Elephant-Seal Crossing?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/mar/20/elephant-seal-traffic-brazil-video
This hilarious video from Brazil shows a half-ton Elephant Seal going for a stroll in town. The narration is cute -- and comforting, as we're told that the seal was splashed with water during his stroll to keep him comfortable and healthy -- but I was surprised that the narrator does not see fit to mention a very surprising aspect of this incident. I mean, it is weird enough that a seal should show up downtown, but no one mentions that he's USING THE ZEBRA CROSSING!!!

Untamed Shrew UPDATED!

I came across a photo of this beautiful little creature from Africa today and just had to share it with you. It is the Elephant Shrew and I'm quite taken with it! I think it's just lovely in its strangeness, and its coat is an example of an expert dye-job if I've ever seen one! My mom put it best when she wrote, "It’s as though God said, 'I think I’ll make a rat -- no, a fox -- changed my mind, a tiny elephant! Oh, what the heck. I’ll just let them figure it out.'" They clearly haven't decided yet -- and I'm delighted they haven't!

UPDATE: ANW has just learned that there may be a new species of Elephant Shrew. Please see this link for more information: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/09/100920-science-animals-new-species-elephant-shrew-kenya/

Eddie the Otter Shoots Hoops for Health

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/feb/20/basketball-sea-otter-exercise-video
Seriously, as if otters aren't cute enough -- now they're shooting hoops! Oh, it's all very scientific, as his wonderful trainer tells us. Eddie has arthritis and needs to exercise to stay limber. All I know is that I'd like to see a bit of competition introduced into his "training." Let's get another basketball-playing otter in that tank and televise it!

Secret Squid

Finally, scientists have caught one of my favourite creatures on video in its natural habitat.  The giant squid is an elusive one; until recently, scientists had only seen dead ones and knew about its habits from the immense scratch marks on its enemies of the deep and its main predators, the sperm whale. Did I mention that, instead of simple suction cups on its tentacles, the giant squid has rotating claws -- thus the scratch marks on the whales. Imagine that battle! And these claws on thirty-foot long tentacles! You can't make this stuff up! Commenting on the video, taken 2,000 feet below the surface in the Pacific,Tsunemi Kudodera said, "It was stunning. I couldn't have dreamt that it would be so beautiful. It was such a wonderful creature." See for yourself:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/jan/08/giant-squid-filmed-natural-habitat-first-time-video

Baby, it's cold outside!

It was a cold holiday season for us, the intrepid reporters of ANW, as you can see from these photos. But, never fear: we got the scoop! The news is that it's cold here in Canada, and that sometimes the cold gets stuck in your hair. Every animal knows this, and this very important article has now reported it. Since it is in writing, it is therefore true. Good to know!

Meowy Christmas!

I couldn't resist. The Jingle Cats have a new video out of "Silent Night," kitty-style, natch. I know not everyone celebrates Christmas, but it's nice to know, somehow, that these apparently Christian cats are such traditionalists. Although they do seem to have introduced a bit of Nashville twang to the tune, if I'm not mistaken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=CA&v=d9LqRl7tqf4

Poor Pigs

Fellow animal lovers,

When I started this blog, I envisioned that, through it, I could express my love of animals and show how and why I think they're precious. I thought it would be all about their beauty. In order to honour this original intention, though, I must publish a disturbing post today because sometimes humans damage animals' dignity in such a serious and unforgivable way that we cannot turn our gaze. The big story in Canada today is not really news, for, alas, it has been going on for a long time: pigs are tortured on Manitoba farms. That is no lie. I am ashamed of this fact, and I hope that you will want to sign the petition below. I'm not telling you not to eat meat; that's a personal choice. I'm saying, though, that it's always wrong to torture any creature, and we must make it stop. Below, you'll find the petition you can sign (and send to your friends to sign). Next is a link to the news story that covers the matter. I don't recommend you click on the third link that leads you to the video; I haven't watched it myself. I can't. But I know you might not believe that what I'm saying is true unless you watch it yourself. I hate to show such a shameful side of Canada, but it's the truth.

Petition:
http://www.mercyforanimals.ca/pigcruelty/take-action.aspx

News story:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2012/12/10/mb-animal-abuse-hog-farm-puratone-manitoba.html

Video:
http://www.mercyforanimals.ca/pigcruelty/