Tag: breeding

Pennybridge Farm

Pennybridge Alpaca Farm – Mei-An’s 12th Birthday Present! (11.5.2024)

Although we initially arranged to walk three Alpacas between the four of us – it soon became apparent that two was more than enough to handle – as Kai-in was too young to handle one of these animals by herself. Mei-An, as a 12 year old – handled her Alpaca (Caesar) very well – before I took over at the half-way point. Gee and Kai-Lin walked “Percy”. Alpacas are herd animals and do not like being separated or individually man-handled. They often spit and will stand still if they do not like what is going on – so steady as you go – like sailing a ship on unpredictable waters! We think Kai-Lin’s brightly coloured dress might have alarmed the Alpacas as they seem slightly agitated when Kai-Lin came to close. Still, she did quite well regardless, and none of the Alpacas “kicked” – as these backward kicks to human groins and chins have been known to be quite deadly in the past!

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Zebra Finch Fledgling: A New Baby Bird Has Arrived! (24.10.2023)

Around 21-days ago I heard the tell-tale signs of high-pitched ‘squeaks’ emanating from the bird nest in the aviary! This group hatched a baby a few months ago (in the Summer of 2023) – but this poor little creature only lived for around a week – despite the colony of birds trying their best to help his survival. Nature is cruel. However, this bird is strong and healthily aggressive – and we can tell by his markings that he is a ‘male’. He has just left the nest and is sat on the floor of the cage – flapping his wings and occasionally ‘chirping’! The colony of birds are all exhibiting excellent parenting skills and group compassion! It is a joy to behold!

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Yunnan: China Protects Asian Elephants! (13.9.2022)

The Management Bureau of the Reserve said that monitoring data showed that the baby elephants born during the northward journey are growing up and finding independence. In January, another baby elephant was born at the Reserve. Since then, the herd of elephants have moved deep into the forests in Mengyang and are rarely seen.

Chen Fei, Director of the Asian Elephant Research Centre under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, said that the efforts made by the Chinese government and local residents have served as a vivid example of China’s determination to promote harmony between man and nature, providing a warm-hearted example for global wildlife conservation.

“Helping the herd go home does not signal the end of our efforts. There is still a long way to go to protect Asian elephants and their habitats,” said Chen, adding that Asian elephants have been included in the list of 48 critically endangered species under emergency protection during China’s 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

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Red Army Horses (1941-1945) by Timur Muminov [Тимур Муминов] (13.8.2019) 

The time of severe trials proved the expediency of organizing a special fund of selected horse stock. In total, about three million horses came from the national economy to the front. Even more of them would be needed if, thanks to a well-organized military Veterinary Service, the vast majority of slightly wounded and sick animals did not return to Service – but were returned to the Home-Front to continue their vital patriotic services. However, more than a million uncomplaining Soviet War-Horse died in the anti-fascist war! Already, by 1942, the USSR was short of horses – with the shortfall being met by purchases from its allies in Mongolia!

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