Bestiary
Crazy Critters in the News
News Reports are a great source of fiction fodder. The world’s beasts are not exempt from bizarre news stories either. Here is a selection of weird-but-true animal tales. (Click on the title to read the full article)
Flap Over a Tale of Gay Penguins
A love story about gay penguins causes controversy in a number of small towns in the American heartland.
It was a love story that touched the heart of New Yorkers. Two gay penguins at Central Park Zoo who - after trying unsuccessfully to hatch a rock - were given a fertilised egg and raised their own little chick called Tango.
This story sparked much debate:
Females Flown in to P-p-p-pick Up 'gay' Penguins
Zoo's 'gay' Penguins Give Females the Bird
Penguins Come Out in Central Park
Drunken Elks Attack Old People's Home
A drunken party of elks surrounded an old people's home in Sweden and had to be driven away by armed police, Sweden's media reported yesterday.
Attack of the 800-pound Pinnipeds
A small Californian harbour has been invaded by ship-sinking sea lions, writes Dan Glaister.
Situation vacant: town shooer required for small southern Californian harbour community. Must be prepared to work all hours. Should not be afraid of water or 800-pound pinnipeds.
Glowing Pig Passes Genes to Piglets
A cloned pig whose genes were altered to make it glow fluorescent green has passed on the trait to its young, a development that could lead to the future breeding of pigs for human transplant organs, a Chinese university reported.
Strange how the reporter never asks the glaring question: Why would you want to make a pig glow? Maybe I’m missing something, because there are more glowing animals in the news:
Video: Glow-in-the-Dark Cats Cloned
An Indian man who believed he had been cursed for stoning to death two dogs has atoned for his sin by marrying another dog in a traditional Hindu wedding ceremony.
Court to Rule If Chimp Has Human Rights
Campaigners in Austria have taken to court the case of Hiasl, a 26-year-old chimpanzee. If he is granted human status - and the rights that go with it - it will signal a victory for other primate species and unleash a wave of similar cases.
He recognises himself in the mirror, plays hide-and-seek and breaks into fits of giggles when tickled. He is also our closest evolutionary cousin.
A group of world leading primatologists argue that this is proof enough that Hiasl, a 26-year-old chimpanzee, deserves to be treated like a human. In a test case in Austria, campaigners are seeking to ditch the 'species barrier' and have taken Hiasl's case to court. If Hiasl is granted human status - and the rights that go with it - it will signal a victory for other primate species and unleash a wave of similar cases.
This one also garnered much attention in the media:
Chimps Are Not People, Austrian Court Rules, Group Says
Monkeys, College Kids Score About the Same on Math Test
How Did the Chimp Cross the Road?
The modern hazard of crossing the road has revealed an unprecedented chivalrous streak among wild chimpanzees, according to video footage released yesterday.
The modern hazard of crossing the road has revealed an unprecedented chivalrous streak among wild chimpanzees, according to video footage released yesterday.
When faced with a busy road, large male chimps headed to the front of the pack to check the road was clear before leading females and their young across. Meanwhile, other males headed to the back of the group to bring up the rear. Often, a high-ranking male assumed the role of lollipop man by wandering on to the road and checking it for traffic until the entire pack had crossed safely.
