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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


It’s fun playing in the snow. But it’s even more fun when you have something big and warm to snuggle up to.

For these two boisterous polar bear cubs, that big warm something came in the form of mum.

Not only did she give them a ride on her back but she also let them use her as a blanket as they settled down in the snow.

Cuddles: This polar bear cub enjoyed snuggling up to its mum after playing in the snow

Protection: Not only did the mother give the cubs a ride on her back but she also let them use her as a blanket as they settled down in the snow

One lucky cub even got to shelter between her forearms as she gazed out across the white wastes of the Waspusk National Park in Canada in temperatures of -20C, captured in these images by photographer Keren Su.

But like any mother, she also found that when she fancied a rest herself, the little ones were determined to keep her awake to play.

Photographer, Keren Su, captured the scene during an expedition.

Mr Su, from Redmond, Washington, endured temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius in a bid to get the delightful shots but admitted sightings of polar bear cubs was never guaranteed.

He said: 'It is a paradise for the polar bears but not for human beings. We had been taking our chances for days and found nothing.

'I was there on a very clear mission to get photos of the polar bear cubs. I believe that the beauty of nature is always hidden in the remote areas difficult to access.

Rare: Photographer Keren Su captured the heart-warming scene just outside Waspusk National Park in Canada during an expedition

Taken for a ride: This picture shows the cubs riding on their mother's back as she finds a safe place for them to relax.

Relaxing: The two cubs and their mother rest during their playful afternoon

'The young cubs need rest after walking for a certain amount of time, so the mother bear had to find a place safe enough for them to relax.

'The mother nursed the young cubs one by one. Then she licked their bodies, especially the stomach to help with their digestion.

'When the mother bear got tired, she needed rest but by that time the cubs seemed to get more energy.

'In one photo, it is as if one cub was telling the other to be quiet because mum needed a bit of sleep.

'The cubs never left their mum very far. They always wanted to snuggle with her.

'This was one of my most enjoyable moments during all of my trips to this area.'

Dedicated: Mr Su endured temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius in a bid to get the delightful shots

Close: The photographer says the expedition team had been taking their chances for days and found nothing. This image shows the mother licking her cubs

Mr Su said when the team came across the cubs, they were not afraid of their human companions.

'Mothers are very protective of their cubs and taking a picture is totally different from just seeing a bear.

'When we found them resting, we had to let the bears accept us approaching them. Gradually they would allow us to watch them from a distance.

Cute: The photographer got the opportunity to photograph the cubs when they felt they were not a threat to them

On guard: The cubs look to make an escape from their mother

'When they felt we were not a threat to them, we got the opportunity to photograph them.

'I love winter, it’s my favourite season because it’s a very romantic and poetic time to photograph animals.

'I love to take pictures in the snow just for the thrill of it.'


source:dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter


An unaccompanied monkey wearing a stylish winter coat and a diaper surprised Sunday shoppers at a Toronto Ikea.

The fashionable rhesus macaque, sporting a miniature shearling jacket, was first spotted in the parking lot, before roaming around and eventually being cornered inside the store.

Police believe that the pet had been in a car before escaping from both a crate and the vehicle to look around Ikea. Canadian police said: 'It's a smart monkey.'

Scroll down for video

Warm and dry: The monkey that visited Ikea was wearing a thick winter coat and a diaper

Holiday shopping: The monkey roamed around the store before being collected by animal services

Shopper Bronwyn Page told Toronto CTVNews of when she spotted the unusual customer outside the store: 'We saw a crowd of people and a little animal and I was like ‘oh my gosh it’s a monkey.’

Page first believed that the seven-month-old animal was fake but discovered otherwise when the monkey showed signs of distress.

'It started darting all over the place. It was scared.'

She added: 'It was very bizarre to see a real live monkey there. It was really small and just funny dressed in the coat.'

Unusual customer: The monkey was first spotted in Ikea's parking lot

Distress: Having escaped a crate and a car the money darted around the store screaming

Toronto animal services eventually caught the monkey inside the store.

The primate's owners, who had been shopping in Ikea, came forward after the incident. They now face $240 fine for having an illegal pet.

The rhesus macaque species is not endangered but it is against the law to keep the animal in Ontario.

The monkey remains in the care of animal services but is said to have recovered from its stressful shopping experience and is in good health.

News of a monkey in a coat visiting Ikea quickly went viral on social networks. On Twitter, #Ikeamonkey trended and there are least two parody accounts. There is also an Ikea Monkey page on Facebook.

A new internet meme also developed, with the warm and smart monkey being depicted in a range of unlikely situations.

Internet craze: The Ikea monkey was celebrated online and depicted in a range of different scenarios. Here he takes a trip to Toronto's CN Tower

Political adviser: On this occasion the famous macaque helps out Toronto's mayor Rob Ford

VIDEO: Dapper monkey shocks shoppers at IKEA




source:dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter


An unaccompanied monkey wearing a stylish winter coat and a diaper surprised Sunday shoppers at a Toronto Ikea.

The fashionable rhesus macaque, sporting a miniature shearling jacket, was first spotted in the parking lot, before roaming around and eventually being cornered inside the store.

Police believe that the pet had been in a car before escaping from both a crate and the vehicle to look around Ikea. Canadian police said: 'It's a smart monkey.'

Scroll down for video

Warm and dry: The monkey that visited Ikea was wearing a thick winter coat and a diaper

Holiday shopping: The monkey roamed around the store before being collected by animal services

Shopper Bronwyn Page told Toronto CTVNews of when she spotted the unusual customer outside the store: 'We saw a crowd of people and a little animal and I was like ‘oh my gosh it’s a monkey.’

Page first believed that the seven-month-old animal was fake but discovered otherwise when the monkey showed signs of distress.

'It started darting all over the place. It was scared.'

She added: 'It was very bizarre to see a real live monkey there. It was really small and just funny dressed in the coat.'

Unusual customer: The monkey was first spotted in Ikea's parking lot

Distress: Having escaped a crate and a car the money darted around the store screaming

Toronto animal services eventually caught the monkey inside the store.

The primate's owners, who had been shopping in Ikea, came forward after the incident. They now face $240 fine for having an illegal pet.

The rhesus macaque species is not endangered but it is against the law to keep the animal in Ontario.

The monkey remains in the care of animal services but is said to have recovered from its stressful shopping experience and is in good health.

News of a monkey in a coat visiting Ikea quickly went viral on social networks. On Twitter, #Ikeamonkey trended and there are least two parody accounts. There is also an Ikea Monkey page on Facebook.

A new internet meme also developed, with the warm and smart monkey being depicted in a range of unlikely situations.

Internet craze: The Ikea monkey was celebrated online and depicted in a range of different scenarios. Here he takes a trip to Toronto's CN Tower

Political adviser: On this occasion the famous macaque helps out Toronto's mayor Rob Ford

VIDEO: Dapper monkey shocks shoppers at IKEA




source:dailymail

By Sara Malm


This impala is looking mighty proud showing off it’s unconventional ‘earrings’, in the shape of two oxpecker birds.

But the fashion forward move, spotted in Kruger National Park, South Africa, was not just down to the bird’s brightly coloured beaks.

The red-billed oxpecker and the mammals roaming the sub-Saharan plains have a mutually benefiting relationship where the birds feed on ticks and other ectoparasites from the animals’ fur.

Birds in fashion: The impala looked very content with its choice of earrings for the day

This cleans the mammals’ fur, but the birds do not stop there; they also eat earwax and dandruff and clean old wounds.

The oxpeckers are completely dependent on large mammals and spend most of their lives in their pelts.

A fully grown oxpecker can devour up to 100 ticks and 12,000 tick larvae a day.
Aside from providing the birds with parasites and other treats, the mammals’ fur provides building material for their nests.

Parakeet parasites: The Oxpecker birds feed off what they can find in the pelts of large mammals - but they also take care of dandruff and earwax

The photographs of the impala and its oxpecker earrings were taken by South African photographer and writer Villiers Steyn, 30.

Travelling extensively in his work, alongside partner Tabby, he regularly frequents Kruger National Park to capture nature at its best.

A peck-me-up: No pain, no gain for this impala as the Oxpeckers climb across its face to clean its fur and horns from ticks and other ectoparasites


source:dailymail

-Cute foursome attracts more than 18,000 followers on live events website Livestream
-Kittens beamed live across the globe since they were born on October 5

By Olly Wright


A litter of picture purr-fect eight-week-old kittens have become an internet hit after their foster parent installed a webcam to capture their adorable antics around the clock.

Nicknamed the Spice Kittens, Basil, Mace, Sage and Pepper have attracted more than 18,000 followers on live events website Livestream from their home in America.

The 24/7 recording of the four internet starlets was launched by foster dad John Bartlett after they were born to to a stray named Rosemary on October 5.

Scroll down for video

The Spice Kittens: Left to right - Mace, Pepper, Sage and Basil. The litter of eight week old kittens are reaching internet stardom, after their foster parent installed a live webcam in their playpen to capture their antics

The adorable antics of the cute quartet have attracted more than 18,000 followers on live events website
Livestream. John Bartlett (above) set up the stream in October 2011 and has featured all his foster cats since

At any given time during peak hours, there can be between 4,000 and 7,000 viewers tuning in to see what the fab foursome are up to.

The website is so popular it has also spawned a Facebook group called Friends of the Kitten Cam.

A mother's love: The kittens were born to a stray named Rosemary on October 5, and all five cats have been looked after since by foster dad John Bartlett, who has recorded every moment of the kittens time in his care

Family time: The adorable newborns cosey up to their mother live on the internet in front of thousands

Sage (left) and Pepper (right), the only girl in the litter, have attracted more than 18,000 online followers

Among the special moments captured on camera, John has recorded numerous play-fights and a failed attempt to escape.

He said: 'Originally, the Kitten Cam was just so that I could keep an eye on the kittens and see how they're behaving without a human in the room.

'But then I got to thinking that why not make the Kitten Cam available for anyone to watch at any time?'

'The first incarnation of the Kitten Cam came online October 2011 on Livestream's original service using a free account,' said John.

VIDEO: Kitten 'paralysed' with joy during belly rub - Scroll down for more video


'Limited to the lowest quality and having ad overlays, the viewer count never grew very high and frequently was in the single digits.

'When Livestream announced their new service with HD video and no ads, I was one of the first to jump over to that ship.

'The viewer count has steadily climbed ever since, with the occasional spike when it hits a high visibility website such as ICanHasCheezburger.'

Relaxed: Mace lies back and waits for a tummy rub as hundreds tune in to watch around the world

Kitten Cam: Viewers have been able to watch the fab-foursome around the clock since their birth

Feeding time: The Spice Kittens jostle for position as proud mother Rosemary stares out at the world

At any given time during peak hours, there can be between 4,000 and 7,000 viewers John has heard from his audience that the kittens' cute and playful behaviour has been both a benefit and a distraction.

He said: 'I've been told by many viewers that the Kitten Cam has helped them through tough points in their life, such as a pet or family member passing.

'On the flip side, I've also been told by many viewers that they've had a hard time studying for tests, falling behind on their TV shows, and staying up way too late, because the kittens are playing.'

John Bartlett started Kitten Cam kin order to keep an eye on the kittens and see how they're behaving without a human in the room

Bonding: Just a few weeks old the Spice Kittens put aside sibling rivalries and enjoy a group hug

Kitten Cam has attracted followers from across the globe, including the UK, America and France, and has received scores of comments.

Madi Gilbert Mantell said: 'They are so cute exercising! Thank you, John for all of your hard work....it shows.'

Foster parent: John Bartlett gets to grips with a previous litter to have featured on Kitten Cam

Catnap: John Bartlett takes a well earned break in the Kitten Cam playpen from caring for his feline charges

Nancy Elizabeth Dean wrote: 'I have been loving being able to watch them, John! Thank you so much for everything you do for the mamas and babies that you rescue!'

Nicole Naschkätzchen commented : 'Awwwwww I just saw you playing with them! THANK YOU for taking such good care of them. Awww how loving!'

Close up: A former star of Kitten Cam investigates the camera responsible fore making him an internet star



source:dailymail

By Nina Golgowski


Some of the greatest pleasures in life can often be the simplest.

As easily seen in Charlie the dog's case, they can come in the form of a small, orange ball.

Photographed leaping, bounding, but most notably gurning with dopey pleasure, this two-year-old boxer's hilarious enthusiasm to catch his slippery chew toy is remarkably captured in his larger-than-life face.

Gotta go! Charlie, the pet boxer dog, shows off one of his simplest delights in life in the form of a fast-moving ball

Quite a picture: Making every amount of space in his wide mouth available to snatch up his prize, Charlie's hilarious expression is captured larger than life on a Washington state beach

Number one pastime: The fast-moving boxer is said to enjoy nothing better than playing fetch

Tearing across a Washington state beach wearing his heart on his collar, Charlie's floppy jowls exposing chomping teeth make him at times appear as a gravity-defying extra-terrestrial predator.

In other moments, he's back to the squishy-faced pup with a harmless, demeanour - so long as you finally throw that bright orange ball.

'Charlie is a ball fanatic. If you offer him a treat or a ball he goes for the ball.
That is his best reward,' his owner and professional photographer Rick Ehrenberg said of his best friend in Ocean Shores.

Chasing his toy like a well-oiled machine the adorable gold and white dog is absolutely seen as though he could love, think and dream about nothing better.

No escape: Pressing every ounce of his athletic body into the ball's capture, Charlie is seen digging up the beach in Ocean Shores

Chomp! With gaping jaws and chomping teeth, the dog promises no escape for his favourite toy

Ball vs Predator: Defying gravity in other pictures, Charlie resembles an extra-terrestrial predator to anyone and anything round and fast moving

Frequently captured with all outstretched toes flying through the air, the dog's graceful and athletic body is sky-high while lunging for his target.

Once it's captured, he slinks across the sand like a proud lion, his delight still easily captured in his twinkling eyes and pointed - albeit stubby - tail.

On the ready: Charlie's floppy jowls and panting tongue contrast his sharp eyes and ready paws as he waits for the next throw

Bullet: Once the ball is thrown he's seen off like a bullet with no potential distraction affecting him

Job well done: Charlie slinks like a proud lion with his successful capture visible between his smiling jaws


source:dailymail

-Adelie penguins make regular trips into the water to catch food
-In December and January, females lay eggs and the parents take it in turns to incubate them
-While one keeps the eggs safe and warm, the other hunts for food

By Alex Ward


These playful penguins make sliding down a steep iceberg and torpedoing into the icy water look like an easy, graceful task.

The Adelie penguins were captured on camera diving headlong into the water in Antarctica after building up speed sliding down the icy slope of an iceberg.

At this time of the year, hundreds of Adelie penguins set up camp in Antarctica and make regular trips back into the water to catch food for their young - making sure to avoid predators in the process.

Dive in: These Adelie penguins were captured on camera diving headlong into the Antartic water after building up speed sliding down the icy slope of an iceberg

Wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas captured the moments on camera from a nearby boat.

The California-based photographer said: ‘We spent more than eight hours circling the icebergs over and over again.

‘Penguins do congregate on these icebergs often, but we were lucky to see unusually large numbers in a beautiful light.

‘It was a glorious day and I was over the moon.’

The 36-year-old took more than 3,000 shots on her expedition.

During December and January, female Adelies lay up to two eggs and the parents take it in turns to incubate them. One stays with the eggs, keeping them safe and warm, while the other heads out to sea to hunt for krill, fish and squid.

Slippery slope: This penguin takes the first step on its speedy slide into the icy waters below

After you: At this time of year, hundreds of Adelie penguins set up camp in Antarctica and make regular trips back into the water to catch food for their young

Torpedo time: This penguin dives in to hunt mainly shrimp-like krill, as well as fish and squid

The penguins are the only breed to raise their young so far south.

When the chicks are about nine-weeks-old and their downy feathers have been replaced with adult, waterproof ones, they travel out to sea and starting hunting for themselves.

Researchers have found that populations of Adelie penguins in the West Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea have fallen by 50 per cent in the last 30 years.

Theories for the decline include a huge reduction in numbers of the penguins’ main prey, shrimp-like krill, and rising temperatures which would lead to less sea ice in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica and fewer nesting sites and feeding grounds for penguins.

Plunging penguin: Researchers have found that populations of Adelie penguins in the West Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea have fallen by 50 per cent in the last 30 years


source:dailymail