Pondicherry forest dept cranks up the effort to keep animals cool

The quaint Union territory of Pondicherry, officially Puducherry, has been reeling under record-breaking high temperatures this year. While people find ways to beat the scorching heat, animals do not have many options. Thankfully, the office of the forest department near the AFT Ground in Mudaliarpet is working on a war footing to make sure no animal in its care suffers heat stroke, according to a news report. Dedicated to rescuing and treating stray and injured...

Choosing a pet: A guide to finding the right companion for your home

Introducing a pet into your home is an exciting and fulfilling experience, but it comes with great responsibility. Whether you are considering a playful puppy, a cuddly kitten, or a chirpy bird, finding the right pet for your home requires careful consideration. Each animal has its own needs, temperament, and care requirements. To ensure a harmonious relationship and a happy home environment, it is crucial to choose a pet that fits well with your lifestyle,...

IIT researchers discover remains of giant ancient snake, name it Vasuki

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, have reported discovering the remains of a giant ancient snake in Gujarat, the Associated Press and CNN reported on Friday. The snake is believed to have been longer than a BEST double-decker bus operating in Bombay and may have weighed up to a tonne. Fragments of the backbone of the reptile, named Vasuki indicus after the snake king of Indian mythology, were found near a coal mine...

PETA probe alleges horrific abuse at snake farms supplying skins to Gucci

An undercover investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has revealed the horrific and criminal cruelty that continues to underpin the business of some of the world’s top ‘luxury’ brands. According to PETA, which gave its findings to CBS MoneyWatch, pythons are bashed with hammers, impaled on hooks, and skinned alive to provide skins used by Italian firm Gucci to produce expensive handbags, shoes, and belts that some of the world’s ridiculous set...

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Maybe the Chinese and some other East Asian communities had it right all along when they put snakes on the plate. New research suggests farming pythons could offer a viable alternative to conventional livestock in parts of the world where the challenges of climate change, pandemics, and degradation of agricultural land are undermining global food production. Lead researcher and reptile expert Daniel Natusch said: “In terms of some of the most important sustainability criteria, pythons...

The rise and rise of dangerous ‘pets’ in the UK

For centuries, cats and dogs have mostly been the top choice for humans seeking to keep pets. However, in recent times, the number of humans opting to keep venomous snakes, wild cats, and crocodiles as pets has skyrocketed in the United Kingdom. According to a report by Sky News, if the latest figures obtained by the wildlife charity Born Free Foundation are anything to go by, it is indeed surprising to see that 126 local...