Ol’ blue eyes …
Okay, now for something completely different. Here’s something to make you go awwww its Frankie, the world’s first blue-eyed koala
Read more about Frankie, and check him out on video here.
Warm fuzzies
Cutsie animal photos and other fluffy stuff
Warm fuzzies and feathers
All together now: Awwwww…
It’s time for another warm, fuzzy moment. It’s a tale of love that crosses the boundaries of colour, religion and species. Um, and no, there’s nothing kinky about it.
It’s the tale of a lonely little monkey and his best buddy — a pigeon.
It’s otterly enthralling
(This is the Online column, written for The Southland Times)
Have you ever wondered how the rest of the world sees us? Have you sat there in your living room, asking yourself just what is it about our little country, populated by talented movie directors and athletes and full of adventure touristy ways to scare the living poo out of yourself that grabs international attention?
No, I haven’t either. However, had that been a question pinging around in my brain, I’d have had my answer this week.
An American friend I chat to online has been following a breaking news story here via the Stuff website. This woman has never been to New Zealand and I’ve never met her in the flesh but because we chat she makes a point of checking out the news from our little corner of the world.
So, what is the story that got her attention and prompted a lot of discussion on the US-based message board we both use? It’s Jin, the fugitive otter.
The story of Jin’s daring escape from Auckland Zoo and her subsequent life on the lam has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster. All we need now is a one-armed man (or perhaps a one-flippered penguin).
I have to admit I’ve also been quite enthralled with the adventures of Jin as she continues to evade her would-be captors.
So there you have it, perhaps the world sees us as otterly besotted otter-spotters.
They’re interesting little critters, those otters and you’ll find more about them at the Houston Zoo’s website. Yes, I know Auckland Zoo has a website but I was particularly taken with just how happy the little otter pictured on the Houston Zoo site looked. Perhaps if Jin had been this happy she wouldn’t have done a runner.
Mouse on a mission and other droppings
Sticking to the subject of weird, American and South Korean scientists have created a genetically engineered mouse that can run faster and longer than the average mouse — a marathon mouse.
With all the doping scandals at the Athens Olympics, this could be the next step. Imagine the uproar when the International Olympics Committee announces Russian weightlifter Mikhail Mousikov is found to be part human-part rodent.
Doping is a worry in all sports, even chess, as reported last year on the Pass Your Drug Test website. Strangely, I’d never realised chess was a sport.
Again, sticking with the weird theme, if you like your news weird (and don’t we all), check out News of the Weird.
Patently Absurd has details of some of the strange inventions creative Britons have come up with, while Delphion’s Gallery of Obscure Patents offers an insight into the mind of the American inventor.
Hey, you never know when your chicken might have a pressing need for an eye protector.