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Winnipeg Free Press
16 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Conservationists release rehabilitated vultures back into the wild on South African mountain
MAGALIESBURG, South Africa (AP) — Five vultures that were rescued and rehabilitated by a conservation group have been released back into the wild on a mountain range in South Africa. Two of the Cape Vultures were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade, where the birds' body parts are sought after for potions and charms. One of them had all its feathers removed and the Vulpro vulture conservation group looked after it for nearly a year while they grew back. Two of the other vultures were injured in the wild. One was saved after it landed in a dam and became waterlogged and was unable to fly, conservationists said. The birds were set free on the Magaliesburg Mountains in northern South Africa, where there is an existing vulture colony. Vultures generally aren't well-loved because of their appearance and because they feed entirely on carrion — or dead animal carcasses — and are often associated with death. But conservationists say these scavengers are critical for cleaning up ecosystems and preventing animal and human disease outbreaks. Because of their eating habits, vultures are also susceptible to mass poisoning when poachers target other animals, and they can die in their hundreds from a poisoned carcass. Six of Africa's other native vulture species are listed as endangered or critically endangered. The Cape Vulture was removed from the endangered list in 2021 after successful conservation efforts but is still classified as vulnerable. The vulture release was organized by Vulpro and the Humane World for Animals organization. ___ AP Africa news:
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Roman-era mosaic panel with erotic theme that was stolen during World War II returns to Pompeii
Restorers set on display a Roman mosaic depicting a pair of lovers, which was repatriated from Germany, in Pompeii archeological park, Italy, Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) POMPEII, Italy — A mosaic panel on travertine slabs, depicting an erotic theme from the Roman era, was returned to the archeological park of Pompeii on Tuesday, after being stolen by a Nazi German captain during World War II. The artwork was repatriated from Germany through diplomatic channels, arranged by the Italian Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany, after having been returned from the heirs of the last owner, a deceased German citizen. The owner had received the mosaic as a gift from a Wehrmacht captain, assigned to the military supply chain in Italy during the war. The mosaic — dating between mid- to last century B.C. and the first century — is considered a work of 'extraordinary cultural interest,' experts said. 'It is the moment when the theme of domestic love becomes an artistic subject,' said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an essay dedicated to the returned work. 'While the Hellenistic period, from the fourth to the first century B.C., exulted the passion of mythological and heroic figures, now we see a new theme.' The heirs of the mosaic's last owner in Germany contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome that's dedicated to protecting cultural heritage, which was in charge of the investigation, asking for information on how to return the mosaic to the Italian state. Authorities carried out the necessary checks to establish its authenticity and provenance, and then worked to repatriate the mosaic in September 2023. The collaboration with the Archaeological Park of Pompeii was also key, as it made it possible to trace it to near the Mount Vesuvius volcano, despite the scarcity of data on the original context of its discovery, the Carabinieri said. The panel was then assigned to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii where, suitably catalogued, it will be protected and available for educational and research purposes. 'Today's return is like healing an open wound,' Zuchtriegel said, adding that the mosaic allows to reconstruct the story of that period, the first century AD, before Pompeii was destroyed by the Vesuvius eruption in AD 79. The park's director also highlighted how the return by the heirs of its owner signals an important change in 'mentality,' as 'the sense of possession (of stolen art) becomes a heavy burden.' 'We see that often in the many letters we receive from people who may have stolen just a stone, to bring home a piece of Pompeii,' Zuchtriegel said. He recalled the so-called 'Pompeii curse,' which according to a popular superstition hits whoever steals artifacts in Pompeii. The world-known legend suggests that those who steal finds from the ancient city of Pompeii will experience bad luck or misfortune. That has been fuelled over the years by several tourists who return stolen items, claiming they brought them bad luck and caused tragic events. ___ Zampano reported from Rome. Giada Zampano And Andrea Rosa, The Associated Press
Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
King Charles' annual swan census begins on the River Thames
Published Jul 15, 2025 • 2 minute read Swan uppers travel along the River Thames between Staines and Eton, during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London, Monday, July 14, 2025. Photo by Thomas Krych / AP LONDON (AP) — Scarlet uniforms flashed against the riverbank. Wooden skiffs glided in formation. A young swan, gently lifted from the water, was measured, inspected and released. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The annual five-day census of swans belonging to King Charles III — known as Swan Upping — began Monday on the River Thames to assess their health. One of the British monarch's less-known titles is Seigneur of the Swans — Lord of the Swans — and according to ancient lore, he or she owns all members of the mute swan species found in Britain's open waters. Every year, a team of carefully selected oarsmen — Swan Uppers — are tasked with finding the swans on a stretch of the Thames. When a family is spotted, they shout, 'All up!' and the boats quickly surround the birds, marking them and checking for signs of disease or injury. 'It gives us an indication of what's going on throughout the country,' said David Barber, who wears a scarlet jacket and a white swan feather in his cap and bears the title of King's Swan Marker. 'It's a tradition, but I think it's serving a very useful purpose as well.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Swan uppers check mute swans during the ancient tradition of Swan Upping, the annual census of the mute swan population on the River Thames in London, Monday, July 14, 2025. Photo by Thomas Krych / AP Barber has been leading the event for more than 30 years. He is accompanied by a vet and oarsmen dressed in three colors: red for the king, white for the Worshipful Company of Vintners and blue stripes for the Worshipful Company of Dyers. The last two are medieval London trade guilds that were granted ownership of some Thames swans in the 15th century. The census tradition dates to the 12th century, when swans were considered an important food for royal banquets and feasts. While swans are now legally protected from hunting, they face threats from disease, pollution, vandalism and cruelty, Barber said. Their numbers have declined over the last two years, primarily due to outbreaks of avian flu across Britain, he said, adding that only 86 young swans were found during last year's Swan Upping, which was 45% fewer than the year before that. But Barber appeared positive at the end of the event's first day, with a total of 16 young swans recorded. The census continues until Friday, traveling from Sunbury, on the outskirts of London, to Abingdon, 80 miles (130 kilometers) upstream. Toronto & GTA Columnists NFL Uncategorized Editorial Cartoons
