Thai Panda: August 2010

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Battle of the sexes savannah-style: Moment two lionesses launch extraordinary attack on a threatening male

By Mailonline Reporter

Back off: The two lionesses pounce on the visibly shocked lion

Two lionesses stalk their male counterpart before launching an extraordinary attack on the stunned lion.

The dramatic set of photographs capture in startling detail the moments two females trade blows with the bigger lion.

The females were out hunting when they spotted the lion, and fearing he might be competition, they gave a show of force by landing powerful blows.

Game ranger Malcolm Bowling captured the images of a lifetime as he instinctively snapped away during the dramatic encounter, which lasted just seconds..

Roar deal: The lion is outnumbered in the rather one-sided battle

One of the lionesses had just given birth to a litter of cubs and had hidden them in a den while she went hunting with a fellow female.

After spotting the lion, she made her way towards him followed by the other female, before they pounced on the male and made a joint attack.

Once the lionesses had made their point they disappeared off into the savannah in search of a meal for the newborn cubs.

Malcolm, 34, from South Africa, took the photos at the country's Kruger National Park and said he had been stunned by the encounter.

He said: 'More than likely the females felt threatened and did not want a male around to push them off food and possibly present a threat to their cubs.'

'I had positioned the Land Rover with the best possible view for the meeting and the interaction between the male and females with little idea it was going to be as grand as it was.'

It's one in the eye for the Lion King: One of the angry lionesses claws wildly at the male's face

I got your back: The first lioness's attack is backed up by her companion, who launches a nasty-looking attack on the male's hindquarters

'As I started shooting multiple images, the episode unfolded extremely fast in front of us.'

'There was always going to be some kind of interaction - but the extent of this was dramatic.'

'I was completely stunned. It was one of those moments a photographer longs for.'

'Nobody can predict how events are going to unfold or to what degree, and then something like this happens in an incredible way.'

'There is that excitement and nervousness about whether or not you captured it.'
'Events in nature happen incredibly fast, so I was fortunate enough to capture what I got.'

'This sequence of photographs captures the whole approach, attack and reprieve which is unbelievable in itself.'

'This turn of events re-iterates the fact that we never know in nature what is going to happen - speculate, yes, but actually know? Never.'

source: dailymail

No, I'm top cat! Tiger stands up for himself at British zoo

By Katherine Faulkner

Standing up for himself: The Siberian tiger shows his rival who's boss at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire

Whether you're in the wilds of Siberia or deepest Bedfordshire, there comes a time in every tiger's life when you have to stand up for yourself.

And this big cat left its impudent rival in no doubt who's the boss.

Rearing up on its hind legs, front paws outstretched, it made a fearsome sight which served to settle an argument-without the need for bloodshed.

The clash between two rare Siberian tigers was captured by Edward Grant, from London, on a visit to Whipsnade Zoo.

The solitary creatures are fiercely territorial and, as the picture clearly shows, can become aggressive when another animal threatens to encroach on their living space.

Only about 450 Siberian tigers still live in the wild, mainly in eastern Russia's birch forests, though there are some in China and North Korea.

They are the largest cats in the world, with males reaching almost 11ft from nose to tail and weighing up to 670lb. Bears form a significant part of their diet.

source: dailymail

'Be kind to wasps, they're the key to the web of life', say conservationists

By Fiona Macrae

Unfair reputation: Rather than swatting them, we should 'calmly waft' them away, according to a charity

Many see them as a nuisance, but wasps have an unfair reputation say conservationists.

Launching a wasp appreciation drive, Buglife insists the insects are the key to the
‘web of life’ and rather than swatting them, we should ‘calmly waft’ them away.

TV presenter Nick Baker, the charity’s vice president, said: ‘They are great recyclers,
pollinators, pest control agents and above all they carry out their services in a vibrant buzz of colour and energy.’

Buglife, which two years ago tried to make us fall in love with spiders, is asking supporters to sign a stop swatting pledge on its website.

Dale Harrison, Buglife's outreach officer, said there are hundreds of different types of wasps, many of which pose little danger to picnickers, campers and guests at barbecues.

He added: 'Wasps can be incredibly beautiful and they add colour, life and drama to our gardens, parks and countryside - we really should appreciate the more.'

Wasps will sting at any time, if riled. However, the most common time for them to become a problem is at the end of the summer, when their growing numbers leave them short of food, make our beers and buns all the more appealing.

Only the female stings, injecting her load of venom in a third of a second. As she stings, she releases a chemical message that invites all wasps in the area to join in the attack.

Wasps also become 'drunk' on the juices of rotting fruit, leading to them becoming disorientated and perhaps more aggressive.

The best way to avoid being stung is to not antagonise the creatures, wear light-coloured clothes and avoid sugary foods and drinks outdoors.

While most stings cause little more than temporary discomfort, some people do suffer anaphylactic shock - or a severe allergic reaction which can rapidly kill.

Anyone who starts to feel feverish or dizzy, or who comes out in a rash or suffers problems with their circulation after being stung should not hesitate to seek medical help.

source: dailymail

All together now... where's our tea?: The baby swallows whose nest was saved from demolition

By Daily Mail Reporter

Singing for their supper: These four baby swallows were saved when a couple about to knock down the derelict out-building spotted the small nest resting on a wooden nogging in the roof

These baby swallows have much to chirp about.

Their nest, built in a barn that was about to be demolished, was saved in an elaborate removal operation by the building’s owners. Colin and Susy Varndell covered it in a tea towel, cut away the beam to which it was attached, and then reattached the beam to a part of the barn in Netherbury, Dorset, that was being left.

The parents soon found their chicks, which leaves the youngsters nothing to worry about – other than lining up and shouting for supper.

The Varndells couldn't afford to delay the work and wait three or four weeks for the fledgling birds to flee the nest because their planning permission would have expired.

So they draped a tea-towel over the nest, cut the wooden beam away complete with the nest and very carefully moved it into a part of the barn that isn't due to be demolished.

They then screwed the section of wood into the loft and carried on with dismantling the rest of the building.

The chicks' mum and dad soon found their new home when they returned with supper - a moment Colin captured on his camera.

Wildlife enthusiast Colin, 60, from Netherbury, near Beaminster, Dorset, said it was unusual to come across baby swallows this late in the year.

He said: 'Swallows migrate here from Africa in April and they start nesting straight away and the first brood usually hatches in May and leave the nest after three weeks.

'The adults will then usually have a second brood.

'We would have liked to have postponed the demolition when we found the nesting birds to let them grow and leave the nest.

'But we didn't have a choice because the planning permission expires in three weeks.

'We thought it was best to try and move the nest and the only way of doing that without disturbing the chicks was cutting away the nogging they were on.

'Susy put a towel over the nest and I used a saw to cut the wood away and we then screwed it into another part of the roof while we got on with the demolition.

'The adults came back later and it took them a few minutes to find the nest's new position.

'I'm a bit of a wildlife photographer so I got my camera ready for when they parents returned because I knew they would have food for them.'

source :dailymail

Not so cuddly now: It's claws the psycho squirrel

By Daily Mail Reporter

Standing his ground: The grey squirrel makes a lunge for the camera

The teeth are bared, the claws outstretched. Even his whiskers seem to bristle with animosity.

If anyone still thinks grey squirrels are cuddly little critters, here's an image to prove them wrong.

The creature had climbed into a supposedly squirrel-proof bird feeder to steal nuts left out for the birds.

On guard: The squirrel clings on to the bird feeder - and his horde of nuts

But when he saw what looked like competition approaching, he quickly went into attack mode. These pictures were taken by photographer George Reszeter, 59, at his home in Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

He said: 'The feeder was getting low so I went to get some more peanuts. I took my camera, as I regularly do.

'As I approached, the squirrel froze and just stared at me. I got a little closer and that's when he lunged at me.

'He was really aggressive. His claws were out and he tried to scratch me.'

Mr Reszeter escaped unscathed when the squirrel made a run for it.

source: dailymail

How 'mutton bustin' (sticking your pre-school child on a 180lb sheep) is taking hold in the U.S.

By Mailonline Reporter

A 'mutton bustin' girl clings on for dear life while riding a sheep at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, California. The children must be under the age of six and weigh no more than 60lb

Holding on for dear life to their wooly steeds, these wild west kids are getting in on some rodeo action by taking part in America's burgeoning 'Mutton Bustin' scene.

Wearing an ice hockey helmet, face guard and a child sized protective vest, any young bronco under the age of six and weighing no more than 60lb can take part.

The aim of the game is to hold onto the 180lb Cross Colombian ewes for up to six seconds as they are released from a gate into the 150ft long and 50ft wide run.

Most fall off after a second or so, but for those who can ride out the rough and tumble a place awaits at the Mutton Bustin world championships being held this October in Fresno, California and a £3, 200 prize.

"I have been doing this with my company Wool Warriors for 25 years," said rodeo entrepreneur Tommy G, who runs his sheep riding business out of Pueblo, Colorado.

"We own around 500 sheep and we take around 75 to around 14 fairs across the USA for the mutton bustin events.

"That way we ensure that they are rotated and properly rested and in no way over worked.

I'm slipping... This unfortunate rider's grip is loosened by the sheep at a fair in Missouri

Ouch, that's going to hurt. The rider is up-ended as the sheep veers off to the right

"They are more than capable of carrying a small child on their back and the Houston Livestock Board gave us the once over for safety in 2008 and declared that skateboarding or roller blading was more dangerous for the kids than this."

Originally starting as a filler during proper rodeo events in America, Tommy, 44, quickly so the potential for growth in riding sheep.

"The mutton bustin was done as a half time entertainment and always I would see 40 or 50 kids disappointed that they had missed their turn," explained Tommy.

"So, by setting up Wool Warriors and having our own purpose built track and seating capabilities lets us entertain every child who wants to have a go."

His legs firmly tucked in under the sheep, this boy holds on for dear life as he rides a sheep at the Ventura County Fair in California. Originally starting as a filler during proper rodeo event, organisers soon saw the potential for growth in riding sheep

Charging around £8 for the pleasure of riding a put upon ewe, Tommy estimates that during their countrywide tours around 8,000 kids get a chance to act out as their rodeo heroes.

"Safety is the key," said Tommy.

"They are padded and their head is protected. No child is forced to do it if they change their mind.

"And in Fresno this year we will be hosting the mutton bustin world championship.

"The winners of the 'Golden Buckle', from each of the 14 previous fairs are invited to play off against each other.

"We are expecting 300 kids and their families to arrive and the first prize is a £3,200 saving bond for the winner."

source: dailymail

How to make a crocodile smile: Swim in a pool full of deadly salties with just a perspex cage for protection

By Mail Online Reporter

Definitely no running, ducking bombing or petting in this pool: Face to face with one of the 125 stone monsters

Tourists to this unusual theme park are sure to get some holiday snaps with a difference.

Inspired by the popularity of cage shark-diving, a tourist attraction has opened that allows adrenalin junkies the chance to swim with killer crocodiles.

And, as these incredible pictures show, participants can get up close and personal with one of the worlds deadliest creatures.

All that separates thrill-seekers from the huge saltwater crocodiles is a five-inch thick perspex box that has, we are assured, undergone 'extensive' safety testing.

Fearless participants climb into the clear container - nicknamed the Cage of Death - which is suspended on a monorail track that runs above four crocodile enclosures.

Two grated doors lock into position on the top of the 10ft tall box which is then lowered into the water and comes to rest 2ft beneath the surface.

To ensure that the paying customers get their money's worth, chunks of meat are tied to the bottom of the cage. The crocodiles instantly drawn to it when it enters the water.

The results vary from the crocs 'eye-balling' the swimmer, rubbing against the cage or going into a full on 'aggressive attack' against it.

Snappy snaps: Holiday photos from this resort will be just a little different

Customers pay about £100 to spend 20 minutes swimming alongside the crocs; the largest of the beasts measures a whopping 18ft and weighs over 125 stone,

One of the mighty reptiles at the Crocosaurus Cove park in Darwin, Australia, is named Burt. Film buffs might remember him from the first Crocodile Dundee movie - he's the one who nearly ate Linda Koslowski's character.

Sallie Gregory, spokeswoman for the park, said: 'Many people find the opportunity of getting to within a few inches from the jaws of these crocodiles exhilarating.'

'People often get activity ranging from an aggressive attack to a casual eye-balling and swim past where the crocs are so close that they rub against the cage.'

'Most of the women who take part say they are happy just to watch the crocodiles while guys tend to want the action and attack.'

Smile please: Two thrill-seeking tourists get up close and personal with one of the saltwater crocodiles at the Crocosaurus Cove park in Darwin, Australia

She added: 'One of our directors who has extensive experience with crocodiles wanted a concept that allowed people to get up close to these ultimate predators in a safe environment.'

'The cage runs on a overhead monorail system, suspended over the enclosures and is lowered into up to four separate enclosures as part of the 20 minute experience.'

'The perspex is about 135mm thick and extensive testing in both the manufacturing and the way the crocodiles would react to the cage were carried out prior to the testing team entering the cage.'

The 'Cage Of Death' has been extensively tested for safety. With one of these prehistoric killers just inches away, one might hope so..

'The top of the cage has two grated doors to stop anything entering the cage and a back up motor and separate chain operates to ensure that in the event of a malfunction, the cage can continue to operate.'

'The cage generally allows about two feet from the surface of the water though this can be adjusted if people are not strong swimmers and would prefer to keep their head above water.'

Among the crocodiles people can swim alongside are the mating pair of Houdini and Bess as well as Chopper, Denzel and of course movie star Burt.

But one of the most popular crocs is Wendell - he's the biggest and is named after muscular Australian rugby star Wendell Sailor.

Crocodile attacks in the wild are quite rare these days. However, during the Japanese army's retreat from Ramree Island in February 1945, saltwater crocodiles are thought to have been responsible for the deaths of 400 Japanese soldiers.

British troops encircled the swampland through which the Japanese were retreating, resigning the Japanese to a night in a mangrove swamp which was home to thousands of saltwater crocodiles.

The Ramree crocodile attacks are listed as 'The Greatest Disaster Suffered from Animals' in The Guinness Book of Records

Saltwater crocodiles are the largest reptiles on the planet. Their main habitat is northern Australia and New Guinea, Indonesia and Borneo. They have been known to kill and eat horses, water buffalo, and even sharks as well as the occasional human.

source: dailymail

Butterflies soar again: Public count shows decline is reversed

By Fay Schlesinger

On the up: The Small Tortoiseshell, which are often attacked by a parasite, are set to flourish again

Two butterflies which have suffered a severe decline have revived to flourish again, the biggest count of its kind has shown.

The Small Tortoiseshell came under attack from a parasitic fly which caused numbers to drop by more than 80 per cent.

But it made the top ten list of butterflies spotted by members of the public last month

The orange Gatekeeper, which has suffered a run of extremely bad years, surprised experts by ranking number three, with 29,000 sightings in the UK – one in six of the total.

A rise in city habitats has helped the boom, with people taking greater care to plant window boxes and allow long grass and flowers to grow.

The results came from the first Big Butterfly Count, in which more than 10,000 people across the UK carried out 15-minute observations in gardens, parks and fields, spotting 187,000 butterflies over one week between July 24 and August 1.

The count showed that the most common species is the Small White, closely followed by its relative the Large White.

Other widespread butterflies were the Meadow Brown, Common Blue, Peacock, Green-veined White, Red Admiral and Ringlet.

Despite positive results overall, the Butterfly Conservation group, which ran the survey, warned that the situation remains dire, with 70 per cent of British species in decline and half threatened with extinction.

Surprising: The orange Gatekeeper has had a run of bad years, but ranked in at number three in the count

source :dailymail

The Danish craze that has growing numbers of animal lovers hopping on the bandwagon

Jumping for joy: Breeders in Denmark have been 'rabbit hopping' for years and - despite animal cruelty concerns - say the animals are doing what comes naturally and enjoy the challenges

It's quite simple for the human being involved. All they have to do is give a little pep talk to their long-eared athlete, and then hang on to a lead while the rabbit does all the work.

Started in Sweden around 1980, the craze really captured the imagination of neighbours Denmark in 1993.

From there it has been going from strength to strength, with a rabbit hopping club opening recently in Germany and a number in the U.S. as well.

*** Scroll down to see video ***

Get 'em while they're young: For owners, breeder and judge Aase Bjerner says the trick is to start training your rabbit at around eight weeks. For spectators, the joy of the sport is obvious

The 2010 Danish Rabbit Hopping Championships were held earlier this month, attracting a large number of competitors and spectators alike.

Enthusiasts of the sport will tell you that there are four main events:

The Elite Straight: Rabbit competitors are given a series of obstacles to clear in a straight line. More points are earned if the obstacles are jumped without hesitation.

The Elite Crooked: The obstacles are placed in an offset, winding pattern. Once again, the less instruction the rabbit needs from its human owner the more points awarded.

High Jump and Long Jump: No great mystery here. Obstacles of increasing height or length are placed before the competitors until there is an eventual winner.

It's not a lucrative sport, but true competitors always prefer glory over fortune.

The current high jump world record, for example, is held by the late 'Tøsen' (with handler Tine Hygom), who sprang 39.2 inches into the record books in Herning, Denmark, in June 1997.

Danish breeder and rabbit hopping judge Aase Bjerner says the secret to a champion hopper is to start training the animal young.

Mrs Bjerner suggests eight weeks, and says it's best and safest to use a special harness rather than a neck leash, which can be a choking danger.

source: dailymail

Giant Panda

This file picture taken on August 3, 2010 shows a Chinese zookeeper playing with a giant panda at the Chengdu Panda Base centre in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province. The Chengdu Panda Base centre and the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) have launched 'Project Panda,' on August 17, and a global search for six people who would spend a month looking after the endangered animals, as part of an awareness and conservation campaign.

Zhen Zhen, a three-year-old panda at the San Diego Zoo celebrates her birthday with a cake made of ice and bamboo on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 in San Diego.

A giant panda plays at the Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province, on August 3, 2010. There are only 1,590 remaining pandas in the wild, mostly in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, as another 290 are in captive-bred programmes worldwide, mainly in China, according to official reports.

Yun Zi, the youngest panda at the San Diego Zoo, eats a birthday cake made of ice, bamboo and apples to celebrate his first birthday at the zoo in San Diego, California, in this picture taken and released to Reuters on August 5, 2010.

photo: AP, Gettyimages

Giant panda mother Yang Yang holding her newborn cub inside a birth box at Vienna zoo

A still image from a monitoring camera shows giant panda mother holding her newborn cub in her mouth, inside a birth box at Vienna zoo on the day of the cubs birth August 23, 2010. The panda cub, whose sex is not yet detectable, measures some 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) and weighs about 100 grams, the zoo reported August 24. Picture taken August 23, 2010. Picture rotated 180 degrees.

HANDOUT - In this photo taken with a surveillance camera and provided by the Schoenbrunn Zoo, female giant panda Yang Yang holds her newborn cub in an enclosed compound in Vienna, on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010. Yang Yang gave birth to her second cub on the third birthday of her first baby _ called Fu Long _ who has since left for China.

HANDOUT - In this photo taken with a surveillance camera and provided by the Schoenbrunn Zoo, female giant panda Yang Yang holds her newborn cub in her mouth in an enclosed compound in Vienna, on Monday, Aug. 23, 2010. Yang Yang gave birth to her second cub on the third birthday of her first baby _ called Fu Long _ who has since left for China.

A still image from a monitoring camera shows giant panda mother Yang Yang holding her newborn cub inside a birth box at Vienna zoo, on the day of the cubs birth August 23, 2010. The panda cub, whose sex is not yet detectable, measures some 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in) and weighs about 100 grams, the zoo reported August 24. Picture taken August 23, 2010. Picture rotated 90 degrees.

photo: Reuters

Funi the Panda enjoys eating her birthday cake

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Funi the Panda enjoys inspecting her present and birthday cake to celebrate her first Australian birthday at Adelaide Zoo on August 23, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia. Funi, meaning 'Lucky Girl', turns four years old today. Funi, who shares an enclosure with Wang Wang, are the only Giant Pandas in the Southern Hemisphere and the first to live permanently in Australia.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Funi the Panda inspects her birthday cake to celebrate her first Australian birthday at Adelaide Zoo on August 23, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia. Funi, meaning 'Lucky Girl', turns four years old today. Funi, who shares an enclosure with Wang Wang, are the only Giant Pandas in the Southern Hemisphere and the first to live permanently in Australia

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Funi the Panda enjoys eating her birthday cake to celebrate her first Australian birthday at Adelaide Zoo on August 23, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia. Funi, meaning 'Lucky Girl', turns four years old today. Funi, who shares an enclosure with Wang Wang, are the only Giant Pandas in the Southern Hemisphere and the first to live permanently in Australia.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 23: Funi the Panda enjoys eating her birthday cake to celebrate her first Australian birthday at Adelaide Zoo on August 23, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia. Funi, meaning 'Lucky Girl', turns four years old today. Funi, who shares an enclosure with Wang Wang, are the only Giant Pandas in the Southern Hemisphere and the first to live permanently in Australia.

photo: Gettyimages

Copy cats (and dogs): The quirky new calendar that uses pets to spoof the rich and famous

By Daily Mail Reporter

You're Havana laugh: Revolutionary Che Guevara

Their images are iconic, but surely there's something a little strange about these 20th-century heroes and villains...

Taken from a quirky new calendar by design company Takkoda, photos of pets were digitally altered to create spoof poses of the rich and famous.

So which lookalikes do you think belong in the doghouse, and which are simply purrfect?

The final front ear: Straight out of Star Trek, the Rex generation Your fez looks familiar: A bewhiskered Tommy Cooper

Off the wall: Small, yappy, pale faced - it can only be Wacko Jacko

A eureka moment: This Einstein needs to discover where the comb is

A British bulldog: Winston Churchill Nice! My name-a Borat, my swimsuit-a sexy

Audrey Hep-purrn in Breakfast at Tiffany's: Eight out of ten cats prefer it

Fur coat? A Jedi craves not these things

A dog's life: I feel a right Charlie Chaplin, but pugnacious Chairman Mao fails to see the joke

True Grit: John Wayne, aka Rooster Cogburn, aka Patch

The Famous faces calendar is on sale at Waterstones, Topshop and Amazon.

source :dailymail

Hoo are you looking at? Owl poses for the cameras

By Katherine Faulkner

What a hoot! This short-eared owl plays up for the photographer

They are wary of humans and seldom seen up close. But it seems that for this short-eared owl, the opportunity to pose for the camera was too good to miss.

This image was captured by wildlife photographer Mark Trabue, who said: 'They usually stay quite far away from human contact but this one flew right up to me. It was almost like he was showing off.

'He looked straight down the lens and almost seemed to smile.'

Mr Trabue added: 'It's one of those uncanny things that will probably never happen to me ever again.'

The picture was taken in Indiana in the U.S., but bird lovers in Britain can sometimes catch a glimpse of the owls on coastal wetlands as they migrate from Scandinavia, Russia and Iceland in the winter months.

High-flier: The owl glides through the air in the skies over Indiana

On the prowl: Despite usually shunning human contact, this owl flew right up to the photographer

source: dailymail

Anything to declare? Shocked airport officials find drugged tiger cub in passenger's suitcase among soft toys

By Mail Foreign Service

Drugged: The three-month-old tiger cub was found by airport officials in a woman passenger's suitcase after she checked in at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand

At first glance it looked to airport officials like just another stuffed toy in a suitcase.

But on closer inspection, the tiny tiger cub was found to be real and alive but unconscious after it was drugged.

Shocked police then arrested the woman owner of the luggage at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand where she was allegedly planning to smuggle the three-month-old animal to Iran.

'We have monitored him closely. As of today, he looks better and can walk a little now.'

A DNA test was expected to provide details about its origin, said Chaiyaporn.

The woman, identified as Thai national Piyawan Palasarn, 31, faces up to four years in prison and a 40,000 baht (£824) fine for two wildlife smuggling-related charges, police said.

Luckily, the tiger cub has started to recover from his ordeal after officials delivered him to a wildlife centre suffering from exhaustion and dehydration.

'The cub arrived at our unit Monday,' said Chaiyaporn Chareesaeng, of Thailand's Wildlife and Plant Conservation Center, where the cub was put under close supervision.

'He appeared exhausted, dehydrated and couldn't walk, so we had to give him oxygen, water and lactation,' said Chaiyaporn.

Much better: The baby tiger cub is tended to in a Thai animal welfare centre as it recovers from its ordeal. It is thought the animal was to be sold in Iran

She denied the luggage with the cub belonged to her and said another passenger had asked her to carry it for them, said Adisorn Noochdumrong, head of an international wildlife division at the conservation center.

The cub could have fetched about 100,000 baht (£2,060) on the black market in Iran, where it is popular to have exotic pets, Adisorn said.

He said he did not know what the woman allegedly intended to do with this particular cub.

Wildlife experts say the number of tigers in Asia have plummeted over the years due mainly to habitat loss and poachers who sell their skins and body parts to booming medicinal and souvenir markets, mostly in China.

Conservationists say the government needs to do more to eliminate trafficking networks that operate out of the country.

'We applaud all agencies that came together to uncover this brazen smuggling attempt,' said Chris R. Shepherd, spokesman for wildlife trade monitoring group TRAFFIC.

Much better: The baby tiger cub is tended to in a Thai animal welfare centre as it recovers from its ordeal. It is thought the animal was to be sold in Iran

She denied the luggage with the cub belonged to her and said another passenger had asked her to carry it for them, said Adisorn Noochdumrong, head of an international wildlife division at the conservation center.

The cub could have fetched about 100,000 baht (£2,060) on the black market in Iran, where it is popular to have exotic pets, Adisorn said.

He said he did not know what the woman allegedly intended to do with this particular cub.

Wildlife experts say the number of tigers in Asia have plummeted over the years due mainly to habitat loss and poachers who sell their skins and body parts to booming medicinal and souvenir markets, mostly in China.

Conservationists say the government needs to do more to eliminate trafficking networks that operate out of the country.

'We applaud all agencies that came together to uncover this brazen smuggling attempt,' said Chris R. Shepherd, spokesman for wildlife trade monitoring group TRAFFIC.

source: dailymail

Un-bull-ievable! Calf saved from the farmer's shotgun grows into towering 6ft 5in, one-tonne beast

By Daily Mail Reporter

Holy cow! Trigger the Friesian, who stands at 6ft 5in tall and weighs over one tonne, is fed by owner's daughter Kim Layton

Trigger the Friesian was only a day old when his farmer aimed his shotgun at him - and because he did not want any more males he intended to kill the baby calf.

But neighbour Shaun Layton stepped in, saved his life and now Trigger is 6ft 5in - and still growing!

Weighing in at nearly 1.2 tonnes and measuring a staggering 14ft from nose to tail, Trigger is set to move into the record books.

Amazingly, the seven-year-old bullock is still growing meaning he could smash through the current British record in a matter of months.

When Shaun, a carpet fitter, saved Trigger he had no idea his new black and white friend would grow up to his magnificent size.

Trigger's enormous weight means he could potentially make 7,665 Big Macs or even 6,137 Burger King Whoppers.

But family pet Trigger lives a life far removed from that of your average livestock.

Instead he enjoys a relaxed lifestyle in a field at Kingswood, Herefordshire, where he eats a daily diet of grass, cattle cake, mineral lick and a packet of apples every week.

Shaun said: 'When you get up close to him, he really is quite imposing.

'He's growing steadily and he's gained an inch in the last 12 months, so he's coming towards the British record, which is about 6ft 7in.

'A friend who owns a couple of fields said I could borrow them for as long as I wanted, so I grasped the opportunity and got a little calf, and fed him up.

'About two years ago he had got to 6ft 3ins and the owners of the farm said he was bigger then than anything they had ever seen.

Shaun Layton, seen here feeding Trigger with daughter Kim, saved the bullock's life, and descibes the beast as 'very good natured, a big softie'

'I thought he would be an ordinary size bullock, maybe 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins, but he just kept on growing and growing. Now he's set to be the biggest steer in the United Kingdom.

'I first noticed how big he had got when he went into his cow shed to sleep and he was brushing the top of the doors. I measured him and found he was 6ft 5ins.

'He seems to have grown a lot in the last 12 months.'

Bovines are Shaun's favourite animals ever since his days helping out on a neighbour's farm as a boy. And he continued: 'I heard about a bull that was 6ft 6ins but he was three years older than Trigger, who is only seven.

'They tend to keep on growing and Trigger should live to be 20 years old - so who knows what size he will grow to.

'He is very good natured, a big softie really. But we have had him castrated and de-horned or he could easily kill someone.

'He's our family pet. We go and see him twice a day, feed him and give him his cattle cake. It's something I enjoy - you can just play around with him and it's quite relaxing.

'I can unwind with Trigger just like some people do if they go angling.

'We trim his tail and he loves being brushed. A few of the local farmers come and see him because his size and they can't believe it.

'Lots of people come up to see him - he's a bit of a local attraction now.'

source : dailymail