Topic

Animals in Culture

A collection of 47 issues

When the RAF Airdropped Cats into Borneo: The Bizarre True Story of Operation Cat Drop

In the 1950s, the WHO used DDT in Borneo to fight malaria. This inadvertently killed local cats via biomagnification, leading to a rat plague that destroyed crops. The solution was Operation Cat Drop, where cats were parachuted into villages to restore ecological balance.

Science & Nature History Animals in Culture

Flopped or Terrified? The Unseen Truth About Tonic Immobility in Rabbits

The common practice of 'trancing' a rabbit by placing it on its back induces a state of tonic immobility. Far from being relaxed, the rabbit is experiencing a fear-based, involuntary paralysis—a last-resort defense mechanism that causes significant physiological and psychological stress.

Science & Nature Animals in Culture Medicine, Psychology & Health

The Dragonfly's Perilous Gamble: A 2,000 km Migration Across the Indian Ocean

A study reveals the incredible 2,000 km migration of the Globe Skimmer dragonfly across the Indian Ocean from India to Africa. Relying on seasonal winds, these tiny insects face a perilous journey where only 15-40% are estimated to survive, making it the longest known insect migration.

Science & Nature Adventure & Exploration Animals in Culture

Lizzie the War Elephant: The Surprising Circus Hero of WW1 Sheffield

During WW1, with horses requisitioned for the front lines, a circus elephant named Lizzie stepped up in Sheffield. She heroically hauled munitions and scrap metal for the war effort, famously doing the work of three horses and becoming a beloved local figure.

Animals in Culture History Wars, Conflict & Heroes

From TV Star to Florida Retiree: The Unbelievable Survival of J. Fred Muggs

J. Fred Muggs, the chimpanzee who saved NBC's Today Show in the 1950s, is not just a footnote in TV history. He is, incredibly, still alive. Now in his 70s, he lives a quiet life of retirement in Citrus Park, Florida, having outlived nearly all of his human co-stars.

Entertainment & Media Animals in Culture History

Before Moby Dick, There Was Mocha Dick: The True Story of the Legendary White Whale

Herman Melville's Moby Dick wasn't pure fiction. It was inspired by Mocha Dick, a real, colossal white sperm whale who battled whalers off Chile in the early 19th century. This legendary creature was a terror and a marvel, a symbol of nature's untamable power.

Literature & Books Animals in Culture History

'They Had No Choice': The Story of London's Powerful Animals in War Memorial

London's Animals in War Memorial honors the millions of animals who served and died in human conflicts. Its most powerful inscription, 'They had no choice,' serves as a solemn reminder of their silent, involuntary sacrifice and the true, far-reaching cost of war.

Wars, Conflict & Heroes History Animals in Culture

From Pest to Pub Star: Unpacking Australia's Weirdest Sport, Cane Toad Racing

In Australia, the reviled cane toad, a toxic invasive pest, is the star of a quirky pub sport: cane toad racing. This bizarre tradition, especially popular on Australia Day, transforms an ecological disaster into a unique and controversial cultural spectacle.

Animals in Culture Science & Nature Geography & Places

Meet the Epaulette Shark: The Astonishing Apex Predator That Walks on Land

Meet the Epaulette shark, a unique Australian predator. This small reef dweller can walk on land using its fins to hop between tide pools and can survive for hours with little to no oxygen by shutting down parts of its brain. It's a true marvel of evolution and adaptability.

Science & Nature Animals in Culture

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