Competition for Pudsey as the new dog on the block catches Simon Cowell’s eye at top show

By ALASDAIR GLENNIE

Well-trained: Rachael Grylls and her amazing performing dogs, Jacob and Jessica have caught Simon Cowell's eye after winning a prestigious dog show

Ashleigh and Pudsey may have found fame and fortune on Britain’s Got Talent.
But it seems the competition is already snapping at their heels.
Trainer Rachael Grylls and her dancing pets Jacob and Jessica have reportedly caught Simon Cowell’s eye after winning a prestigious dog show this month.

Impressive: The 33-year-old wowed a crowd of 26,000 people at the Discover Dogs show in London with a circus-themed routine

The 33-year-old impressed a crowd of 26,000 people at the Discover Dogs show at Earls Court in London with her circus-themed routine.
Her Jack Russells have mastered a series of tricks every bit as impressive as Uggie, who starred in hit silent film The Artist earlier this year.

Jumping through hoops: Mrs Grylls holds the ring as Jessica jumps through, with Jacob at her feet

The pair jumped through hoops, rolled barrels, skipped, played the piano and rode on horseback in a ten-minute show to music.
TV mogul Cowell sent talent scouts to the competition to recruit animals for his Christmas special dog talent show Take The Lead.

On a roll: Mrs Grylls and Jessica rolling on a barrel. Her Jack Russells have mastered a series of impressive tricks

Cool riders: Jacob and Jessica wait to perform their next trick aboard a skateboard

Impressively, Mrs Grylls only started training her pets a year-and-a-half ago.
Until then, she specialised in training horses on her stud farm near Launceston, Cornwall, where she lives with her husband Sean, 35, and daughter Angelina, ten.
She said: ‘It just started off as play. One day Jessica jumped up on one of the horses’ backs, so I started teaching them other tricks.
‘I have never read a dog training manual or had any professional help.

Jumping for joy: Mrs Grylls skips with Jessica. She only started training her pets a year-and-a-half ago

Ready for action: Jacob and Jessica train for half an hour in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening

Mrs Grylls started training her dogs after one of them jumped onto her horse's back one day

Best friends: Mrs Grylls said: 'I couldn't live without them' and revealed that the two dogs slept in her bed

source: dailymail

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Little donkey is plodding on towards Christmas after being born premature

By ALEX GORE

Adorable: The foal weighed just8.3kg when he was born at Berg Zoo in Halle, east Germany, this month

This little donkey is plodding on towards Christmas after taking zookeepers by surprise when he was born premature.
Worried staff at Berg Zoo in Halle, east Germany, kept a round the clock vigil for two days when Nikolaus was born weighing just 8.3kg.
But after plenty of love, attention and bottle feeding, the foal pulled through and became strong enough to join his mother in her stables.

Christmas present: Nikolaus was determined not to miss out on the festive fun by being born premature

Nikolaus was born just minutes after midnight on December 4, with donkeys born before 11 months considered premature.
His arrival came as many Germans were preparing to celebrate St Nicholas of Myra two days later.

Concern: Worried staff kept a round the clock vigil for two days after Nikolaus arrived ahead of Christmas

St Nicholas was a Greek Christian bishop who became a patron saint of children, sailors, merchants and students, and is widely accepted as the primary inspiration for Father Christmas.
He lived during the lived during the 3rd Century and became known for his generosity and secretly giving gifts to children.

Reunited: After two days of bottle feeding, the foal was strong enough to join his mother in her stable

Festive fun: Nikolaus was named after St Nicholas of Myra, the primary inspiration for Father Christmas

Foal in the mirror: Zookeepers have been getting Nikolaus into the festive spirit with a bright red Santa hat

source: dailymail

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Up close and VERY personal: Incredible pictures of African wildlife take with hidden cameras and camouflage

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Stunning: A group of African elephants dust themselves down in the searing heat of the African wilderness

From a stunning close-up of a snarling leopard to an elephant family dusting themselves down in the searing heat, this series of beautiful photographs shows African wildlife at its most awe-inspiring.
Photographer Anup Shah produced the images using remote camera, which enabled him to share an unrivalled perspective of the continent's animal kingdom.
In his project, the Serengeti Spy, Mr Shah used hidden cameras, camouflaging them to look like part of the landscape.

Close-up: A snarling female leopard shows what she thinks of photographer Anup Shah's camera

What's this? A curious monkey seems to spot the hidden camera and stares inquisitively into the lens as his friends go about their business of playing on a fallen tree

Doe-eyed: A spotted hyena looks intently into the lens and is so close every single one of its whiskers is visible

He placed them in various locations across the African savannah in the Serengeti and Massai Mara, and operated them from a distance while sitting in a vehicle, a technique that encouraged a fair amount of curiosity from his subjects.

Raw power: A herd of eastern white-bearded wildebeest herd hurtle through the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.

Many of the animals seem to be staring directly into the camera or even interacting with it, such as a spotted hyena (above) and, unsurprisingly, some young baboons (further down).
Mr Shah's wide angle and low level perspectives show the animals in a fascinating light, such as the huge size of an elephant's trunk and a breathtaking picture of flamingos taking off in the Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya .

Little and large: A herd of zebra head away from the Mara River in Kenya. A baby tries to keep up with its mother

Wondrous: This elephant's long trunk is put into perspective with this wide angle shot in the Massai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

Up, up and away: A flock of flamingos takes off from Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya, with the photographer using a low level perspective to get the impressive shot

The power of a herds of wildebeest and zebras running at full pelt is captured in all its glory.
The brutal side of nature is also laid bare in the shots, with an almost apocalyptic shot of a lone flamingo chick tottering on the scorched-looking mud flats of Tanzania and a portrait of vultures gorging on the carcass of a zebra.
The photographs have been published in a 204-page photo book titled Serengeti Spy: Views from a Hidden Camera on the Plains of East Africa.

Apocalyptic: A lesser flamingo chick wades through mudflats at Lake Natron in Tanzania, with Ol Doniyo Lengai in the background

Feast: White-backed vultures surround a carcass of a zebra in the Maasai Mara National Reserve

source: dailymail

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It's a good thing he has nine lives! Meet Prickly Pete, the cat whose curiosity nearly did kill him after he got stuck in a CACTUS

By SNEJANA FARBEROV

Ouch! A domestic orange and white cat was punished for his curiosity with dozens of cactus needles after jumping on the succulent plant

A cat in Arizona is lucky to be alive after getting into an especially thorny situation which has earned him a new nickname – Prickly Pete.
The orange and white one-year-old domestic cat became stuck in a cactus in Phoenix Wednesday afternoon, setting off a dramatic rescue operation.
Arizona Humane Society’s Emergency Animal Technicians received a call about a cat that got caught on the spiky succulent near 19th Avenue and the appropriately named Cactus Road.

Thorny business: It took veterinarians two long hours to remove the cactus pods from the muzzle, eyelids and mouth of the kitty now known to all as Prickly Pete

Before rescuers arrived on the scene, the kitty somehow managed to free himself from his thorny trap and ran off, according to AZFamily.com.
But the EMTs spotted cactus pods leading away from the scene. They followed the prickly trail in hopes of locating the cat, which they suspected was hurt, only to discover that the unfortunate animal got stuck again, this time on a fence.

Medical care: After having all of the needles removed, Pete was put on pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection

The cat bristling with cactus needles was rushed to the Humane Society’s Second Chance Animal Hospital, where veterinarians spent two hours carefully removing sharp spikes from his muzzle, eyelids and mouth.
The feline, who has been rechristened Prickly Pete by the EMTs after his adventure, will remain on pain medications and antibiotics in order to prevent infection.

Canine cactus lover: A puppy nicknamed Cactus Jack got stuck in a prickly succulent plant earlier this year, left, after after having the needles removed, right, he was put up for adoption

Humane Society officials are now trying to locate the cat's owner. If no one claims Pete within 72 hours, and if the kitty gets a clean bill of health, he will be offered for adoption.
‘I think a bird could have lured him in there. I think they have fun, they start pouncing around and before they know it they're in this predicament,’ Bretta Nelson, spokesperson for the AHS, told ABC15.
And it's not just cats that apparently find succulent plants simply irresistible. Pete’s story of prickly predicament is reminiscent to that a puppy who was found stuck to a cactus in Arizona earlier this year.

source: dailymail

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Photographer's close-ups of roaring tiger that are so detailed you can almost feel its breath!

By MATT BLAKE

Really angry: Ana the Sumatran Tiger lets out a ferocious roar, flashing her huge canines and razor-sharp incisors whilst folding back her ears - a sign she was extremely angry

These amazing photographs bring a whole new meaning to coming face to face with danger.
But Ana the Sumatran Tiger is actually a big pussycat, say her keepers, as long as you feed her right and give her lots of love and attention.
That is advice photographer Syahrul Ramadan may have wished he took when he visited Ragunan Zoo, in Jakarta, Indonesia, to take the snaps.

Hot breath: Mr Ramadan captured the two roars in quick succession at the Zoo, before hotfooting out of her pen to avoid becoming lunch

Ana left Mr Ramadan, 36, in no doubt of her feelings when she unleashed a ferocious roar directly in his face.
She flashed her huge canines and razor-sharp incisors whilst folding back her ears - a sign she was extremely angry.
Mr Ramadan captured the two roars in quick succession at the Zoo, before hotfooting out of her pen to avoid becoming lunch.

Ferocious: Ana left Mr Ramadan, 36, in no doubt of her feelings when she unleashed a ferocious roar directly in his face

Sumatran tigers, as their name suggests, are only found on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, where they continue to be poached for traditional medicine.
They are the smallest of all tigers alive today. Their stripes are narrower and closer together than on many other sub-species, which make them highly adapted to moving stealthily through dense forest.

Natural poser: But despite her anger, Ana came round in the end and couldn't resist striking a majestic side on pose during the shoot

source: dailymail

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Turkey thinks it's a dog! Rescued bird loves going for walks, lives in a kennel and even 'BARKS'

By NIAMH O'DOHERTY

Cranberry the turkey with Teal and Widgeon. Though Labradors are bred to hunt game birds, the eight-year-old bird is the leader of the pack among her canine friends

Meet Cranberry the turkey, saved from the Christmas dinner table, who now thinks she's a dog. She loves going for walks, lives in a kennel and even 'barks'.
Jerry and Dawn Watkins adopted the bird after she was found wandering around a car park, and the couple were left bemused when the bird took an instant liking to their pet Labradors, Teal and Widgeon — and then started showing dog-like traits.
Mr Watkins, 55, the National Director for Equine Welfare at HorseWorld in Bristol, said: 'We got a call from a member of the public after they had seen her on the loose.

Jerry and Dawn Watkins with Cranberry their pet Labradors. The bird has her own kennel right next door to the dogs' day kennel but can often be found relaxing in the house

'People in the local area often report animals they've found to the centre. They know we have a lot of different species — not just horses and donkeys.
'Dawn and I live on site and often take in waifs and strays. She's a very friendly and affectionate bird. We were very careful about introducing her to the dogs, but Cranberry seemed unconcerned.
'The dogs were intrigued and just wanted to sniff her.'

The couple adopted Cranberry after she was found wandering around a car park

Bizarrely, Labradors are bred to hunt game birds but in fact, the eight-year-old bird is the leader of the pack among her canine friends.
Mr Watkins said: 'She's the head honcho. She will pinch the dog's feed but they would never dream of trying to get it back from her.
'She's now got her own dog bowl for her corn and occasional dog biscuits to stop her stealing food from the dogs. Every morning, we let them out and the dogs follow her around.

Mr Watkins said they picked up the bird after a member of the public called to say they had seen her on the loose

source: dailymail

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Who are you looking at? The tiny 'giant' panda cub who's on camera 24 hours a day - and only just learning to crawl

By BECKY EVANS

Having a ball: San Diego Zoo panda cub, Xiao Liwu, plays with a plastic ball during his examination on Tuesday

He may still be too young to make his public debut but that has not stopped a giant panda cub becoming a star.
Xiao Liwu has yet to venture outside of his special accommodation at San Diego Zoo, but the 20-week-old cub can be watched almost 24 hours a day via its Panda Cam.
The cute bear, whose name means 'little gift' in English, was born at the zoo in July and is set to be the star attraction when visitors finally get to see him in person.

Come here: Panda mother Bai Yun gives her cub Xiao Liwu a cuddle in their den that is captured on the San Diego Zoo Panda Cam

However, vets said that will not be until Xiao Liwu can climb and follow his 20-year-old mother Bai Yun.
Dr Beth Bicknese, senior vet at the zoo, told Foxsandiego: 'He needs two things to go on exhibit — the ability to climb, and he’s not quite there yet, and he also has to have the behavior of following his mom out and back into the den.

Like mother like son: Bai Yun and her cub lie down in their den

'We’re waiting for him to be stronger in climbing and waiting for him to be better at following, and then we’re going to have him out on exhibit.'
The cub has shown an interest in one of the climbing structures in the zoo's extensive panda suite but has not yet ventured off the ground.

Bear hug: Mother and son cuddle up under the watch of Panda Cam

At his latest weekly examination yesterday, the adorable panda was seen hugging a ball - the first he had ever seen - as staff measured him to check on his progress.
He now weighs 14.5 pounds and is 29 inches long from nose to tail.
His birth in July was the zoo's sixth and set a new recrod for any breeding facility outside China.

Xiao Liwu taking his first steps during a veterinary examination in October

It currentlyhas four giant pandas, mother and son, her mate Gao Gao and three-year-old Yun Zi.
Xiao Liwu's mother and another panda Shi Shi were loaned to the zoo by China for a 12-year successful research and breeding project.
According to the World Wildlife Fund there are only 1,600 pandas in the wild and is the UK's rarest bear.

Keeper Liz Simmons carries out the weekly exam in November



source: dailymail

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Please wake up: Dog desperately tries to revive his dead mate after she is killed by a car - then stands guard by her side for SIX HOURS

By BECKY EVANS

Heartbreaking: The male dog tries to nudge his mate awake after she was hit by a car

A stray dog stands guard over the body of his dead mate and in a moving display of devotion continues to lick her head in a bid to revive her.
These heartbreaking pictures taken in Zhangzhou, in China's Fujian Province, show the animal carefully nudging the female dog after she was hit and killed by a car.
After he fails to wake her, the male refuses to leave and stays within feet of his mate for six hours.

Vigil: The dog refused to move from her side despite the female lying in the middle of the busy road

The male was seen repeatedly licking the face of dead dog and keeping a watchful eye on her as he dodged the oncoming traffic. But he never strayed more than a short distance from her side.
When he got tired the dog lay down next to her as he kept up his vigil for hours.

Moving: The male tries licking the top of her head as he tries to revive her

Xiao Wu, a butcher on the street, said: 'He stayed beside her the whole day, keeping licking her and pushing her, trying to wake her up. It's very touching.'
Xiao said after the accident he saw the male dog running around and trying to 'hug' the female dog with his forelegs.
The butcher added: 'Then he pushed her with his head, and licked her face. I even saw tears'

Mourning: Witnesses said he only left her side to move out of the way of oncoming traffic

Bereaved: Butcher Xiao Wu, who works on the street, said when the dog was tired he would simply lie down but would not leave her side

Tragic: The male dog continues to cuddle the dead female even when her body has apparently been moved to the side of the road

source: dailymail

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Not so cunning anymore! Fox rescued by firefighters after getting head stuck in wheel of car

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Daft as a Brush: This fox somehow got stuck in a car wheel in Grays, Essex

They're known for their cunning, but this fox was left feeling less sly than usual after getting its head wedged inside the wheel off a parked car.
He was trapped for more than 45 minutes in Grays, Essex, after his mishap with a Volkswagen and had to wait patiently for the RSPCA to arrive.
When they were unable to set him free, the fire brigade was summoned.

Not so cunning now: Thankfully the cute looking animal was rescued by firefighters and is now recuperating

Firefighters jacked up the car, removed the wheel and then set the animal free.
He is now recuperating in South Essex Wildlife Hospital.
An RSPCA officer said: 'It was stuck in a metal alloy - it got right the way through and couldn’t be released.
'So I called the fire brigade and they had to take the wheel off.
'It may have been there all night and it might have swollen up so it’s had to go in to be observed.'

source: dailymail

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