RIGHT: Buggs does an abstract painting while his owner, Carol Jensen, stands ready to help at her farm in Iron Ridge. Jensen taught her horse, a 13-year-ancient former barrel racer, to paint as way to keep him from getting into mischief during the winter when he is not as active. Photo: Mark Hoffman

With help, Buggs excels at painting

By Erin Richards of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: March 15, 2010

Iron Ridge — He’s prankish and clever, an artist with an attitude.

On excellent days he’s focused, his brush strokes smooth and long. Other days he knocks over the easel with his head, slathers paint on his assistant, or accidentally punches right through the canvas. Time to start over.

With a paintbrush between his teeth, Buggs, a 13-year-ancient quarter horse cross, produces novelty artwork that’s attracting a growing number of admirers in Dodge County and across the state. He’s a pioneer in a painting horse movement that’s emerged in recent years, fueled by YouTube videos and the Internet, and part of a worldly contingent of “animal artists” that includes everything from elephants and dogs to chimpanzees.

Owner Carol Jensen, a multimedia artist, jewelry maker and musician who taught Buggs to paint two years ago, envisions filling a gallery with her horse’s paintings one day, or maybe taking his show on the road, exhibition-style.

“I’m inspired by paintings I see, colorwise, and I reckon, ‘Oh, Buggs could do that,’ ” Jensen said recently, while dressed in a white button-up smock and mixing paint on the ground next to Buggs’ open stall door.

A few moments later she dabbed the brush in the paint, pointed the wooden handle at Buggs’ expectant mouth and instructed, “Up and down, up and down . . . ”

Jensen, 56, learned Buggs’ aptitude for painting while looking for ways to keep the restless horse occupied during the winter months, when poor weather keeps him cooped up in his stall. She had heard about people teaching horses to paint and figured that Buggs, whose personality equates to that of a smart child who acts up when bored, seemed like a excellent prospect. In October 2008 she started training the chestnut gelding to hold a stick in his mouth and target the tip on a designated area.

When he performed the action, she rewarded him by pressing a clicker and giving him a treat. Then she gave Buggs a paintbrush, went his head up and down, and praised him when he repeated the action on his own.

“At first I used a sketch pad and no paint, then I went from the sketch pad to stretch canvas,” Jensen said. “When he started poking holes through the canvas with the brush, I started using canvas board instead.”

By November 2008, Buggs’ first painting sold in a charity auction. Since then, he’s made about 30 more paintings with Jensen’s help.

Many of Buggs’ pieces line the walls of Jensen’s house in a colorful parade of abstract strokes, splatters, scrapes and mushes from the whiskers on Buggs’ chin.

“As far as freshness and originality are concerned, he’s got me beat,” Jensen said. “But my dexterity is better.”

Animal artists

Horse-produced art has attracted a honest amount of media attention in the last couple of years. Cholla the painting horse, with his own Wikipedia entry, has had watercolors showed around the world.

The earliest documented art-producing animal may be Congo, a chimp that painted and drew in the 1950s. YouTube videos show elephants producing art – the Milwaukee County Zoo’s elephant, Brittany, earned minor fame with her painting abilities – and dogs that wield paintbrushes.

Cheryl Ward, a Florida resident who started teaching her horses to paint in 2004, has coined the movement “interspecies collaborative action art” to reflect the partnership between human and animal. While Ward said the horses don’t know what they’re producing, she believes they get some sort of satisfaction out of the process.

“It’s honoring their innate abilities to use their bodies in search of food or something else that feels excellent,” Ward said. “It’s deeper than just a fun pet trick.”

In Iron Ridge at her Windy Hill Farm, Jensen sets up the easel outside Buggs’ stall a couple times a month. It’s up to her to select the hue of the acrylics, and to choose if she’s going to let him paint wet colors on top of each other, or do a base layer, let it dry and then bring it back to Buggs for another round.

When they work together, Jensen stops and surveys what Buggs has done so far. She may rotate the canvas, or choose a different-sized brush. Going minimalist requires diligence.

“I’d have to take it away pretty quickly,” Jensen said. “If I leave it up to him, he’ll just keep going.”

When not painting, Buggs performs a repertoire of crowd-pleasing party tricks – he opens the mailbox outside his stall, retrieves a package and hands it to Jensen. He picks up a rubber ball and drops it in the basketball hoop. He plays the keyboard with his nose, waves a checkered flag, and when it’s all over, drops his head and bows.

A few miles away at the Celtic Crossroads Café in Mayville, Buggs’ paintings pique many customers’ interests. Café owner Cyndy Beecroft said people have bought nine or 10 of Buggs’ paintings off the wall, ranging in price from $75 to $125, over the past year.

“I reckon Buggs’ artwork is pretty sweet,” Amy Tarleton, a patron at the café, said recently. “I’m not talented in art at all. It’s cool because he’s a lot better than I am.”

Tarleton said she’d consider buying a Buggs painting, if she had an available $125.

Tarleton said, “I reckon I would because who could say, ‘I have a painting done by a horse?’ I reckon that’s just fascinating.”

Buggs online
To see a video of Buggs, a quarter horse cross who paints pictures, and his owner, Carol Jensen, visit www.jsonline.com/video.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/87733497.html
(Submitted by D.R. Shoop)

Thanks to original news poster.

Popularity: 1%

Posted on: Monday, 15 March 2010, 10:43 CDT

Australia’s average temperature is on the rise, providing compelling evidence of the validity of climate change, claims the country’s top group of scientists in a report released on Monday.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), in a joint “State of the Climate” report with the Bureau of Meteorology, presented findings that the country’s mean temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius in the past 50 years, though some areas have experienced as much as a 1.5 to 2 degree hike in temperatures.

Furthermore, this past decade was the hottest in Australia’s recorded history and rainfall amounts in the southeast and southwest parts of the country are decreasing, the report found.

“We are seeing significant evidence of a changing climate,” CSIRO head Dr. Megan Clark recently told ABC public radio. “We are warming in every part of the country during every season and as each decade goes by, the records are being broken. We are also seeing fewer cold days so we are seeing some very significant long-term trends in Australia’s climate.”

According to the report, as it was quoted in a March 15, 2010 Reuters UK tale, “There is greater than 90 percent certainty that increases in greenhouse gas emissions have caused most of the global warming since the mid-20th century. Evidence of human influence has been detected in ocean warming, sea-level rise, continental-average temperatures, temperature extremes and wind patterns.”

Based on data collected over the past 100 years, the CSIRO scientists claim that they expect the average temperatures in Australia to spike by another 0.6 to 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next two decades.

—

On the Net:

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)
• Bureau of Meteorology
• Megan Clark

Source: RedOrbit Staff & Wire Reports

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1836372/australian_study_shows_climate_on_the_rise/index.html?source=r_science

Thanks to original news poster.

Popularity: 1%

Tuesday, 9 March 2010
By Rebecca Morelle
Science reporter, BBC News

A tiny Japanese insect that could help the fight against an aggressive superweed has been given the go-ahead for a trial release in England.

Since Japanese knotweed was introduced to the UK it has rapidly spread, and the plant currently costs over £150m a year to control and clear.

But scientists say a natural predator in the weed’s native home of Japan could also help to control it here.

The insect will initially be released in a handful of sites this spring.

This is the first time that biocontrol – the use of a “natural predator” to control a pest – has been used in the EU to fight a weed.

Wildlife Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said: “These tiny insects, which naturally prey on Japanese Knotweed, will help free local authorities and industry from the huge cost of treating and killing this devastating plant.”

Alien invaders

Japanese knotweed was introduced to the UK by the Victorians as an ornamental plant, but it soon escaped from gardens and started its rampant spread throughout the UK.

It grows incredibly quickly – more than one metre a month – and rapidly swamps any other vegetation in its path.

It is so hardy that it can burst through tarmac and concrete, causing costly hurt to pavements, roads and buildings.

But removal is hard and expensive; new estimates suggest it costs the UK economy £150m a year.

But, in Japan, the plant is common but does not rage out of control like it does in the UK, thanks to the natural predators that keep it in check.

Scientists at Cabi – a not-for-profit agricultural research organisation – used this as their starting point to track down a potential knotweed solution.

They looked at the superweed’s natural predators – nearly 200 species of plant-eating insects and about 40 species of fungi – with the aim of finding one with an appetite for Japanese knotweed and small else.

After testing their candidates on 90 different UK plant species, including plants closely related to Japanese knotweed such as bindweeds and vital crops and ornamental species, they learned a psyllid called Aphalara itadori was the best control agent.

The small insect feeds on the sap of the superweed, stunting its growth.

Dr Dick Shaw, the lead researcher on the project from Cabi, told BBC News: “Safety is our top priority. We are lucky that we do have an extremely specific agent – it just eats invasive knotweeds.”

Following peer review by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and a public consultation, the UK government has now given the go-ahead for release of Aphalara itadori, under licence, in England.

The Welsh Assembly is expected to announce its choice on the psyllid soon.

The insects will initially be released on a handful of sites.

These will be isolated and, in addition to as having the superweed present, will also have UK species that are closely related to Japanese knotweed planted there to check that the psyllid only targets the invasive species.

Dr Shaw said: “In the early stages, a contingency plot is in place so that should, in the unlikely event, any unintended consequences be detected, we will be able to do something about it.

“Insecticide and herbicide treatment will be on standby for rapid response.”

If this phase is successful, the insect will be released at further sites, where it will undergo an intensive monitoring programme over the next five years.

Dr Shaw said: “On the localised sites, I would expect to see hurt knotweed this season.

“But, biocontrol is a long-term strategy – it could take five to 10 years to have a real impact.”

The government believes that if the plot is successful it will reduce the costs to the building and engineering industries of clearing the plant.

But, some critics say that it is impossible to be certain that the Japanese insect will only target the superweed and could attack other species once in the wild.

See more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8555378.stm

Thanks to original news poster.

Popularity: 1%

http://e-edition.metroherald.ie/2010/03/15/ – p9.

Thanks to original news poster.

Popularity: 1%

Sunday, March 14 2010

Members of the Manatee Conservation Trust and the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago accompanied by two officials from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Kelvin Alie and Dr Ian Robinson participated in the launch of a marine animal rescue boat, aptly christened Rescue One, last week.

Also present on the day were members of the Caribbean Animal Welfare Association (CAWA), a non-governmental organisation based in Trinidad with a reach throughout the wider Caribbean and the San Juan Rotary Club, rounding off the partners involved in this initiative.

As the timing of the launch coincided with recent reports of pilot whale sightings in the Gulf of Paria, the opportunity was taken to conduct further investigations, making use of the tremendous expertise of IFAW in marine mammal research and conservation. The capability of Rescue One to conduct such an investigation was brought into play with the deployment of its depth sounders, a marine electronic device that can detect the presence of aquatic life. This equipment was bought to facilitate research studies currently being undertaken by the Manatee Conservation Trust and the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago with the support of IFAW, on the distribution of whales and dolphins in TT waters.

Having deployed the research equipment off Chacachacare Island, the team registered that there was some detection of activity in the area. Further scouting revealed the presence of what was initially thought to be pilot whales, but upon closer observations were identified as bottlenose dolphins. The pod comprised at least ten individuals with one young clearly visible.

In an attempt to confirm the identity of some pictures which are circulation, Dr Robinson used his extensive experience working with marine mammals to identify these reputed pilot whales as fake killer whales based on the shape of the dorsal fin and the absence of a bulbous head. The literature also suggests that these species are often associated with bottlenose dolphins, the species really seen during the launch.That these respective organisations have come together to fill the void in marine animal conservation is no surprise, especially as there are complementarities in their respective mandate. The Manatee Conservation Trust, a community-based entity has always had a focus on marine mammals and since its pivotal role in the saving of 14 of the 25 small-finned pilot whales which stranded on the Manzanilla Beach in 1999, has given much of its attention to monitoring of whales and dolphins in the waters off Trinidad and Tobago. It has been in the forefront of following through on reports made by persons on whale sightings or strandings in any part of the country and is often one of the first responders. The Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago already has a land-based animal ambulance which allows members to respond to animals which are in distress and this is a natural extension to ensure coverage of both the terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Nirmal Biptah, Curator of the Emperor Valley Zoo felt that the timing of this launch could only complement the new mandate of the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago Inc in getting involved in the wider aspect of animal welfare throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago Inc. for the past 60 years focussed mainly on the running of the Emperor Valley Zoo.

For those familiar with the work of the San Juan Rotary Club, this foray into the marine animal rescue cause should come as no surprise. This organisation has a history of involvement in environmental projects and its support for manatee conservation under the Protect our Earth” programme in 1990 — 1991, is what led to the formation of the Manatee Conservation Trust in 1999. Additionally, it has been providing support to the Zoological Society of Trinidad and Tobago for over 15 years.

During the launch, Gupte Lutchmedial, who provides a crucial linkage among the various organisations involved, acknowledged the generous support of the management of La Soufriere Maritime Ltd, which is providing storage and berthing facilities for the boat in Chaguaramas at a discounted rate. He mentioned that in addition, the organisations were extremely fortunate to benefit from the waiving of registration fees for use of this facility. A special thank you was given to Budget Marine Trinidad which gave discounts for the boat equipment and has donated the communication radio on the boat.

The launching of this boat is just the first step in covering the island as very soon another boat will be commissioned for the east coast of Trinidad. As clarified by Lutchmedial, “The prevalence of whale strandings in the Manzanilla and Mayaro areas demand that we be in a state of preparedness for any future incidents which may occur in these parts.” As a reminder, in early 2009, there were at least three strandings in this area. Two melon-headed whales were stranded in Mayaro and Manzanilla and another species which could not be identified due to its advanced state of decomposition, washed ashore dead in Guayaguayare.

With Rescue One ready to respond to distress calls, the stage is set to strengthen operations for the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals, especially whales and dolphins. The public can report any sightings of marine animals in distress to the Hotline at 622-5344 or 622-3530.

http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,117289.html

Thanks to original news poster.

Popularity: 1%

10 Mar 2010

PANAJI: Bondla zoo in Goa has added a pair of sloth bear procured under an exchange programme from Hyderbad-based Nehru Zoological park, forest officials said.

The Goa zoo would, in turn, offer a pair of bison to its counterpart in Hyderabad.

The 8-sq-km zoo, tucked in Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, had a female sloth bear named Meena in its captivity for the last six years, which was against the guidelines of Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

“CZA makes it mandatory that no single animal or animal of single sex would be kept in a zoo,” a senior forest department officer said.

After 30 hours of road journey from Hyderabad, the pair of sloth bear reached Goa zoo on March 6. They would be kept in quarantine for three weeks before putting it for show in the enclosure, he said.

“We will be sending a pair of bison soon to the Hyderabad zoo,” the officer said.

The forest department has named the bear couple as Raju and Chennama.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/environment/the-excellent-earth/Goa-zoo-gets-a-pair-of-sloth-bear-from-Hyderabad/articleshow/5668266.cms

Thanks to original news poster.

Popularity: 1%

March 11, 2010 3:17 PM

Some pet products are barking mad — like this high chair for dogs which allows them to join their owners at the dinner table.

‘Pet High Chair’ offers a doggie dining experience like never before, rather than clamouring for scraps dogs sit alongside the family.

The device clamps to a table with the dog sitting in a nylon fabric seat and gently restrained by two tethers allowing it to eat from the table.

Makers say the seat promotes a “refined” dining behaviour from dogs and is “more ‘conducive to eating and conversation”.

But, all we want to see is someone use these to recreate the classic Coolidge, Dogs Playing Poker paintings. Fred Berns, of Hammacher Schlemmer’s, who are selling the chair online, said: “The Pet High Chair is ideal for people who truly consider their pet to be part of the family.

“Dogs and cats will no longer require banishment to another room during a meal, as chair is designed to promote proper pet etiquette.”

LINKS
Hammacher Schlemmer

http://newslite.tv/2010/03/11/pet-high-chair-sits-dogs-at-th.html

Thanks to original news poster.

Popularity: 1%

(REUTERS Photo) – Taronga Zoo veterinarians give treatment to a newborn elephant calf as its mother Porntip (R) stands next to it in Sydney March 10, 2010. An elephant gave birth to a calf at Sydney’s main zoo on Wednesday, surprising vets and keepers who two days earlier declared the baby had died in the womb. REUTERS/Taronga Zoo/Bobby-Jo Vial/Handout (Thursday March 11, 08:34 AM)

Thursday March 11, 08:34 AM

SYDNEY (Reuters Life!) – An elephant gave birth to a calf at Sydney’s main zoo on Wednesday, surprising vets and keepers who two days earlier declared the baby had died in the womb.
The Asian elephant mother delivered the male baby in the early hours of Wednesday in what Taronga Park Zoo officials said was “unbelievable excellent fortune”.

“Dedicated keepers reported the incredible news early this morning that the calf had been born and was showing signs of life,” said zoo director Cameron Kerr.

On Monday, Kerr said despite an expert team of vets who had prepared for every eventuality, the calf had not survived after six days of labor, and ultrasounds found there was no chance of a successful birth.

Officials said they now believe the calf was in a coma throughout the labor. They said the calf had since taken its first steps, but it was too early to know if it would survive.

“When the keepers learned the calf had survived this morning, the looks of disbelief on our faces were quite a picture. We couldn’t believe that this could be right,” said Taronga Zoo’s elephant manager Gary Miller.

(Reporting by James Grubel, editing by Miral Fahmy)

http://nz.entertainment.yahoo.com/100310/5/hq2x.html

Thanks to original news poster.

Popularity: 1%