Rare Tiger dies at Toronto Zoo

Brytne the Sumatran Tiger

On Thursday December 15^th, a rare Sumatran tiger died at Toronto Zoo after she was badly injured in a fight with another, younger tiger. Brytne was a 13-year old “beautiful and loved” tiger at the Toronto Zoo who died of a crushed larynx. Brytne and a 3-year old male tiger named Harimau Kayu from the San Diego Wild Animal Park were being paired together on a breeding recommendation, as a part of a species survival program. Zoo employees had been working for the past six months in efforts to carefully introduce the two tigers to get them to reside in the same habitat. Despite showing positive signs such as nuzzling, and chuffing, the two tigers ended up fighting causing Brytne’s death. The zoo said in a statement that, “ On rare occasions, in both the wild and captivity, tigers will fight and react instinctively.” With approximately 300 to 500 Sumatran tigers left in the wild, and 71 in captivity, the loss of Brytne is a devastating loss for the already critically endangered species.

I am personally appalled by this story because I am completely against having animals held in captivity for the entertainment of the public. I think it is absolutely ridiculous and sick. The fact that the tiger population has depleted by outrageous amounts over the years is completely unacceptable and I think that people should be ashamed of themselves. Tigers are not the only case in which this is a problem, there are many species on the brink of extinction because of humans and I wish that something would finally get done to save the animals. Once they are extinct it is clearly too late, and at the rate we are going the populations of animals such as Sumatran tigers and other endangered species will slowly drop to where they no longer exist. I know that there are already many people and organizations making efforts to save these animals, but I think that it is time that something drastic changes in order to keep these species alive. I am saddened to hear of Brytne the tiger’s death, and I hope that no more accidents such as this one happen at any other Zoo’s in the future.

CBC News,"Tiger dies at Toronto Zoo", December 15, 2011, By: The Canadian Press

Sources: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/12/15/toronto-zoo-tiger.html

B.C home to Canada's most dangerous city

According to Maclean’s Magazine, the most dangerous cities based on homicides, sexual assaults, aggravated assaults, robberies, vehicle thefts and break-and-enters are in western Canada. For the second year in a row, the two most dangerous spots in all of Canada were Prince George, B.C, and Victoria. Prince George being the number one, “most dangerous” city two years running. Western cities, according to results, dominate the rankings as worst for crime while populous cities in Ontario and Quebec consistently score well. Prince George was ranked number one due to its gang wars, drug problems, and for being the hometown of Cody Alan Legebokoff who has murdered several people. Victoria showed very high rates in sexual assault and robbery as compared to elsewhere in the country. Rankings were scored from Statistics Canada data. Saskatoon and Regina, two big Saskatchewan cities also ranked numbers three and four on the list of most dangerous cities in Canada. Other big city ranking included: Winnipeg-9^th, Vancouver-18^th, Edmonton-19^th, Montreal-22^nd, Windsor, Ontario-35^th, Calgary-50^th, Toronto-52^nd, and Ottawa-74^th.

I am extremely surprised that both Prince George and Victoria are so high on the “most dangerous” list as they are so close to home, Vancouver. I did not even know about the apparent drug ward of Prince George, which is also very surprising to me. On a positive note, all I can say is at least there is one large metropolitan city ranked worse than Vancouver! I think that some people may be quite offended when they hear that their hometown is high on the danger list as they most likely have nothing to do with all the crimes, which is unfortunate. I agree that it is not a great feeling to know that your home city is up there for “most dangerous” in Canada; it is unsettling to say the least. I’m interested to follow these ranking over the next few years to see if any cities improve as time goes on.


The Vancouver Sun, "B.C. home to Canada's most dangerous city, Maclean's says", December 15, 2011, By: Derek Abma

Sources:http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Woman+shot+dead+Vancouver+while+child+watched+from+back+seat/5864743/story.html?tab=PHOT

Man commits 15 armed robberies while on statutory release

Paulo Austinho Teixeira 

Paulo Austinho Teixeira from Portugal moved here when he was 7, and claims to have had a difficult upbringing. Teixeira is a heroin and cocaine addict who contracted AIDS from intravenous drug use while in an Ontario prison in the 1990’s. He was sentenced to a four-year sentence in 2003 for robbing two banks in three days in Ontario. This sentence was later extended to 11 years in 2006 when Teixeira threatened three employees of a Montreal drugstore with a knife to steal five boxes of Dilaudids, a derivative of morphine, while he was free on statutory release.  Recently, Teixeira violated yet another of his statutory releases by going on a massive crime spree over the course of a month. He is suspect in 15 armed robberies in financial institutions, between December 5^th and December 9^th when he was arrested, but has yet to be charged.  In 2009, an assessment made by the CSC (Correctional Service Canada) while Teixeira was in jail resulted in the identification that Teixeira had a psychopathic disorder. Teixeira’s criminal record includes the assault of a police officer in 1995 where Teixeira tried to claw his eyes out while telling the officer he was trying to infect him with HIV. Teixeira was assessed as fugitive who reoffends to support his drug addictions.

I personally think that any prisoner who has committed as serious crimes as Teixeira has should never be permitted to statutory release. Especially when almost every time Teixeira went on release, he committed several crimes. I do not believe that sentences should be shortened due to good behaviour or anything. A crime committed is a crime committed and nothing changes that. I think that Teixeira should be thoroughly assessed to figure out whether or not he is a threat to the public if and when he is released. I think that the law should be changed where a prisoner is only granted statutory release if he/she passes certain evaluations clearing him/her to be released safely into the general public.

The Gazette, "Man faces charges in 15 armed robberies committed with a month", December 15, 2011, By: Paul Cherry

Sources:http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/faces+charges+armed+robberies+committed+with+month/5867591/story.html

Dave Bolland vs. the Canucks

Dave Bolland, a pesky little NHL player for the Chicago Blackhawks made a name for himself during the Canucks, Chicago playoff series last season. Bolland played many minutes against the Sedin duo and to a degree was successful in shutting them down with his non-stop pestering and bad mouthing. If you are a Canucks fan, then you know that the rivalry between the Vancouver Canucks and the Chicago Blackhawks is one of the biggest in the league. If it wasn't a heated enough rivalry already, then the heat was recently turned up due to comments made by Dave Bolland at a Blackhawks live event at Harry Caray's in Chicago. Bolland referred to the talented Sedin brothers as the "Sisters", and said that "They'll never be Hawks...We'd be sure not to let them on our team." These comments stirred the pot in Vancouver with responses heard from head coach of the Canucks, Alain Vigneault, and defenceman, Kevin Bieksa. The Sedins, as usual, decided not to comment on Dave Bolland's words, and chose the classier route. Shockingly, coach Vigneault told media that they would call him "Bird Brain" Bolland but that would be giving him too much credit. He also added that Bolland "has a face that only a mother could look at". Kevin Bieksa also said that "if it weren't for the twins, I don't think anyone would hear about dave Bolland." and as a response to Bollands comment about him not wanting the Sedins on his team, Bieksa said that, "It's probably because he'd be out of a roster spot."The rivalry is only getting more intense, be sure to tune in for any upcoming face offs between these two teams.

I think that Dave Bolland should just play the game of hockey as he gets paid to do, and forget about all of the chirping. All it does is cause unnecessary hatred between clubs and players, but in a way i guess that is what can make hockey interesting. The more heated the rivalry becomes, the more fans want to watch, but I still think that if he needs to bad mouth any players, he, and all the players in the league should keep it on the ice. I think what coach Alain Vigneault said about Bolland may have been going too far, but I think that it showed character and that he is caring coach for him to step up and defend his top players as he did. I personally love watching these two teams play and hope that we get paired up against them again in the playoffs this year.

The Province, " Bolland Vs. the Canucks", December 15, 2011, By: Jason Botchford

Sources: http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Bolland+Canucks+gets+nasty/5864025/story.html

Nickelback accepts challenge to support good cause

Lilee-Jean Putt

The band, Pardon My Striptease from Chilliwack B.C recently released the song "Pray" in honour of a band member’s one year old daughter who was recently diagnosed with Glioblastoma brain cancer. Andrew Putt, the band leader’s daughter Lilee-Jean Putt was admitted to B.C Children’s Hospital two months ago after a large cancerous tumor was revealed by an ultrasound test at the doctors. The next day Lilee-Jean had an emergency operation, which removed about 50% of the tumors mass. Andrews band, Pardon My Striptease released their new song “Pray” on Lilee-Jeans first birthday and dedicated all proceeds from the single to B.C Children’s Hospital. The band also challenged Nickelback, a famous B.C born rock band to match the donation if “Pray” passed Nickelback's latest hit "When We Stand Together" on iTunes' rock chart. Since its release on Monday, Dec.5^th, sales of “Pray” have gone through the roof not only passing Nickelback’s new single, but reaching second overall on iTunes by Friday the December 9^th. Nickelback gladly accepted the challenge and donated $50,000 dollars to the hospital while adding, “We’re moved by the efforts of Pardon My Striptease to raise money…and are happy and excited to take part.” Soon after Nickelback announced that they will support Pardon My Striptease’s efforts, the band thanked Nickelback on their website saying, “Thankyou to Nickelback for accepting our challenge and helping make a difference at B.C Children’s Hospital.” Nickelback also went on to challenge the Vancouver Sun and the Vancouver Province to each match the donation to support Lilee-Jean and the hospital.

I love that such a small band like Pardon My Striptease whom I have never heard of can call out such a famous band like Nickelback and have their challenge accepted. I think it shows a lot of class from Nickelback who not only matched the donation of $50,000, but also made an effort to raise more money for the good cause. I also think that it was a really nice gesture of Andrew Putt's bandmates to suggest donating all of the proceeds of their new, popular song to the B.C Children's Hospital in the first place. Hopefully the Vancouver Sun, and Vancouver Province will step up to the challenge to help Lilee-Jean and all the kids at the hospital. I can only imagine how hard it must be for Lilees parents to be dealing with such a sudden diagnosis of such a serious disease. I hope that with all the support from Canadian bands and other sources, Lilee-Jean is able to beat the cancer and live a happy life. As Andrew Putt asked for supporters to do, my thoughts and prayers will go out to Lilee-Jean and her family with their fight agaisnt cancer.


Canada.com, "Nickelback accepts challenge, donates $50,000 to B.C Children's Hospital", December, 9 2011, By: Evan Duggan


Sources:http://www.canada.com/entertainment/music/Nickelback+accepts+challenge+donates+Children+Hospital/5839194/story.html

Baby On Board

Shortly after 3 p.m on December 13th, a 38 year old woman was shot dead while sitting in her car on Bruce Street in Southeast Vancouver. The woman’s car was not moving when the gunman or gunmen opened fire at the woman all while the victims toddler sat in the back seat. The victim died of multiple gun shot wounds making this murder the 14^th homicide of 2011 in Vancouver. Fortunately, the young child in the back seat was left unharmed during the attack. Police still have no leads to the gunman or men, and have added that “we want more witnesses to come forward.” Lindsey Houghton, Vancouver Police Const. said that “At this point, it appears to be targeted” and that “The child is in safe hands and has been taken to a safe place.” This crime however, does have very close relation to another murder in 2009 where a woman named Nicole Marie Alemy was shot dead in the front seat of her car. Her child was also left unharmed in the back seat, and it was shown that although Alemy had no criminal record to speak of, she did have several gang links. After the police arrived on scene, a woman named Arlene who has lived in that are for most of her life was interviewed and told officers that she thought the gun shots were firecrackers and that she had never seen anything like this before in her neighbourhood.

I think that violence like this is, as said by police Const. Houghton “completely unacceptable”. Murder is bad enough, but to do it during broad daylight in a public area, with a child in the back seat is just downright brutality. I hope that whoever committed this crime gets caught by police and sentenced to many, many deserving years in jail. I wish the best to the family of the victim, and especially to her toddler in the backseat who I hope was young enough not to completely take in the situation as it would be extremely traumatizing. I completely agree with what was said by Arlene, the woman interviewed by police, that “There are so many reports about things like this happening [but] it’s different when you’re right up close to it.”

The Province, "Woman shot dead in Southeast Vancouver with child in the back seat", Decemeber 14, 2011, By Andy Ivens and Ian Austin

Sources: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Woman+shot+dead+southeast+Vancouver+with+child+back+seat+vehicle/5861772/story.html

Beau The K9 Math Wizz

Beau the "canine calculator"

Beau, a 12 year old Labrador Retriever from Montana is not only a skilled hunter, but also a skilled mathematician! David Madsen, Beau's owner taught Beau to count since he was a puppy. David used biscuits as a reward, but to receive his reward, Beau had to bark the corresponding number of times with the number of biscuits laid out for him. Madsen described Beau as "super smart" and said that "I've had dogs all my life, but this dog is different.. He caught on that rewards were associated with the correct number of barks." Beau has become a celebrity at the Flathead lake resort in Montana where he and his family spend the summer. Since learning basic math skills, Beau has now mastered some addition, subtraction, division, and even square roots! Madsen claims that his "canine calculator" as he calls Beau, is correct about 85% of the time, while performing impromptu demonstrations at local restaurants, and for people at the park. Don't believe me? Ask Chris Ricciardi, chief of the Finley Point-Yellow Bay, Montana Fire Department, he will vouch for Beau's skills. "Dave will say, 'What's two and three?' Then the dog will go, 'Bark, bark ... bark, bark, bark,'" said Chris Ricciardi who also added that " This dog is amazing!" Beau had a chance to take his special talent nationwide when he auditioned in Savannah, Georgia for the "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment on the CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman." Unfortunately Beau did not make the cut, but his auditions were aired which got the eye of the the locals making him the talk of the town. On another occasion, when asked how many girls were nearby, Beau barked twice, correct. Then he was asked how many boys? Beau barked five times even though there were only four boys, but it was then that Madsen realised that Beau is male and he was including himself!
I think that Beau's story and talent is incredible! Any animal that can be taught such "human" skills is extraordinary. Kudos to David Madsen, Beau's owner who has obviously spent many hours training with Beau.  I love hearing of stories like this where animals have learn unique skills because it inspires me to at least attempt to train my stubborn Airedale Terrier Kayto! I know, from at experience that training a dog is very hard and takes a lot of patience. Clearly David Mansen loves his dog very much to have spent so much time training him, which I think is really cool. Dogs are a "man's best friend" as they say. I think that Dacid should keep entering Beau in talent competitions as I think that he could potentially win which would be awesome.

 Sources: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/17/us-dog-math-idUSTRE77G3CS20110817

REUTERS, "Montana Dog Becomes Local Celebrity For His Math Skills", August 17, 2011, By Laura Zuckerman

Sidney Crosby Out Again

Sidney Crosby, the star NHL player is yet again sidelined with concussion-like symptoms. Last year during the NHL Winter Classic game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals, Sidney Crosby was blindsided by David Steckel which caused a serious concussion. Crosby missed over 10 months, and has only just returned to the NHL. He has 12 point in 8 games, but is now sidelined once again after receiving an elbow to the head from David Krejci of the Boston Bruins. Crosby finished the game, but noticed the familiar symptoms afterwards. Crosby passed the ImPACT test which is designed to diagnose concussions, but claims that "The ImPACT (test) isn't everything. You've got to listen to your body on these things too." Crosby sat out on the his teams road trip to Philadelphia and New York in hopes of a quick recovery, but he has acknowledged that it could be a while before he plays. Crosby described his thoughts on his current situation as, "I don’t think frustrating, that even describes it,” he said. “It’s not fun but I look at my ImPACT, I look at some of that stuff and I’m way better off than I was dealing with this stuff 10 months ago or whenever it was." On a positive note, after Sidney Crosby was hit last year, the NHL has really cracked down on head shots in the game of hockey. Penalties are much stricter when it comes to head contact, and lengthy suspensions  decided by Brendan Shanahan the NHL's Vice President and disciplinary of head contact. 
I think that Sydney Crosby is an amazing player, and that it is a huge loss to the game of hockey to have him sidelined with injuries. Not only is he a fan favourite, but he is a top point scorer and huge part of his team, the Pittsburgh Penguins. I am glad that the NHL has finally cracked down on head contact, but it is a shame that it was only finally addressed because it was a star player that got hurt. Nevertheless, I think that it is important for concussions to be prevented as much as possible for the safety of the players, and for the integrity of the league. I hope that Crosby has a quick recovery, and is back to the NHL as soon as possible.  

ESPN NHL "Sydeny Crosby Out Indefinitely" December 12, 2011 By the Associated Press


Sources: http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7345193/sidney-crosby-pittsburgh-penguins-indefinitely-
concussion-symptoms
             

Crazed Chimpanzee Mangles Woman's Face



Travis the Chimpanzee

Eight months ago a woman named Charla Nash was viciously attacked by a crazed Chimpanzee. Travis, the 15-year old Chimpanzee was a 200 lb, house trained Chimpanzee who had been raised from birth by his owner Sandra Herold in Stamford, Connecticut. Travis had previously appeared on several TV shows and commercials and was a very intelligent primate. Travis was reportedly suffering from Lyme disease (bacterial infection spread through the bite of the black legged tick) and had ingested the drug Xanax which can alter behaviour and trigger aggression. Charla, a good friend of Sandra Herold’s had been on her way over to Sandra’s home to help Travis settle back down after escaping when she was attacked by Travis who proceeded to rip her apart. The emergency call made by Sandra Herold shows just how shocking the attack was, "He's killing my friend!'' Sandra screamed to the 911 operator.

"Who's killing your friend?,'' the emergency operator asks.
"My chimpanzee! He ripped her apart! Shoot him, shoot him!'' While waiting for police to respond to the scene, Sandra attempted to stop the attack by stabbing Travis with a butcher’s knife and hitting him with a shovel. Sandra explains the Chimps reaction to her efforts to stop his attack as "He looked at me like, 'Mum, what did you do?'' Left nearly dead, Charla lost her nose, mouth, both eyes, eye lids, and all of her fingers. Travis was shot dead after attacking police officers which had responded to the call. After eight months of recovery, Charla finally revealed her horrifying facial injuries live on the Oprah Winfrey show after being told of a bounty that had been raised for her photo by U.S tabloids. The Nash family is now suing the owner of Travis the Chimpanzee, Sandra Herold for over $28 million dollars.

Charla Nash before & after the attack

I personally think, although it was a very tragic incident, that the owner should be held completely responsible for Travis’ attack on Charla Nash. I do not believe that animals of that size should be legally allowed to be house pets. Not only is it ridiculous to own a pet that is 200 lb, it is very dangerous as shown by this brutal attack. Travis lost his life because he somehow got his hands on Xanax drugs after escaping from his cage. It is not his fault that he got into it, he did not know any better and he should never have been exposed to anything that would alter his behaviour in such a way. I think that laws should be changed to prevent animals over a certain size and weight to be banned from being house pets. Not only for the safety of the general public from accidents such as this one, but for the safety and health of the animal. I think that Charla Nash’s family is right to sue Sandra Herold, and hopefully Charla Nash and her family will be able to enjoy the rest of their lives despite her injuries.

Mail Online, "Woman who had most of her face torn off by crazed Chimp speaks for the first time", November 2009, By Paul Thompson

Sources: http://www.perthnow.com.au/chimp-rips-womans-face-off/story-fna7dq6e-1111118898149

              http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1226985/Woman-face-torn-crazed-chimp-speaks-time.html