Latest news with #Leopard
NZ Herald
28-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Former age-grade New Zealand cricket rep's rapid rise to football's National League
When Christian Leopard emailed Napier City Rovers to see if any social teams needed an extra player, he couldn't have imagined the rapid trajectory his football career was about to go on. Leopard emailed the club – who host the Wellington Phoenix Reserves in second-round Chatham Cup action on Sunday
Time of India
28-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
10 wild animals that adapted to an urban life
As cities grow and natural habitats shrink, many wild animals are adapting to urban environments in surprising ways. From scavenging food to finding shelter in manmade structures, these creatures have learned to survive and even thrive among humans. While some pose risks, others coexist peacefully, becoming part of the city's ecosystem. This adaptation shows nature's incredible resilience but also highlights the need for more responsible urban planning. Here are ten fascinating wild animals that have made our cities their new homes, often blending into the urban landscape in ways most people overlook. Animals including Leopard, Fox and Bear that adapted to an urban environment 1. Leopards In Indian cities like Mumbai and Pune, leopards have adapted to living on the edges of urban sprawl, particularly near protected forest areas such as Sanjay Gandhi National Park. These elusive big cats use railway lines, overgrown drains, and abandoned lots to move stealthily through human-dominated areas, especially at night. While they do not live in city centers, they frequently enter urban fringes to prey on stray dogs, pigs, and livestock. Their presence highlights an evolving coexistence at the urban-wildlife interface, where proper waste management and awareness are key to minimizing conflict. 2. Raccoons Native to North America, raccoons are now common in suburbs and cities like Toronto, Chicago, and New York. Known for their intelligence and dexterous front paws, they easily open trash bins and enter attics or chimneys for shelter. Their adaptability and opportunistic behaviour make them one of the most successful urban wildlife species. 3. Monkeys In cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Bangkok, monkeys such as rhesus macaques and langurs have become urban dwellers. They often steal food from markets, vehicles, or homes and are known to become aggressive when fed regularly by humans. Temples and old buildings serve as their new "forests," offering height and shelter. 4. Coyotes Once limited to plains and deserts, coyotes are now commonly seen in major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago. These canines have adapted well by hunting rodents, scavenging waste, and even crossing roads at low-traffic hours. Their presence is often unnoticed until conflicts with pets or livestock occur. 5. Foxes Urban foxes, particularly the red fox, are widespread in cities like London, Tokyo, and Melbourne. They use railway lines, parks, and backyards to roam and rest during the day. At night, they forage for food in garbage bins or prey on small animals like rats and birds. Their adaptability has made them a fixture in city ecosystems. 6. Wild Boars In European cities such as Berlin, Rome, and Barcelona, wild boars have started venturing into residential areas. They forage in parks, gardens, and roadside bins, often in family groups. Their strong snouts can damage lawns and their presence has led to traffic accidents and public safety concerns. 7. Bears Black bears in North America and brown bears in Eastern Europe have been spotted in towns and suburbs, especially during food shortages or in pre-hibernation periods. They are drawn by the scent of garbage, pet food, and fruit trees. Wildlife authorities often have to relocate them or use deterrents to keep them away from populated zones. 8. Deer As cities expand into wooded areas, deer such as white-tailed deer in North America or sika deer in Japan have adapted to urban life. They graze in gardens, parks, and cemeteries, often losing their fear of humans. Though graceful and peaceful, they can cause road accidents and damage to ornamental plants. 9. Hawks and Falcons Birds of prey like the peregrine falcon and red-tailed hawk have made tall urban buildings their nesting sites. Skyscrapers mimic cliff faces, providing safety and a good vantage point. These birds help control populations of pigeons and rats, making them an important part of urban ecological balance. 10. Snakes Urbanization has pushed snakes like the Indian rat snake and garter snake into cities, where they inhabit gardens, drains, and construction sites. They play a crucial role by keeping rodent populations in check. Although non-venomous snakes are often harmless, fear and misinformation lead to unnecessary panic and persecution. The growing presence of wild animals in urban areas is largely driven by deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and poorly planned urban development. As natural ecosystems shrink, animals are forced to adapt to city life, often leading to increased human-wildlife conflict. These encounters can pose serious risks, from property damage to public safety concerns. The solution lies in responsible urban planning that includes green corridors, protected habitats, and improved waste management. Public education and coexistence strategies are also essential to reduce conflict and foster mutual respect. Balancing urban growth with ecological conservation is key to ensuring safer cities and healthier environments for all.
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
5 special big cats found only in India
Did you know, India is the only country in the world that is home to all three prime members of the wild big cat family – the Lion, Tiger and Leopard? Besides the big names, India hosts almost 15 other big cat species, including Puma, Jaguar, Clouded Leopard, Desert Cat and so on. Here are 5 must-see big cats found in the forests of India: The national animal of India, the Royal Bengal tiger have light yellow to orange coats with strips ranging from light brown to dark in color. The average weight of a male tiger is approximately 265 kg where the average weight of female tigers is 140-165 kg. This striped cat generally has an average lifespan of 20-25 years and during their lifespan, they may travel many 100 kilometers within the forest corridors and can give birth to 2 -3 cubs. A Black Panther is a leopard only, but because of a rare mutation called melanism, they turn completely black and hence derive the unique name. Wonderful tree climbers, these big cats are extremely fast and have fantastic eyesight. This big wild cat can be found throughout the country. In total there are 7910 leopards as per the census of 2014 and a total of 12000 speculated leopards, Of which the state of Madhya Pradesh hosts a maximum number of approx 1800 leopards in India. Karnataka and Maharashtra are next in the queue. India is the only country in the world to have Asiatic Lions in their natural habitat. Lions generally live in pride ranging from 8 to 30 lions. Mostly, the female member of the pride hunt and satisfy the hunger of cubs and male lions of the pride. An adult male weighs somewhere around 180 kg as compare to 130 kg adult female members of this big cat family. The Snow Leopard is found in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. These unique creatures prefer rocky terrains and steep slopes which help them sneak up on their prey from a height. The snow leopard is smaller in size as compared to the other big cats and leopards. The standing height of snow leopard is approximately 2 ft and the average weight is between 35-55 kg.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
River Island's £52 starfish sandals 'look like' £1.2k designer brand
River Island shoppers have been blown away by a set of holiday shoes that could be mistaken for a designer brand. These are starting to go viral online, meaning stock could quickly sell out once more people find out about them. The 10cm high shoes come in a ' stunning' gold finish or a ' bold' aqua blue and are each priced at £52. They have three diamante-embellished sparkling starfish that sit on top of the heels, adding a touch of shimmer to any outfit. The high street store shared a close-up video of the £52 heeled sandals on its TikTok account. A staff member wrote: "This is your sign to buy some starfish heels for summer", adding in the caption that the shoes are "gorgeous". They look arguably similar to Roberto Cavalli's designer version, which costs about £1,200 online. Both have a high-heeled design and are embellished with sparkly starfish, but River Island's version costs less and comes in a slightly lighter blue colour. The designer shoe is made from Bos taurus, sheepskin and goat skin. But the £52 pair is made from rubber and polyurethane, which is an artificial type of leather. In the comment section of the TikTok video, one person said: "I NEED these so bad!" Another added: "Stunning!" whilst a third wrote: "They're so pretty!" Both versions are available to order online. At the time of writing, some sizes were out of stock, and others were not far behind being sold out too. River Island's website has a handy feature to see if a product in your size is available on the shelf in your local branch. Simply use the 'Find In Store' feature, select your size and enter a postcode - from there, River Island will give you a list of the nearest shops you can head to and see these items in person. Home Delivery can be arranged for an additional cost of about £4 for Next Day. Alternatively, you can use the click-and-collect service, which is free on orders over £20 - and these shoes more than qualify. If you're looking for alternatives, shoppers might want to consider Ego's £32 Heart Of The Ocean Starfish Detail Strappy Stiletto Heels. These come in the same colours as River Island, run from sizes 3 to 9 and equally add a "dreamy ocean" twist to any outfit. For those who don't like the idea of high heels but still want to get on board with the pretty starfish trend, New Look has a pair of Leopard Print Starfish Charm Sandals that feature funky fish - but the £24.99 shoes are flat. Another flat-shoed option comes from Amazon with Momolaa's £19.99 Beaded Starfish Flip-Flop for Women.
Saba Yemen
19-05-2025
- Saba Yemen
Russian Experts Identify Weaknesses in German "Leopard 2" Tanks
Moscow - (Saba): Russian media reported that Russian forces regularly destroy Western-made tanks in the special military operation zone, including various German Leopard tanks. The Russian news agency Sputnik reported that specialists from the Russian state-owned Rostec Corporation have observed weaknesses in the German Leopard 2 tanks. Earlier, Rostec experts obtained a Leopard 2A6 tank captured by Russian forces in the special military operation zone to assess its actual military-technical characteristics. Rostec stated: "A study conducted by our experts showed that the Leopard 2 tank suffers from defensive weaknesses related to the thickness and composition of the armor, as well as the internal design of the combat vehicle." The tank's survivability may be limited in modern warfare conditions, for example, when attacked from different angles by drones equipped with modern anti-tank missiles and warheads. It can be concluded that the Leopard-2's protection focuses on traditional anti-tank capabilities, typical of past decades, and does not fully meet today's requirements. Moreover, the Kyiv regime possesses various versions of the older Leopard-1 tanks, which have largely lost their effectiveness. Rostec added: "Today, the Russian T-722B3M, T-80PVM, and T-90M tanks are considered the most adaptable to modern combat operations." We have improved comprehensive protection against drones and anti-tank missiles, from anti-cumulative nets to dynamic elements and other devices. According to the company, there are dozens of known combat incidents where Russian tanks withstood multiple attacks from various angles while maintaining their combat capability. Rostec continues to work on active protection systems for combat vehicles, and domestic equipment is being equipped with various electronic warfare systems. All of these solutions combined will ensure greater safety for Russian armored vehicles and increase their survivability on the battlefield. Whatsapp Telegram Email more of (International)
