As an owner of an adorable tabby cat born to a feral mother, I’m sympathetic to the plight of feral cats. However, the overpopulation of outdoor felines is a problem, wreaking havoc on birds and other wildlife around the world. Currently, euthanasia and intrusive spay surgery are the primary means of addressing the overpopulation problem. However, a single-shot birth control method recently developed by scientists could be a more humane and effective solution.
The world cat population is 600 million — mostly feral, decimating natural wildlife
The world cat population has ballooned to 600 million — and around 80% of these felines are feral. This is problematic for multiple reasons. For one, it harms the natural wildlife. In the United States alone, outdoor cats kill an estimated 1.3–4.0 billion birds and 6.3–22.3 billion mammals. There’s also the danger of the spread of disease.
Some cities have become overrun with cats, such as New York City, which has a feral population of around 500,000. The pandemic contributed to this problem, as a surge in pet adoptions soon turned into a pet abandonment issue. On top of that, it’s a harsh life for outdoor cats — with a low rate of survival. Eight out of 10 feral kittens don’t survive beyond six months.
Spaying is one way of addressing the overpopulation problem. However, this surgery is an invasive and risky procedure. Also, it’s expensive and not financially feasible to reduce the overwhelming number of outdoor felines. Sadly, euthanization is another way. In overcrowded animal shelters, euthanization rates are high.
Permanent birth control shot for cats developed by scientists
Feral cats | Wayne Low via Unsplash
A permanent birth control method developed by scientists, though, offers a hopeful solution. It involves a one-time injection of gene therapy. Researchers recently published the results of a preliminary study for the birth control method in Nature Communications, in which six felines received the treatment.
The remarkable aspects of the birth control shot are its ease and simplicity — and how it could offer a better alternative to invasive surgery. In speaking with the New York Times, Julie Levy, a University of Florida veterinarian, said, “Wouldn’t it be great if we could send out a technician into the field to inject cats and then let them go?”
Aime Johnson, a veterinarian at Auburn University, added, “Surgery, especially in feral animals, has extensive stress and cost involved in trapping the animals, relocating them to a surgery facility, doing the surgery, holding them overnight, and then releasing them.” However, with the new birth control method, feral cats can be trapped, injected with the shot, and then released immediately.
How the birth control injection works
Feral cat | Mitchell Orr via Unsplash
Another issue with spaying is that it must be done by a highly trained surgeon. With the limited number of veterinarians, not much progress can be made in addressing the overpopulation problem. However, the new birth control shot can be done by a layperson, resulting in a much more significant impact.
The birth control shot works by releasing genetic material into a cat. The DNA material “communicates” to the felines’ muscles, “telling” it to create a protein called the anti-Müllerian hormone. The protein then reaches 100-1,000 times the normal level, which prevents the ovaries from “maturing and releasing eggs.” In the study, as detailed by Smithsonian Magazine, none of the female cats that mated with males became pregnant.
The results of the study are promising. However, additional studies — with a larger group of cats, are needed to confirm that the new birth control injection is safe and effective.
I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
I’m here to share the wonders of the animal kingdom with you. Whether it’s a cherished pet at home or an animal out in the wild, there are many unique stories and interesting information to share on Weird Animal News! Enjoy!
It’s wonderful when people can show empathy for others — particularly something so vulnerable as a child. This empathy is also expressed in the animal kingdom, especially in primates such as gorillas. In this touching video, a mother gorilla bonds with a human baby. And even more surprisingly, she then shows her own child to the newborn.
In viral video, a gorilla named Kiki connects with a human baby
The bond between a mother and a child is a beautiful thing. And in a viral video, which you can view below, this connection amazingly crosses species, as a gorilla named Kiki connects with a human baby boy. The need to connect isn’t just for people. Animals need it, too.
The video, which is on the Newsnercom YouTube channel, starts with the gorilla leaning against the glass in its zoo enclosure, intently looking at the sleeping baby held by his human mother. A child in the background says, “You see this? That is the coolest thing ever!”
Kiki then rolls to her side and leans in to get even closer. She extends her hand to the newborn, reaching out one of her fingers. The human mother then guides the baby’s finger to return the gesture, as the two species’ fingers are nearly right up to each other against the glass.
Kiki points at the baby: ‘Look at this little guy!’
Mother gorilla and human baby | Newsnercom via YouTube
The mother gorilla continued to look inquisitively at the baby, seeming awestruck by the tiny child. Kiki then quickly glanced at another gorilla in the enclosure and then pointed at the baby — as if to say, “Hey, look at this little guy over here!”
The unique interaction seemed to draw a crowd — as more people commented in the background. One person said, “That is so sweet!.”
Kiki continued to stare and point at the baby, seemingly unable to take her eyes away from the newborn. She then looked at the human mother holding the baby, perhaps sharing the “strong maternal bond” between them.
Mother gorilla shows ‘Pablo,’ her own baby
The shared maternal bond is because Kiki has her own baby, called “Pablo.” After looking at the human mother, Kiki moves away from the glass, revealing little Pablo hiding behind her. The human mother said, “Look at your baby!”
However, Pablo didn’t yet notice the human baby, for he was busy playing by a rock wall.
Kiki connected with the human child some more. She moved closer to the glass, held out her hand again, and appeared to want to hold the hand of the human baby.
Eventually, the baby gorilla got curious. Pablo moved up to the glass to view the human baby. Kiki picked him up, and he adorably clung to his mother’s arm. It turned into a heartwarming cross-species family gathering between gorillas and humans.
It can be easy to anthropomorphize — placing human traits on animals. However, in the case of Kiki and other gorillas and primates, human traits such as empathy, compassion, affection, and love are real. Kiki showed that gorillas can be affectionate — not only for their own kind — but also for a baby from another species.
I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
I’m here to share the wonders of the animal kingdom with you. Whether it’s a cherished pet at home or an animal out in the wild, there are many unique stories and interesting information to share on Weird Animal News! Enjoy!
Many dogs have huge tongues. The images of a canine, with their tongue draped out of their mouth, whether panting on a hot day or after running around — or slurping up their food, are common sights. However, there’s a dog that has one that’s especially lengthy. Zoey, an adorable canine with a Labrador-German Shepherd mix, recently broke the Guinness World Record for the dog with the longest tongue.
Labrador-German Shepherd honored by Guinness for the world’s longest tongue
If you’re a dog owner, you’ve likely experienced your fluffy buddy racing toward you and giving you a big wet kiss with its slobbery tongue. However, it would be difficult to top what Sadie and Drew Williams, from Metairie, Louisiana, encounter with their dog Zoey.
Measuring 12.7 centimeters (5 inches), her tongue is longer than a soda can. It also extends farther than one from any other canine. Guinness recently honored Zoey with the title of the world’s longest tongue for a living dog.
The competition for the world’s longest canine tongue appears to be heating up, for Zoey broke the record set by another dog only three months earlier. The previous one is from Bisbee, an English Setter — with a length of 9.49 centimeters (3.74 inches). While impressive, Zoey’s tongue easily smashed this record, for its 1.26 inches longer. That’s 33% more slurping power.
Zoey had a long tongue as a puppy — but never grew into it
Zoey with Guinness World Record certificate | Guinness World Records
The Labrador-German Shepherd had a long tongue even as a young puppy. The Williams couple thought that she would eventually grow into it. However, that never happened.
“We got Zoey when she was only six weeks old and in the first-ever picture we have of her, she has her tongue sticking out,” said Sadie. She continued, “We thought surely she’d grow into it but she obviously didn’t. She still has an enormous tongue compared to her body.”
Drew described how the length of the tongue is most apparent after a playful excursion running around outside — with the canine panting. “It would be slobbering all over the place.”
People often commented on the giant appendage. When taking the dog for a walk, they frequently came up to her to get a closer look. Drew explained: “We’ll warn them ahead of time ‘Hey, she’s friendly but she might slobber on you’ and every now and then she will, and they’ll have a big slobber mark on their black pants.”
The canine went to the vet for measurement of the big licker
The pet owners realized that there was something extraordinary about the big licker. “So sometime last year we took her to the vet and measured her tongue,” said Drew. The veterinarian measured from the “tip of her snout to the tip of her tongue.” Soon after, they found out that it was the longest — breaking the Guinness World Record.
Zoey enjoys engaging in a range of activities. This includes outdoor excursions, swimming in the canal, chasing squirrels, fetching balls, and car rides. She especially likes fetching things thrown into a body of water, where she’ll jump in and go swimming. However, she dislikes getting a bath.
The pet owners also added that another favorite activity is undoubtedly “showing off” her very long tongue.
I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
I’m here to share the wonders of the animal kingdom with you. Whether it’s a cherished pet at home or an animal out in the wild, there are many unique stories and interesting information to share on Weird Animal News! Enjoy!
Prosthetic devices have made major advances in recent years, greatly improving mobility. These advances aren’t just for people, but also for animals. Dogs, cats, and others have a new lease on life. Additionally, there’s a unique prosthetic for an animal much bigger: an elephant. Check out this heartwarming story of an Asian elephant in Cambodia that can miraculously walk again because of a giant prosthetic foot.
Asian elephant in Cambodia lost its foot after getting ensnared in a trap
Chhouk, an 11-year-old Asian elephant, sadly lost his foot when it was ensnared in a poacher’s trap when he was young. Unfortunately, poaching is still a significant problem around the world, especially for elephants.
With the damage to the foot, it had to be amputated. In the past, that might have spelled the end for the elephant. Without the ability to walk, he wouldn’t be able to forage for food and do other things necessary for survival.
Prosthetic foot made of recycled plastics enables elephant to walk
Prosthetic foot on elephant | Independent via YouTube
However, that wasn’t the end for Chouk. The Wildlife Alliance, a conservation organization in Cambodia, rescued the Asian elephant and fitted him with a 44-pound prosthetic foot. It’s made of recycled car tires and strapping from tow trucks. The device also features foam to make it more comfortable.
With $1,450 in yearly funding from the Paradise Wildlife Park in the United Kingdom, the elephant receives a new prosthetic foot every six months. This enables him to walk and do other activities, such as swimming, as detailed by Good News Network. He can even run at a brisk pace without any issues. The multi-ton animal now lives at the Wildlife Alliance, with attentive care from keepers at the park.
How does the prosthetic device work?
Recently, Cam Whitnall from England visited the elephant at the Wildlife Alliance park in Cambodia. His family runs the Paradise Wildlife Park and Big Cat Sanctuary. As shown in the video, it’s an interesting setup for the prosthetic foot.
The video starts with Whitnall holding the device. It’s so big that it’s more than half the man’s height.
Before placing the prosthetic on the foot, staff at Wildlife Alliance clean it to reduce any infections and sores. Then, they insert a sleeve, with Chouk gently lifting his leg to make it easier for the staff. The team also uses a small contraption to isolate the leg. After that, they place the foot on the elephant.
The process of putting the prosthetic is aided through positive reinforcement training. As a reward for allowing the team to install the foot, they give the elephant a coconut. Of course, the biggest reward of all is the ability to walk again and live a full life.
Whitnall said, “The level of care that he gets is brilliant and he has a great life now. There’s no better feeling.”
Prosthetics aren’t just for humans — or even pets like dogs and cats. With the giant prosthetic foot, this majestic Asian elephant can keep on walking — and enjoy “big juicy coconuts” too.
I’m Mark Putzer, and my passion for animals and all things nature is a life-long love affair. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had many cherished memories of hiking, skiing, and enjoying the abundant wildlife in the Badger State.
My passion for animals led me to marine biology research for my studies at the University of Wisconsin. I researched the behavior and communication of humpback whales around Hawaii and Orca Whales around the San Juan Islands of Washington State. The experience of being close to these massive and magnificent creatures is amazing. Later, I taught outdoor education to children in California — passing along my knowledge of animals and nature to the curious minds of the next generation. I also love pets. This includes a Labrador Retriever dog named “Molly” when I was a kid — and now, an adventurous tabby cat named “Rosy.”
I’m here to share the wonders of the animal kingdom with you. Whether it’s a cherished pet at home or an animal out in the wild, there are many unique stories and interesting information to share on Weird Animal News! Enjoy!
