Foreign tourists pose with an elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume

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Foreign tourists pose with an elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume for a group photo during a promotional event to mark the Christmas season at a school in Ayutthaya province on December 24, 2010. The event, where the elephants passed out presents to the school's students, was held as part of a campaign to promote Christmas in Thailand.


An elephant dressed as Santa Claus distributes candy to students during Christmas celebrations at Jirasart school in Ayutthaya, 70 km (44 miles) north of Bangkok, December 24, 2010.




An elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume gives out gifts to students to mark the Christmas season at a school in Ayutthaya province on December 24, 2010. The event was held as part of a campaign to promote Christmas in Thailand.



Elementary school students at Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, reach out to receive presents from elephants dressed as Santa Friday, Dec. 24, 2010. The Christmas event has been held for at least five years at the Thai school where the majority of the students are Buddhist.



Thai mahouts dressed as Santa's helpers gather outside Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, prior to a show featuring elephants dressed as Santa Claus Friday, Dec. 24, 2010. The Christmas event has been held for at least five years at the Thai school where the majority of the students are Buddhist.




An elephant dressed in a Santa Claus costume performs by standing on its hind legs before giving out gifts to students to mark the Christmas season at a school in Ayutthaya province on December 24, 2010. The event was held as part of a campaign to promote Christmas in Thailand.



A Thai mahout, dressed as Santa's helper, watches outside Jirasartwitthaya school in Ayutthaya, Thailand, prior to a show featuring elephants dressed as Santa Claus Friday, Dec. 24, 2010. The Christmas event has been held for at least five years at the Thai school where the majority of the students are Buddhist.


Christmas Elephant twirling hoola-hoop (old clip)


source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages
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Surf's up! Dogs show they can ride the waves too in a swell canine calendar

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Smug mug: July features Betsy the bulldog posing on the board


It's barking mad!

These pictures of surfing dogs show that pooches can ride the waves just as well as their human surfer counterparts.

Part of a 2011 Surf Dogs calendar, the photos feature mainly rescue animals, dubbed SurFURS by the photographers.


March's model is Stanley. He wore a blue life jacket as he rode to shore on a pink and white board


November's sur-fur is Toby, who eschewed the life jacket for a pink collar and lead



Barney caught a wave while standing up on his blue board and wound up as the calendar's cover boy


Husband and wife team Dina Demeo-Grover, 51, and†John Grover, 58, from San Diego, have taken their best shots to produce the novelty item, with proceeds going to various charities, including ones that support spaying and neutering pets.

It's the fourth annual Surf Dogs calendar and, they insist, the original.
Just in time for Christmas, the 2011 calendar is available for purchase on Amazon.com.


May features Dozer in a red life jacket. In the background is some of San Diego, including the famous red-roofed Hotel del Coronado


January features a not-too-happy looking pooch named Toby, wearing a orange life preserver as a wave comes up from behind


There is no missing February's pretty girl Nani in her neon life jacket as she rides the breaker


April features a slightly stricken looking dog named Kona, ears pinned and leaning back



For September, King glides in lying on his stomach as a frothy wave crashed behind him




source: dailymail [endtext]

How clever is that doggie in the window... the one with the wiggly hips? Salsa-dancing pooch becomes an internet sensation

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By OLIVER PICKUP

Take your partner by the paw: This dancing doggie has attracted almost 200,000 hits on YouTube in only five days


This dancing pooch clearly knows his Mambo from his Cucaracha as he dances the salsa on his hind legs in front of his excited owner.

A 35-second YouTube video has become an internet sensation with almost 200,000 worldwide hits.

The lap dog wiggles his hips and wags his tail as he shows the sort of moves that Ann Widdecombe could have done with.

The unknown mutt salsas happily - and in perfect time - to a track called Salsa Dura by New York group La Excelencia.

This four-footed star is a hit with youngsters, in particular. And he looks as though he is searching for a dancing partner to grab by the paw.


The dog-trot: The salsa dancing pooch is an Internet sensation and could spark a new craze


Perhaps it will catch on as a craze? We have heard of the fox-trot... well here's the dog-trot.

And if you were wondering how much that doggie in the window is to buy, well, he's priceless.

Or, of course, it could just be clever editing of a dog scratching at a glass door, wanting to be let in from the cold. But it's nearly Christmas, so we will let him have his moment in the spotlight.


source: dailymail
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The deer who did a real-life Bambi after getting stuck on frozen pond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSh1eLrxiqsendofvid


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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Oh deer! The doe with her back legs splaying and front ones bent on a frozen pond in Fareham, Hampshire


Looking like the cartoon Bambi, this deer struggles to get back on her feet after slipping on the ice.

But unlike in the classic Disney film, it was the fire brigade rather than best chum Thumper the rabbit who had to come to the rescue.

Concerned motorists dialled 999 after spotting the doe which had become trapped after venturing out onto the 45ft wide pond in Fareham, Hampshire.

She was seen with her back legs splaying while her front legs bent and buckled.
Animal Rescue specialist Buster Brown raced to the frozen scene along with fire crews and an RSPCA inspector to free the fallow deer.’

‘The deer appeared to have exhausted itself whilst trying to escape from the ice and was stuck in the middle of the pond on the ice.’

Using the same techniques that would be used to free a human caught in the same situation, two ice rescue paths were inflated and pushed out towards the dear by four firefighters wearing immersion suits and flotation devices.



Safe: An RSPCA worker holds the deer who was rescued by firefighters after being spotted by motorists


Mr Brown and two crew members the edged their way carefully towards the animal along the paths.

Mr Brown was then able to use a crook to grasp the deer's neck and placed a towel over the animal's head to stop it from panicking before carefully helping the creature back to the safety of dry land.


Cartoon: Bambi and Thumper on ice in the 1942 film


The deer was then passed to the RSPCA inspector and taken to a small barn close to the pond so it could warm up.

However, the sub-zero temperatures meant that the deer had eventually to be taken to the nearest RSPCA centre for observations.

Once it has fully recovered from its ordeal it will be released back into the wild.

Mr Brown said: ‘The animal was rescued using the same techniques that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service would use to rescue people who might become trapped on ice, and this rescue provided an excellent opportunity for crews to utilise and practice the procedures.’

The fire brigade has reminded the public that they should not venture onto any ice covered water to rescue a trapped animal as they would place themselves in great danger.

Instead people should call the fire service who have the correct equipment to rescue both people and animals safely.

Now watch a video of the cartoon Bambi on the ice...




source: dailymail
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For once, Ann is doing the dragging: Miss Widdecombe discovers how Anton felt after tussle with difficult donkey

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Strictly Come Donkey: Ann Widdecombe takes asses Teasel and Dove for a walk as she launches the Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land charity's Christmas campaign


Now she knows how Anton Du Beke feels.

Faced with a stubborn partner who’ll move only when prodded, Ann Widdecombe did the only thing she could.

She cajoled, wheedled and finally resorted to muscle power to get this donkey trotting along.

The Strictly Come Dancing star led two of the animals through Newton Abbot in Devon as part of a Christmas campaign by the charity Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of neglected and abused donkeys in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

She said: 'I've supported SHADH for many years as the work they do is amazing.
'I've spent time at the donkey sanctuary in Israel myself and know that too many donkeys in the region are treated cruelly or abandoned.

'It's terrible that these gentle animals, which play a key part in the Nativity story, should be so badly treated.

'SHADH is the only charity in the area helping these lovely donkeys.'


Don't be shy! Ann tries to encourage the donkeys to pose for the cameras


Ann added: 'I'm hoping to attend SHADH's 10th Anniversary dinner this year but it's the same night as the Strictly Come Dancing Final.

'I've promised to come along if I can but that will be up to the public in the end.
'I am hoping to visit the sanctuary again soon - it's incredibly inspiring to see the work they do there and I love helping out with the care of these lovely animals.'

Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land rescues injured, neglected and abused donkeys in Israel and the Palestinian territories.


No, I don't want to waltz with you! Ann tugs at Teasel who looks determined to stay where he is


I'm not going anywhere! Teasel refuses to budge as Ann and the sanctuary worker try to coax him towards them


Ann has been a patron of the charity for many years and spent a week working with founder Lucy Fensom at the sanctuary in near Tel Aviv, Israel.

Donkeys are still beasts of burden in the Middle East but sadly many suffer from neglect, cruelty and abuse.

The harsh political climate can mean that these innocent animals end up the victims of the poverty and violence which sadly dominates the region.


My new best friend: Ann cuddles up to Dove as she raises awareness of the charity


Since 2000, SHADH have rescued over 1,000 donkeys and horses and run free mobile vet clinics and education programmes in the region, to teach both children and adults how to care for their working animal.

Those who adopt a Safe Haven donkey in the Holy Land will receive presentation folder, portrait photo of your donkey, record card and an adoption certificate plus a cuddly donkey and updates on your animal through the year.



'Flying canary': Brave Anton Du Beke attempts to lift Ann off the ground in their disastrous samba on Strictly Come Dancing last weekend




source: dailymail [endtext]

Giant panda Bai Yun plays with her baby, Yun Zi

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This Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 photo provided by the San Diego Zoo shows Giant panda cub Yun Zi as he tugs at his 19-year-old mother, Bai Yun, during a tremendous play bout at the San Diego Zoo.

After more than two weeks of renovations, the pair returned to the spruced up Giant Panda Research Station to find new items to interact with including the log that Bai Yun is hanging from and a large pile of dirt that the cub was rolling in. The pair spent 20 minutes wrestling in dirt, climbing logs and exploring the exhibit before taking a nap and starting over. Other new items in the panda exhibits are Chinese elm trees, shrubs and sod, thanks to donors to the Zoo.




San Diego Zoo veterinarian Tracy Clippinger (R) is assisted by Kathy Hawk, a senior keeper, in order to listen to the heartbeat of Yun Zi, a 17-week-old giant panda cub, at the San Diego Zoo in California, in this picture taken and released on December 3, 2009.




Five-month-old giant panda cub Yun Zi makes his official media debut at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California, in this image taken and released on January 6, 2010. Yun Zi was born on August 5, 2009.




Five-month-old giant panda cub Yun Zi makes his official media debut at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California, in this image taken and released on January 6, 2010. Yun Zi, who was born on August 5, 2009, will be unveiled to the general public on January 7.




In this photo provided by the San Diego Zoo, the giant panda cub Yun Zi, 6 months old, climbs an elm tree on Tuesday Feb. 16, 2010 in San Diego.




Giant panda Bai Yun plays with her baby, Yun Zi, at the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, California in this publicity photograph taken on December 21, 2009 and released by the Zoo on December 21. This was one of the first times Yun Zi, the San Diego Zoo�s four and a half-month-old giant panda cub, has ventured out of his den into a private outdoor area. Picture taken December 21, 2009.


source: Daylife
photo: AP photo, Reuters
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Are they barking mad? Japan's newest police dog is a Chihuahua called 'Momo'

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Momo, a seven-year-old Chihuahua, poses during a police dog examination held at Koriyama, western Japan


Meet Japan's newest police dog - all 6.6 lb of her.

In what is a world first, a long-haired Chihuahua named 'Momo' has passed exams to become a police dog in the western Japanese prefecture of Nara.

The brown-and-white dog was one of 32 successful candidates out of 70 dogs, passing a search and rescue test by finding a person in five minutes after merely sniffing their cap.

'Any breed of dog can be entered to become a police dog in the search and rescue division,' said a Nara police spokesman.

But he admitted that news a Chihuahua had been entered may still come as a surprise to many.

'It's quite unusual,' he said.

Television footage showed the seven-year-old Momo bounding across grass or sitting proudly, long hair blowing in the breeze.

Momo will be used for rescue operations in case of disasters such as earthquakes, in the hope that she may be able to squeeze her tiny frame into places too narrow for more usual rescue dogs, which tend to be German Shepherds.

The public response to the news of Momo's selection took police by surprise, the spokesman said, adding: 'The phone's been ringing all afternoon.'

'It's quite rare for us to have a chihuahua work as a police dog,' the spokeswoman said.

Chihuahuas, named after a Mexican state, are the smallest breed of dog.
'We would like it to work hard by taking advantage of its small size,' a Nara police department official told the Sankei Shimbun daily.


The brown-and-white Chihuahua, a first for Japan and perhaps the world, was one of 32 successful candidates out of 70 dogs


Are they barking mad? Japan's newest police dog is a Chihuahua called 'Momo'








source: dailymail [endtext]

The moment a brave elephant mum shakes a vicious crocodile off her trunk

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Attack: The crocodile sprung from the water as a baby elephant and its mum were having a drink from the river


These dramatic pictures show a clash of the titans as a protective elephant mum and a ferocious crocodile get in an epic tug of war in Zambia.

The female elephant and her baby were drinking from the Luangwa River in the South Luangwa National Park when they were attacked.

Leaping out of the murky waters a vicious crocodile bit down on the female's trunk.


The baby elephant went to hide behind mum as the croc attacked



The elephant was brought to her knees as the crocodile thrashed around


Brought down on her hind legs, the elephant didn't give up and turned away from the water, despite the predator clamped down on her trunk.

Using incredible strength the female managed to shake off the croc after walking away from the water.

She survived the attack along with her baby, despite a second scare when the baby tripped as the pair ran away.


The elephant managed to turn away from the water even the croc was trying to pull her in


With her baby safely on the far side, the mum stepped away from the water with the croc still clamped on


The mighty elephant dragged the crocodile all the way out of the water as she walked away
They were seen feeding from the river later in the day.


South Luangwa National Park is well-known for its mighty elephant herds of up to 70 individuals.

Measuring 9000 square kilometers, the park has 60 animal species including baboons, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, leopards, lions and hippopotamus.


Despite the unwanted appendage, she and her baby broke into a run



FREE: Water gushes from the mum's trunk as she finally shakes the croc, with her baby momentarily tripping over the predator before the pair made off safely






source: dailymail
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