Southern Pudu Fawn, Born at the Queens Zoo: The World’s Smallest Deer Species

New York has a new, very small, very adorable deer fawn. The Wildlife Conservation Society announced that on May 12 a male southern pudu fawn was born at the Queens Zoo.

The baby pudu looks something like a cross between a deer, a puppy, and a baby goat—a serious cuteness trifecta. According to the WCS, pudu, which are the “world’s smallest deer species,” are good “jumpers and sprinters” and “bark” in the face of a threat, but are also “shy” creatures. This baby pudu, who has yet to be named, was 6 inches tall and 6 inches long at birth.

If you are eager to see more pudu, the birth of this little guy means that there are now three pudu on exhibit at the zoo. 

This is not the Pudu born at the Queens Zoo

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Washington Humane Society: 28th Annual Bark Ball Online Auction is Now Live! – Ready…Set…Bid!

Washington, DC – The 28th Annual Bark Ball is only two short weeks away on June 20, but the online silent auction is LIVE RIGHT NOW! You do not want to miss this auction. Bid from the comfort of your home, on your lunch break at work, or even on your phone! EVERYONE can bid, and ANYONE, ANYWHERE can win – you do not need to attend Bark Ball to participate.  

With more than 100 items available, we have something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for autographed sports memorabilia, limited pieces of art, exciting pet options, or one-of-a-kind getaways – this auction is a MUST SEE! Best of all, 100% of winning bids support the life-saving work of the Washington Humane Society! 

Bidding is as simple as 1, 2, 3! 

1. Visit the Bark Ball Auction website at www.washhumane.org/BBAuction. 

2. Preview all of the fabulous items. 

3. Register and start bidding today!

Auction Highlights Include: 

• Collection of fine wines and champagne  

• A variety of hotel packages and getaway excursions from across the country

• Ticket packages to see the Washington Nationals, Washington Wizards, and more 

• Kennedy Center tickets 

• Luxurious salon, spa, and fitness club packages 

• Exclusive behind the scenes tours at prominent DC landmarks  

• Fine art pieces 

Don’t delay – start bidding today! The Bark Ball Online Auction is LIVE and EVERYONE can bid. The auction will close at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20, 2015. You do not have to be present at the Bark Ball to bid and win. 

Event Information: Date:  Saturday, June 20, 2015 Time:  6:00 – 10:00 PM Location: Washington Hilton   1919 Connecticut Ave NW   Washington, DC Tickets: www.barkball.org   

 

For more information, visit us online at www.barkball.org, call 202-735-0324, or email events@washhumane.org.  

A limited number of Bark Ball Press Passes are available. Please contact Rachel Thaler at rthaler@washhumane.org or 202-735-0323 for information. 

About Washington Humane Society: The Washington Humane Society (WHS) is the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States and has been the leading voice for animals in the District of Columbia since 1870. WHS provides protection and care to more than 51,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, humane law enforcement, spay and neuter, humane education, human – animal rehabilitation programs, and lost and found services. For more information, please visit www.washhumane.org.

Below are some of the items up for auction. To see the full on-line auction, click here: 

#115 - Beautiful Cherry or Maple Tree from Wheat's Lawn & Custom Landscape, Inc.

Details: Highlight your home with a beautiful tree. Wheat's Landscape will provide and deliver a 7-8 foot Maple or Cherry Tree to your residence.

#130 - Black and White Professional Pet Drawing

Details: Black and white professional pet portrait of cat.

#182 - Cynthia Howar Fine Art

Details: 2007 piece: "Students in Class" - 30" x 40"

#116 - Two Tickets to "The Guards" at Ford's Theater

Details: Enjoy two (2) tickets to 'The Guards' at Ford's Theater in Washington DC (September 25-October 18, 2015)

#112 - Seven Days in Big Sky Montana

Details: Take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the biggest skiing in North America. Schedule a one week stay in the Big Sky Flakes condo in beautiful Big Sky Montana. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath condominium has a full kitchen, gas grill, Sauna/hot tub, an additional sleeper sofa, dining table for 8, free Wi-Fi, multiple cable TV's and a fireplace with wood included. There are free shuttles to and from the ski-lift (10 minute ride). This is also a great Summer Getaway to explore the Northwest location a short drive to Old Faithful and the northern entrance to Yellowstone.

#199 - Harvey Bone-a-Part Cat Basket

Details: This is the gift basket for the ultimate cat lover and includes a pet brush for cats, treats, collar, laser pointer to play with, scratch mat and pad, framed cat picture, 15% of any purchase coupon and a plush Petlinks System cat bed.

#101 - VIP Redskins Package

Details: This package is for the ultimate Redskins fan and includes 2 Club Redskin tickets with access to the StubHub Club Level, premium concessions and leather padded seats; 2 pre-game tickets, and a VIP parking pass.

#146 - Washington Nationals vs LA Dodgers Tickets for Four

Details: Four (4) tickets to the Nats vs Dodgers game on Friday July 17, 2015 at 7:05 PM. Seats are in section 117 Row U between third and home plate.

#209 - Crab Dinner for Two from Harbour House Crabs

Details: This gift basket is perfect for a summer dinner on the porch and includes glasses, mallets, and a $150 gift card to Ilovecrabs.com

#169 - Ronald S. Perlman, MD - $1,000 off Surgeon Fee

Details: This certificate entitles you to $1,000 off any surgical procedure regularly valued at $2,500 or more with Ronald S. Perlman, MD Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery.

To visit the online auction, click here:   

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A Swedish Man Who Kept a Herring Gull in his Apartment as a Pet Was Forced to Let the Bird be Euthanized by Animal Welfare officials

Nora, Sweden, - A Swedish man who kept a herring gull in his apartment as a pet since it was a chick was forced to let the bird be euthanized by animal welfare officials, news media reported.

The man had been keeping the bird in his home for two years, Sweden's The Local reported, but officials in the city of Nora said he could not keep the gull in captivity without a permit.

The Nerikes Allehandra newspaper recently reported that an animal welfare inspector found the bird in the man's dark, tiny bathroom after a neighbor made a complaint. The tenant reportedly told officials he'd kept it as a pet since it was very young and let it fly around in his home.

The bird had never flown outside, officials said, and would have had no chance to fend for itself in its natural habitat. The man fed it fish and vitamins, meaning it would not know how to find its own food in the wild.

Since local law prohibits citizens from catching and caring for wild birds without a permit, the city decided the bird must be euthanized immediately, on the spot.

The man reportedly asked animal officials to release the bird into the wild, but they refused because they said the gull was never trained by its mother to survive on its own.

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A Georgia Man Who Put a Cat Inside a Ferocious Dog's Cage Just to Watch it Die Will Spend Eight Years Behind Bars for the Cruel Act

An Athens man was recently sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges that he placed a cat in a dog’s cage to watch it be killed.

In addition to aggravated animal cruelty, 21-year-old Jahmal Anthony Swaby pleaded guilty to threatening a witness who had called police to report the cat was being killed at Swaby’s home on Conrad Drive. He also pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a firearm and theft by receiving stolen property.

Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge David Sweat on May 28 sentenced Swaby to eight years in prison and 12 years on probation. The sentencing order signed by the judge indicates that Swaby’s penalty did not result from a negotiated plea agreement.

Codefendant Trevaughn Miquan Thomas, 21, previously pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges. His case is still pending in Clarke County Superior Court. According to Athens-Clarke County police, Conrad Drive residents reported Sept. 30 that they were in their home and heard a cat in distress. Going outside to investigate, they told police, they saw the cat in a cage outside Swaby’s and Thomas’ home being chased around by a dog.

One of the witnesses described the cat as “running around inside the dog cage screaming for its life,” according to police, and said Swaby and Thomas were urging the dog to “get it.” The suspects reportedly laughed each time a witness yelled for them to stop.

One of the witnesses said that after calling 911, she saw the cat was “running for its life while injured,” according to police. Police said when officers arrived the cat was dead and the dog was still biting the carcass. One officer noted in an incident report that the caged dog appeared to be “angry” and “was biting and jumping towards me.”

The officer further noted that there were several other young cats in the yard that appeared to have come from the same litter of kittens.

According to police, one of the witnesses reported that when Swaby later walked past her home, he pointed two fingers “similar in shape of a gun.” The woman told police she believed Swaby meant to “threaten or intimidate her.”

During the subsequent investigation, police said Swaby was found to be in possession of a stolen revolver. He was not supposed to have firearms under the terms of his first-offender probation from a 2013 burglary conviction.

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An Effort to Use a Fake, Life-Sized Orca to Scare Off Hundreds of Sea Lions Crowding Docks Off the Oregon Coast, Ended with the Fiberglass Creature Going Belly-Up

Portland, Oregon - An effort to use a fake, life-sized orca to scare off hundreds of sea lions crowding docks off the Oregon coast ended, at least temporarily, with the fiberglass creature belly-up after it was swamped by a passing ship.

Still, Port of Astoria Executive Director Jim Knight said the sea lions briefly "got deathly silent" when the orca sailed into view. That was just before it started listing and tipped over Thursday night.

Once the 32-foot killer whale replica is dried out and repaired, "There's a chance we'll do it again" Friday, Knight said.

Earlier Thursday, officials had to find a replacement motor for the fake orca — actually a boat with a driver inside — that belongs to a whale watching business. It was brought overland from Bellingham, Washington.

Sea lions have become a nuisance to Astoria and commercial fishermen because they damage docks, prevent boaters from using the docks and eat lots of salmon.

Knight took the day's adventure in stride, calling it "a learning experience."

Once equipped with the replacement motor, the fake orca "was going fairly well and then a cargo ship came by and its wake swamped the whale," he said. "Our crew from the port had to go rescue the operator so he didn't drown.

"You can't make this stuff up," he added.

He estimates 1,000 people showed up to watch, applauding as the bogus whale took to the water.

As for the sea lions, there may have been an effect beyond their brief silence. Knight said there were 400 to 500 sea lions Thursday morning and perhaps 200 by Thursday night, when the fake orca was tied up to the docks where they rest.

"They probably think it's dead now that it's belly up."

Knight wishes the orca had gotten a chance to play its recordings of real killer whale calls, especially the "call to dinner" — usually emitted in the wild after they kill a sea lion or seal.

The original plan called for the orca to be driven around in the waters near Astoria, free of charge to the port. It can also tow a smaller, 7-foot-long orca behind it.

In recent weeks, the Port of Astoria has tried creative ways to keep the animals away, including installing beach balls, colorful tape, chicken wire and electrified mats. Of those, Knight said the beach balls have been the least expensive solution with initially the best results.

"There's something about flashing, moving bright colors that (sea lions) don't like," he said. "They jumped off the docks."

He said the beach ball idea could be revived.

The sea lion population has increased dramatically in recent decades. The animals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but the law includes provisions allowing for deterrence of the sea lions to protect private property.

The Astoria sea lion population is dwindling at the moment as many of them follow the salmon migration north. However by mid-August, they'll be back in force, Knight said.

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Coast Guardsmen Were Investigating a Suspicious Item Floating in a Known Drug Transit Zone: Ended Up Rescuing Two Large Sea Turtles Entangled in Fishing Line

Coast Guardsmen aboard the Cutter Stratton from Alameda, Calif. who were investigating a suspicious item floating in a known drug transit zone off the coast of Central America last month instead made a unique rescue.

Video released by the Coast Guard shows that instead of drugs, the crew found two large sea turtles entangled in fishing line and makeshift buoys.

"There was no question what we had to do," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Hylan Rousseau, the coxswain of Stratton's interceptor boat. "And no one spoke a word. We immediately moved in to rescue mode."

An officer-mounted camera captured the rescue operation. One of the turtles had line wrapped around its neck, which restricted its airway and caused apparent respiratory distress.

"We cut the first turtle free without much incident," said Chief Petty Officer Brian Milcetich, a member of the law enforcement team. "While we were freeing him, we could see the second, and much larger turtle, was quite literally choking to death. He had been trying so hard to free himself from the fishing line that he had cinched the line around his own neck."

After lifting the approximately 70-pound turtle aboard the boat, officers used a specialized pair of sheers normally used by emergency medical technicians to sever the line. The video shows the turtle spew out water and take a deep breath once the line was removed from its neck.

"Everyone was elated," said Milcetich. "As you see in the video, he (the turtle) didn't stick around to celebrate."

The second turtle jumped back into water and swam away.

"It's another perfect example of the Coast Guard's ability to quickly adapt to different missions," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Jerry Renfroe.

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Here Are Some Specific Regimens for People Allergic to Cats to Follow to Help Alleviate Their Symptoms

Itchy eyes, itchy noses and sneezing are never pleasant. And when it's because of a cat, well … that’s worst of all. If you are allergic to cats and decide to get one, then you’ll be happy to learn most people tend to build up a tolerance to the allergens found in the cat’s dander and saliva. There are also specific regimens allergic people can follow, as well as medication to help alleviate their symptoms.

But if one of your loved ones is allergic to cats and they are not helped by medication, what can you do? Other than replacing your loved ones (this is not usually recommended), there are some ways to reduce the effects of allergens in your home.

Clean, clean, clean. People don’t understand how much of a difference a cat's daily grooming and a thorough house sweeping can make. Keep the surfaces and floors as fur-free as possible, and the reactions to the cat’s allergens should also diminish. Floors and carpets can especially be a haven for the cat's hair and dander, so vacuum them often and take the rugs out for a cleaning -- preferably more than once every spring.

Another way to reduce the effect of cat allergens is to try (emphasis on "try") and bathe the cat every four to six weeks using a cat shampoo. This will help remove the dander buildup, extra hair, and saliva, which contains a natural deodorant and cleansing agent that causes allergic reactions. Rinsing the cat is important and may prove difficult, as most cats don't like being in water. Combine that with its claws and agility, and you may be in some emergency room type of trouble. But seriously, have a trusted friend or family member sponge bathe the cat while you hold it down.

An air purifier can sometimes be a great weapon against allergens. It will help remove impurities from the environment and although more expensive, a commercial purifier usually works better than a regular one. Routinely brushing the cat's hair will also reduce the amount of fur (and thus dander) floating in the air.

While not always practical, going to a doctor for an allergic exam can be advantageous. As there are many household items which can initiate an allergic reaction, this test will help sort out the underlying cause(s). It is more of a trial and error type of test, but can work wonders at determining the allergic agents quickly.

Using a combination of these methods -- or even all of them -- should greatly reduce the amount of allergens in the air, and hopefully make your home a sniffles-free zone. Good luck. Hopefully you and your family will be able to hug and kiss your kitty cat soon.

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American Pharoah Became the First Horse in Over Three Decades Saturday to Earn the Triple Crown, Placing 1st in the Belmont Stakes

American Pharoah became the first horse in over three decades Saturday to earn the Triple Crown, placing 1st in the Belmont Stakes after winning the Preakness and the Kentucky Derby earlier in the season.

In one of the sporting world's rarest feats, the bay colt with the unusually short tail defeated seven rivals in the grueling 1 1/2-mile race, covering the distance in 2:26.65 to end the longest stretch without a Triple Crown champion in history.

American Pharoah is the 12th horse and first since Affirmed in 1978 to win three races on different tracks at varying distances over a five-week span. He won the Kentucky Derby by one length on May 2 and then romped to a seven-length victory in the rainy Preakness two weeks later.

"I still can't believe it happened," said Bob Baffert, at 62 the second-oldest trainer of a Triple Crown winner.

Baffert and Espinoza ended their own frustrating histories in the Triple Crown. Baffert finally won on his record fourth Triple try, having lost in 1997, 1998 (by a nose) and in 2002. Espinoza got it done with his record third shot after failing to win in 2002 and last year on California Chrome.

Sent off as the overwhelming 3-5 favorite, American Pharoah paid $3.50, $2.80 and $2.50.

"I feel so good," Espinoza said, "I say, 'I hope American Pharoah feels like me."

Frosted returned $3.50 and $2.90, while Keen Ice was another two lengths back in third and paid $4.60 to show.

Mubtaahij was fourth, followed by Frammento, Madefromlucky, Tale of Verve and Materiality.

American Pharoah delivered a victory for Egyptian-born owner Ahmed Zayat, who bred the colt and put him up for sale before buying him back for $300,000. His name came courtesy of the family's online contest, in which a woman from Missouri submitted the winning moniker, but the misspelling wasn't noticed until the name was already official

"I can't believe it happened," said Justin Zayat, racing manager for his father's stable. "It's amazing. Oh my God."

American Pharoah joined the exclusive club of Triple Crown winners Sir Barton (1919), Gallant Fox (1930), Omaha (1935), War Admiral (1937), Whirlaway (1941), Count Fleet (1943), Assault (1946), Citation (1948), Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed.

"I'm thrilled," said 93-year-old Penny Chenery, who owned Secretariat and watched from the stands.

A sign with American Pharoah's name and silks was quickly put up in the infield next to the 11 other Triple Crown winners.

The crowd of 90,000 — capped to avoid overcrowding and long lines from last year's total of 102,199 — roared as American Pharoah turned for home still in front.

As he neared the finish line, drinks were tossed in the air and fans jumped up and down in celebration, many holding their camera phones aloft to capture history on a sunny, 75-degree day at Belmont Park. It's unlikely the champion heard them since American Pharoah wears ear plugs to block noise that might get him worked up.

American Pharoah extended his winning streak to seven races. He matched the accomplishment of his grand-sire, Empire Maker, who won the 2003 Belmont, spoiling Funny Cide's Triple Crown bid.

Since 1978, the rigors of the Triple Crown had done in 13 other horses who won the Derby and the Preakness — with 12 losing the third leg and I'll Have Another scratched with a leg injury in 2012. Their failures left the sport and its fans craving a worthy successor to the 11 previous champions.

American Pharoah — his tail shortened after being bitten off on a farm when he was a youngster — turned out to be that horse. He awed observers with his speed and a fluid, springloaded stride in which he appeared to float over the ground.

He was 2-year-old champion last year, and virtually cinched similar honors for his achievements as a 3-year-old this year.

Unlike Affirmed, who dueled Alydar in all three races, American Pharoah didn't have a specific rival since he was only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races. Going into the Belmont, American Pharoah had beaten all of his seven challengers before.

Five of his rivals lost to him in the Derby, then skipped the Preakness to await the Belmont, a competitive advantage to horses that didn't endure the three-race grind. Tale of Verve finished second in the Preakness to American Pharoah, who had beaten Madefromlucky in the Rebel Stakes in March.

American Pharoah became the first horse since Afleet Alex in 2005 to run in all three races and win the Belmont, known as "The Test of the Champion."

He passed, with flying colors.

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