Latest news with #LaVenta
The Sun
7 days ago
- Science
- The Sun
Lethal 15-FOOT prehistoric croc ‘chomped' gigantic ‘terror bird' taller than a human in shock attack 12million years ago
FOSSILISED bite marks on the leg of an ancient "terror bird" have been traced back to a massive crocodile that roamed Earth 12million years ago, a new study suggests. A "terror bird" - also known as Phorusrhacids - was an apex predator that would have towered over humans at over 9ft tall. 2 Evidence of the tussle was unearthed at the La Venta fossil site in Colombia - one of the most fossil-rich areas in South America. After analysing the fossilised remains, a team of archaeologists concluded that a 15-feet-long caiman was likely responsible for the marks. In the journal Biology Letters, the team suggested that La Venta's largest ancient caiman species, Purussaurus neivensis, was behind the bite. Although it seems like the monster responsible would not yet have been fully grown. Adult specimens of the Purussaurus neivensis could grow up to a whopping 33 feet long. While the flightless "terror birds" had little to fear on land, the new research suggests they were at risk around water. "We have learned that terror birds could also be preyed [upon] and that even being an apex predator has risks," study lead author Andrés Link, a paleontologist and biologist at the University of the Andes in Colombia, told Live Science in an email. But the scene archaeologists have painted requires some imagination. It's always possible that the terror bird simply died near a body of water and became food for a nearby caiman. Without evidence of a caiman with a belly full of "terror bird", the findings represent an anecdotal account of an aquatic apex predator feasting on a land apex predator during the middle of the Miocene epoch some 23 million to 5 million years ago. The terror bird fossil was first unveiled in a study published last year, where researchers suspected a crocodilian creature killed the bird. However, the study's authors had not yet published an analysis of the four tooth marks found on the bone. For the most recent study, the researchers created detailed 3D images of the fossil to get a closer look at the bite mark. The indentations showed no signs of healing - suggesting the bird did not live long after, or was already dead. The size and shape of the marks were also consistent with those delivered by a caiman that was around 15.1 to 15.8 feet (4.6 to 4.8 m) long, according to the study. "In my opinion this study contributes to understanding the diet of Purussaurus, the landscape of fear near the water bodies [at] La Venta during the middle Miocene and the complex ecological interactions in the protoAmazonian ecosystems of [tropical] South America," said Link.
Los Angeles Times
23-06-2025
- Los Angeles Times
La Venta Inn: A Coastal California Wedding Venue Rooted in History and Inclusion
Known for its sweeping ocean views and historic architecture, La Venta Inn is a scenic coastal wedding venue that prioritizes actively welcoming couples of all orientations. 'Couples want to feel safe in an inclusive space,' says Meg Walker, president of MBM Hospitality, the team behind La Venta's full-service planning and catering. 'They're not looking for vendors who only signal support during Pride Month. They're looking for year-round commitment.' That ethos shows up across the on-site experience, from gender-neutral getting-ready suites—the Oceanview Cottage and Hideaway Suite—to intentional staff training that centers non-binary, affirming language. 'The verbiage seen and heard throughout the venue really matters,' Walker notes. For LGBTQ+ couples, and for allies with queer guests, the atmosphere makes it clear: this is a venue where you're not just accepted, but expected. Perched high on the cliffs of Palos Verdes, La Venta Inn has been a fixture of the Southern California landscape since 1923, originally serving as a private clubhouse and artist retreat. Today, it functions as a full-service estate venue with expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island, framed by mature gardens, red-tiled rooftops, and original Spanish Revival design details. Weddings at La Venta unfold in sequence across distinct, private spaces. Ceremonies take place on a lawn overlooking the ocean and LA basin cityscape below, followed by cocktail hour in a bougainvillea-lined courtyard and receptions in a ballroom anchored by a grand fireplace. The property accommodates up to 200 guests and is offered to couples as an exclusive-use venue for the day. Catering is handled exclusively by Made by Meg, the in-house culinary team led by Walker. Their approach prioritizes fresh, seasonal California ingredients, allowing couples to create customized menus that balance refined technique with personal meaning. Cocktail hour, seated dinners, and late-night bites are all part of the package, as are setup and cleanup, rentals, staffing, and coordination essentials. Many couples find La Venta through word of mouth or inclusive vendor platforms like The Inclusive Wedding Alliance. Walker notes that having a dedicated LGBTQ+ ceremony landing page and diverse social media presence helps ensure that queer couples see themselves reflected and represented throughout the planning process. 'It's about creating a truly inclusive experience—not just saying you do,' she says. With nearly a century of character and a modern commitment to hospitality that affirms all identities, La Venta Inn offers couples a space to celebrate that feels both elevated and completely their own. Says Walker, 'It's about creating a truly inclusive experience—not just saying you do.'
