. I previously posted about the government thinking about this. You can read that post here.

The ban was introduced thirteen years ago, in 1995, because the numbers were falling fast. The numbers have more than doubled since then.

But it isn't all bad news. The mammals will only be killed if other ways of controlling them (such as better enclosures) don't work. Although many animal rights campaigners want the ban reintroduced.

I personally do not agree with the cull. I hope they do find way of keeping all creatures safe.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Wildlife and You: May 2008

So this is the fourth of its kind, when it should be the fifth. There may not have been an April 2008 version, but that doesn't mean I'm stopping these! So let's get started!

This month, things are meant to be getting hotter. In the later days, birds that Summer (Northern hemisphere) or Winter (Southern hemisphere) in your country might well be arriving. So keep your eyes peeled for them.

The mating season is in full swing. Many birds in the Northern hemisphere would have laid their eggs by now, with some beginning to hatch. Mammals, also, would have cubs, pups, or whatever they're called in that certain species.

If you have any photos, please send them in via the usual address. I haven't actually received any at all, unfortunately.

Nevertheless, keep spotting!

Please comment.
Thank you.

The End...

...of April! I am extremely sorry for posting nothing for a month! I've been doing other things, and I went to Lanzarote! So many excuses, so little time.

I will have some posts for Friday. I promise.

Flying Away

Okay, I have been busy, hence the lack of updates.

Experts have spotted a decrease in the Tortoiseshell Butterfly (above) population. In some parts of the U.K., the numbers have dropped by 80%!

It is actually unknown why they are dieing out. It could be due to a fly called Sturmia Bella destroying the caterpillars.

The fly's first appearance was in 1999. A group has been set out to discover why the butterflies are failing, and if it is due to the Sturmia Bella.

I hope they find out and save these wonders.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Look Out!

Drivers have been warned about wildlife on the roads in Britain. Many are being killed. On estimate, 10 million birds and 1 million other animals are coming to an end each year due to road accidents.

It's putting the most endangered species at risk even more. The warning comes at a time that many creatures are coming out of hibernation.

I think this is a good idea and it will help deer, owls, rabbits, hedgehogs, badgers & foxes, to name but a few species.

Please comment.
Thank you.

Six Instead of Eight

Henry (above) isn't an octopus. He is a hexapus, a new species. That's what staff at Anglesey Sea Zoo have said, anyway.

They originally thought that he'd lost two legs in an accident, but now they're having second thoughts. Once they saw him cling onto the side of his tank, they realised that he couldn't have lost his legs in an accident, but he was born like this.

Displays supervisor Carey Duckhouse said, "We've scoured the internet and talked to lots of other aquariums and no-one has ever heard of another case of a six-legged octopus."

Henry is one-of-a-kind. He is now being moved to Blackpool Sea Life Centre to be star in the "Suckers" exhibition.

I personally think it's excellent news that there are hexapi. Who knows if there could be others such as pentapi or heptapi?

Please comment.
Thank you.

Ruffling Wings

A colony of Egyptian Fruit Bats has caused a stir. They live in a wildlife park in south-east England.

Keepers believed that all the bats were females as it's very hard to tell the genders apart in this species. It turned out that they aren't all female, because eight of them have given birth. So there was at least one male in the original fifteen.

This was a complete surprise to them. They are now going to look again and determine how many males there are.

I think it is great that they got it wrong. This means that there are more of the mammals and that isn't bad at all.

Please comment.
Thank you.

Wildlife and You: March 2008

As we enter my favourite month, March, we are starting to see many changes. For starters, migratory birds will be starting to leave on a journey that will take them a couple of months. It will take a couple of months because wherever they are going to is still too cold for them. Whether it's the Bewick's Swans travelling from the U.K. to Russia, or Swallows travelling from South Africa to the U.K., it is still not the right temperature for them. Why, you might ask, are they leaving now? Let me explain.

To start off, let's talk about the Swallows I mentioned. If they stay in South Africa, it will soon become far too cold for them there. Winter is coming to the countries in the Southern Hemisphere that it effects, and they need to leave. In the case of the Bewick's Swans, the longer hours of daylight are making them know instinctively that they should go. Britain is unable for a pair to breed. It doesn't have the right conditions. Siberia, however, does. The swans want to get back soon, so they can have the best breeding grounds.

Off that topic, many animal species are entering their breeding season. Expect excitement.

If you take a photo this month, I'd love to see it. Please send them in to this address. Thanks in advance.

Please comment.
Thank you.

Bite Me

The number of dog attacks in England is growing rapidly. They have increased by nearly 50% over the past four years. Hospitals have to adjust to these new figures or patients will fall behind.

Last year alone, 3800 people were treated due to dog bites. Both the RSPCA and the Government have stated that isn't the dogs fault, but the owners. I agree with this statement. If you don't train the dog properly, it will go rouge and start attacking innocent people.

There are currently four species of dogs banned in the United Kingdom. These are the Pit Bull Terrier (above), the Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino and Fila Brasiliero.

I hope the dogs get trained properly and the number of dog bites goes down.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Decent Protection at Last

Today new laws were passed by the British government to give more protection over Water Voles. It is about time, seeing as many of them have died out over the past thirty years.

In fact, nine out of ten have disappeared. The endangered mammal has lost to housing taking over their habitat and the introduction of the mink, a predator not native to Britain and taking over many of the species of wildlife.

The new laws include not being allowed to take them away or sell them, among other things.

I personally think these laws are great; we are finally starting to protect more species.

Please comment.
Thank you.

A Country's Cull

South Africa has announced plans to cull African Elephants. But don't threat, this will only be a last resort if they can't control the population in another way.

Locals have been complaining that the mammals are destroying their crops and drinking all of the water. The population has quickly risen from 8000 in 1995, just before culling was banned to 20,000 nowadays.

If an effective way of controlling them, such as creating decent enclosures of them, isn't decided before 1 May, the culling will come into force.

I hope the culling does not happen, and that they find a suitable way which makes every creature, including humans, happy.

Please comment. Thank you.

A Wild Count-Up

The Scottish Natural Heritage has started a survey to see how many wildcats are left in the wild. The last survey occurred twenty years ago, but in a 1995 study it was believed that there were 3500 of these mammals in the wild.

Scots are being urged to go out into Scotland's countryside and try to spot them. You can see a photo of one above. You can find out more about it here.

Don't expect to see them in England and Wales, however, as they died out over a hundred years ago there.

I hope the survey results are positive. I really don't want the wildcat to become extinct in the wild.

Please comment. Thank you.

Hammering Down the List

The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark has been added to the endangered list. Their numbers are falling fast. This is mainly due to being caught in fishing nets and some countries, such as China, eat their fins as a local delicacy.

The population has decreased by 90%, and in some places the number goes up to 98%! This, the most common type of shark, joins the 233 other shark species on the list.

Dr. Julia Baum, who has studied the problem, said, "Right now the oceans are being emptied of sharks.

"If we carry on the way we're going, we'll be looking at a very high risk of extinction for some of these shark species in the next few decades."

I hope the numbers increase soon.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Operation Eagle

First of all, I have been really busy with homework recently, so I have not been able to do many posts. Sorry for this inconvenience.

A Golden Eagle has made a miraculous recovery. She is called Electra after flying into am electricity pylon after being chased by crows. She was lucky and only ended up blind.

She had another lucky strike recently when she had an operation never performed before. They succeeded. They made her see again! Well, in one eye anyway. The other is too badly damaged to repair. If it didn't work, she would have been put down.

Unfortunately, she cannot return to the wild because only the best eye sighted eagles are able to see their prey easily.

It is great that Electra can see some things now. Keep it up from here at Animalz!

Please comment.

Thank you.

A Rat Investation

A ship has sunk by St. Kilda in Scotland. But this ship contained rats, and there are worries that they've got onto the islands. These islands are teeming with rare wildlife, from seabirds to mice & sheep. The rats might gobble on the chicks and eggs of the seabirds, making it even harder for them to breed.

Traps have been laid, but have all proven unsuccessful so far. I hope they save all of the animals, without harming any of them.

Please comment.
Thank you.

They've Been Fooled, Have You?

Four hundred tortoises have been fooled by the "warm" weather in a sanctuary in Cornwall. But if it gets colder (although I'm not sure how it can), there are worries they could die. But worry not, for they have heat lamps ready.

Also, British wildlife is "startlingly" active, especially frogs, flowers & butterflies.

I hope there are no fatalities due to all of this confusion.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Wildlife and You: February 2008

It is February, the month of love. Expect to see more animals popping out and about. Around Valentine's Day go out to a near-by pond. You will almost certainly see frogspawn. Some birds start their breeding season this month, such as the Collared Dove, but don't expect many pairs mating. That won't happen until March or April.

Some Wintering birds will start to move. They won't go very far, but they will trace back a few steps. For example, some Bewick's Swans at Slimbridge might go to Welney.

Please send in your photos to this address. They are very welcome, and I would also love to see photos from other countries, and I know I have North American, European & Asian readers.

Happy watching!

The Tiny Elephant-Thing

Above is a picture of a Grey-Faced Elephant Shrew, a species recently discovered in the mountains of African country Tanzania. It is the size of the average domestic cat.

"This is one of the most exciting discoveries of my career," said Galen Rathbun, who was part of an international team which confirmed that the animal was a new species. They are now going to find out how many exist, and find out if they need protecting or not.

As well as having different colouring than any other elephant shrew, the new mammal is much larger, weighing 700g. and measuring about 30cm. in length.

Dr. Rathbun said they were amazing: "They are not like a dog or cat you can interact with - but they are so bizarre-looking and a lot of their behavioural ecology is so unique and interesting, you kind of get wrapped up with them."

You can see footage below. Enjoy.

It is brilliant to discover a brand new species. I hope it is well populated.

Please comment.
Thank you.

Rare RUFF

Above is a photo of a very rare species. They are Glen Of Imaal Terriers, and their mum is one of 25 of the species that are actually able to have puppies. This species is so rare, that the Giant Panda has a larger population! And because they're so rare, no-one knows they exist so they aren't very popular, even though they are really cute!

Jane Withers, who breeds the species said, "They are now number one and I imagine it is because people would rather have a little dog like Paris Hilton's Chihuahua or a trendy Labradoodle."

Paul Keevil, from the British and Irish Dog Breeds Preservation Trust, added, "It's not only the rarest (breed) in Britain, it is the rarest in the world."

I hope the species does really well in the future.

Please comment.
Thank you.

Time to Watch Moles

Moles may be under threat. To find out if they are, there's a survey called MoleWatch. They want you to count molehills in the ground. You can search in near-by fields & meadows, or even in your own garden.

Moles a re misunderstood, and are counted as pests by farmers & gardeners alike. But in fact they're helping the farmer or gardener by eating any bugs that might ruin their crops, and put air into the soil.

I think MoleWatch is a great idea. You can send in a sighting here.

Please comment. Thank you.

Count the Birds

Today and tomorrow is the annual bird-counting weekend. The RCPB has been doing this for years and this year is no different.

Sarah Kelly, one of the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch organisers, said, "The great thing about Big Garden Birdwatch is that anyone can do it. You don't need to be an expert, all you need is a pen and paper."

You have to sit down for one hour and count how many types of birds you see. But you have to only submit the largest number at a time for one species. For example, if you see six Blue Tits, then another five, you don't send in eleven, you send in six. You can learn more about it here.

I will be taking part definitely. I hope you all do, too.

Please comment.
Thank you.

The Future is in Our Hands

W.W.T. has backed a plan to help the Severn Estuary for wildlife. Here's what Martin Spray, Chief Executive has to say:

"We now know how long we've got to persuade the government to investigate a sensible proposition for energy from the Severn that won't damage this unique feature of Britain's landscape.

"W.W.T. is based on the margins of the Severn Estuary itself where we have been conserving wildlife for over 60 years. We fully support a shift toward sustainable sources of energy to address climate change. But this cannot be done at much further cost to the natural environment.

"We, as much as anyone, want to find the solution to this problem. We will do all we can to contribute to the study, working closely with our other N.G.O. colleagues. Meanwhile, we continue to inform the public why the Severn is such a special place."

Please comment.
Thank you.

Pretty in Their Own Way

There are many rare amphibians out there. Many more have now made themselves onto the endangered list. They need protecting, just like all the cute & fluffy ones do.

Many are extremely sensitive to pollution which is a growing problem. A few of these wonderful creatures include a drawing-pin sized frog, a limbless amphibian and a see-through salamander. Of course, these aren't their real names.

Zoological Society of London spokesperson Helen Meredith, said: "Alarmingly, 85% of the top 100 are receiving little or no conservation attention and will become extinct if action is not taken now.

"These animals may not be cute and cuddly, but hopefully their weird looks and bizarre behaviours will inspire people to support their conservation"

Please comment.

Thank you.

W.W.T. Slimbridge - November Photos

Here are my photos from W.W.T. Slimbridge that I took in November. Enjoy.

Photos from 3/11/2007.



Photos from 18/11/2007



Please comment.
Thank you.

The Sting of the Mauves

Many Mauve Stingers, a type of jellyfish, have been spotted in the Irish Sea. They have an extremely painful sting.

The species recently wiped out £1 million worth of salmon in Northern Ireland. They are the right size to get through the mesh being in between the sizes of a ten pence coin and a clenched fist.

It's best to see them in the dark because their wasp-like sting glows.

"The trouble is that we know so little about these jellyfish," said Dr. Houghton.

"Until recently, they were viewed as bags of water that had little or no impact on our ecosystem.

"Now we need to learn, very quickly, about their behaviour and about their breeding patterns in our waters.

"We need to get some basic data about numbers, and the easiest and quickest way to do that is simply to send researchers out on the ferries.

"For the past few weeks, they have been standing on deck looking at the sea and counting jellyfish. That is how we are getting a baseline figure for their numbers."

Please comment.
Thank you.

There are Mean People in the World

Above: Newsround presenter Helen and Tyson, an abandoned rabbit.

The number of abandoned rabbits has gone up over the past few years. There are hundreds right now in rescue centres all across Britain. The RSPCA had to rescue 25 rabbits during the Christmas period.

A survey taken by the charity found out that half of rabbits don't receive clean bedding and seven out of ten don't get out of the hutch they are kept in. In 2005 alone, 1365 rabbits were abandoned in England & Wales with nearly 18,000 reports of cruelty to rabbits.

Many people don't know how to look after a rabbit properly, or they are given to young children who soon get bored of them. These are the main reasons for all this.

As a rabbit owner myself, I'd like to tell readers that make sure you spend lots of time each day with your rabbit and clean its LARGE hutch out regularly. You can get a good bond with your rabbit, I mean, just look at Smudgie & I. Rabbits are great pets if you treat them well.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Let's Bark!

Hungarian animal experts have invented a dog translator. It can identify 6000 sounds from 14 different dogs including fight, play and ball. And it can tell one dog from another.

But the people who created it do admit that humans can do just as well as the translator. But it is designed to help a dog's well-being.

Maybe a few more tweaks and it could be really useful, not to mention helpful.

Please comment.

Thank you.

You Watch Me, I Fool You!

A study of squirrels has discovered new information about the habits of the mammals. Experts watched them and found out that if they feel something is watching them, they will only pretend to bury the nuts they've collected. They'll then go away to find another place to bury them.

So this means that they know about stealing. And that's another animal that has been under-estimated.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Breeding Like... Seals

The population of Grey Seals has gone up in some places. Many more pups have been born than usual.

The pups were born on the German island of Heliogland. They have had plenty of fish to eat in the North Sea and no predators on the island. 'Tis a perfect habitat.

The number of pups this breeding season has leaped from 32 to 55. They are now being tagged so that Scientists can find out more about the mammals and find out what they get up to in their five or six years out at sea.

This is brilliant news, don't you think? Please comment. Thank you.

The Turtle Wash Up

Two rare species of turtles have washed up on the shores of Wales & Scotland. The RSPCA has asked people not to send them back into the waters, but to contact them so they can rescue the reptiles.

The creatures have been blown over from America by strong winds. The seas around Britain are too cold for them, though.

The two species are the Loggerheads and the Kemp's Ridley. There are both extremely rare so this is a big deal. If you see one, please report it.

Please comment.

Thank you.

The Cub Row

There has been a big row about who should raise Polar Bear cubs at a zoo in Germany. This is a different zoo to the one that saved Knut the bear. Knut was in Berlin Zoo, but this zoo is Nuremburg Zoo.

On Monday, Nuremburg Zoo announced that they thought a mother had eaten her cub. The cub went mysteriously missing. It was last seen being taken into its cave. The zoo stated they wouldn't help them, just let nature take its course.

But today they changed their minds. They finally realised that they should make sure they survive. And thank goodness they did too.

Please comment.

Thank you.

Wildlife and You: January 2008

So, as you know, it's now January. It's 2008. Just in case you didn't know *rolls eyes*.

Anyway. This year I want your resolution to be to get out their with the wildlife. Take photos. They'll always be welcome here just send me an e-mail.

Anyway, this month. Quite a few mammals will be in hibernation, or just snuggling into their homes. January is the month of the birds. All the migratory birds have arrived so go out and film them! It is the best month to see Starlings doing their display in their flocks.

Be sure to send me your photos, and if you don't live in the U.K. or Europe, you can still send stuff in! It will be just as interesting to see the happenings where you live.