Animals
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Question

Nearly 700 swans found dead at nature reserve in Kyrgyzstan as specialists investigate bird flu

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Hundreds of swans have been found dead at a nature reserve in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan, environmental officials said Tuesday. The nature reserve is based around Lake Karakol, near the shores of the Caspian Sea, and is home to a variety of rare and endangered species.

"Between 21 December and 8 January, a total of 675 swan carcasses were discovered on Lake Karakol," the Kazakh ecology ministry told AFP.

The birds may have died from avian flu, the ministry said, adding that specialists had been dispatched to the site to investigate.

Lake Karakol was artificially formed in the Soviet era near the site of a nuclear plant, and has been the focus of conservation efforts.

Activists have previously raised concern about environmental problems in western Kazakhstan, particularly air and water pollution.


Doberman

Five-year-old boy dies in stray dog attack in Telangana, India

dog attack
In a heart-wrenching incident, a five-year-old boy Nishant lost his life in a stray dog attack that occurred in Kalledi village, Nizamabad district, Telangana.

The unfortunate incident unfolded on December 25, 2023, when the young boy was bitten by a dog. Despite receiving initial treatment at a local hospital, the victim's health deteriorated, leading to his demise on January 8, 2024, while en route to Hyderabad for advanced medical care.

Further investigation is underway.

Fish

Mysterious mass fish deaths in Philippines spark natural disaster fears

Photo courtesy of Diane Lawa Tagum (Facebook)
Photo courtesy of Diane Lawa Tagum (Facebook)
Large schools of fish were found washed up on a beach in the Philippines, which excited some local inhabitants who saw it as a gift from God. However, others were concerned that the occurrence might be a signal of impending natural disaster.

Diane Lawa Tagum, a Facebook user, posted a video of the incident early in the morning yesterday, January 7. The video shows residents of the town of Masiim in Sarangani province on Mindanao island in the southern Philippines discovering a school of fish swimming ashore and dying on the beach.


Fish

Rare oarfish discovered near Adang Island, Thailand

Photo courtesy of วิทยาศาสตร์การประมงและทรัพยากรทางน้ำ TSU (Facebook)
Photo courtesy of วิทยาศาสตร์การประมงและทรัพยากรทางน้ำ TSU (Facebook)
A rare deep-sea creature, known as the Oarfish or Ribbonfish, was recently discovered near Adang Island, in the region of Satun Province, Thailand. The Science of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources TSU page reported the sighting of this marine species, recognised scientifically as Regalecus glesne, yesterday, January 3, by the fishing vessel Thepcharoenporn 15.

Belonging to the Regalecidae family, the Oarfish, resembling the mythical serpents or sea dragons of the Western Middle Ages, can grow up to 9 metres in length and weigh up to 300 kilogrammes. However, The Guinness World Records notes this species as having the longest backbone, potentially reaching up to 11 metres.


Attention

Fisherman dies in horror shark attack after sea beast 'bit off one of his limbs' in Yavaros Port, Mexico

The horror attack left the fisherman dead and without a limb in the last moments of his life (stock)
The horror attack left the fisherman dead and without a limb in the last moments of his life (stock)
A fisherman has died in a horrific shark attack after the beast bit off one of his limbs.

Víctor Alejandro Soto García, 21, was brutally attacked and bitten by a 13-foot long shark which is said to have taken a chunk out of his torso and also left him with one less limb in Yavaros Port, Mexico.

The freediving fisherman had been hunting for scallops at the time of his death, which occurred around 1pm on December 29. Victor's remains were rescued from the waters by his fellow fishermen.

Their daring rescue appeared to be in vain however as the prowling shark in the waters just below them had already dealt a fatal blow of damage to the young fisherman.

Attention

Mahout killed in elephant attack at safari centre in Sri Lanka

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A mahout was killed in an elephant attack at an elephant safari centre in Randenigala on Sunday.

The incident had occurred while two elephants were engaged in a safari carrying four people, including 2 children.

Following a photo shoot with the elephants and the children, one elephant had attacked the mahout after he signalled for the animals to move.

The mahout had died last morning after being admitted to the Kegalle Hospital following the incident.

The deceased has been identified as a 40-year-old resident of Kiriella in Ratnapura.


Doberman

Woman mauled to death by stray dog in Uttar Pradesh, India

dog attack
In a tragic incident reported from Uttar Pradesh, a woman working in the fields in the rural Kotwali area of Mirzapur district was mauled to death by a stray dog even as her husband was also injured in the attack after he came to rescue her on Friday, sources said.

It is learnt that Basantu Bind Bhatauli and his wife Dulesara Devi, residents of Baraini Baripur in Kachwan area of Mirzapur were working in their fields when a stray dog suddenly appeared there and attacked Dulesara and mauled her in neck and face.

Hearing the screams, Basantu along with two others Shivlal and Hiravati, who were working nearby, rushed to the spot to save Dulesara.

However, the dog bit all three of them leaving them injured. An official said that Dulesara died on the spot in the attack, while the three people injured in the dog attack were admitted to the hospital.

Binoculars

Wrong place, wrong time: Northern waterthrush from North America spotted in Essex, UK

northern waterthrush
Northern waterthrush
Bird-lovers have been flocking to a village in Essex after a rare visitor from the other side of the Atlantic was spotted.

The northern waterthrush was seen at Heybridge near Maldon on Wednesday afternoon.

It is usually found in North America and the West Indies and according to one birdwatcher there had only been 10 previous sightings in the UK.

Brian Bolton said the bird was seen in a local birdwatcher's garden and seemed to be flitting between there and a creek near his house.


Doberman

Man killed by his own rottweilers in Nicaragua - 2nd fatal dog attack in a week for country

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On a fateful Monday, a 21-year-old Nicaraguan man, Augusto José García, was brutally attacked by his five Rottweiler dogs at his home in Managua, Nicaragua, leading to his untimely demise. The tragic incident occurred when García attempted to enter his house via the patio after forgetting his key. The dogs, unchained and agitated, failed to recognize him, leading to the horrific onslaught.

Unfortunate Chain of Events

García, who had returned from his mother's house early in the morning, was living with his brother and sister-in-law, both of whom were not at home during the shocking incident. The attack is the second fatal dog-related incident in Nicaragua within a week, marking a concerning trend.

Attention

Man, 60, killed by bear in Uttarakhand, India

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A 60-year-old factory worker died after he was attacked by a bear on Monday morning on his way back home from the Sitarganj industrial area in Udham Singh Nagar district.

Ravin Sardar, a resident of Surendra Nagar village of Shaktifarm town, was walking home with his friend, Prashant Sarkar, around 8.30am when a bear attacked them. While Sarkar narrowly escaped, the bear dragged Sardar into the nearby forest, causing severe injuries.

Alerted by Sardar's distress call, family members and villagers rushed to the scene.