[Ammi]

Newcastle United introduces ‘sound shirts’ for deaf supporters…


Newcastle United have collaborated on shirts that allow deaf fans to ‘feel’ the noise of St James’ Park for the first time
The roar of the crowd reacting to a match-clinching goal makes for an unforgettable sporting moment – and now deaf fans can ‘feel’ the electric big stadium atmosphere thanks to sensory ‘sound shirts’.

Newcastle United kit sponsor Sela developed the world-first tech alongside the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) to make live football more accessible to people with hearing loss.

It uses microphones placed around St James’ park to convert noise into digital sound. The data transmits wirelessly to shirts equipped with haptic technology – the same sensory feedback you get from typing on your phone – to recreate stadium noise as touch sensation.

It’s part of the Unsilence the Crowd campaign, an initiative that’s designed to provide an inclusive football experience for deaf fans. It follows research by the RNID which discovered that almost three-quarters of people who are deaf or have hearing loss believe haptics can improve the match-day experience.

Lifelong Magpies fans David Wilson and Ryan Gregson were among the first to road test the kit as they watched their team see off raiders Tottenham in a 4-0 win in April – and declared it a huge win. “For the first time, I felt included 100%,” said Gregson, speaking through a sign language interpreter. “To experience the noise through vibration was just wonderful.”
“I’ve never felt anything like it,” added Wilson.

Haptics secreted on different areas of the shirt signify specific crowd reactions. Vibrations in the shirt sleeves mean the home team is singing. Buzzing in the back of the shirt means an away goal. “It was very quiet round the back,” Gregson joked.

Sela, a Saudi Arabian events and marketing company, will now offer the tech at all Newcastle home ties, and hopes more clubs will follow its lead.

“We would welcome the whole football family to join us by adopting the technology. By acting now, we can collectively make watching live football matches an incredible experience for everyone who loves the game,” said Sela VP Ibrahim Mohtaseb.

Teri Devine, director for inclusion at RNID, added: “One in five adults in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss, but people often face barriers in everyday life – including in live sports events. It’s fantastic to see Sela and Newcastle United leading the way in championing this technology which has the potential to have a real and lasting impact on how people who are deaf and have hearing loss experience live sports.”

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Herd Of Cows Saves Stranded Baby Seal

Video link - https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ent...b00c150d61ee9e

…seal of approval for the cows…?…we think so……

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…seal of approval for the cows…?…we think so……

[Mystic Mock]

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/okla...s-to-families/

[Ammi]

Paralyzed Man Sets Off to Cycle Entire Length of Britain on a Motorized Bike Controlled by His Chin…


A 47-year-old paralyzed man hopes to become the first person to cycle the entire 1,000-mile length of Britain using a motorized bike controlled by his chin.

Andy Walker set off on his epic voyage from Lands End today, in a specially made quad-cycle with the goal of arriving at John O’Groats in two weeks—and he’s raising thousands for a charity involved in motor neuron disease (MND), an incurable brain condition.

The ex-competitive swimmer was 28 when he suffered a spinal cord injury after hitting a rock as he dove into the sea from Goa, India. He was left paralyzed from the neck down, and local doctors gave him just a one percent chance of survival.

But he refused to give up. He underwent a major operation at a hospital specializing in spinal injuries in Delhi, and was later flown back to England, where he spent a further eight months at Sheffield Northern Hospital.

“Since my accident, I’ve had absolute conviction and determination to lead a full and rewarding life,” said Walker. “Taking on these extreme challenges helps me continue to live my dream and make a difference to other people.”

Andy previously rode 350 miles across Kenya on a motorized quad bike and says he is motivated to complete these extreme charity challenges to “transform” the lives of others.

“This will be physically and mentally tough for me, but I’ll be able to get through it with the support of my friends and family, and knowing the money I raise will help transform the lives of so many people.”

Andy team, including his cousin Lisa and lifelong friend Alan, will be traveling across the country this month, taking in some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. They’ll start in Cornwall before heading through Shropshire, and then go up to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, before reaching John O’Groats in Scotland.


One of Andy’s heroes is former rugby league star Rob Burrow who died recently at age 41 from MND, after relentlessly campaigning to raise awareness of the disease. A third of the money Andy raises on GoFundMe will go toward building the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, in partnership with Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Paul Watkins, the director of fundraising for that charity, said Andy embodies the famed rugby player’s legacy.

“Andy is embodying Rob Burrow’s famous quote, ‘In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’.

“His positive attitude and determination has proved he can overcome his own barriers to inspire others.

“This challenge is an incredibly difficult one, so for someone to be doing that on a bike controlled only by their chin, is truly incredible.

In addition to raising money for charities, Andy has also set up a motivational speaking company, called Living Your Dreams, to help inspire others to live life to the fullest.

In 2019, Andy was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire, a title bestowed on Brits for outstanding achievements or service to the community over the long term).

At the time, he said, “I’m a bit of a character… Getting awards and MBEs isn’t what my life is about.

“I try to support people—and that’s what the challenge was all about, raising money and awareness for such a great cause. I’ve had so much support from my family and from the charity, so if I can help somebody I will.

“My main aim has been to prove that life goes on.”

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/para...d-by-his-chin/





…Andy……an incredible guy…

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Ammi

Paralyzed Man Sets Off to Cycle Entire Length of Britain on a Motorized Bike Controlled by His Chin…


A 47-year-old paralyzed man hopes to become the first person to cycle the entire 1,000-mile length of Britain using a motorized bike controlled by his chin.

Andy Walker set off on his epic voyage from Lands End today, in a specially made quad-cycle with the goal of arriving at John O’Groats in two weeks—and he’s raising thousands for a charity involved in motor neuron disease (MND), an incurable brain condition.

The ex-competitive swimmer was 28 when he suffered a spinal cord injury after hitting a rock as he dove into the sea from Goa, India. He was left paralyzed from the neck down, and local doctors gave him just a one percent chance of survival.

But he refused to give up. He underwent a major operation at a hospital specializing in spinal injuries in Delhi, and was later flown back to England, where he spent a further eight months at Sheffield Northern Hospital.

“Since my accident, I’ve had absolute conviction and determination to lead a full and rewarding life,” said Walker. “Taking on these extreme challenges helps me continue to live my dream and make a difference to other people.”

Andy previously rode 350 miles across Kenya on a motorized quad bike and says he is motivated to complete these extreme charity challenges to “transform” the lives of others.

“This will be physically and mentally tough for me, but I’ll be able to get through it with the support of my friends and family, and knowing the money I raise will help transform the lives of so many people.”

Andy team, including his cousin Lisa and lifelong friend Alan, will be traveling across the country this month, taking in some of the UK’s most beautiful landscapes. They’ll start in Cornwall before heading through Shropshire, and then go up to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, before reaching John O’Groats in Scotland.


One of Andy’s heroes is former rugby league star Rob Burrow who died recently at age 41 from MND, after relentlessly campaigning to raise awareness of the disease. A third of the money Andy raises on GoFundMe will go toward building the new Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease, in partnership with Leeds Hospitals Charity.

Paul Watkins, the director of fundraising for that charity, said Andy embodies the famed rugby player’s legacy.

“Andy is embodying Rob Burrow’s famous quote, ‘In a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream’.

“His positive attitude and determination has proved he can overcome his own barriers to inspire others.

“This challenge is an incredibly difficult one, so for someone to be doing that on a bike controlled only by their chin, is truly incredible.

In addition to raising money for charities, Andy has also set up a motivational speaking company, called Living Your Dreams, to help inspire others to live life to the fullest.

In 2019, Andy was awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire, a title bestowed on Brits for outstanding achievements or service to the community over the long term).

At the time, he said, “I’m a bit of a character… Getting awards and MBEs isn’t what my life is about.

“I try to support people—and that’s what the challenge was all about, raising money and awareness for such a great cause. I’ve had so much support from my family and from the charity, so if I can help somebody I will.

“My main aim has been to prove that life goes on.”

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/para...d-by-his-chin/





…Andy……an incredible guy…

Good on him

[Ammi]

Good news as England’s first official Hedgehog crossings installed…

England's first official hedgehog crossing road signs have been unveiled in Kingston, south-west London.
Some 150,000 hedgehogs are killed every year on roads across the country. Experts believe that these deaths are contributing to the animal’s decline in the UK.
Kingston council have now installed four newly approved crossing signs in Old Malden where about 100 of these animals thrive in the large gardens and green spaces.
The new signs feature a hedgehog with white quills inside a red triangle, designed to be easily visible to drivers.
This design was approved by the Department for Transport in December last year.




…marvellous hedgehog advancement……

[Benjamin]

Blind woman 'nervous but excited' about skydive


A blind woman doing a skydive to raise money for charity says she is "nervous but excited" - and expects her guide dog to be excited too.

Louann Kent is doing the tandem skydive to raise money for Guide Dogs, external, which partnered her with Ugo the golden retriever back in 2017.

Mrs Kent, who is from Derby, said Ugo had transformed her life and enabled her to do things independently.

Ugo will not be accompanying her on the tandem skydive on Saturday, but will be waiting on the ground for her to land.

"I think he'll be excited but he just gets excited about everything," she said.

"He'll just start wagging his tail and wonder what's going on."

Louann, who lives in Chaddesden, was born with high myopia and wore glasses and contact lenses from a young age.

As she got older she had complications from the myopia, and her sight started to deteriorate while she was pregnant with her second child in 2004.

She said losing her sight while looking after two young children was difficult.

"It was quite frustrating really," she said.

"I used to have to pick my children up from nursery and I couldn't see in the dark.

"I can always remember walking back and trying to avoid all the bushes. There were lots of difficult times."

By the time her third child was born in 2012 she had completely lost her sight.

Louann decided to get a guide dog so she could take her son to school independently, and she was partnered with Ugo in 2017.

"I can always remember the day I did it all on my own and the feeling was amazing, to be able to take him to school, drop him off and come home on my own," she said.

"My heart was beating all the way, it was pounding out my chest, it was so scary. But that feeling of doing it, walking on your own, normally at a normal walking pace, it's amazing."

She described Ugo as "amazing" and "the most loving dog".

"Even now at the age of nine he still gets excited, and he's so loving, he follows me around everywhere at home," she said.

She decided to do the charity skydive after finding out about it in a Facebook post, and has already raised more than £1,000 through sponsorship.

Although she has always wanted to do a skydive, she is also apprehensive.

"I think it's more the fact that I can't see and I've got hearing loss as well, I'm thinking am I going to be communicating OK?" she said.

She is one of more than 100 people across the UK who are taking part in 12 different skydive events for Guide Dogs, which they have nicknamed Blind Panic.
Collectively they are hoping to raise £100,000.

Claire Robotham, a fundraising manager for Guide Dogs, said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to Louann and all the volunteers taking part in the Blind Panic challenge, helping to raise vital funds for our organisation.

“As a charity we rely almost entirely on donations and fundraising, so every penny she raises will help make a difference to people living with sight loss."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck7gwmzp899o

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck7gwmzp899o

…just connecting this story and the sky diving theme…

Woman to mark 102nd birthday by breaking skydiving record…


A woman from Suffolk plans to mark her 102nd birthday on Sunday with a record-breaking skydive.

Manette Baillie will become the oldest person in Britain to skydive when she jumps from a plane over East Anglia on Sunday.

It will also mark the first time she has ever done it.

She will be completing the challenge from Beccles Airfield to raise money for three causes: the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Benhall Village Hall.

Ms Baillie, who served in the Woman's Royal Naval Service (WRENS) in Egypt during the Second World War, told the EAAA: "You must always look for something new.

"I was once married to a paratrooper but have never done it [a skydive] myself."


Well wishes and donations have come in from parachutists and experts studying how best to live fulfilling lives well into old age, and Ms Baillie has even received a personal letter from the Prince of Wales ahead of the challenge.

The almost 102-year-old, who still drives, is no stranger to pushing herself to her limits - she celebrated her 100th birthday behind the wheel of a Ferrari racing car at Silverstone, reaching a speed of 130mph.

"Community, friends and being among people is my secret to a fulfilling life," she said.

"Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you. And don't forget to party."

In a statement, the EAAA said: "We love hearing about the inspirational stories from EAAA supporters, so we were completely overwhelmed when we heard about Manette's kindness and her exciting plans to celebrate her 102nd birthday."

It added: "From everybody at East Anglian Air Ambulance, a heartfelt thank you and happy birthday, Manette."

The record for the oldest person ever to skydive belongs to 106-year-old Texan Alfred "Al" Blaschke.


…her jump is today, Go Manette…!!!!!!….…




…a very stylish lady…

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…just connecting this story and the sky diving theme…

Woman to mark 102nd birthday by breaking skydiving record…


A woman from Suffolk plans to mark her 102nd birthday on Sunday with a record-breaking skydive.

Manette Baillie will become the oldest person in Britain to skydive when she jumps from a plane over East Anglia on Sunday.

It will also mark the first time she has ever done it.

She will be completing the challenge from Beccles Airfield to raise money for three causes: the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA), the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Benhall Village Hall.

Ms Baillie, who served in the Woman's Royal Naval Service (WRENS) in Egypt during the Second World War, told the EAAA: "You must always look for something new.

"I was once married to a paratrooper but have never done it [a skydive] myself."


Well wishes and donations have come in from parachutists and experts studying how best to live fulfilling lives well into old age, and Ms Baillie has even received a personal letter from the Prince of Wales ahead of the challenge.

The almost 102-year-old, who still drives, is no stranger to pushing herself to her limits - she celebrated her 100th birthday behind the wheel of a Ferrari racing car at Silverstone, reaching a speed of 130mph.

"Community, friends and being among people is my secret to a fulfilling life," she said.

"Keep busy, be interested in everything, be kind to those around you and let them be kind to you. And don't forget to party."

In a statement, the EAAA said: "We love hearing about the inspirational stories from EAAA supporters, so we were completely overwhelmed when we heard about Manette's kindness and her exciting plans to celebrate her 102nd birthday."

It added: "From everybody at East Anglian Air Ambulance, a heartfelt thank you and happy birthday, Manette."

The record for the oldest person ever to skydive belongs to 106-year-old Texan Alfred "Al" Blaschke.


…her jump is today, Go Manette…!!!!!!….…




…a very stylish lady…

…a vid of Manette’s sky dive at the weekend, what an incredible lady……she really is what superstars are made of…

Youtube video

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Ammi

…a vid of Manette’s sky dive at the weekend, what an incredible lady……she really is what superstars are made of…

Youtube video

I saw this too. Love her so much.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

I saw this too. Love her so much.

…Manette is an absolute babe, isn’t she…? …when I’m 102 yrs old, she’s who I want to be……

[Benjamin]

Crisp packets, bread bags and yoghurt tops to get a new life as furniture for NHS gardens

Thousands of pieces of soft plastics, such as bread bags and crisp packets, dropped off by customers at Tesco stores are to get a new lease of life as outdoor furniture and garden equipment in a series of community gardens being designed for NHS Property Services.

Veolia has introduced an innovative recycling process that can turn soft plastic, which previously was difficult to recycle, into items such as benches, decking, tables and raised beds.

The recycled gardening products will be donated to the NHSPS Social Prescribing Programme to introduce nature around health centres for use by patients and the local community.

The programme, being coordinated by environmental and community charity Groundwork and in partnership with government-owned health estate organisation NHS Property Services and the UK’s leading resource management company Veolia, will see gardens created in community locations across the country with furniture and equipment made entirely from hundreds of thousands of pieces of soft plastic returned to store by Tesco customers.

A bench alone uses more than 2,500 pieces of soft plastic to create.

The first of the  gardens will be created at the John Scott Health Centre in London, owned by NHS Property Services, and will include trellising, decking, raised beds, seating and tables all made from recycled bread bags, crisp packets, yoghurt tops and other pieces of soft plastic.

The garden is one of the 100 hubs and green spaces designed and delivered as a part of NHSPS’ social prescribing programme.

Social prescribing aims to provide non-clinical routes to treatment for people with a range of social or health issues, giving them more choice and freedom to receive the support they need.

By addressing the root causes of ill health and enhancing overall wellbeing, social prescribing has emerged as a powerful tool in the healthcare landscape. Demand on the voluntary sector to deliver services that can help address specific social needs is increasing. And through strategic partnerships with Integrated Care Boards, Trusts, GPs, and the voluntary sector, NHSPS has been identifying and redeveloping vacant space in its portfolio to help support local communities this way.

Further projects are planned at: Tarleton Health Centre, Preston; Maghull Health Centre, Merseyside; Goscote Hospice, Walsall; Shaw House, St Austell and Whitby Community Hospital.

Tony McElroy, Tesco Head of Campaigns, said: “It’s fantastic to see the soft plastic that our customers are returning being turned into something new that will benefit communities and help give young people a stronger start in life.

It’s still our absolute priority to remove and reduce as much plastic as possible and make sure everything we use is recycled and kept out of the environment.”

Dr. Min Rodriguez, Head of Social Impact at NHSPS, said: "We are really proud of the impact our social prescribing sites have had on individuals and communities – just between 2022 and 2023 we have reached 60,000 patients. This collaboration with Tesco, Veolia and Groundworks highlights the potential of innovative partnerships to not only create vibrant spaces for public benefit but also to drive positive change in healthcare and environmental sustainability. And it’s particularly special that we are repurposing soft plastics instead of increasing waste.”

Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s UK Chief Executive, said: “This is a great example of innovative thinking to minimise plastic waste while improving much needed open spaces in local communities. We’re proud to be playing our part in delivering this project with the sustainable design expertise and nature-based solutions brought by our Landscape Architects and look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to communities and the environment.”

Adam Wylie, Managing Director - Commercial, at Veolia said: “It’s great to be working on this unique project which brings together three of our partners: Tesco, one of our most innovative partnerships that is bolstering the circular economy; with the NHS in providing energy, decarbonisation and resource management solutions; and Groundwork as our charity partner and with whom we have delivered ambitious social value campaigns across the country to support the local communities we serve every day.

“Utilising recycled materials in green spaces and collaborating across private and public bodies to deliver these social prescribing gardens is a testament to how we can and must all work together to deliver ecological transformation.”

Dr Mareeni Raymond, GP Principal, said: “The Heron Practice is a Greener Practice Silver award winning team who recognise the importance of reducing health inequalities and improving health outcomes by being outdoors, having cleaner air and taking part in activities for mental and physical health. We have been so pleased to be able to support patients through social prescribing and volunteer-led community activities including medication, exercise and now, a patient and staff gardening group.

 "Watching a derelict wasted space become transformed into a haven of flowers and edible plants has been positive for our team and we look forward to nurturing the space, connecting communities and enjoying home grown plant-based food as part of our continuing journey as a practice.”
 
Tesco’s 4Rs packaging strategy aims to remove plastic where it can, reduce where it can't, reuse more and recycle what's left. To date, Tesco over 2.3 billion pieces of plastic have been permanently removed from Tesco own brand products in the UK, including:

●    200+ million bags from Tesco.com deliveries
●    100+ million extra lids from products such as wipes, creams, yoghurts and desserts
●    50 million pieces of plastic wrapping from cans of branded beers and ciders

https://goodnewspost.co.uk/crisp-pac...r-nhs-gardens/

[Benjamin]

Could a mod/admin possibly sticky this thread please?

[Ammi]

…this story is from May 2024, so a few months ago but still a good story to know…

From living on a bench to hosting huge lockdown quizzes…

A once homeless man who shot to fame during the Covid pandemic when his virtual pub quiz went viral around the world has shared his "inspiring" life story in a new book.
Jay Flynn's weekly quiz became a lifeline for millions who struggled with the isolation of lockdown and raised more than £1m for charity.
It also earned Jay a regular quiz slot on Zoe Ball’s Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.
It's certainly been remarkable rags-to-riches story for the now 41-year-old from Darwen, Lancashire.
Jay had been homeless for two years and slept on a riverside bench on the Embankment in London.
He said he could see no way out before he was "saved" by a homeless charity 15 years ago.
"I hit rock bottom, fell through rock bottom and went even further down," he said.
"They rebuilt me so I could integrate back into society and become the person I am today."
In his newly published autobiography, The Quizmaster: From Life on the Streets to a Global Quizzing Sensation, Jay said he wanted to show that "sometimes you can find the answers you’re seeking in the most unexpected places".

After turning his life around, Jay became a pub landlord in Lancashire and ran a weekly quiz night.
When the Covid restrictions came in, he moved the quiz online, intending for it to only be for his regulars.
"I wanted to do something for the quiz teams in Darwen because I knew some of them would be on their own," he explained.
"I put a message on my social media and it went viral and blew up.
"By the time that first quiz came around there were half a million people interested and around 250,000 watched - it was the best of mistakes I've ever made in my life!"
Word spread fast and the quiz was soon attracting millions of views as well as celebrity guests.
Jay said lots of people wanted to monetise it on his behalf but "I am not for that in any way shape or form - it was supposed to be something for people to enjoy."
And so he thought it would be better if charities could benefit instead.
"We raised £200,000 for Alzheimer's research the day Steven Fry was on," he said.
"For someone like me who never claims to be a professional quiz host to suddenly go from not being well known to having Stephen Fry and Jonathon Ross appearing on a quiz of mine just doesn't feel real."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ck7lgr7m1z1o

[Ammi]

An orangutan mom lost 2 babies. Then a zoo brought in 30 women to teach her how to breastfeed...


For months, 30 women breastfed their babies in front of a pregnant orangutan as part of a plan to teach the expecting mother how to care for her newborn at the Dublin Zoo in Ireland.

Mujur, a critically endangered Bornean orangutan, had given birth twice before, but both of her babies died, with Mujur failing to show the maternal qualities needed to keep them alive, the zoo said Tuesday. So when she became pregnant again, the zoo hatched a plan for a unique parenting class.

"In preparation for the birth of this newborn, Dublin Zoo has been working with Mujur for months, leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to give her the best chance possible to develop these necessary maternal qualities," the zoo said.


In 2016, when the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed Borenan orangutans as a critically endangered species, the organization noted the animal's population was on the decline. The organization estimated there were around 104,700 Bornean orangutans at the time — a sharp decline from an estimated 288,500 animals in 1973. The numbers could drop to just 47,000 by 2025, the conservation organization warned. Major threats to the species include habitat loss, illegal hunting, fires and climate change.

Orangutan females typically give birth every three to five years, and only to one infant at a time, the Dublin Zoo said. Orangutans have the longest period of dependence on the mother of any land-dwelling animal, including humans, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo. Newborn orangutans are completely dependent on their mothers for food and transportation for the first few years of their lives.

"This means that maternal qualities are absolutely vital for the wellbeing of the infant," the Dublin Zoo said.

To teach 19-year-old Mujur the maternal skills she needed, the Dublin Zoo showed the pregnant orangutan videos of other orangutans feeding their babies. The zoo also asked for volunteers from lactation groups in Dublin and surrounding areas.

"Mujur was extremely interested in watching the women feed their babies through the glass, even mirroring some of their actions," the zoo said.

Mujur did show maternal care toward her son after his July 31 birth, but she wasn't putting him in the right position for feeding. The zoo typically would not intervene, but because of the importance of the newborn orangutan and his genetic profile — inherited from his father, who died in February at age 45 — the zoo ultimately separated the unnamed newborn orangutan from Mujur and began bottle-feeding him.


He's getting around the clock care now and will eventually be cared for by Monkey World, a specialist institution in the U.K. that's more suited to hand-raising orangutans.

"The whole team has already fallen hopelessly in love with him, and it will be difficult to say goodbye, however we are confident that he is being sent to the best possible place for him to continue to develop and thrive," the Dublin Zoo said.

Spoiler:

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Ammi

An orangutan mom lost 2 babies. Then a zoo brought in 30 women to teach her how to breastfeed...


For months, 30 women breastfed their babies in front of a pregnant orangutan as part of a plan to teach the expecting mother how to care for her newborn at the Dublin Zoo in Ireland.

Mujur, a critically endangered Bornean orangutan, had given birth twice before, but both of her babies died, with Mujur failing to show the maternal qualities needed to keep them alive, the zoo said Tuesday. So when she became pregnant again, the zoo hatched a plan for a unique parenting class.

"In preparation for the birth of this newborn, Dublin Zoo has been working with Mujur for months, leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to give her the best chance possible to develop these necessary maternal qualities," the zoo said.


In 2016, when the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed Borenan orangutans as a critically endangered species, the organization noted the animal's population was on the decline. The organization estimated there were around 104,700 Bornean orangutans at the time — a sharp decline from an estimated 288,500 animals in 1973. The numbers could drop to just 47,000 by 2025, the conservation organization warned. Major threats to the species include habitat loss, illegal hunting, fires and climate change.

Orangutan females typically give birth every three to five years, and only to one infant at a time, the Dublin Zoo said. Orangutans have the longest period of dependence on the mother of any land-dwelling animal, including humans, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo. Newborn orangutans are completely dependent on their mothers for food and transportation for the first few years of their lives.

"This means that maternal qualities are absolutely vital for the wellbeing of the infant," the Dublin Zoo said.

To teach 19-year-old Mujur the maternal skills she needed, the Dublin Zoo showed the pregnant orangutan videos of other orangutans feeding their babies. The zoo also asked for volunteers from lactation groups in Dublin and surrounding areas.

"Mujur was extremely interested in watching the women feed their babies through the glass, even mirroring some of their actions," the zoo said.

Mujur did show maternal care toward her son after his July 31 birth, but she wasn't putting him in the right position for feeding. The zoo typically would not intervene, but because of the importance of the newborn orangutan and his genetic profile — inherited from his father, who died in February at age 45 — the zoo ultimately separated the unnamed newborn orangutan from Mujur and began bottle-feeding him.


He's getting around the clock care now and will eventually be cared for by Monkey World, a specialist institution in the U.K. that's more suited to hand-raising orangutans.

"The whole team has already fallen hopelessly in love with him, and it will be difficult to say goodbye, however we are confident that he is being sent to the best possible place for him to continue to develop and thrive," the Dublin Zoo said.

Spoiler:

orangu


Soo cute

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

orangu


Soo cute

……: orangu :……

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Could a mod/admin possibly sticky this thread please?

Done

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by AnnieK

Done

Ledge

[Benjamin]

Oooh orangu has been removed from the swear filter hahahaha

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Oooh orangu has been removed from the swear filter hahahaha

..that’s a big ol’ orangu there…just because you can……

[Benjamin]

Giant panda twins born to oldest first-time mum



Hong Kong is celebrating the birth of twin giant pandas by its beloved Ying Ying, who is a first-time mum.

The birth is a "true rarity" as their mother is the oldest giant panda on record to give birth for the first time.
Ying Ying delivered the cubs on Thursday, one day before her 19th birthday. If she were a human, she would be the equivalent of a 57-year-old.

A photo of the twins - a male and a female - has received over a thousand congratulatory comments on Facebook.

The cubs are currently "very fragile and need time to stabilise" under 24-hour intensive care, according to their caretakers.

"We are all looking forward to meet the giant panda cubs. Please wait a few months patiently to make their debut and officially meet everyone!" Ocean Park Hong Kong said.

Of Ying Ying's twins, the female cub appears to be more fragile because her body temperature is lower and her cries are weaker compared to her brother, the park operator said. She weighs just 122g.

Ying Ying was "understandably nervous" during birth and spent most of the time lying and twisting on the ground, Ocean Park said.

Giant pandas are notoriously reluctant to mate. Ying Ying and the twins' father, Le Le, have been housed at Ocean Park since 2007, when they were gifted to Hong Kong by Beijing. They mated successfully in March.

China's long-term conservation effort has reversed the population decline of giant pandas. They are now considered a vulnerable species and no longer endangered.

Aside from serving as theme park attractions, pandas have also figured in China's diplomatic efforts.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1l5mdq31ejo

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1l5mdq31ejo

……can you imagine if they stayed pink …how much would we want a pink panda pet……

…well done Ling Ling and Ye Ye on their two gorgeous gorgeous babies……

[Ammi]

Rapper Flavor Flav and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian team up to help Olympian Veronica Fraley pay her rent…


…a few weeks late with the story, but…


Ahead of her Olympics debut, track and field athlete Veronica Fraley had a more pressing concern on her mind than the Games: paying her rent on time.

Fraley, 24, lamented her situation on social media Thursday as she prepared for her women's discus throw qualification round in Paris.

"I compete in the Olympic Games TOMORROW and can’t even pay my rent," Fraley, is the 2024 NCAA discus champion, wrote on X. "my school only sent about 75% of my rent while they pay football players (who haven’t won anything) enough to buy new cars and houses"

Her post quickly drew the attention of rapper Flavor Flav and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who both responded online pledging to help by sending Fraley some money directly.

"I gotchu,,, DM me and I’ll send payment TODAY so you don’t have to worry bout it TOMORROW," Flav replied Thursday on X, "and imma be rooting for ya tomorrow LETZ GO,!!!

Flav, a founding member and the hype man of Public Enemy, has become known as a hype man for U.S. women's water polo. He sponsored the team after player Maggie Steffens shared an Instagram post mentioning that many Olympians must work multiple jobs to support their athletic careers.

Ohanian, who is married to gold medal-winning tennis champion Serena Williams, also pledged to help Fraley on Thursday. He shared a screenshot of a $7,760 Venmo payment he sent her, writing that he chose that amount because he liked the number (it alludes to his venture capital firm, Seven Seven Six).

Fraley did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A representative for Ohanian declined to comment.

A representative for Flav confirmed that he paid Fraley's rent in full. The representative did not disclose how much was sent.

Flav said through the representative that he is "happy to help out those who are representing the best of us. This is exactly why I’m in Paris and the awareness I been trying to bring to these athletes needs."

Fraley's post has generated an outpouring of sympathy from internet users who expressed shock that an Olympian wasn’t earning enough to make ends meet.

Fraley, who competed for Clemson University from 2019 to 2021, finished 10th overall in the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, according to her bio page on the official athletic site of the Vanderbilt Commodores.

She is pursuing her second master’s degree from Vanderbilt in human development studies, according to a news release from the university’s athletic department. As a graduate student this year, she won a bronze medal in the discus at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

"Thanks for the supporting messages but I want to clarify my irritation isn’t with the school itself, mainly the rules that bar me from making the amount I’m WORTH as a collegiate athlete such as NIL which favors popularity over performance," Fraley later wrote on X. "that’s all I’m sayin. Wish me luck tm!"

"NIL" is short for "name, image and likeness"; college athletes are allowed to be paid for the use of their names, images and likenesses in accordance with their states' laws.

A spokesperson for Vanderbilt, which is in Nashville, Tennessee, referred NBC News to a statement it issued on its website, in which the university said it provided Fraley “with the maximum financial aid consistent with NCAA regulations.”

“We also help our student-athletes navigate name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities, acknowledging that these are completely separate and independent of the university by NCAA regulations and state law,” the university said Friday. “We congratulate Veronica not only on her many athletic accomplishments but also for completing her courses to earn her master’s degree. It is exciting that this Vanderbilt graduate is representing the United States at the 2024 Olympic Games.”

In her X post, Fraley thanked Flavor Flav directly and shared Ohanian's post.

"this makes every difference in the WORLD & I hope to represent team USA well this week," she wrote.

She also shared a link to a GoFundMe campaign, asking for support from the broader public.

“After Paris, I am aiming for the 2025 World Championships and 2028 Olympics next as I begin my professional track and field career!” she wrote on X.