Snapshots of an ever-changing world: The incredible moments in nature that will shock and delight

By Daily Mail Reporter


These incredible photographs show nature's beauty and brutality in equal measure.
Some will delight, others will shock, but all capture the stunning variety that exists in the animal kingdom and the interactions that go on there.

In one, an eagle lunges at a hungry fox, while another shows a terrified baboon struggling to free itself from its shackles among a group of children.


Get off my lunch: This eagle was eating a carcass in Bulgaria's Sinite Kamani National Park when the fox tried to snatch the meal. But the bird was having none of it


Distressing: A terrified yellow baboon tries to break free from its shackles as it is carried by a group of children in north-eastern Mozambique, Africa


Fly-by drinking: This picture of a bat swooping on the water's surface for some much-needed hydration was commended in the endangered species category of the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition

Sad: A tiger and its two tiny cubs walk among the tourists at a Buddhist forest monastery and animal sanctuary in Kanchanaburi province in Thailand, now better known as Tiger Temple

Others provide a snapshot of intimate moments between two cheetahs surveying the savannah for lions and two flies appearing to kiss.

They are among more than 100 pictures commended in the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition which were shortlisted from more than 48,000 entries from 98 countries.

Jim Brandenburg, chairman of the judging panel, said: 'It amazes me to discover new and startling moments that have never been seen before.

'Secret moments in nature combined with a talented eye have given us rare photographs that we will truly be enjoyed forever and I am honoured to play a role in such an important competition.’


Moment of reflection: Two cheetahs form a symmetrical image while looking out for lions in the Gol Kopjes area of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The picture was shot in infra-red on a specially converted camera


In the heat of battle: Two neriid long-legged flies appear to kiss, but are in fact engaging in a combat dance before flying off to mate with nearby females


High-quality: The pictures are among more than 100 commended in the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition which were shortlisted from more than 48,000 entries from 98 countries

Duel: Around 30 of best images from the contest, co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide, will debut in the acclaimed London exhibition in October, before embarking on an international tour

Some also cast a light on our ever-changing relationship with the natural world.

One of those was taken by African photographer Jabruson who exposes the shocking cruelty that some wildlife face in our hands as a terrified baboon vies for freedom from a group of children.

Jabruson explains: 'This young animal was caught during a troop crop raiding on the highway in north-eastern Mozambique. I realised that if I could take an image I could help highlight the situation.'

From the opposite corner of the globe, a cheeky fox learns his lesson as an eagle attacks it for attempting to steal its prey, while Klaus Tamm's Sizing up appears to depict the intimate caress of two flies.


Caught in the act: This fox wasn't as cunning as he thought as he is pictured with the evidence of his misdeeds plain to see. This image was commended in the 10 years and under category


Top quality: The competition is open to photographers, both professional and amateurs alike, and is judged by a panel of industry-recognised professionals


In the spotlight: A lion poses up a tree in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda, in one of the more artistic offerings in the shortlisted images for the competition

How cheeky is that! A bird tries to snatch a fish from the jaws of its dining rival in a snapshot that reveal just how competitive nature can be

The two male neriid long-legged flies were, in fact, engaged in a combat dance which finished with them stretching up to their full height, before flying away and mating with nearby females.

Tamm said: 'I was so impressed by the harmony in the combat dance that I ended up photographing them for several hours.'

The competition is open to photographers, both professional and amateurs alike, and is judged by a panel of industry-recognised professionals.

Around 30 of best images from the contest, co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide, will debut in the acclaimed London exhibition in October, before embarking on a UK and international tour.

Overall winners are expected to be named in October.


source:dailymail

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Woman slashed her Springer Spaniel's head, nose and body 31 times... and then called the police to blame it on an intruder

•Kim Edmonds was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her dog
•She slashed her two Springer Spaniels, one sustained 31 lacerations and burns
•Pending a psychiatric report, Edmonds could serve a maximum of six months in jail
•After the attack she made an emergency call to police, claiming an intruder had attacked her and her dogs
•Investigators discovered her injuries were self-inflicted

By Alex Ward


..A woman is facing a jail sentence for slashing her dog’s head, nose and body 31 times before cutting herself and telling police it was an intruder.

Kim Edmonds, 21, carried out the cruel attack on her springer spaniel Stig which left him mutilated with lacerations and burns in what a RSPCA inspector called the ‘worst attack’ she had ever seen.

The unemployed woman from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the dog on Friday and, pending a psychiatric report, the judge did not rule out a maximum sentence of six months in jail.

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT

Dog slasher: Kim Edmonds was found guilty of slashing her two Springer Spaniels. Dogs Stig was found with 31 lacerations and burns while Dan (pictured) had lesser injuries in the horrific attack

The court heard that Edmonds, who had been taking medication for depression, had slashed the 14-year-old dog and her other dog Dan to a lesser extent, in her back garden in September last year.

She made an emergency call to Staffordshire Police, claiming a balaclava-wearing intruder had broken into her backyard and attacked her and the dogs.

Police arrived to a shocking scene.

According to This is Staffordshire, detective constable Gary Madeley from Burslem Police Station said: ‘It was like an abattoir. There was blood all over the living room and the kitchen.

‘Edmonds' demeanour, considering the report and her dog had been mutilated, was calm.’
Veterinary surgeon Carole Bain, who also attended the scene said: ‘I was shocked by what I saw.

‘I told her (Edmonds) Stig would need a lengthy operation and she asked if he would need a skin graft and demonstrated by pinching the skin on his head.
‘It was unusual as I have never known an owner show such calmness.’


Shocking scene: Police said Edmonds' house looked like 'an abattoir' with blood everywhere. Her two dogs (pictured) were badly injured while she presented self-inflicted cuts, claiming an intruder had attacked her and the dogs

Shocking mutilation: The RSPCA deputy chief inspector Jayne Bashford said the injuries sustained by the dogs were 'totally horrendous'. Stig needed a four hour operation and a week's recovery in a vet clinic (pictured)

It is not known what weapon was used to carry out the attack.

Stig needed a four hour operation and spent a week recovering at a vet clinic, costing the RSPCA thousands of pounds. Dan also required surgery for slashes to his head.

Both dogs have since been re-homed together.

But during investigations, police found that Edmonds’ injuries were self-inflicted and they referred the case to the RSPCA.

The court heard that the nature of Stig’s injuries suggested he had been held down during the prolonged attack.

Jayne Bashford, deputy chief inspector of the RSPCA said: ‘Kim is a very dangerous lady and the injuries suffered by the dogs were totally horrendous.

‘In order to inflict 31 separate wounds on this animal, it would have had to be a lengthy, sustained attack.

‘Every person involved has been severely affected by what they saw. It’s caused people a lot of distress.’

Held down dogs: The court heard that the attack done by Edmonds (pictured with husband Brian and injured dog Dan) would have been lengthy and it was suggested that the dogs were held down during the attack

In the Stoke-on-Trent magistrates’ court, Judge Taylor said: ‘I don’t know if a prison sentence is right or not.’

‘It’s a serious offence that needs the right course of action.’

Edmonds was convicted of one charge of the Section 4 Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Edmonds said she unsuccessfully tried to contact a neighbour before calling her husband Brian Edmonds who works in the Pets At Home distribution centre.

He said: ‘She was extremely distressed saying that the dog had been attacked and she was on the verge of hysteria.’


source:dailymail

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Wombs with a view: Revolutionary four-dimensional imaging reveals spectacular photos of mammal embryos that already look just like mum

By Daily Mail Reporter


They may grow to be very different beasts, but these breathtaking images reveal how surprisingly similar the beginning of life can be for the animal kingdom.

Captured using revolutionary four-dimensional scanning technology, scientists have managed to shed light on the world of mammals inside the womb.

As diverse a bunch as they are - elephant, dog, dolphin and penguin are all shown united by their similar stages of development.


An Asian elephant foetus after 12 months in the womb, catching some shut eye before she takes her first heavy steps in the world in just under a year's time. The gestation period for an elephant is 22 months


Paw-sing for thought: With tiny paws poised an unborn puppy looks already set to pounce as he reaches his full gestation period of around nine weeks

Say cheese: A baby dolphin seems to be smiling for the camera as he prepares for his big splash

Using revolutionary four-dimensional scanning technology, scientists have captured the images for a National Geographic Documentary called 'Extraordinary Animals in the Womb'.

They were captured by using a combination of three-dimensional ultrasound scans, computer graphics and small cameras to document the animals’ development from conception to birth, and give an unparalleled glimpse into a world that few of us would ever expect to see.

The images were also used on a Channel 4 documentary 'Animals in the Womb'.

The documentary explores the marked similarities between very different animals.


Sleepy?: A dog foetus could be mistaken for a fat in these ground breaking images. The animals - as diverse as they are - strike remarkably similar poses in the womb


Snug as a bug: A penguin curls up in it's mothers womb. The gestation period lasts about 63 days. The females then lay the egg and pass it on to the male penguin while they go off to feed.


source:dailymail

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Monster cut a hole in pet's paw and put a jar on his head to use him as blood bait for other dogs

By Leon Watson


If you think this dog has a sad look on it's face, you'll understand why when you hear what he's been through.

Animal charities believe Pappy the mixed Labrador was left as bait for other animals with a festering paw and a jar on his head so he couldn't fight back.

He was only saved when rescuers found him wandering the streets of Dallas, Texas, starving and covered with scars.

An animal rescue group in Texas thinks someone stuck a jar on Pappy's head to train other dogs to fight

Residents in the Five Mile Creek area of the city had seen the dog near walking around for at least a week before a small group managed to snare him on Monday.

'We've gotta get him to a vet!' Maeleska Fletes recalled telling another rescuer after loading Pappy into her land cruiser. 'I can smell the foot.'

On Wednesday, doctors at the Metro Paws clinic amputated part of the dog's paw. It could have been much worse.

'This was not a random act of cruelty,' said Nancy Pinkston, a vice president with Animal Allies of Texas told The Dallas Morning News.

'That's typically done to create a blood scent so the animal can be thrown into a fighting ring and used as a bait dog for training.'

The jar was cut cleanly and precisely to fit over the dog's head, presumably so he couldn't fight back.

The jar was cut cleanly and precisely to fit over the dog's head, presumably so he couldn't fight back

'Someone said today they wish this dog could tell us his story,' she said. 'In some ways I'm glad he can't. It's probably much worse than we can imagine.'

Fletes, a Dallas animal shelter commissioner, recalled tracking and catching Pappy with other dog lovers and local residents.

He was terrified, but so weak he could barely run or fight.

'We just waited until he ran out of juice,' she said.

His rescuers named him after the WW2 fighter ace Gregory 'Pappy' Boyington.

'He's so broken in spirit,' said Nancy. 'Looking at this dog's eyes, it looks like he's just waiting for someone to hit him.'

Rescuers are searching for a foster home.

'He's so broken in spirit,' Ms Pinkston told The Dallas Morning News. 'Looking at this dog's eyes, it looks like he's just waiting for someone to hit him.'


source:dailymail

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A chip off the old block! Cats, dogs and even lions pose with their adorable mini-mes

By Helen Lawson


These adorable pictures show just how much these animals will grow one day - as they pose for a photo with their older counterparts.

The sweet snaps are an endearing glance at the life cycle of these beautiful creatures, with locations ranging from the exotic surrounds of a jungle to the more mundane comforts of home.

Some of the animals happily snuggle their smaller friends, while some looked a tad peeved to be upstaged by their cuter cousins.


This young giraffe will be as tall as Mum one day but for now will have to settle for her bowing her head for an affectionate nuzzle


Catastrophe: The shocked expressions of these cats suggests they were caught plotting their escape by climbing the blinds


Cor-gi blimey: this little pup has taken lessons from an older dog in learning how to strike the right pose for the camera


The older hedgehog didn't want to join in with the young upstart's attempt at a Mexican wave


Dad's pride: 'Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom'


This pesky husky pesters its older counterpart, left, while on the right, someone hasn't told this little pup to let sleeping dogs lie


Bam-BOO! This panda cub can try all it likes but its attempt at scaring a grown-up will only be cute, not terrifying


'Ear 'ear: This African elephant calf will walk tall one day


This cat had a successful trip to the pet shop, while these pups are dancing snout-to-snout in their sleep


The mini kitty is a shadow of its larger friend's former self


A pink nose peeks out of this mass of soft grey fur as these two enjoy a cat cuddle, while this foal on the right has a lot to look up to


Let's get quizzical: Puppy has its ears pricked and a questioning look as to why it should sit nicely for the camera, while its companion is clearly an seasoned pro


These two are s-loth to interrupt their embrace just because a pesky photographer wants a snap


Hide and seek, kitty-style: the cat on the left is on the hunt while our friend on the ladder is taking the higher ground to keep out of trouble


These ginger cats are enjoying a laze, unaware there's a disgruntled friend in the background desperate for a bit of the limelight


Grumpy cat is taking the Titanic approach to the beanbag: 'No room for you, Jack'


Rite of passage: every kitty has to learn how to steal off the counter with the help of a willing teacher while they can play the cute card to get away with it





source:dailymail

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The last days of Ol Boy: Heartbreaking video captures animal rescue group giving a dying stray dog his first moments of love as his life slips away

•Singapore group cared for Ol Boy in his final days

By Daily Mail Reporter


..When his rescuers found him, Ol Boy was in a state of pain, but they cared for him in his final days, showing him a love he had never known.

Weak from years of living on the streets, Ol Boy was covered in ticks and lesions, unable to walk or feed himself.

Save Our Street Dogs, an animal rescue group in Singapore, took him home and showed him tenderness for the first time, letting him pass away knowing he was cherished during his short time on earth.

Scroll down for video


Puppy: When his rescuers found him, Ol Boy was in a state of pain, but they cared for him in his final days, showing him a love he had never known

Hurt: Weak from years of living on the streets, Ol Boy was covered in ticks and lesions, unable to walk or feed himself

In the heartbreaking video the group posted on YouTube, they film Ol Boy in the state they found him.

Born on the streets, he survived on air conditioning water and leftovers given to him by the local shopkeepers.

Weak from years of neglect, he could not stand up and had been howling in pain for three days.

The group wrapped him in newspapers and brought him to a vet for treatment.

They found hundreds of ticks had burrowed into his skin, eventually resulting in tick fever.

His teeth were warped and broken and he required an emergency blood infusion.


Kindness: Save Our Street Dogs, an animal rescue group in Singapore, took him home and showed him tenderness for the first time, letting him pass away knowing he was cherished during his short time on earth


Weak: In the heartbreaking video the group posted on YouTube, they film Ol Boy in the state they found him

Treatment: His teeth were warped and broken and he required an emergency blood infusion

He had numerous infections and possibly cancer, but remained sweet and loving, even while his body wrenched in agony.

It was not long after that they realized that Ol Boy wasn't just sick, he was dying.

Rather than put him down, they took him home and let him rest in a warm, loving environment for the first time.

'We stayed by his side, patting him whenever he cried in discomfort,' the group said in their video.

'That was all he wanted.'

The other dogs in the home stayed vigil over him as well, nuzzling him when he needed comfort.

One night at 2 a.m., he suddenly sat up and drank water for the final time. He passed away peacefully at 4 a.m.


Wish: Rather than put him down, they took him home and let him rest in a loving environment for the first time

Love: The other dogs in the home stayed vigil over him as well, nuzzling him when he needed comfort

His caretakers covered him in rose petals, wrapped his paws around a single sunflower and said goodbye.

In an emotional ceremony, they scattered his ashes in an open field, where can finally run free.

Save Our Street Dogs hopes that by sharing Ol Boy's story with the world they can help other dogs in need.

'Our mission is to save our street dogs to the best of our ability, and give them a chance in life,' the group says on their website.


Gone: One night at 2 a.m., he suddenly sat up and drank water for the final time. He passed away peacefully at 4 a.m.


Goodbye: In an emotional ceremony, they scattered his ashes in an open field, where can finally run free

Farewell: His caretakers covered him in rose petals, wrapped his paws around a single sunflower and said goodbye

They are a group of volunteers, banded together by a common passion to provide for the street dogs of Singapore.

They have no funding nor a shelter, so their rescue efforts are constrained by their resources and manpower.

'It will take the strength of the community to effect change for the welfare of our street dogs,' they say. 'Every hand will help rescue efforts reach a little further.'




source:dailymail

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