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Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Animals. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Cute migrating wild elephant herd melts Chinese netizens’ hearts

Cute elephant herd! Turning on faucet and drinking water by turns, snoozing in the fields, the migrating parade of wild Asian elephants wandering for 15 months in Southwest China’s Yunnan Province has become new internet celebrities.

https://youtu.be/Vis_Em4vNAE 


VIDEO: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202106/1226008.shtml

 Cute migrating wild elephant herd melts Chinese netizens’ hearts. - Global Times https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202106/1226008.shtml#.YO6yIyXt74M.twitter

 

Elephant herd new darling in China 

 
A HERD of migrating elephants has stolen the limelight from the giant pandas which dominated the most popular position of China’s iconic animals for decades.

The wild Asian elephants’ “adventure” has captured not only domestic attention but that of global too for over a month and there is no sign of fading.

These mammals caught people’s attention after they were spotted roaming at residential areas in Yuxi city, Yunnan province, in late May.

Since then, their movements and daily activities have been the talk of the town, occupying a permanent slot on hot topics chart across social media platforms and gaining millions of followers.

Thousands of articles on the herd bathing in the rivers, feeding on crops in farms, playing in the mud and visiting people’s homes were widely reported.

The act of a baby elephant refusing to take an afternoon nap and kept disturbing its mother that was asleep, the sight of a male adult stopping a fight between two female elephants and the herd huddled together for warmth during thunderstorms melted the hearts of many Internet users.

Making their way through forests and suburban zones, the elephants have marched over 700km up north from their home at Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve and their destination remained unknown, as of now.

Asian elephants, found mainly in Yunnan, have a small population of around 300 in China.

They move in family units, led by a matriarch.

This north-bound group is identified as the “Short Nose Family”.

The name was given as one of the females has a shorter nose following an injury, according to a special report on China Central Television.

The family of 16 embarked on a “long holiday” in March last year.

They took “a slow” walk and spent nine months to reach Mojiang of Pu’er city, where they welcomed a new member following the birth of a baby elephant.

After a short rest, they moved on again and entered Yuanjiang county of Yuxi city on April 16.

The herd came across a winery and just like some humans, elephants could not resist drinking.

Two of them ended up “drunk” and could not keep up with the others.

Left with no other options, they returned to their original habitat in Mojiang.

The remaining 15 elephants continued to trek up north.

Their journey came to light after news of them entering the residential zones was highlighted by the local media.

On May 27, the herd caught the residents by surprise when they suddenly appeared in a neighbourhood of Eshan county.

A businessman, identified only as Jia, said he saw the elephants from the windows of his tyre shop.

“It was around 10pm, I heard noises on the street and looked out – wow, elephants!” he told the Global Times while sharing the extremely rare experience.

After leaving the town, they carried on the journey and arrived at the provincial capital of Kunming on June 2.

Four days later, a male elephant left the herd and began to wander around the cities alone.

He was captured and sent back to its original habitat in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture last Wednesday.

After spending some 10 days in Kunming, the remaining 14 elephants entered Yuxi again and has been moving back and forth within the forest areas.

Drones have been used to monitor the herd’s movement round the clock.

Last week, the local government dispersed over 280 wild mushroom pickers from the forest to avoid the herd, which was heading towards their direction.

Just as all eyes were on the northbound elephants, it was reported that another herd of 17 has made its way to the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Science in May.

The mammals left the nature reserve and headed some 100km down south.

Their route ahead was blocked by a river, in which a calf had difficulty crossing the rapid water.

So, the herd moved into the nearby garden and stayed on since May 24.

It is unusual for elephants to leave their habitat.

Experts attributed the elephants’ movement to shrinking habitat and food sources as a result of overpopulation.

Due to a series of wildlife protection measures, the number of wild elephants in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve has double-up over the past four decades.

Human activities and climate change were said to be among other reasons.

In general, the experts believed the elephants are in search for new homes. The elephant fever has raised awareness on wildlife and nature protection among the people, who called for more actions to be given to ensure sufficient habitats and a healthy ecosystem for these animals.
 
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Monday, April 12, 2021

What you need to know before you get that pup, Run, Rover, run

 Puppies need their mothers until they are at least eight weeks old - dpa


10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting a Puppy

A PUPPY is a big commitment, but if you’re ready to take the leap, congratulations! For a whole host of reasons, you should make sure that it doesn’t come from illegal breeders. Animal rights experts have put together a list to help you make sure you’re responsibly adding a new four-legged family member to your household.

> See the mother::

When meeting the breeder, ask to see the puppy’s mother. Does she look healthy? Does she have a teat? Sometimes online sellers will put up a picture of a dog from the same breed, while the actual mother is suffering at a puppy mill elsewhere.

> Look at the offers:

If the person selling the puppy has a large selection of puppies from different breeds and different ages, then you can safely assume that they’re acting only as a middleman.

> Assess the age:

Puppies need their mothers until they are at least eight weeks old. Only then are they old enough to be separated from their mother and their litter. Otherwise, you risk health issues.

> Beware of disinterest:

A responsible breeder wants to make sure that his or her puppies are going to a good home. If they seem uninterested in learning about you as a buyer, it’s a bad sign.

> No pity purchases:

If something seems strange to you, and you have doubts about a seller’s seriousness, don’t buy the dog. Instead, inform the police or a veterinarian authority to get them involved.

> Get it in writing:

Ask for a sales contract when buying the dog. That way, you have important details about the dog and personal data. – dpa



Run, Rover, run

Tips and tricks for training a dog for cross-country running, aka canicross.

 The beauty of canicross is that any dog can take part as long as it is fit and enjoys running - 123rf.com

RUNNING with your dog is a fantastic way to get back to nature, solidify the bond with your dog and to get fit. The canine sport, known as canicross is a sport rapidly growing in popularity.

When you first look to start running with a dog, it can be a lot of information to take in all at once. This beginner’s guide is a one-and-done read to introduce you to the wild world of canicross and give you all the information you need to get started.

Harnesses for running are designed differently  to daily walking harnesses. Tthe pull point is much further back on the harness, meaning the dog can learn into the harness and pull you along


What breeds are good for canicross?

The beauty of canicross is that any dog can take part. Provided they have good physical fitness and enjoy running, any dog can take part – even small dog breeds.

There are some prerequisites to this: the dog in question must be over a year of age and ideally fully grown. This is to prevent any additional unnecessary stress being placed on the joints while the growth plates are still forming.

Equally, your dog must not have any ongoing health issues that may make running uncomfortable for them. Making sure you take your dog for regular health checks with your veterinarian is the best way to ensure the health of your pup.

Generally speaking, gundog breeds such as Labradors, spaniels and beagles are most commonly seen at canicross events. You also very commonly see sled dogs at these events, known for their stamina and pulling ability.

Equipment

Like humans, dogs need their own sports kit for running with their owners. Harnesses for running are designed differently to daily walking harnesses.

The pull point is much further back on the harness, meaning the dog can lean into the harness and pull you along. The dog has a full range of movement in all four of their limbs and this is essential for them to be able to run properly. It is important to properly train your dog to wear their harness, as they need to be completely comfortable in it.

It is not advisable to allow your dog to run in a collar or headcollar, as this can result in unnecessary pressure on their head and neck.

To connect to the harness, many recommend a bungee lead or rope. You want something with some stretch as your dog will be regularly pulling, and any lead with a brittle fabric may snap after a few runs! You may also wish to invest in a belt to carry both you and your dog’s equipment, but also to provide a connection point for the lead so that you can focus on running.

If you are running in areas that do not have smooth, muddy tracks, such as pebbled beaches, hillsides, or even asphalt, you may wish to invest in boots for your dog. This is also important if you live in a colder area; your dog can injure their paws from repeated exposure to the cold ground. It is important to do some work around getting your dog completely comfortable in these as they will need to run in them!

Regardless of where you live, it is important to invest in a paw balm for your dog to sooth their paws after a run. There are many brands available online but we recommend one with shea butter in, as this will help to sooth and moisturise your dogs paws.

A very commonly asked question is: Will running with my dog in a harness encourage my dog to pull? Dogs are very intelligent creatures, and can tell the difference between a harness they wear on their walks and a harness they wear to run in. Using the cues suggested below and the different contexts of the two instances, your dog can learn to pull in one harness but not in the other.

Important cues

When you are looking to teach your dog to run with you, there are several important cues to teach. Although it is not advisable to start running with your dog before they are at least one year old, you can start teaching them their cues as early as you like.

> Forward: Teaching your dog to move forward is an essential part of running with you. Teaching this is easiest if you have a toy that your dog is particularly motivated by. Have your dog in their running kit just in front of you and throw their toy just out of their reach. As they adjust into their harness to chase it, say your chosen cue words (e.g., let’s go!) and allow them to chase after their toy. If they are not toy-motivated, you can have another person call them or throw them a few treats.

> Stop: Equally, getting your dog to stop is an essential part of running. To teach a stop cue, place a broom on the floor and throw a treat over it. As your dog runs back towards you, give them a treat just as they reach the handle. Repeat this several times before adding your chosen word (e.g. Whoa!) just as they reach the broom. You can then start to remove the broom and use your cue word and rewarding for stopping. Once your pup understands the exercise, you can start to practise while in your canicross equipment.

> Directional cues: Being able to teach your dog which way you would like them to go is essential as your dog will be leading the route. If you can, running with an already experienced dog is a great way to teach this, as a green dog will naturally follow an already experienced dog. If you do not have another dog on hand to help, one way to teach is to say the direction (e.g. left! or right!) and then throw a treat in that direction for your dog to go and get. As you play the game more and more, your dog will start to preempt you, learning what these words mean.

> Run past: As with sheepdogs, it is important to have a cue that signals to your dog to ignore distractions, such as other dogs, some smelly poo or a squirrel! Many owners do not teach a separate cue for this behaviour, but instead use their previously taught “leave it!” cue in this context.

Safety tips

When you first start out, it is inadvisable to go very far. You want to work at both your own and your dog’s level of fitness and slowly build this over time.

It is important to never run in extreme weather. When out running with your dog, you often will run in remote locations. Therefore, it is important to never run in extreme weather such as intense winds or thunderstorms. This is even more important in extreme heat, as dogs cannot sweat in the same way we do and will very quickly overheat while running.

We do not advise running with your dog in temperatures much above 80°F (27°C). Beyond that temperature, the asphalt becomes too hot for a dog’s paws and they will need to run on grass. It is best to run with your dog early in the morning as temperatures are between 75°F (24°C) and 80°F (27°C) and the asphalt hasn’t had a chance to heat up yet.

As dogs can overheat easily, it is important to bring water for both you and your dog and offer them water regularly. This is especially true on warmer days, but it is important regardless of weather conditions.

Summary

Running with your dog is a great way to get fit and spend time together. It can be a great way to spend time with your dog exploring the wilder places near you. Canicross can also be a great way to network and to make friends, as there are many wider social events to attend. Do you run with your dog? Are you just starting? Share with us your thoughts on canicross, at lifestyle@thestar.com.my.

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Mission to rescue stranded strays

 Volunteers travel to isle to save abandoned dogs from hunger and thirst

 

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Mission to rescue stranded strays

 Volunteers travel to isle to save abandoned dogs from hunger and thirst

Some of the stray dogs emerging from their hiding places to eat the food brought by the independent rescuers during their rescue visit to Pulau Gazumbo. — Photos courtesy of IAPWA

 

OVER the loud rumbling of the fishing boat engine, excited barking can be heard from Pulau Gazumbo, a small uninhabited island between Penang island and mainland.

Five beautiful dogs emerge from the shade, running all the way into the water to greet the visitors.

Alone and trapped on the island with no food resources or clean water, the dogs are skinny and completely reliant on the help of local fishermen who stop to drop off food about once in 20 days.

It is believed that in total, there are 13 canines – six matured and seven puppies – but how the dogs ended up on the tiny island remains a mystery.

News of the abandoned dogs reached the ears of independent animal rescuers about two weeks ago who decided that something needed to be done.

A litter of puppies captured by the rescuers from the uninhabited isle and being put up for adoption. 

A litter of puppies captured by the rescuers from the uninhabited isle and being put up for adoption.


Requests to authorities faltered as officially, Pulau Gazumbo (believed to be an island created in the early 1980s during the construction of the first Penang Bridge either by the changing of currents or by excess building materials) is under no one’s jurisdiction.


“We have heard that the dogs have been there for more than six months and the puppies look to be about two months old, ” said animal activist David Yim.


Not wanting to delay help any longer, Yim engaged a fishing boat to bring a group of rescuers to the island last week.


“We were scheduled to go on Friday but unfortunately, the fishing boat broke down on Thursday night.


There are about four to five fishermen who help the dogs when they can.


On Saturday, some of them announced that they were free in the afternoon and went on their own to try and rescue the dogs.


They managed to bring six puppies back to Penang island, ” Yim told The Star.

Without any steady source of food or drinking water, abandoned dogs on Pulau Gazumbo are extremely thin. They are sometimes fed by passing fishermen.

Without any steady source of food or drinking water, abandoned dogs on Pulau Gazumbo are extremely thin. They are sometimes fed by passing fishermen.


Alerted of their arrival by Yim, Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor Connie Tan, who heads the council’s Stray and Abandoned Dog Sub-committee, sent officers to receive the dogs.


“Under a collaboration with the International Aid for the Protection & Welfare of Animals (IAPWA) Penang in 2017, MBPP conducts ‘TNR’, which means ‘Trap-Neuter-Release/Rehome’.


“We first take the dogs to our veterinary unit in Jalan Sungai and after they are checked, IAPWA takes them to be neutered and hopefully, rehomed, ” Tan said.


The six rescued puppies, which IAPWA estimates to be from six to eight weeks old, are currently up for adoption.


Tan said although the area was out of their jurisdiction, the council is aiding the rescue team with cages and tools to help them capture the remaining dogs.

 

 

Two of the rescued puppies now placed in a temporary home at the MBPP’s veterinary unit in Jalan Sungai.


Yim and a small team proceeded to Pulau Gazumbo on Sunday, lugging 40kg of kibble, over 14kg of canned food and 26 litres of drinking water for the trapped animals.


On the desert island, they discovered how hot conditions are despite the splattering of greenery that survives there.


They also learned something else – how fast a scared puppy can run.


“When you look at the island from Penang Bridge, it looks small.


“But when you are running after a puppy under the sun, the area feels very big, ” Yim said, adding that the team failed in their goal of capturing the last puppy.


Undaunted, the team is set to try again today, setting off from Karpal Singh Drive.

A rescuer pouring food on a plastic sheet to feed the dogs on the isle.

A rescuer pouring food on a plastic sheet to feed the dogs on the isle.A rescuer pouring food on a plastic sheet to feed the dogs on the isle.


“We need to go with the fishermen because the dogs are familiar with them.


“So far, we have managed to collect donations for the food that cost about RM1,200 which we estimate to be able to last about a month, if it doesn’t rain, ” Yim said.


He added that all the fishermen journeyed to the island at their own expenses out of their concern for the stray dogs.


“We don’t know how long it will take to capture all the dogs but our first priority is to rescue the last puppy and the mother dog.


“She is the only female dog on the island and it’s important to get her spayed, ” Yim said.


Information on how to sponsor vaccinations and neutering for stray and abandoned dogs can be found on IAPWA Penang’s Facebook page.

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