23 July 2021 - MOUSE DEER DISCOVERED IN VIETNAM

 

MOUSE DEER DISCOVERED

 IN VIETNAM

 

G'day folks,

Technically, this is not a new discovery, as these animals were considered extinct for close to 30 years. 
 
The last sighting of the chevrotain, or the mouse deer, was in 1990 in Vietnam. Researchers believed them to be extinct for three decades until a small group of these little animals was spotted in a Vietnam forest again in 2019. 
 

The rare silver-backed chevrotains, that resemble a hybrid of a large mouse and a deer, were captured on film scouring for food in a forest by camera traps. The mouse deer is almost the size of a rabbit and is the smallest of the ungulates (hoofed mammals).
 
The last chevrotain that was spotted in 1990 was found dead. The species was already on the brink of extinction then, and thus, finding an entire group of these animals so many years later is an important step. 
 
With the ‘rediscovery’ of this precious animal, researchers can learn new things about it and figure out ways to not lose it again. Here is to hoping that we learn from the mistakes of the past and find a way to preserve these new animal species in the coming decade.



 

Clancy's comment: Great news, eh? What a cute lil animal.

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28 July 2021 - CHIKILIDAE - NEW AMPHIBIAN DISCOVERED IN INDIA

 


CHIKILIDAE - NEW AMPHIBIAN 

DISCOVERED IN INDIA

 

G'day folks,

An entirely new family of limbless amphibians was discovered in northeastern India in 2012. 
 
Part of the caecilian order of amphibians, these creatures look more like earthworms than frogs or toads because of the inexistence of limbs in their bodies. These amphibians, christened Chikilidae, build underground nests and can grow to be more than a meter (3.2 foot) in length. 
 

DNA analysis of the specimens found that their closest relatives are the Herpelidae in Africa, from which they deflected about 140 million years ago. The discovery of the Chikilidae is a great step in understanding amphibian evolution.

 
Clancy's comment: Another survivor.

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17 July 2021 - OLINGUITO - MAMMAL CARNIVORE SPECIES DISCOVERED

 

OLINGUITO - MAMMAL 

CARNIVORE SPECIES 

DISCOVERED


G'day folks,

The first mammal carnivore species to be discovered in America in 35 years, the olinguito is the latest addition to the raccoon family tree. 
 
This new species of mammal, called Bassaricyon neblina, was discovered in 2013 by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History scientists. The small animal has a fluffy red-orange fur along with a bushy tail and is found in the misty Andean Mountains in South America. Interestingly, scientists had previously assumed olinguitos were members of their sister species, the olingos (Bassaricyon gabbii) - another tree-dwelling mammal that lives in the same mountains. 
 

They are, however, larger and have longer faces than olinguitos. This mammal was identified after gathering DNA sequences from live specimens. In appearance, these remarkably beautiful little animals look like a cross between a house cat and a teddy bear.


Clancy's comment: Cute lil guys, eh?

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12 July 2021 - STUNNING SHOTS OF BIRDS IN THE WILD

 

STUNNING SHOTS OF

 BIRDS IN THE WILD

 

G'day folks,

Seeing birds in the zoo is all fine and dandy, but it doesn’t come even close to being able to observe them in their natural habitat. 
 
It’s only in the wild that you’re able to observe how birds interact with each other and with the outside world, be it a baby penguin cuddling with its parents, a duckling curiously observing a fly, or a group of red-crowned cranes dancing on a wintry morning.

It is the goal of the Bird Photographer of the Year contest (BPOTY, for short) to highlight the most precious, intimate, and beautiful bird moment captured on film so that we’re able to appreciate the beauty of our avian friends and partake in their adventures. For the sixth year in a row, the competition published a selection of finalists, and I'm here to share the highlights with you today. Enjoy!













Clancy's comment: Stunning work!

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31 July 2021 - CERAMIC POPPIES RAISE FUNDS AT TOWER OF LONDON

 

CERAMIC POPPIES RAISE FUNDS

AT TOWER OF LONDON

 

G'day folks,

 The red sea of flowers was part of the art installation titled 'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' by artist Paul Cummins. 888,246 handmade ceramic poppies were hand-made by the artist, with each poppy representing a British military fatality in World War I. 

 


The poppies were then scattered on the moat of the Tower of London and displayed publicly as a powerful anti-war statement and an effort to raise awareness of WWI. 

Reportedly, over 5 million people came to see the exhibition, and the poppies were later sold for £25, collecting an estimated £23 million to raise money for various charities related to armed forces.

 
Clancy's comment: Well done, Paul. That's a lot of poppies.

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4 July 2021 - STUNNING IMAGES FROM THE TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FOTO AWARDS

 

STUNNING IMAGES FROM THE 

TOKYO INTERNATIONAL

 FOTO AWARDS

 

G'day folks,

Always happy to promote other photographers. I recently shared with you a few of the winning images of the Tokyo International Foto Awards 2020. The competition offered both professional and amateur photographers the opportunity to share their most outstanding photos depicting the glory of nature. With so many submissions from all around the world, I couldn’t help but share more of the breathtaking images from the competition. From powerful landscaped to majestic wildlife, the amount of talent and effort that went into capturing these shots is simply astounding.











Clancy's comment: Dazzling shots! Well done. Below you will see one of mine!

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