dailypetfwd

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Catch of the day: Wayne Little (right) poses with the 170lb blue shark before releasing it back into the sea


An angler has caught one of the most lethal shark species known to man after the fish arrived in their hundreds in British waters.

Wayne Little, 42, hauled in the 8ft blue shark off the holiday beaches near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, last week.

Mr Little's catch came just months after he hooked in another blue shark which was so big it would have broken a British record had he not thrown it back in the water.

He used mackerel bait to entice the blue shark, one of many species which are believed to have been drawn to British waters because of the warmer weather.


Blue sharks have been seen in increasing numbers around the British coast and are believed to have been drawn here thanks to warmer sea temperatures


The warmer waters of the Gulf Stream in the South-West have made the Pembrokeshire coast is one of the UK's best spots for shark fishing.

According to shark experts, there are now 'hundreds' of blue and porbeagle sharks 20 miles off the South-West coast.

Blue sharks can grow up to 13ft long and have been known to attack humans.

Mr Little spent nearly an hour reeling in his latest monster catch, which weighed a whopping 170lb.

After getting it aboard, the shark thrashed about, so boat charter skipper Andrew Alsop sat on its head to stop it from biting them.

The pair then carefully lifted the specimen up for the camera - and captured the fish with a bizarre enigmatic smile on his face.


Hot spot: The warmer gulf stream on the Welsh coast has made places like Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire (pictured) one of the top places for shark fishing in the UK


After measuring its length and girth, they were able to calculate its weight at around 170lbs before throwing it back into the sea safe and well.

Wayne said: 'Blue sharks travel on the Gulf Stream and come up on the warm water.
'Sea temperatures off the South-West have warmed up in recent years and now we are getting a hell of a lot of them out there.

'You are probably talking about hundreds of blue sharks, if not 1,000, about 20 miles off the South Wales coast.

'But not a lot of shark fishing goes on in our waters and so nobody really realises just how many there are here in the summer months.'


source :dailymail

By CHRIS GREENWOOD


Slashed his wrists: Met Police Dog trainer Sergeant Ian Craven apparently attempted suicide after two dogs died in his care


A police dog handler whose two animals died in his car on the hottest days of the year threw himself from a colleague's vehicle after the incident.

Sergeant Ian Craven, 49, flung himself from the car and later slashed his wrists in an apparent suicide attempt after learning of their deaths.

The officer, who is now being investigated, was found in Newham, east London, and was today still receiving medical treatment for his injuries.

Sgt Craven, who faces prosecution for animal cruelty, left the two police dogs - a working Belgian Malinois and a German Shepherd puppy - in an unventilated car at the Metropolitan Police's dog training centre in Keston, Kent, on Sunday as temperatures soared to 29c.


Deaths: The Metropolitan Police Dog Training Establishment in Keston, near Bromley in Kent, where two police dogs died from excessive heat


It is the second time he has been responsible for the death of a dog left in a vehicle.

He was disciplined over the loss of a spaniel at the Metropolitan Police's prestigious dog training centre in July 2004 – but went on to be promoted.

In Sunday's incident the animals collapsed in the rear of his airless car as temperatures rose to 29c (84f) at the same training centre.


The dying Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd were discovered at the Met's dog training centre in Keston, Kent, by a member of staff as temperatures reached 29C (file pictures)


Staff pulled the Belgian malinois Chay and five-month-old alsatian Milly from the vehicle by smashing its closed windows.

They doused the dogs in water and raced them to an emergency vet but nothing could be done.

Kennel assistant, Tina Dale, 54, who was among those who tried to save the animals, described it as the 'worst day of my life'.


Temperatures reached 29C at the Keston dog training centre yesterday, before a member of staff discovered the dying animals in a vehicle


She said on a social networking site: 'The suffering those dogs went through is too unbearable to think about. I'm in bits, we tried so so hard, but it was too long, the damage had been done. What a bloody awful way to die.'

Animal welfare charities called for Sergeant Craven to face the full force of the law.

Jan Creamer, head of Animal Defenders International, said: 'It is the golden rule that you never ever leave dogs in hot cars.

'While we do not doubt that this was a tragic accident, we would have thought that the Met Police dog unit should be setting an example to others.

'We would question why dogs were in the car at all as there are kennelling facilities on-site, we believe.

'Surely it should have been standard operating procedure to put the dogs in kennels on hot days.'


PC Mark Johnson was given a six-month conditional discharge last year after leaving his two German Shepherds to die in the back of his car


All dogs must be kept in kennels whilst at Sherwood Lodge and handlers have been given key fobs which alert them to any change in their car's temperature.

PC Johnson is currently paying off £2,500, a contribution towards the costs of the RSPCA's prosecution. But he has not been banned from keeping animals.


PC Johnson told a court last year that he forgot he had left the animals in searing heat outside Nottinghamshire Police's HQ in Arnold, just north of Nottingham


source :dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Nancy the Chihuahua learned how to herd sheep after watching border collies


They are more often seen as accessories for the fashion-conscious city dweller.

But one Chihuahua has shown that she'd be equally at home in the country.

Nancy, who weighs just 1.1kg, has found her calling - as a sheepdog.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home has revealed Nancy's impressive talents with a video clip on the internet.

She makes quick work of showing five sheep who is boss, despite the animals being more than six times taller than her.

Nancy was adopted by Ali Taylor, head of canine welfare training at Battersea, who helps train rescue collies as sheepdogs.


Despite weighing little over 1kg, Nancy is easily able to control a flock of sheep


Miss Taylor said the dog was always interested in watching border collies herd sheep.

'One day I decided to give her a whirl in the ring and she picked it up straight away,' she said.

'I started in a very controlled environment but it quickly became evident that Nancy has natural ability and loves herding sheep.'

The Chihuahua was taken to the rescue centre at just three weeks old with severe sarcoptic mange and had to be hand-reared.

Miss Taylor added: 'People sometimes under-estimate rescue dogs, but they really are fantastic, and go on to do amazing things.'

The charity stresses that no one should try sheep herding without expert supervision.





source :dailymail

By Oliver Pickup


Cat lovers: A couple, who must really like their pets, pose completely nude with their animals


While the old saying suggests that a dog is man's best friend, these people have taken it one step beyond and included their beloved pets - who look petrified - in family portraits.

The result is an eerie, awkward and, most importantly, hilarious catalogue of images - from the baby with the snake coiled around it to the woman armed with a pink shotgun and baby in the bath with her hairy dog.

These photographs, released by www.awkwardfamilypetphotos.com, celebrate the worst family pet portraits from the website - and they plan to release a paperback book on the subject in the autumn.

Ssssafe and sound: A baby in his slithering bassinet sits in the coils of a pet snake


In this collection you will find some jaw-dropping and bizarre portraits, including one family who are lying on the floor, heads together, with a snake draped over their necks.

There is the woman who is sitting on a sofa with an obscenely large vegetable - possibly a giant marrow - in right hand and her worried-looking terrier in her left.

Then there is the young boy who is shown making to strangle a dog, and another where a cat looks desperate to escape the clutches of a bearded, pony-tailed, bespectacled man with a dodgy jumper who looks like he is on the set of X Factor.

Look out for the Barbie wannabe who, pretty in pink, has dressed her poor pooch in similar garb. The worries looking dog is bejewelled with a pearl necklace and a frilly dress.

There is also a grinning boy with a cock, and a couple who appear to be having a picnic with a humongous pig, complete with tight-fitting T-shirt.

Another portrait shows a couple who allow six fully-clothed monkeys to clamber about their shoulders as the cameraman clicks that special shot.

You are strongly urged not to take similar shots at home - go to awkwardfamilypetphotos.com for more laughs instead.

Not just for Christmas: These dog lovers enjoy Christmas Day with all the family

The world's biggest cat? Looks like somebody has had a bit too much Purina

Larking around: A couple, their parrot, and a rifle equipped with scope and bayonet. One big happy family.

Farmyard fun: This one goes out to bird lovers everywhere - there's nothing quite like posing in the barn with your favourite rooster

It could have been so different: Joseph, Mary and their pet pooch pose for the camera

Stocking filler: Just what every young woman wants for Christmas - her very own monkey

One for all the family: This clan smile for the camera with their very own family of pooches

Adorable: Nothing pulls at the heartstrings like a little girl cradling her very own pet skunk

Sound asleep: This man dozes as he uses his pet dog as a pillow

Monkeying around: This red monkey resented the hand-me-downs

Transfixed: A man and his cat try to strike the same pose during a photoshoot



source:dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter


Moo-ve over: The cattle, who had escaped from a local paddock, made a meal of residents' front gardens


A quiet village street in Wales has been left in chaos - after a herd of rampaging cows decided to pay a visit.

The 20 cattle, who escaped from their paddock in Tredegar, trampled over the manicured lawns, damaged flowerbeds and left cow pats on the pathways of the street - ironically called Peacehaven.

And now they have turned to the local council in a bid to stop the cows from returning.


Sonya Gould, 70, said: 'We are used to having pints of milk delivered to our doorstep but not the whole cow.

'They were everywhere. We are all treading cow muck into our carpets because it's all over our garden paths.

'We held a fund raising event to plant flowers around the communal gardens but the cows have eaten them all.'

The reisdents of the usually quiet street are used to having sheep straying on their gardens - but said the cow invasion is the final straw.

Ann Ingram, who was woken by the mooing, said, 'It used to be sheep, and that's bad enough, but cows are a whole different kettle of fish.


Cattle market: Locals have said they are used to seeing sheep in the street - but having cows visit is the final straw


'It's frightening for many of the older people here to have cows walking down the street, peering in their windows, it's ridiculous.

"They're obviously big animals, and an elderly person can't just shoo them off - there's no telling what an animal might do."

Blaenau Gwent Council said they were taking action to control the cattle.

'We've done our utmost to tackle this problem, and have responded to all call-outs,' a spokesperson said.

'We continue to monitor the situation at least once a week and any roaming animals will be impounded.'

The council added that they may take legal action against the farmer if he is unable to keep his cows under control.


source:dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter


Snorkel prepares for her session in an MRI scanner to see if she has a brain tumour


This is Snorkel, a Loggerhead Turtle, which made a 320-mile round trip for an MRI scan over fears that she has a brain tumour.

The sick reptile is a star attraction at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, but five after five years of suspected epileptic fits have raised questions over her health.

Sue Thornton, from the International Zoo Veterinary Group said scans at the Cobalt Centre, in Cheltenham, would help to determine whether or not Snorkel has a brain tumour.

Workers operate the machine as vets work to find out if she has epilepsy after five years of fitting


She is currently being given doses of anti-epilepsy medication twice a day to control her fits.

If a tumour was found, however, Mrs Thornton said some 'very difficult decisions' would have to be made dependent on the results of the scan.

'It is in her best interest to have this scan and we will do everything we can to reduce any stress that she will experience,' she said.

James Wright, from the National Marine Aquarium, said she is a firm favourite with many visitors and they would do everything to keep her healthy and happy.

She was rescued in 1990 after having been found washed up in Sennen Cove, Cornwall.

Due to ill health she has spent the last 10 years being cared for at the National Marine Aquarium.

Star attraction: Snorkel is among the favourites of visitors to the National Marine Aquarium


source:dailymail

By RICHARD SHEARS

Life-saving: A team of medics operate on the penguin - named Happy Feet - who ended up 3,000 miles away from home and became sick after eating sand


A chief surgeon has performed life-saving surgery on an Emperor penguin who took a wrong turn in his native Antarctica and ended up 3,000 miles away on a New Zealand beach.

Doctors believe it might take months for the bird - nicknamed 'Happy Feet' - to recover after it ate sand, sticks and stones which have been clogging up its stomach.

The penguin became ill after eating wet sand to keep cool, said surgeon John Wyeth.


Fan club: Visitors watch Happy Feet as he lies in recovery at Wellington Zoo, in New Zealand


Assisted by a six-person medical team, Dr Wyeth performed the two-hour endoscopy - using a special camera to try to see the extent of the problem.

Dr Wyeth, head of gastroenterology at Wellington Hospital, said: 'It was a memorable experience.'

He admitted that it was much trickier carrying out the operation on a bird.

He said: 'If I did a similar procedure in a human, it would take me ten minutes.'

Dr Wyeth criticised suggestions that if the penguin could not survive in New Zealand, then nature should be allowed to take its course.


The doctor will see you now: One of New Zealand's top surgeons John Wyeth (second right) led a medical team to perform an endoscopy on the ailing Emperor penguin. They removed twigs, stones and sand clogging the penguin's gut


He added: 'I think the important thing in this world is humanity and caring and if we don't show that, it doesn't reflect very well on our society.'

Lisa Argilla, veterinary manager at Wellington Zoo, said the ten-month-old bird appeared to have had a successful surgery.


P-p-p-poorly: Happy Feet in his enclosure (left) after an X-ray showed what had been clogging the Emperor penguin's gut


She said: 'The bird is being kept in an air-conditioned room which has been carpeted with crushed ice to keep it cool in the relative warmth of New Zealand.

'But he's still not out of the woods.'

Happy Feet washed up on the New Zealand beach after taking a wrong turn in Antarctica.

The penguin cannot be flown back because the continent is in the middle of winter and engulfed in 24-hour darkness.

Miss Argilla added: 'If it can be nursed back to health, the best option may be to release Happy Feet into sub-Antarctic waters south of New Zealand and from there it might be able to swim home.'



Wrong turn: The Emperor penguin washed up on Peka Peka Beach in New Zealand - 3,000 miles north of its home in Antarctica


The penguin needs time to build up its strength as it is now underweight following the long swim - which would have taken it up to two months.

Miss Argilla said staff at Wellington Zoo have become fond of Happy Feet and were pleased by the level of international interest.

'It's really awesome to see that we've pretty much got the world behind us - it's a little bit of pressure but we're doing our best.'


Penguin recovers after latest surgery



source : dailymail

A 13-day-old hippo walks next to it's mother as it is showed to the public for the first time at Prague Zoo in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, June 21, 2011.



A newly born baby hippo swims in its enclosure at Prague Zoo June 21, 2011. The baby hippo was born on June 8, 2011.



A newly born baby hippo rests in its enclosure at Prague Zoo June 21, 2011. The baby hippo was born on June 8, 2011.



A 13-days old hippo with his mother Maruska showed to public for the first time at the Prague's Zoo in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, June 21, 2011.



A 13-day-old hippopotamus and his mother Maruska are shown to the public for the first time at the Prague Zoo in Prague, Czech Republic, Tuesday, June 21, 2011.


source: daylife
photo: AP photo

A otorongo or jaguar (Panthera onca) named Daniela plays with her six week old babies at the Parque de Las Leyendas zoo in Lima June 24, 2011. Two twin melanic jaguar babies were showed to the press at the zoo.



A otorongo or jaguar (Panthera onca) named Daniela and her six week old babies are seen in their enclosure at the Parque de Las Leyendas zoo in Lima June 24, 2011. Two twin melanic jaguar babies were showed to the press at the zoo.



A otorongo or jaguar (Panthera onca) named Daniela plays with her six week old baby at the Parque de Las Leyendas zoo in Lima June 24, 2011. Two twin melanic jaguar babies were showed to the press at the zoo.



A otorongo or jaguar (Panthera onca) named Daniela plays with her six week old babies at the Parque de Las Leyendas zoo in Lima June 24, 2011. Two twin melanic jaguar babies were showed to the press at the zoo.



A otorongo or jaguar (Panthera onca) named Daniela plays with her six week old baby at the Parque de Las Leyendas zoo in Lima June 24, 2011. Two twin melanic jaguar babies were showed to the press at the zoo.



A melanic otorongo or jaguar (Panthera onca) cub is seen at the Parque de Las Leyendas zoo in Lima June 24, 2011. Two twin melanic jaguar babies were showed to the press at the zoo.



A otorongo or jaguar (Panthera onca) named Daniela plays with her six week old baby at the Parque de Las Leyendas zoo in Lima June 24, 2011. Two twin melanic jaguar babies were showed to the press at the zoo.


source :daylife
photo: Reuters

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Get off! The cute cub charged around the yard of the monastery as the monk tried in vain to bring him under control


This is the amazing moment a monk bravely grabs a tiger cub by its tail as it attempts to escape.

Some might say he is brave, others might call his actions foolish - but he gets away with it as he is actually best friends with the tiger cub and its doting mum.

Amateur photographer Hendro Hioe was travelling through the Kanchanaburi province of Thailand - 84 miles from Bangkok - when he heard from locals that a monk had befriended a tiger family.


Best mates: Another spectacular image shows the monk proudly sitting on top of the mother's back as she sits, rather unimpressed, next to a tree


Realising this was a photo opportunity not to be missed, the Indonesian snapper quickly grabbed his camera and took a detour through the arid rural landscape to capture the pair.

But once he got there things were far from plain sailing - as the tiger refused to stay still for a picture.

Playfully, the cute cub charged around the yard of the monastery as the monk tried in vain to bring him under control.


Hanging out: The monk feeds and showers the cubs just like they were his children


Hendro, from Jakarta, Indonesia, said: 'When I heard about the monk and tiger I knew I had to get a shot of them together. They are an odd friendship.

'But the playful tiger didn't like sitting still.' In one stunning image, the monk - draped in an orange robe - cheekily reaches out as the tiger speeds past him.

Amazingly he grabs the cubs wagging tail - making it turn and growl ferociously.


Family affair: Hendro Hioe was travelling through Thailand when he heard from locals that a monk had befriended a tiger family


And in a desperate bid to keep the hyperactive cub still, the monk decides to crouch over and hug it.

Another spectacular image shows the monk proudly sitting on top of the mother's back as she sits, rather unimpressed, next to a tree.

Hendro, who first began taking pictures in 1996 when his father bought him a camera, added: 'After he grabbed its tail the tiger turned back and tried to bite the monk.
'Luckily it realised he was the man who takes care of him - otherwise he might have injured him.

'The monk then hugged the little cub to stop him running off. But his bigger mum heard his playful yelps and came over to see what was happening.


Bonding: In a bid to keep the hyperactive cub still, the monk decides to crouch over and hug it


'But she just stood and watched as I took my pictures.' Hendro added: 'The monk feeds and showers the cubs just like they were his children.'

Thankfully after three or four minutes of the tiger refusing to pose for his big moment, Hendro, a CEO of a design company, got the shot he had trekked over 30 minutes for.

The 32-year-old said: 'I can say it was a surprise to see the monk grab the tiger's tail. Only a brave man would do something like that even if he is friends with it.

'But I love the moment, it is the perfect picture.'


source: dailymail