Horses are very fast animals. The average domestic horse can achieve a running speed of 30 mph, while some racehorses and wild horses can go over 50 mph. In comparison, humans lag behind. The top speed ever reached by a person is 27.8 mph, briefly achieved by sprinter Usain Bolt in 2009. However, recently, a fast man defied expectations and beat a horse in the annual Man v Horse race.
Man v Horse race in Wales, UK
Typically for races, horses face off against each other in such events as the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness Stakes. However, in the annual Man v Horse race in Wales, United Kingdom, humans joined the mix, as detailed by Runner’s World. More than 1,000 runners and 60 horses raced each other — and for only the 4th time in the event’s history, a human came out on top.
Runner Daniel Connolly edged out a horse to win the race
Man v Horse race | doktorob via YouTube
Despite having the disadvantage of running on two legs versus four for a horse, bipedal runner Daniel Connolly won the race. With a time of 2:24:38, he edged out a horse named DNS Ronaldo, (2:34:25), which was ridden by Kate Atkinson. The fastest time for a female at the race was Suzy Whatmough, who completed the course in 3:08:24.
In an interview with the BBC, Bob Greenough, a race organizer, said, “It’s the first time the event has been won two years in a row by a runner, and only the fourth time overall in 42 years of the race.”
Race was on a mountainous 22-mile course
The mountainous 22-mile course posed quite a challenge for runners, horses, and riders. It features many rises and drops in elevation, rock shambles, boggy marshes, and stream crossings.
The Man v Horse race was first held in 1980 — and it was born out of a debate at a local pub at the Neuadd Arms Hotel. And the debate was, “Who can run faster over mountainous terrain: a human or a horse?”
With four legs and long strides, horses, unsurprisingly usually win the races. Their strides can reach over 12 paces, and even when cantering, move at a pace of around 15 mph. And for a flat-out gallop, they can go much faster.
However, there are some situations where humans have an advantage. According to Mike Thomas, another race organizer, warmer weather is better for the runners. Conversely, he said that “horses struggle in hot weather.” The recent race had temperatures in the mid-70s with high humidity, which is unusually warm for Wales.
Runner missed out on World Championships but is happy to beat a horse
Connolly shared his thoughts on Instagram following his victory. While he recently missed out on the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, beating a horse was a nice consolation prize.
“Since I started running, I’ve had an eye on doing Man v Horse one day. As I just missed out on the World Champs in Austria, I was looking for an inspiring event to keep the fire burning hot. The timing was right.”
He added, “Very happy to have beaten the horses but also to have shared a wonderful day with my family.”
As noted by race organizer Bob Greenough, this is the second year in a row that a human beat a horse. Last year’s race was won by Ricky Lightfoot, who claimed that he had been awake for 29 hours before the event.
Nonetheless, a human winning the race is a rarity. The first time was in 1989, nine years after the race’s inception. However, that was when bicycles were allowed. The first runner to win was Huw Lobb in 2004, crossing the finish line on foot ahead of the equines.
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!
One of the wonderful things about dogs and other pets is they often bring out the best in people. Many have a soft spot for animals, resulting in people showing their loving and gentle side. Earlier in June, a dog diagnosed with terminal cancer went for a “last walk” around the town of Dupont, Pennsylvania. The response from the community was overwhelming, as they said goodbye to the dog and filled the streets with love.
Flyers sent to neighbors for ‘Mellow’s Last Walk Around Dupont’
Mellow is a beloved rescue dog who’s been a faithful companion to her owner, Kevin, since 2019. Sadly, though, the canine was recently diagnosed with lymphoma — and she isn’t expected to live beyond this month.
Many in the Dupont know Mellow from her walks with Kevin around the neighborhood. She has a friendly and affable demeanor, and both humans and dogs alike enjoy her company.
Kevin wanted to do something special for his dog before she died. So, he created flyers titled “Mellow’s Last Walk Around Dupont,” and dropped them off in mailboxes throughout the community.
Invitation for the community to say goodbye to Mellow before she goes to ‘doggie heaven’
“Mellow’s Last Walk Around Dupont” flyer | Inside Edition via YouTube
The flyers had a heartfelt message, with an invitation to join Mellow for her last walk. It also had photos of the dog.
“You may have noticed us walking in the neighborhood twice a day, every day — rain, snow, or shine. Some neighbors may have pet me or given me treats before, while others I may only know through their own dogs that say hello to me as we pass by.”
The letter then expressed gratitude to members of the community: “Regardless of how well we know each other, you have made my life so much richer than any rescue dog could have hoped for. I am grateful to have such caring neighbors and live in a community that looks out for one another so well.”
Later in the letter, “Mellow” broke the sad news about her health.
“I have definitely slowed down throughout the years and unfortunately that’s why you’re receiving this letter. I was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and will be leaving for doggie heaven in June.”
“Mellow” then expressed how she wished to say goodbye “face-to-face” one last time. “Come out to pat me on the head or rub my belly and I will be forever grateful (I love people after all!).
The letter also included a map of the route and the likely times that the dog would be passing by her neighbor’s houses.
Droves of people in Dupont came out to support the cancer-stricken dog
The response to the letter was overwhelming. Even people in the community who didn’t receive a flyer came out to support the cancer-stricken dog, as word quickly spread about her last walk.
People spoke to KJ Warunek about the experience. She said, “I run the town’s community page, and a member sent the photo of Mellow’s letter to his neighbors to be approved for posting. I was in tears when I read it and said to my husband Mark, ‘We need to go see him on his final walk.”
The community bonded over the dog — and there were “20 people on every corner” for Mellow’s walk. Also, children were especially excited to see her. Additionally, some created signs that read, “We Love Mellow.”
In response, the lovely dog enjoyed the attention. “Mellow is the sweetest boy. He was very gentle with everyone, and he was soaking up all the attention. He knew that it was his day,” added Warunek.
Facebook page for ‘Mellow’s Last Walk’
Mellow on “Last Walk” | Inside Edition via YouTube
Also, Warunkek felt a close connection with Mellow, for she previously had a dog that died from cancer. “As a person who lost a dog to lymphoma and knowing how fast and aggressive it is, we’re just happy he’s still getting around.”
Warunkek was so touched by the experience with the sweet dog and the love shown by the community that she shared photos of the last walk on the Dogspotting Society Facebook page. The post already has over 9,000 interactions and 1,000 comments, with many users moved by Mellow and the “amazing send-off.”
While it’s sad that Mellow will soon be gone, it’s wonderful that so many people could come together in a pure gesture of love to say goodbye to the sweet dog.
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!
Delhi, the capital of India, has an incredible array of birds, such as eagles, hawks, peacocks, pigeons, and doves. Unfortunately, the city has multiple dangers for the avian population, including heavy vehicle traffic, low-hanging wires, and flying kites. The resulting injuries inspired two brothers to create a unique solution: a bird ambulance motorcycle service.
Indian brothers saved 50,000 birds in Delhi with their avian ambulance service
Jain brothers with bird ambulance motorcycle | Dilli Tak via YouTube
Over the past five years, brothers Amit and Abhishek Jain have rescued sick and injured birds in Delhi. They self-funded this noble enterprise with their own earnings — adapting a motorcycle into a unique bird ambulance. Amit runs a pharmacy, while Abhishek owns a clothing shop.
With the growing success of their endeavor, the Jain brothers garnered more support, and last year, set up the Vidyasagar Jeev Daya Parivar Trust. To date, their service has saved an estimated 50,000 birds.
The Jain brothers spoke with the Guardian about their bird ambulance — and how it all started in 2018 when they encountered a trapped bird. “One day, during our commute to work, we came across a heart-wrenching scene. A helpless bird was entangled by its wing, dangling from a branch. We couldn’t remain passive,” said Amit.
After struggling to free the trapped bird for 30 minutes, the brothers called firefighters to rescue it. Fortunately, the firefighters were able to free the bird, but the brothers wanted to do more to help the at-risk avian population in the Indian capital. At that moment, they decided to dedicate their free time to saving birds.
The initiative now has 600 members, rescuing 30-35 birds per day
Rescued bird | Dilli Tak via YouTube
What started as a small endeavor between two brothers has since grown into something much bigger. As word spread about their bird ambulance motorcycle service, more people joined the initiative. Now, it has a team of 600 active members, along with another 1,000 supporters. “People from all walks of life joined us,” said Amit.
In addition to the team that rescues the birds, there are three people who work at a call center. It’s the avian equivalent of an EMS dispatch center. Species that have been rescued include pigeons, peacocks (Indian peafowl), black kites, eagles, and owls.
A major portion of the rescued birds are pigeons. This is due in part to the soaring pigeon population in Delhi from the sale of grain that people buy at the side of the roads to feed them.
Apply the convenience of ‘fast deliveries’ to bird rescue
The thinking behind using a motorcycle is to harness the convenience of fast deliveries that are the norm in people’s lives — and apply it to bird rescue. “In today’s world, everyone craves convenience, such as doorstep pizza delivery,” said Amrit. He continued, “We embraced this concept and adapted it to bird rescue. By making our contact information widely available, we ensure that injured birds can swiftly receive the assistance they need.”
In the Indian capital, birds get injured in multiple ways. This includes poisoning, being struck by cars, and getting entangled in wires and kite strings. With the avian ambulance service, the brothers and their team save these birds from a slow and painful death.
Jain brothers also aim to raise environmental awareness to help birds
The efforts of the brothers to help birds have expanded to other areas. This includes their Vidyasagar Jeev Daya Parivar Trust raising environmental awareness, particularly the crucial role that trees play in avian habitats.
“Birds have an equal right to exist in this world, just like humans. In the name of progress, we have destroyed their natural habitats.”
The trust also lobbies officials to consider ecological needs when planning developments. Additionally, the brothers have campaigned for better government facilities to treat sick and injured birds.
When they first started the bird ambulance motorcycle service, people made fun of the brothers. “This concept seemed so alien to them,” said Abhishek. However, after people saw the success of the initiative, support grew, showing that many in the city care about the welfare of birds.
Rescuing birds is an act of compassion for the brothers. Also, says Amit, it’s a joyful thing to do. “Saving a life brings more happiness than any party ever could.”
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!
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!
