Latest news with #Zebras
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
First ever 'polka-dotted' zebra foal spotted in Kenya: Is this a new species?
Nature never fails to surprise us with its endless variety, and sometimes, something very rare is discovered that comes as a surprise that even seasoned wildlife experts do a double-take. In Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve, a zebra foal was spotted with polka dots and not the usual stripes. While the Zebras are known to have distinctive and iconic black-and-white striped coats, which also help the animals in adapting to forests, sometimes, things as natural as this also get skipped by nature. The unusual markings on this young zebra is a glimpse into the world of genetic variation and pigment disorders in animals. While similar cases have come up in other parts of Africa, this is the first documented sighting of such a zebra in the Maasai Mara. The rare foal who has been nicknamed 'Tira' has not only amazed tourists but also drawn attention from scientists eager to understand what causes such an unusual shift in coat pattern. The extraordinary foal was first spotted in September 2017 by Antony Tira, a respected Maasai tour guide and photographer with Matira Bush Camp. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tecno Pova Curve 5G | Outcurve Everyone TECNO Mobile Buy Now Undo As reported by Daily Nation, Tira was stunned by what he saw. 'At first, I thought it was a zebra that had been captured and painted or marked for purposes of [researching] migration,' he said. 'I was confused when I first saw it.' Upon closer look, he realised the zebra had a pigment disorder and captured the moment on camera. The photos were shared on Matira Bush Camp's Facebook page and quickly went viral, sparking a rush of visitors eager to see the rare animal. Photographer Frank Liu was one of the lucky few to spot Tira the very next day. 'At first glance, he looked like a different species altogether,' Liu told reporters in an email. He, too, concluded the unique appearance came from a pigment condition. The foal was named 'Tira' after the Maasai guide who found him. As Frank Liu explained, 'There is a general rule within the park; whoever finds an animal of significance gets to name it.' While the media described Tira as 'pseudo-melanistic,' Professor Greg Barsh, a geneticist from HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, told Daily Nation that 'it is probably better described as 'spotted' or 'partially spotted.'' He explained that the issue isn't in melanin production, but in the melanocytes' ability to identify their location in the body. 'They don't know where they are,' Barsh said, adding that it's not a pigment problem but more like 'biological GPS' confusion.
Irish Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
'I found the perfect name for my daughter – but now Peppa Pig's sister has it'
A woman has been left feeling awkward after learning her daughter will have the exact same baby name as Peppa Pig's new baby sister. The excitement surrounding Mummy Pig's third child swept through the internet, with a pregnancy announcement, followed by a gender reveal and finally the announcement of the birth and name of Peppa Pig's little sister on ITV's 'Good Morning Britain' earlier this week. The writers disclosed that the new piglet will be called Evie, sharing she was even 'born in the same hospital as the Royal offspring of Prince William and Princess Catherine', reports The Mirror. However, one Reddit user expressed displeasure with the naming coincidence, writing: "I'm due in July and just found out out planned name is the same as Peppa Pig's new sister. "Peppa Pig's little sister is going to be called Evie, with our planned name being Evelyn, nickname Evie. "I was a little freaked out at first given how pervasive Peppa Pig is in the culture but now I'm starting to see some humour in it. It will be fine right? It's a popular enough name I think." One commenter reassured the mum: "It's a kid show, so the only association will be with parents and kids I think. Kids will think it's cool, parents won't care. Evelyn is a popular, generally accepted name with a long enough history." Another chimed in saying: "I think this is Mr and Mrs Pig following the crowd rather than them starting a trend - the association will be there, but (like with George) no one's going to think you named your child after a cartoon pig." A third user commented: "Why can the pig family not name their kids all starting with P? The Zebras manage it. As for your name, I'd say you'll be ok, kids grow out of Peppa Pig by age four or so and it's a normal enough name anyway." Another piped up with personal insight, saying: "My brother is George born in mid/late 00s so fully in the time of everyone our age watching Peppa Pig, got the odd comment here and there but nothing crazy." A final person also reflected: "I've never heard of a girl called Peppa though. I thought about that recently, because Peppa Pig is so big. Evelyn is a beautiful name and I don't think she'll have any problem if that's the new pig family baby's name." Over on X (formerly Twitter), Good Morning Britain celebrated the porcine addition saying: "She's here! Mummy Pig has given birth to a beautiful baby girl. Welcome to the world, Evie!" An excited parent shared: "My daughter Evie has turned six today and this has made her day." While another rejoiced: "Finally some good news." Someone else chimed in: "Lovely news, just in time for children getting ready for school." Meanwhile, a viewer couldn't contain their amusement expressing: "Utterly obsessed with GMB going from a serious interview to announcing Mummy Pig has had her baby."
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Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Endangered crane makes ‘great escape' out of WA zoo — and nobody can catch her
Another zoo animal is on the run in Washington, but this time it isn't a zebra. An endangered East African crowned crane escaped the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, the zoo said in a May 21 Facebook post. The young female bird has been gone for days, and no one can seem to catch her. She was spotted at Lake Sammamish State Park the same day she sneaked out, the zoo said in another Facebook post. Zoo officials said she's likely still at the park hanging out with great blue herons, which she is being mistaken for. The zoo is working to catch the bird and advises anyone who spots her to not approach her. Anyone who sees her can call the zoo at 206-641-1554. 'Seems like the great escape has been working out just fine,' someone commented on Facebook. 'Heaven forbid a girl have hobbies. But seriously, I hope she returns to her home soon!' someone else wrote. 'It's the zebra all over again!' another person said. Last year in April, four Zebras were on the loose after fleeing from a trailer in the North Bend area, The News Tribune in Tacoma reported. Three Zebras were caught the same day, except for Shug. He roamed free for nearly a week, becoming a 'social media sensation,' the news outlet reported. Issaquah is about a 20-mile drive southeast from Seattle.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Endangered crane makes ‘great escape' out of WA zoo — and nobody can catch her
Another zoo animal is on the run in Washington, but this time it isn't a zebra. An endangered East African crowned crane escaped the Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah, the zoo said in a May 21 Facebook post. The young female bird has been gone for days, and no one can seem to catch her. She was spotted at Lake Sammamish State Park the same day she sneaked out, the zoo said in another Facebook post. Zoo officials said she's likely still at the park hanging out with great blue herons, which she is being mistaken for. The zoo is working to catch the bird and advises anyone who spots her to not approach her. Anyone who sees her can call the zoo at 206-641-1554. 'Seems like the great escape has been working out just fine,' someone commented on Facebook. 'Heaven forbid a girl have hobbies. But seriously, I hope she returns to her home soon!' someone else wrote. 'It's the zebra all over again!' another person said. Last year in April, four Zebras were on the loose after fleeing from a trailer in the North Bend area, The News Tribune in Tacoma reported. Three Zebras were caught the same day, except for Shug. He roamed free for nearly a week, becoming a 'social media sensation,' the news outlet reported. Issaquah is about a 20-mile drive southeast from Seattle. Runaway kangaroo wreaks havoc on interstate, AL cops say. 'Nobody believed it' Beaver named Cauliflower escapes NY zoo and is killed by car. 'Heartbreaking' Escaped alpacas seen exploring Cedar Point are not park's first animal fugitives
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I found perfect name for my daughter – but now Peppa Pig's sister has it'
The name of Peppa Pig's new baby sister has been announced and while some fans are thrilled, others are horrified to learn their child will have the same name as the little piglet A woman has been left feeling awkward after learning her daughter will have the exact same baby name as Peppa Pig's new baby sister. The excitement surrounding Mummy Pig's third child swept through the internet, with a pregnancy announcement, followed by a gender reveal and finally the announcement of the birth and name of Peppa Pig's little sister on ITV's ' Good Morning Britain ' today (May 20). The writers disclosed that the new piglet will be called Evie, sharing she was even 'born in the same hospital as the Royal offspring of Prince William and Princess Catherine'. However, one Reddit user expressed displeasure with the naming coincidence, writing: "I'm due in July and just found out out planned name is the same as Peppa Pig's new sister. "Peppa Pig's little sister is going to be called Evie, with our planned name being Evelyn, nickname Evie. "I was a little freaked out at first given how pervasive Peppa Pig is in the culture but now I'm starting to see some humour in it. It will be fine right? It's a popular enough name I think." One commenter reassured the mum: "It's a kid show, so the only association will be with parents and kids I think. Kids will think it's cool, parents won't care. Evelyn is a popular, generally accepted name with a long enough history." Another chimed in saying: "I think this is Mr and Mrs Pig following the crowd rather than them starting a trend - the association will be there, but (like with George) no one's going to think you named your child after a cartoon pig." A third user commented: "Why can the pig family not name their kids all starting with P? The Zebras manage it. As for your name, I'd say you'll be ok, kids grow out of Peppa Pig by age four or so and it's a normal enough name anyway". Another piped up with personal insight, saying: "My brother is George born in mid/late 00s so fully in the time of everyone our age watching Peppa Pig, got the odd comment here and there but nothing crazy." A final person also reflected: "I've never heard of a girl called Peppa though. I thought about that recently, because Peppa Pig is so big. Evelyn is a beautiful name and I don't think she'll have any problem if that's the new pig family baby's name." Over on X (formerly Twitter), Good Morning Britain celebrated the porcine addition saying: "She's here! Mummy Pig has given birth to a beautiful baby girl. Welcome to the world, Evie!". An excited parent shared: "My daughter Evie has turned six today and this has made her day." While another rejoiced: "Finally some good news." Meanwhile, a viewer couldn't contain their amusement expressing: "Utterly obsessed with GMB going from a serious interview to announcing Mummy Pig has had her baby."
