The buck stops here: Charging antelope gives mountain biker a true off-road experience

By WIL LONGBOTTOM

Moment of impact: Evan van der Spuy is knocked flying from his mountain bike in Albert Falls Resort and Game Reserve, South Africa, by a rampaging antelope

Young cyclists are always warned to wear helmets when pedalling around on their bikes.

But a mountain biker taking part in a race near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, had reason to be doubly thankful for his after he was sent flying... by a charging antelope.

Evan van der Spuy was taking part in the Time Freight MTB Express Mountain race in Albert Falls Resort and Game Reserve when he was hit by the male Red Hartebees at high speed.


Oblivious: Mr van der Spuy was taking part in the Time Freight MTB Express Mountain race near Pietermaritzburg when he was hit

Young cyclists are always warned to wear helmets when pedalling around on their bikes.

But a mountain biker taking part in a race near Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, had reason to be doubly thankful for his after he was sent flying... by a charging antelope.

Evan van der Spuy was taking part in the Time Freight MTB Express Mountain race in Albert Falls Resort and Game Reserve when he was hit by the male Red Hartebees at high speed.


Wipe out: The male Red Hartbeest gets closer to the cyclist, but instead of swerving round him leaps straight into the air

Mr van der Spuy was thrown clear of his bike and landed in a crumpled heap as the buck ran off.

The amazing collision was captured by fellow mountain biker Travis Walker, who had a camera strapped to his bike as he was working for a marketing company sponsoring the event.

He told ABC News: 'It was freaky. I saw it coming closer so I braked, thought it would go in between the gap.

'It hit him, lifted him off the ground, landed in the grass - he started making weird noises and I didn't know what to do.'


Off-road adventure: The buck, which can weigh up to 31 stone, brings both of them crashing to the ground


Crashed out: The cyclist and antelope are sent sprawling by the force of their impact

Mr van der Spuy's helmet was destroyed in the impact with the animal, which can weigh up to 31 stone.

Mr Walker was able to help his friend to nearby medics and he was taken to hospital suffering from a minor concussion and whiplash.

He was discharged yesterday morning.


Dazed: Mr van der Spuy suffered mild concussion and whiplash and was kept in hospital overnight


Lucky escape: His cycling helmet was destroyed in the impact and the whole crash was filmed by Travis Walker who was riding behind him


Mountain Biker gets taken out by BUCK - CRAZY Footage - Only in Africa



source: dailymail

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The Greyhound Strikes Back as artist creates Star Wars AT-AT suit for her pet

By LEE MORAN

All dressed up: Bones is the pooch with enough power to blast you into outer space in his new disguise as an All Terrain Armoured Transport (animal) walker

Beware of the dog - for Bones is the pooch with enough power to blast you into outer space, with his new disguise as an All Terrain Armoured Transport (animal) walker.

Katie Mello decided to give her cute canine a menacing makeover in time for Halloween - complete with mechanical legs and laser shooting helmet.

Using foam for the top body armour, and light fabric for the limbs, Bones was converted into a barking version of the Imperial Walker, made famous in The Empire Strikes Back.


Makeover: Bones was given the menacing makeover in time for Halloween

Mello, who works at the Oregon animation studio Laika which produced the critically acclaimed film Coraline, is now the proud owner of an Italian greyhound which has become known as 'the AT-AT dog'.

Describing how she created the costume, she wrote detailed descriptions of each stage of the production process on Bones' very own Facebook page.



Foam memory: The casts of Bones' body were used to help create his costume

She started by making a foam form of the three-year-old's body, which she then used as a guide to create the machine's armour.

'It was made to minimise the fittings on Bones the actual dog. He is patient, but there are limits,' she said.


Follower of fashion: Bones seen posing his two-piece speed suit


Armoured animal: Bones' tries out his body armour (left) and his speed suit (right) ready for fitting


Shoe fitting: Bones tests out his new fancy footwear for size

She then placed him in a two-piece speed suit, which was completely open underneath, and held the body of the vehicle on him to check the fit.

'I made the body all out of foam sheet, which was 1/4 inch thick with 'fun foam' sheets on top. It hardly weighs anything.'

The body suit was then painted. 'The round disks at the joints snap on to the suit so it is more comfortable and easier to get on and off,' she added. The AT-AT walker was a major part of the Galactic Empire's army.


Behemoth of a war beast: The AT-AT as made famous in The Empire Strikes Back


Under cover: Using foam for the top body armour, and light fabric for the limbs, Bones was converted into a barking version of the Imperial Walker made famous in The Empire Strikes Back


source: dailymail

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A pair of Great Grey Owls or Lapland Owls sit inside an open air cage

A pair of Great Grey Owls or Lapland Owls sit inside an open air cage at the Royev Ruchey zoo in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, October 6, 2011.




Great Grey Owl or Lapland Owl swallows a quail inside an open air cage at Royev Ruchey zoo in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 6, 2011.



Great Grey Owls or Lapland Owls sit inside an open air cage at Royev Ruchey zoo in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk October 6, 2011.



A pair of Great Grey Owls or Lapland Owls sits inside an open air cage at the Royev Ruchey zoo in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, October 6, 2011.


source: daylife
photo: Reuters pictures

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Now that's what you call a water hazard! Flooding brings killer sharks to golf course

By LUCY BUCKLAND

The sharks got onto the Queensland golf course when it flooded some years ago after a river broke its banks and became stranded when the water receded, but now they are thriving and even breeding

Teeing off has never been so dangerous.

Although water hazards are a challenge for any golfer, on one Australian course the lake feature definitely has some bite.

At the 14th tee at the Carbrook Golf Club, Brisbane, a dozen man-eating bullsharks are waiting to swallow any lost balls and the sight of their fins poking through the water has even made the place a tourist attraction.


There was a time when local children would jump in the lake to retrieve lost golf balls for extra pocket money - but it is not something they have done for a while

The sharks got onto the Queensland golf course when it flooded some years ago after a river broke its banks and became stranded when the water receded, but now they are thriving and even breeding.

'You can't believe how close you are…just six feet away,' club general manager Scott Wagstaff told Sky News.


Choppy waters: The sharks have become renowned in the region and there is even a monthly tournament called the 'Shark Lake Challenge'

'There's no drama, it's become a positive thing for the golf course. They are amazing. I've become a shark lover since working here.'

There are six bullsharks but the number looks set to rise
Although the lake is well stocked with fish, Mr Wagstaff sometimes throws in meat to encourage the sharks to come near the surface.


source: dailymail

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Man, that's a swinging party: Two super-cute bears hang out on a hammock

By LEON WATSON

Let's try it out: They jump on, not knowing what's going to come next

These super-cute bear cubs just love hanging out.

Caught on camera swinging on a hammock, they make an adorable pair.

Unfortunately, the furry wild animals are also quite hapless - they take a tumble not once, but twice.


Plain sailing: Everything is ok for the bears so far, but the hammock is beginning to swing...


Oh no! Disaster has struck, one of them tumbles off, while the other hangs on for dear life

Footage of the bears was taken by a New Jersey woman in her garden. Incredibly, it was the second time bears have have come to play.

In 2006 she took a similar video showing a mother and her cubs. That time the mother showed her children how to do it though, managing to hang without falling off.


It's all over! Both bears end up on the ground after falling off the hammock





source: dailymail

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Siamese turtle owner fears operation to separate pets

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Siamese turtle owner fears operation to separate pets

The owner of two conjoined turtles is trying to decide whether to have the animals separated.

Todd Ray - owner of what is thought to be the world's largest collection of double headed animals - was given the turtle by a concerned California man, after it became listless and was hardly moving.

Speaking to the Huffington Post, owner Todd Ray said: 'I got a phone call from a kid near Compton whose grandfather has turtles.

'The man had two conjoined turtles and the boy wanted to try and save them.
'I told him how to hydrate them and told him to give them time to eat, because one head will claw the other one in front of him, not realizing they can't get away.'

The man was not sure what to do, and feared the turtles may die.

Mr Ray added: 'They weren't moving. They are very little, maybe about six weeks old, and when I first saw them, they were motionless. But I grabbed one of the legs and it pulled back.

'This is the very first time I have ever wanted to separate two animals.

'That would be a tough separation because they both need a plastron. It is not something that will grow back.'


source: dailymail

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Life's a beach for Babe the pig who lives on his own private island in the Bahamas

By LUCY LAING


Chilling out: Babe the pig is the ultimate beach bum, spending his days sunbathing and taking cooling dips in the Caribbean Sea

Not many people would be envious of a pig’s life.

Penned into a dirty pigsty, just waiting to be turned into bacon is no one’s idea of fun.

But Babe the pig has got it just right - for him it’s more of a charmed life.


A walk on the wild boar side: babe takes a stroll with his neighbours, Luke Abbott and Mona Wiethuchter - the only other inhabitants on the island

Babe lives on his own private island in the Bahamas and even the most dedicated beach bum would be envious of his hedonistic lifestyle.

The 12-year-old tamed boar spends his days strolling on the beach and taking a swim in the waves - although he has to be careful not to get in the way of predatory sharks which also cruise the island.


Pork scratchings: After a cooling swim, Babe enjoys being rubbed down with a special broom

Babe shares the island with just two other inhabitants, videographer Luke Abbott and his partner Mona Wiethuchter.

It is a remote island, measuring three and a half miles long and half a mile wide, 40 miles from the busier capital island of Nassau.

Babe came from a small group of wild boars which have inhabited the island since the 1930s when a breeding pair were brought to the island by travellers.


Thirsty work: As if he isn't pampered enough, Babe received a daily treat - one can of the local beer


Island paradise: Mona began taking Babe for regular strolls along the beach after the boar started piling on the pounds

When he was a day old, Mr Abbott, 27, started hand-feeding the piglet. Since then, Babe has been tame and although he lives in the island’s dense vegetation with a handful of other boar, each morning he leaves them and trots out of the bush alone ready for his daily ritual of laidback beach life.


Rash decision: Although he loves the water, Babe has to be careful to avoid predatory sharks that sometimes patrol the waters around his home


source: dailymail

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At home with the 'catgate' couple: Man at centre of storm reveals how he stole porcelain feline from Debenhams

By COLIN FERNANDEZ

It's a cat's life: Maya at her Elephant and Castle home

The immigration case that split the Cabinet was yesterday revealed to involve two cats, not one.

Bolivian Camilo Soria successfully fought deportation after drafting in Maya, his black-and-white moggie, to support his fight to stay.

However, it was his theft of a second cat – a ceramic one to be exact – that brought him to the attention of the authorities in the first place.

Soria first came to Britain to study English in 2002 on a six-month visa. He then successfully extended the visa for another year.


Close: Camilo Soria, Maya the cat and Frank Tew

Soria’s status came to light when he was arrested and cautioned in February 2007 for shoplifting from Debenhams.

An attempt to deport him was resisted – with Soria relying on the fact he owned property including a pet cat and he was allowed to stay three more years. Now Soria needs to make a new appeal against deportation next year to stay until 2015.

Soria recalled how a judge handling his original application said Maya would not have to ‘adapt to Bolivian mice’.

‘It is funny that the judge joked about that because she never eats any mice here. Never. All the other cats do but she doesn’t. Actually Maya’s favourite food is a Morrison’s seafood platter catfood.

‘And she likes chicken and fish sticks.


Having kittens: Maya (pictured with her first litter) has made certain Cabinet members raise their hackles

‘There is a lot to do looking after all the cats. But if we buy our own house in future I would like to get a dog as well. Only a small one, though.’

The cat formed just one part of their case, Soria said, and added that he feels ‘branded a criminal’.

‘Since I have been in Britain I have always worked. I have paid my tax and National Insurance and I have never claimed benefits,’ he said.


source: dailymail

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It's play time! George the friendly dolphin returns to the Devon coast to frolic with delighted swimmers

By TED THORNHILL

Making a splash: Lorraine Wright, 65, stripped off and joined George and two children for some seaside fun

Swimmers in Devon had a flippin’ great time this weekend when George the friendly dolphin showed up for some fun and frolics.

He’s been a regular visitor to the south coast of England over the years and seems to actively seek out the company of humans.

He stayed most of the day by the beach at Beer playing with excited children and adults – he even gave some of them rides.


Welcome visitor: George has previously taken up residence in Bournemouth and Weymouth - but stayed all day yesterday in Beer

Dolphins usually live in groups of two to 25, but George is clearly a loner.

A few years ago he was a regular visitor to Weymouth and Bournemouth, but he’s also been spotted happily splashing around off the coast of Ireland, near the Channel islands and off the coast of France.

George, who measures 10-feet long, seems to be very friendly, but wildlife experts warn that he’s still a strong wild animal capable of causing injury – and is also protected by law, so boats are forbidden to approach him.


Sea-ing is believing: George just loves to frolic with humans

Dorset Marine warden Emma Rance told the Bournemouth Echo: ‘We are lucky to have such amazing animals in our waters.

‘However, boat-users spotting a dolphin should immediately switch off their engine and allow the animal to approach them. If there are three or more boats around a dolphin you should move away.’

Dolphin-lovers can look forward this week to the release of Dolphin Tale, starring Morgan Freeman.

It tells the heart-warming story of Winter the dolphin, who lost the use of her tail – but learned to use a prosthetic one.


Animal magic: George has been spotted near Ireland, France and the Channel Islands






source: dailymail

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Hairier terrier: The dog owners who kit out their pets with colourful wigs

By Daily Mail Reporter

Pretty in pink: A poodle shows off his colourful hairpiece which can cost over £30

This amazing range of doggy wigs for a hairier terrier is designed to give your pooch a new leash of life.

The colourful hairpieces come in all different sizes and slot over the ears for a perfect fitting accessory.

The website Wiggles Dog Wigs is taking a lead in the canine hair market and is fast becoming America's number one wig shop stop.

I got you babe: Perhaps the owners of the two cute pets are fans of the Sixties duo Sony and Cher

Although the fake locks don't come cheap, and can cost more than £30 an item, the sites popularity is growing.

Retired make-up artist Ruth Regina is the mastermind behind the novel idea.

She said: 'I come from eight generations of wig makers and there was really no other job I wanted to do. I've been making dog wigs for friends for about 20 years but I never charged for them.

'Then more and more requests came in and eventually I decided to set up a separate business online. The website isn't very old but we get tons of requests from all over the world.


Big hit with pet owners: The best-selling Lady Ga Ga wig, left, and Ruth's pink-haired terrier Wiggles

The company's biggest bestsellers are the celebrity dog wigs with Lady Ga Ga the biggest hit with owners. They also sell Bob Marley and Sarah Palin hairpieces.

Ruth named her business in Miami, Florida, after her pet Wiggles, a Yorkshire terrier who wears a pink creation.

'I have considered opening a shop for people and dogs but at the moment I'm going to stick with the online business, ' said Ruth.

'I never expected it to be so popular but you can never underestimate how much people love dressing up their dogs.'


source:dailymail

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Has anyone told the Queen's corgies? Her Majesty's favourite dog has replaced the cat in internet culture

By Mike O'brien

She has been a life-long fan of corgies, owning five Pembroke Welsh corgis, plus four Dorgis, a mix of Dachshund and Pembroke Welsh corgi.

But it seems Queen Elizabeth is not alone in her fondness for the short-legged, happy-looking dogs - the internet has gone corgi crazy!

There are cute corgi videos, corgi t-shirts, corgi games, corgi blogs and, of course, corgi Facebook pages.

Scroll down for video

Too cute: One of many humorous videos on YouTube featuring corgies

The dogs, in fact, are the new cats in internet culture.

Helping to drive this trend is artist Caldwell Tanner, a corgi lover and illustrator at CollegeHumor.com.

His first creation, Hard corg, became popular after he tweeted the character to friends and it made its way on to social sites such as Tumblr, BuzzFeed or reddit.

Puppy love: The profile picture on one of many Facebook corgi fan pages

That led to the Hard corg t-shirt and eventually to his own corgi drawings site.

Mr Tanner said: 'Cats are kind of the prototypical Internet animal, and now it's corgis.

'They're like the new cats, the more sincere version of cats.'

Tanner's 'Pop Corgture' made its way on the popular ihasahotdog.com site on the Cheezburger network.

Life-long appreciation: The Queen with one of her dogs in 1970

According to CNN's Geek Out! blog, Ihasahotdog.com has had a Welsh corgi channel for years.

Geek Out notes that since 2007, the corgi has been the second most popular breed searched on the site. The first? The pug!

Cheezburger editor believe the rise of the virtual corgi has been heavily fuelled by viral videos.

He said: 'In terms of reaching outside of the normal corgi owner subculture, these viral videos feature corgis that are ridiculously cute.'

There is no doubt that corgis' facial expressions and their movements on stubby, little legs are endearing.


Cool ... and clever: The creations of online artist and serious corgi enthusiast Caldwell Tanner

Crystal Whittenton, a community manager in Raleigh, North Carolina, is a corgi owner and founder of the Corgilove community on LiveJournal.

She said: 'I don’t know if it’s real, but I know my dog’s expressions definitely lead me to believe he understands more than we might think.'

Welsh corgi owners often talk about their dog's intelligence, and the American Kennel Club breed standard describes them as: 'Outlook bold, but kindly. Expression intelligent and interested. Never shy nor vicious.'

Miss Whittenton said: 'They are at once short and silly-looking with big happy grins.

'But they are also stately and handsome and, of course, regal, as the Queen well knows.




source:dailymail

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Foal electrocuted by heartless cable thieves who tested live wires on it

By STEPHANIE DARRALL

Burnt to death: Callous copper cable thieves cut down a pylon leaving live wires exposed before using a six month old foal as a 'tester' to check if electricity was still moving through the line (file picture)

Copper cable thieves who cut down a pylon leaving live wires exposed may have used a foal as a 'tester' to check if electricity was still moving through the line.

The burnt remains of the six-month old animal were discovered in its field near Sittingbourne, Kent the next day by its owner who is in his eighties.

After the incident, around 3,000 homes were plunged into darkness as the criminals took stole the copper cabling cutting the electricity supply.


Cable thefts are on the rise in recent years due to the rising value of copper and other metals. Nick Rogers, head of health and safety at UK Power Networks, said: 'These are not victimless crimes'

One resident told the Daily Telegraph : 'Almost all of us had no electricity on the night in question, but when we heard about the foal being burned alive everyone was horrified.
'Most of us believe the people responsible used the foal to test whether the wires were still live - either by putting it on the cable or tempting it over with food.'

The owner of the field where the foal was found said the animal was horrifically burnt.

The thieves had climbed 18 metres before using cutting equipment on the cable before stealing it.

British Transport Police said that cable thefts have cost £43million in the past three years.

Last week thousands of commuters were left stranded in London after a massive cable theft sparked a track fire.


source: dailymail

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