Donkeys Save Sheep From Pedators In Germany

Posted: 3/7/2015

Trigger

Just read “Esel sollen Schafe vor Wölfen schützen Esel sollen Schafsherden in Niedersachsen vor Angriffen von Wölfen und Hunden schützen. Denn anders als die Schafe flüchten die Esel nicht, sondern vertreiben die Raubtiere mit Geschrei und Huftritten.”.

In Germany, shepherders employ donkeys as guard dogs to prevent wolves and other predators like dogs. Apparently, donkeys are brave, they instinctively face the threat by first screaming and then kicking while sheep always try to run away.

Wolf Packs In Germany

Thanks to environmentalists and animal rights activists wolf packs are proliferating fast in Germany, according to the above article. There are now an estimated 20 wolf packs with about 200 wolves. Their numbers have doubled in the last two years.

Unfortunately, the above article says nothing about the threat from stray dogs. I wonder whether this could also be an increasing problem since so many people have chosen to have pets over the past two decades or so.

The reader comments to the above article were very ironic and satirical: Something like donkeys should guard the politicians as well or why not introduce bears as well.

Hummingbirds Not Fooled By Sugar Substitutes In Diet Sodas

Posted: 9/29/2014

Trigger

Just read “Sweet feat  Researchers show how hummingbirds evolved a novel mechanism of taste”. Quite a recommendable article.

Neither am I fooled by sugar substitutes! :-)

Imagine

“Their ;hummingbirds] hearts beat 20 times a second and their tongues dart 17 times a second as they slurp from a feeding station.

It takes only three quick licks to reject water when they expect nectar. The birds pull back their beaks, shake their heads, and spit out the tasteless liquid.”