Portland International Airport decided to surprise its visitors by bringing in a couple of therapy llamas for people to hug, pet, and feed
It was around the last holiday season when the staff of the Portland International Airport decided to add a twist to their regular support animal rotation, consisting mainly of dogs, by inviting a couple of llama newcomers.
Meet Prince and Beni — the two residents of Mtn Peaks Therapy Llamas & Alpacas farm, who are more than happy to pose for some pictures or be petted, hugged, fed, and loved.
Residing outside the city, the llamas visit the airport approximately twice a month, and they never go unnoticed. “It’s just pure joy,” said the PDX media relations manager, Allison Ferre, in her interview with PEOPLE, adding that “travelers’ faces say it best.”

Not everyone gets to meet them, as the animals can only stay at the airport for a specific period, so it doesn’t pose a danger to their health, but they’re sure to return for more
But despite their massive popularity and some people literally planning their flights in a way to get to visit Portland airport, these cute animals can’t stay there for too long at a time. “[The animals are] only here for periods of time that are healthy for them.”
Fortunately, the information about when you’ll be able to meet Prince, Beni, and perhaps other llamas from their herd is widely available online. “We usually promote it on our social channels in advance of when they’re coming,” explained Allison. “We get disappointment when people miss them.”
People online loved learning about this almost as much as travelers at the Portland International Airport loved actually meeting the llamas. The comments section was full of warm messages saying how wonderful it was to have such cute animals to greet you at the airport, while others were quick to make jokes about other, less huggable animals that you can encounter in other airports.

Therapy animals are no novelty. We have all encountered or at least heard of therapy dogs and cats who can be a great assistance to those in need. But if there are also llamas and alpacas who can do this job just as well, why don’t we meet different animals doing these jobs as often?
As animal behaviorist Julie Bond explained to Bored Panda when we reached out to her for an interview, it’s all about logistics and practicality. “Dogs and cats are just more available! There are far more dog and cat owners than llama owners,” she said, adding that most people who keep farm animals don’t really breed them for therapy work.
In addition, livestock can hardly be ‘house trained,’ which complicates the visits to indoor places where these animals are most commonly used for therapy. That is especially true when looking through the perspective of cleanliness since the chance of a cat or a dog leaving a stinky mess is much less likely than that of a farm animal.

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Aaaw therapy llamas :love:

‘Miracle’ penguin found two weeks after escaping captivity in Japan…

A fugitive penguin in Japan has been found safe and sound two weeks after escaping into the sea and paddling for miles in what her keeper called a miracle.

Pen-chan, a female Cape penguin born and raised in captivity, who had never swum in the open sea before or fended for herself, absconded from an event in the central Aichi region on 25 August.

Her keeper, Ryosuke Imai, said a team began scouring the area immediately but a powerful typhoon that brought record rains across Japan hampered the search.

Given Pen-chan’s lack of preparation for life in the wild, the team thought she would not get very far or survive for longer than a week.

But on 8 September, Imai received information that the bird had been spotted happily bobbing in the water at a beach 30 miles (45km) away.

“I thought she would look exhausted, but she was swimming as usual,” Imai said after the animal was recaptured. “It was beyond my surprise … It’s a miracle.”

He said Pen-chan, who is six years old, must have been eating fish and crabs that she caught herself.

“I think she got there by stopping at various places for a break, but it’s still unbelievable,” he said. “She lost a little weight but she is doing great.”

Love this thread. Some great stories. Thank you to all who've contributed.

@NIAMH @Benjamin

…just to keep updated on the good …(…and the bad…)…news regarding everything potato and potato related…there is a site called Potato News Today…I mean, what other vegetable has its own dedicated news site because of its International/world value and importance….

https://www.potatonewstoday.com/

…anyways, today’s Potato Good News is…


Irish potato market holds steady, European seed production looks promising…

The latest weekly potato market report from the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) reveals a steady demand for potatoes in Ireland, with consumption holding strong as the harvest season progresses. As Irish growers continue to lift their crops, the market remains optimistic, although concerns about yields in later-planted crops are growing.

Recent reports suggest that these later-planted crops are likely to experience reduced yields, a situation exacerbated by colder night temperatures forecasted for the coming week. These conditions could further hinder the ability of these crops to bulk up, posing potential challenges for growers as the season advances.

Across the Irish Sea, the U.K. potato market is described as producing an “average” crop. Industry experts indicate that the final outcome of the season will largely depend on the success of the ongoing harvest and the sustained level of market demand. However, quality issues have surfaced this week, with high levels of bruising being a predominant concern. Additionally, some reports highlight significant waste deductions due to greening, impacting overall market efficiency and profitability.

In contrast, the European seed potato sector appears poised for a positive outlook. Reports indicate that seed production across Europe is expected to be sufficient for the 2025 season, thanks to an increase in planting area and favorable tuberisation conditions. This development offers a reassuring signal for the future stability of the potato industry across the continent.

As the season progresses, growers and market participants in both Ireland and the U.K. will be closely monitoring the weather patterns and market demand, which will play critical roles in shaping the outcomes for this year’s potato crop.

…so that’s all very lovely, especially for the potato farmers…:love:…

Ukrainian soldier says dogs have saved 'hundreds' in war with Russia and praises British Army training…

Dogs have saved "hundreds" of Ukrainian lives by detecting Russian landmines on the front line, a serviceman has said.

The 24-year-old is one of 20 Ukrainians learning dog handling techniques from the British Army at a barracks in the East Midlands, as part of Operation Interflex.

Speaking through an interpreter at the barracks, the serviceman said he had always wanted to be a dog handler and that he is "proud" of working with them during the war.

"I really like the idea that I can pass on this knowledge," he added. "They save tens or hundreds of lives."

Biden 'not ruling out' allowing Ukraine to fire into Russia

The soldier, who cannot be named for security reasons, also said he and others have "got a lot" out of their UK training as it lets troops "experiment in order to become better".

"When different sabotage groups are entering the area and they are mining the roads, for example, we are using dogs there to be able to go through this area safely," he added.

"We have lots of different areas where the combat actions are not so active, but there is still a threat there, so there is a threat to life."

Sergeant Chris Jacques, of the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment, said the dog handling training involves using "stress factors" such as replicating battlefield sounds.

"It's important to give something back and also to see, especially in the current climate, how dogs can be used in the environment [Ukrainians] find themselves in at the minute," he said.

"We see what challenges they've had to deal with, we see what factors they're having to consider which we, at the minute, aren't having to consider, and they've been really engaging."

Armed forces minister Luke Pollard added that military working dogs "are an irreplaceable part of our defence forces," and said: "Their keen instincts, unwavering loyalty and remarkable ability to detect threats makes them vital to protecting our personnel.

"We owe them and their handlers a deep debt of gratitude for their service."

The Ministry of Defence said more than 45,000 Ukrainians have received training in the UK since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

It comes after the National Audit Office (NAO) said in a report that Operation Interflex "constrains" the British Army's ability to train its own troops.

The parliamentary body said that as a result of the operation, Army units bidding for training areas were rejected eight times more often last year than in 2019.

The NAO report did not seek to evaluate the strategic case for supporting Ukraine or reach conclusions on value for money, and was intended only to set out the facts regarding what support was being provided.

:laugh:

Moo-Deng: the two-month-old baby pygmy hippo becoming an online giant….


A two-month-old pygmy hippo has become an internet sensation across Thailand and beyond after footage went viral online of her wobbling around her enclosure, nibbling her zookeeper and being sprayed with water.

Moo-Deng has captured hearts across Asia. Fans have made cakes in her image and artworks showing off her cartoonish rosy cheeks and bright eyes. One cosmetics chain even jumped on the trend, telling social media users to “wear your blush like a baby hippo” in posts promoting products in pink and peach tones. In a reflection of her growing global clout, Time magazine’s website named her an “Icon” and “Legend”, saying “She Is the Moment”.

Her fame stems from a TikTok account with 2.5 million followers dedicated to the hippos and other species at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand. Hundreds of thousands of people also follow accounts documenting their daily life on Facebook and Instagram.

Atthapon Nundee, 31, a zookeeper at Khao Kheow Open Zoo, said he began posting clips of animals on social media during the pandemic, when he found he had more spare time on his hands. Moo-Deng, whose name means “bouncy pork”, also the name of a Thai dish, has attracted the most attention by far.

“The moment I saw Moo-Deng born, I set a goal to make her famous, but I never expected it would spread abroad. I thought she could be famous in Thailand but not internationally,” he said.

Tourists’ social media videos have helped her achieve fame online, but so too has her character, he said. “She is called ‘bouncy’ and she is quite ‘bouncy’ too,” Atthapon said. Her siblings are also called variations of pork dishes: her half-sister is called Moo Wan (Thai sweet pork), her other half-sister is called Pha Lor (pork belly stew), and her brother is called Moo Tun (stewed pork).

Her popularity has created a surge in visitors to the zoo, which has raised concerns about her welfare. Tourists were accused of throwing water and seashells at Moo Deng to wake her, apparently because they wanted to take photos.

The zoo authorities have condemned those who have tried to disturb Moo-Deng. Atthapon said CCTV has been installed and an officer is present to watch over her.

“Most of the time she is sleeping,” said Atthapon, who added her behaviour is similar to a human baby, with playful outbursts and lots of rest. “She only has milk from mom, she doesn’t eat anything else besides milk.” At two months old, she already weighs more than 20kg, and it is possible that she will begin to eat grass next month.

Related: No more monkey business: Thai city’s macaques to be put in enclosures

Adult pygmy hippos also like to sleep a lot during the day. “Mostly they just sleep and soak in the water because it gets quite hot,” Atthapon said.

Pygmy hippos are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. A 1993 study suggested there were between 2,000 to 2,5000 pygmy hippos remaining in the wild. They are native to West Africa, where they live in swamps and near rivers, but are threatened by habitat loss due to human activities such as logging, mining, as well as hunting.

Edwin Wiek, founder of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand, questioned the need for more pygmy hippos to be kept in zoo settings, where they have already been bred successfully, saying the focus should be on keeping them in the wild. “They are very endangered, but actually, with the proper enforcement and conservation plan in the wild – leave them alone, they can do really well.”

Atthapon said the zoo keeps Moo-Deng and other animals as close to nature as possible, and that zoos contribute to conservation work.

“I hope that the cuteness of Moo-Deng will raise awareness for people to come and learn about [the species],” Atthapon said.

she is spectacular :laugh:

…I think she knows her spectacular-ness as well, she looks quite cheeky in that vid…:love:…

I love her :love:

Me too :lovedup:

…complete and utter bliss…:lovedup:…

…..:lovedup:…that’s a totally perfect banana split…

Zoo welcomes 'feisty' mountain bongo calf…



A zoo has welcomed a critically endangered mountain bongo calf thanks to its successful breeding programme.
The male baby bongo was born at Marwell Zoo near Winchester on 4 September.
Keepers at the Hampshire zoo said he has been "very confident, energetic and adventurous right from the start".
There are only about 100 mountain bongos left in the wild, as they face threats like hunting, habitat loss and diseases from domestic cattle.

The large species of antelope is native to parts of Kenya where they live in forests and highlands.
Animal keeper Rhiannon Wolff said the new arrival "appears quite feisty and has been confidently exploring more and more of his habitat every day".
She continued: "This calf is a very important part of the breeding programme and European Ex-situ Programme which endeavours to ensure the survival of this species.”

The calf is currently spending most of his time in his bed stall, with his mother Jumapili checking in and feeding him throughout the day.
When they are young, all bongo calves have a chestnut coat with thin white stripes. They also have large floppy ears that they grow into as they get older.
Leopards are the main predators of bongos and when under threat, they run into the forest with their horns held against the back of their necks, so they avoid getting snagged on the undergrowth.

Omigosh that's absolutely beautiful Ammi. X

…I’m not sure this is a very recent story so much as an ongoing story that is updated regularly…but it’s worth a post…


This Rescue Dog Turned A Rare Disability Into An Adorable, Viral Walk…



This story of Fenix perfectly encapsulates how second chances might turn your life around.
Fenix and his sister Nube were ready to be put down as they were malnourished, shaking, and due to their rare condition, couldn’t stand up or walk. To their luck, the rescue group “I Stand With My Pack” was determined to help both Fenix and his sister.
Long story short, now Fenix lives his life to the fullest after getting adopted by his loving parents Zoe and Eric Lumiere. However, what made Fenix an internet sensation is his unique walk. Zoe commented: “You know, I have no idea why Fenix prances the way he does. When he was little, if he started to run, he would fall over, like his back legs would catch up too much with his front legs and it wouldn’t work. So instead of only walking wobbly and slowly, we started to notice him prancing – in between running and walking. And he seemed to be able to do that well. Initially, he couldn’t turn without falling over, but for whatever reason his prance seemed to help him.”
Nube also got her happy ending and the siblings occasionally meet for walks and plays.

Fenix was born with a rare condition called cerebellar hypoplasia, meaning a part of his brainstem that controls movement didn’t develop properly. In an interview with Bored Panda, Zoe shared more about the process that led them to adopt Fenix ​​​​and what drew them to him despite his condition.
“We had been looking to rescue a dog from a shelter, and when we saw Fenix’ cute photo online we both just fell in love. I started crying as soon as I saw his face. I just knew he was my dog. It’s hard to explain. And so I filled out the paperwork to adopt him online that night. And we met him the next day. And the following day he came home with us. We did research his disorder, to make sure we had some awareness of what we were in for, but we just loved him so much already.”

Fenix’s joyful personality and unique prancing influenced the people around him. Zoe shared more about that.
“We just can’t believe how much Fenix has truly changed people’s lives. We have had multiple people tell us that Fenix has saved their life. If he can endure and overcome his challenges, then they can too. And specifically for many people with neurological challenges, including TBIs, and various neuro conditions – they found great acceptance and freedom in knowing they were different and moved differently – just like Fenix moves so differently – but he’s perfect the way he is. So many people seemed to get great comfort and support knowing that Fenix was so happy to be different and to have his own way of moving and living.
We can’t explain how so many people have resonated with Fenix. He just exudes joy and sweetness. Whenever we’re walking him people want to know more and come to meet him. And of course, now we do get at least a few folks every outing coming up to us, asking if this is Fenix, the happy dog. And we love letting folks take photos or videos with him.”

Zoe continued by sharing the challenges Fenix has faced.
“At first we tried little booties, and plastic socks because he would drag his paws and get sore spots on top. So we went to multiple vets who confirmed that it was best NOT to wear any kind of foot covering, but allow his body to adapt. Which it did! Stairs and jumping up on things were the next hurdle. At first, he would cry and run away when he saw stairs, but little by little, we just kept encouraging him, very slowly. Until they weren’t a problem anymore. And over time he stopped being afraid to jump off the couch. We just let him go at his pace, but we never stopped encouraging him to keep growing and evolving.”

Given Fenix​​’s condition, we were wondering what specific care or adjustments the couple had to make in his daily routine to accommodate it.
Zoe wrote: “Now we do very little. He simply hugs the side of the staircase to go up and down, and he goes slowly, but he doesn’t need any help. He can even jump up on our bed now, and he can jump off. And we take him for 3 or 4 little walks every day because he does get tired more quickly. So we either walk around the block, or take him to the meadow, or down to the river bottom, and take him for 20-minute walks, 3 or 4 times every day.
He does find eating more challenging than most dogs. So we did get him a Fluff Trough and that has made a huge difference. He can now eat on his own, and he doesn’t need me to hand-feed him.”


Lastly, Zoe added: “We are just so grateful for everyone’s loving support of Fenix. He has created an online family of people that are kind and compassionate. There are almost never any negative comments on his posts or videos because the energy that Fenix has created is one that’s inclusive and nonjudgmental. In the early days people did say some hurtful things, but over time it seems like all his followers, in their kindness and compassion, just helped create a safe and sweet place. I can’t tell you how grateful we are to keep meeting his fans and to keep making friends with those who love him. He’s given us more love, community, and inspiration than we’ll ever know. And so to everyone that follows, loves, shares him – just thank you a million times, thank you.”

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Rare conjoined twin girls separated after 14 hour operation…

One-year-old twin girls, conjoined at the head, have been successfully separated during a 14 hour operation led by a leading British surgeon.

Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani from Great Ormond Street Hospital used leading mixed reality technology to complete the complex procedure on Minal and Mirha in Turkey.

Both are recovering in hospital and are expected to make full recoveries and lead normal lives when they return home to Pakistan next month.

The operation at the Ankara Bilkent City Hospital on 19 July, which included a local team of medics, required two surgical stages and was completed over three months, with the final surgery taking 14 hours.

The girls, who were born in Pakistan, are called craniopagus twins because they are joined at the head.

They shared vital blood vessels and brain tissue and separation of the pair required extremely intricate surgery.

Mixed reality (MR) combines 3D images with the physical world and is used to increase precision during complex operations. It enhances a surgeon's view of a patient by mixing digital content - like 3D scans - while remaining in the real world.

A high definition 3D model was created of the twins to help train medics in Ankara on what to expect in the operating theatre, as well as allowing the UK-based team to prepare and rehearse the surgery.

Professor Jeelani said: "The technology developed to undertake this work makes a lot of the more routine surgeries we do, safer, less invasive and more effective.

"To be able to give these girls and their family a new future where they can live independently and enjoy their childhood is a special privilege," he said.

He has led several surgeries involving conjoined twins including three-year-old boys in Brazil in 2022, one-year-old twin girls in Israel in 2021, and in 2019 twin two-year-old girls from Pakistan.

The work was supported by Gemini Untwined, a charity founded by Mr Jaleeni to raise funds for siblings born joined at the head.

According to Gemini figures, one in 60,000 births results in conjoined twins, and only 5% of these are craniopagus children.

The life expectancy of twins who are not separated is very low. About 40% of twins fused at the head are stillborn or die during labour.

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a couple of cuties

…thank you for the pics, Arista…:love:…beautiful babies…:lovedup:…it’s wonderful what the medical world can achieve…

Awww bless them.

In a World First, Surgeons Operate on Rhino’s Broken Leg and Fix Her Limp…


A 2-year-old female rhino known for her “boisterous” nature has just undergone surgery on her ulna in a world-first procedure.

Using equine surgeons’ knowledge of similar procedures done on horses as a template, the team of specialist veterinarians successfully healed the rhino’s leg, and even got her up and about wearing a cast.

Amara is a southern white rhino—the most common species in Africa—born at the Knowsley Safari Park near Prescot, in northwestern England. Known for her love of roughhousing, Amara developed a limp, and vets pondered over what to do.


“Earlier this year, Amara began limping on her right front leg,” Knowsley Safari Park told ABC News in a statement. “The Knowsley Safari team brought in specialist equine surgeons from the University of Liverpool to help with the diagnosis, where radiographs confirmed a fractured ulna.”

“Under anesthesia in Amara’s enclosure, the large team performed a lengthy operation, including key-hole surgery of Amara’s wrist, in a procedure lasting five hours.”

The ulna is the medial bone that in humans connects the elbow to the wrist on the palm-side of the hand. Similar to humans, in rhinos the ulnar bone is found in the lower section of the front legs.

The safari park says no documentation or evidence of such a procedure was found in the run-up to the operation. The rhinoceros is part of the same order as horses—Perissodactyla—or odd-toed ungulates, and so equine surgeons led the procedure based on the same surgical methods used in horses.

“We were unsure if the cast would be strong enough and how Amara would cope with such a restriction on her limb,” Dr. David Stack, senior lecturer in Equine Surgery at the University of Liverpool, told ABC News. “We hoped that she would accept it and that she would be able to move around, get down, and, importantly, back up again, but this was unchartered water.”

The zoo told ABC that Amara is so far doing well. Her arm was supported in a full cast and she is kept in her enclosure to minimize movement.