Top hat and all… Puki the dog awaits his bride to be….

Frog Raja, left, didn’t wait around to be kissed by a princess…. Instead, he took the hand of his sweetheart Rani.

Giraffe couple Zagallo and Beija Ceu show affection towards each other after their wedding in Rio de Janeiro.

Monkey love… Jhumuri and Manu tied the knot infront of half the village.

It was a traditional chruch wedding for this great dane and her rather small husband….

Proud miniature pigs display their wedding certificates after their ceremony in Chongqing, southwestern China.

This catty couple look ‘purrrfect’ for each other as they tie the knot in matching pink outfits.

Two giant pandas tuck into their wedding cake having exchanged vows during a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony.

These loved up elephants can’t keep their trunks off each other.

Puppy love…. London’s Harrods was the choice of venue for this extravagant pair…..

…. And a quick get away for the honeymoon.

With ears back, eyes rolling and nostrils flared in fury, the enraged horses pummel each other with their hooves and bite and head-butt each other in a horrifying fight, sometimes to the death.

Men, women and children watch, and a roar of approval goes up as one horse delivers the equivalent of a double-uppercut to its opponent with its hind legs.

The cruel “sport” of horse fighting has been outlawed almost worldwide, but it still thrives in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea and here in China, as these disturbing images of a “tournament” prove.

Chinese spectators watch as two beautiful horses savagely attack one another

They were taken in Guizhou province in south-west China, where local people claim such events are a part of a 500-year-old tradition. The horses have been goaded to fury by their owners who urge them on as they hang on to halter ropes to prevent the horses running off.

All around wildly cheering crowds lay bets on which one will be standing when the fighting ends.

It goes on for half an hour or more, until one or the other collapses or is simply too exhausted to continue.

The Chinese government would prefer you not to see these pictures as it tries to clean up its image for the Beijing Olympics which are only eight months away.

Local people claim such events are a part of a 500-year-old tradition

But critics say horse fighting is as widespread as ever in the huge country’s far-flung provinces, especially among the Miao ethnic group.

Like bear-baiting and cruelty to circus animals, authorities say it is difficult to stop an event that is embedded in local culture, and frequently celebrated at festivals along with fireworks and fancy-dress dragon parades.

In outlying towns horse fights often take place in the main football stadium.

The stallions are driven into a frenzy by the simple ploy of leading them to a mare in heat, then taking her away when they are roused. Mares are often injected with hormones to keep them in heat longer. If they are still reluctant when the mare is removed, they are whipped, and gunshots are fired to stir them up.

A losing horse is often pitted against a much stronger opponent in its next fight to ensure it dies and the spectators get the bloody finale they enjoy. Then, according to reports from some of the remote regions, the dead horse is barbecued as part of the festival.

The cruel ’sport’ of horse fighting has been outlawed almost worldwide, but it still thrives in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, South Korea and here in China

Vivian Farrell, who has waged a long campaign against the fighting as founder and president of the International Fund for Horses, said: “It is very hard to tackle. They say it’s a tradition. Well, it used to be a tradition to sacrifice children, but we’ve moved on from that.

“Sadly it is mostly driven by the Chinese love of gambling, although people get fired up over the blood, gore and intensity of the fighting.”

She sees some hope for progress as China emerges more into the international community. “I get emails now from younger Chinese people saying they don’t like this image and asking what they can do.

“With the Olympics coming, young Chinese people want to be seen to be more humane. But it’s going to take a lot of education and a long time.”

A spokeswoman for PETA ? People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ? who are campaigning for a worldwide ban on the fights, said: “Torturing these magnificent animals in the name of entertainment is deplorable. Tradition never justifies cruelty and has no place in a civilised society.”

ganz unverhofft’, 2008

cramer + cramer, geneva
september 19 – november 7, 2008

melli ink is a zurich based artist who explores nature in her work by transforming bone into glass.
her artwork consists of life size skeletons and bones recreated in glass. ink began her career as
a set-designer and also worked as a performance and video artist. the show will be held at
cramer + cramer, who’s founder philippe cramer studied with melli ink at parsons school of design
over 15 years ago. the two are currently collaborating on a project that merges their disciplines
together. the special edition should be ready by early 2009.

http://www.melli-ink.com
http://www.philippecramer.com

]]> http://thebizzare.com/cool/glass-bone-skeletons/feed/ 1 http://thebizzare.com/bizarre-stuff/most-painful-animal-bite/ http://thebizzare.com/bizarre-stuff/most-painful-animal-bite/#comments Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:44:10 +0000 rappin http://thebizzare.com/?p=1317 ‘Becoming a man’ in the Setere-Mawe society means intentionally letting yourself get stung by these ants. Not just by one but by hundreds of them at once. And not just on one occasion. There, you are not a man until you have done this ritual twenty times.

Twenty times wearing a pair of gloves each laced with hundreds of live bullet ants, stingers pointing inward, for ten minutes at each go. At first it seems like a horrible practice almost on the level of honor killings, but the boys themselves really seem to have a positive outlook on it. And in America, kids cry when daddy gets them the wrong color car for their sixteenth birthday.

Click on images to enlarge!

The Most Painful Animal Bite on Earth

The Setere-Mawe people of Brazil have found something really bad.

Meet the bullet ant. So named because those unfortunate enough to have been stung by one compare it to a gunshot wound – very unfortunate people; apparently, they have also all been shot. It reportedly has the most painful sting of any insect on Earth.

text source

1):-”Fugu” or Pufferfish

This goes on top of my list as the world’s deadliest delicacy. Even a drop of toxin from a Pufferfish or Fugu (in Japanese) can immediately leave you paralyzed, followed by death.

2):-”San Nak Ji” or Live Octopus

A slight error during the removal of the toxic parts can allow the toxin to contaminate the entire flesh of the fish. Despite the risk of eating Fugu, it is reported that yearly,there are dozens of death from Fugu poisoning in Japan.

This is one of the world’s popular staple food. Cassava is often used to make the
tropical delicacy in the form of tapioca starch or flour. However, if not properly
washed or cooked, cassava leaves and roots contain toxin called cyanide which is
fatal to humans even in small doses.

4):-Giant Bullfrog

Ackee plant is originated from West Africa. Later, it was introduced to Florida, USA.

The giant Echizen jellyfish is a huge, poisonous jellyfish which moves in swarms in
the Japan waters. The jellyfish lives on tuna fish and this poses a problem as the
tuna supply is affected by the huge consumption. So, the solution is to catch the
jellyfish and turn it into a delicacy.

]]> http://thebizzare.com/cool/seven-deadliest-delicacies/feed/ 3 http://thebizzare.com/animals/7-role-models-from-the-animal-world/ http://thebizzare.com/animals/7-role-models-from-the-animal-world/#comments Fri, 19 Sep 2008 21:26:30 +0000 rappin http://thebizzare.com/animals/7-role-models-from-the-animal-world/ The shallowness of the world can bring discouragement and frustration to many. Not succeeding or just finding it difficult to have a purpose in life can easily bring you down. You’re looking for ideas. Most role models prove to be exactly the opposite of what they claim to be, so where is the key? Maybe looking just a little further may give you the necessary impulse. Discover new values within yourself!

1. ELEPHANT

Elephants are known to live in groups which are lead by an elder female. The babies are practically raised together with no discrimination and if one of them hurts his or her leg for example the whole group will walk slower with no complaints. Elephant families are also famous for adopting lost or orphan babies and especially for returning to their old cemeteries.

Family- Most of us consider it to be the most important value of all but not everyone actually takes this idea further. A stressful, time-consuming job, some new prospects, the lack of time, the competition… Family life has changed in the last years quite dramatically especially in the powerfully industrialized cities. Many young people even refuse to start their own family for the reasons mentioned above. But is it all worth the effort? Neglecting your family can have severe effects for everyone involved especially from a psychological point of view. With a little respect, affection and…time just for a short visit or a phone call you can get rid of depression, loneliness and sadness also bringing joy to the ones you care about. Also married people are known to live more and they are more likely to have a stable life. Give it a second thought! It’s not necessarily about legalizing but about offering and receiving affection!

2. DOG

Dogs can create remarkable bonds with their human masters which seem to pass beyond the instinct limit as many times dogs endangered their lives to save someone. There are numerous cases when faithful dogs returned to their owners after traveling hundreds and hundreds of miles or when the death of the master meant the end of the animal as well.

Friendship-next to family is considered one of the most important elements in one’s life as these relationships influence practically every life aspect: spare time, work, way of thinking, the choices to make. Investing in friendship is highly beneficial, of course when the other person does just the same. A lasting friendship brings the best out of someone as it involves deep affection, the unique opportunity to confide without a care, to receive advice from another point of view and also to feel safe and relaxed. Many people all around the world claim to feel alone most of the time but this happens ion most cases because today’s lifestyle can easily affect one’s social skills and even desire to bond. However, investing in what you have or just discovering the ones around you will bring you more benefits than just some time spent in front of the PC.

3. ALBATROSS

The albatross is a sea bird which is known to live as much as 50 years which is remarkable for a bird. But what is the most remarkable is the fact that these birds are monogamous which made them a symbol for sailors traveling far away.

Fidelity- a subject all like to joke about but few actually prefer to take it seriously. We’ve all heard stories from the tragic ones to the most hilarious but the reality behind them may not be as entertaining. Usually in these situations this is a sign that the couple has a serious problem which is definitely not solved the right way. Infidelity is a source of distress for everyone involved leading to negative psychological effects such as guilt, underestimating, frustration, lack of confidence in anyone, adaptation problems. It’s always been there and will probably never disappear. However, putting fidelity behind a glass and calling it unreachable is not where we want to be.

4. PUFFIN

Puffins are sea birds which lay their eggs on cliffs in order not to be eaten by predators. However, when the babies hatch they prepare for a long journey to the beach. When the time comes to follow their parents, they jump from a remarkable height, most of them arriving safe on the beach.

Courage- Desiring is human…but daring? Taking a decision, most of the times risky, is something many would not rather do. Asking for a raise, leaving home for a college abroad, talking about your feelings- not easy. But the torment of deciding what to do is nothing compared to the regret of missing a once in a lifetime opportunity because of fear. We hear of people who could have done so much and so well but were afraid, everyday. The ones who take the tough decisions are on the front page of the newspapers. So when you truly have a feeling that this may be the right decision, analyze the situation (making quick decisions without thinking is not the best thing to do) take a deep breath and go for it. It may be the right thing.

5. SALMON

Salmons travel thousands and thousands of miles to get to the rivers they began their lives in. Many never reach their goal, but the ones who do offer the new generation the chance to make the same journey.

Perseverance- Once you’ve made the decision don’t give up on it immediately because of a reason or another! People giving up is a problem maybe not many take into consideration when they should. Many things, some very important remain unfinished just because giving up seems a very attractive alternative. Continuous effort is however the key in many cases as luck rarely strikes. Leaving behind the idea, value or impulse is what causes these things to happen. A few difficulties, some bad comments and it’s hard to go on. And still what if others gave up on their dreams or plans? Would the world still be the same now? Of course, being a Don Quixote is something totally undesirable. Be sure that it’s worth fighting for!

6. Wolf

Wolves are strong and resistant animals, being able to hunt various types of prey. However, a wolf knows that hunting in packs is the key towards reaching a bigger lunch. When hunting together, wolves can even kill a 500 kilo-moose, which is 10 times bigger than any of them and capable of putting tremendous fight.

Teamwork – Trusting your own powers and involving in various activities is something everyone is recommended to do. But only to rely on yourself may not be the best solution. More heads means more ideas. Of course, it’s normal to want to achieve glory and maximum of results by yourself; however, history was rarely changed by just a person, there were definitely others by his or her side. Jealousy can also be there. Still, working like this will show you that you cannot be the best at everything but that collective effort is the key to the problem. So, work with others to achieve a goal, share ideas, give a hand! The results will worth making a change. But teamwork is not just about work and school, it is about your spare time too: socialize, interact, be part of a group! What would sports be without it? Or how would any humanitarian action be successful? Maybe there is some truth in those old sayings…

7. Golden-fronted Bowerbird

One of the most impressing mating rituals belongs to a species of birds from the rain forest and concerns a special care for beauty, called the Golden-fronted Bowerbird. Every male builds some kind of presentation tent where he puts all the beautiful things he can find especially blue things and arranges them so that they will attract a female. The ladies come, analyze what they see and many times are not satisfied so that the males have to start working again until it’s perfect.

Beauty- it fascinates each and every one of us, we have to admit it. Finding and admiring the real beauty can be one of the most amazing things to do. The beauty is everywhere, in nature, in the people around us, in our homes. Becoming more attentive to details, having higher standards, improving the way you see the world is what you should do. Beauty is not a shallow value as long as it is appreciated correctly. Find the beauty around you and enjoy it, learn to smile at all the small things around you like a walk in the evening while the sun sets.

Animals react the way their instinct and senses dictate and still prove to be remarkable role models. Finding the right value in them and using it in real life is what makes people remarkable.

Polar Bear

Polar bears are the largest species of bear and biggest carnivores on land. Males commonly weigh in around 1,300 pounds while females are typically smaller and weigh up to 650 pounds. Warming temperatures are shrinking the polar bear’s arctic habitat, and some scientists believe the bears could be extinct by the end of the century.

Gone: Mammoth

This large prehistoric elephant became extinct about 10,000 years ago. Included in this picture is a hairy mammoth bull which is part of a scene from “Prehistoric Kansas,” at Dyche Museum in Kansas City, Mo., in this 1938 file photo

Great White Shark

The great white is the world’s largest predatory fish and has a reputation for being a fierce and aggressive predator. While it’s unclear how many sharks remain, scientists consider great whites endangered and are trying to learn the sharks’ migration routes to improve conservation efforts.

Gone: Mega Shark

The bus-sized megalodon shark was the end of a run of giant sharks that died out 2-3 million years ago. Some scientists believe it is the ancestor of today’s most vicious sharks, the great whites.

Whales

Whales are the largest animals on Earth. Some can be 100 feet long and weigh up to 150 tons. Yet many of them feed on tiny shrimp-like crustaceans called krill.

Manatee

The average adult manatee grows to be about 10-12 feet long and weighs about 1,000-1,800 pounds. Known as the “cows of the sea,” these endangered beasts hear 10 times better than humans underwater.

Sea Turtle

A sea turtle can grow to 200 pounds or more, but despite its size, many die from being choked by six-pack holders or from getting trapped in abandoned fishing nets.

African Elephant

The African elephant is one of only four species of elephants still alive. African elephant generally weigh in around 16,000 pounds, and illegal poaching and habitat reduction has cut their population in half in the last 30 years.

Rhino

The heaviest white rhinoceros can weight as much as 5,000 pounds. Rhinos also suffer from habitat reduction, and poachers value the beast’s magnificent horn.

Buffalo

Weighing in at 2,000 pounds, the American buffalo is the largest terrestrial animal in North America. Also known as the bison, millions of the animals roamed the plains until they were hunted to near extinction in the 19th century. Now conservation efforts have brought the population up to 350,000.

Gone: Dinosaurs

According to USGS, “The largest complete dinosaur we know of was Brachiosaurus; it reached 75 feet in length and 40 feet in height. The smallest dinosaurs were just slightly larger than a chicken; Compsognathus was 3 feet long and probably weighed about 6.5 pounds.” Regardless of size, though, barely any dinosaurs survived the mass extinction 65 million years ago.

Hippo

Common hippos, Hippopotamus amphibious, are the second heaviest land mammals on Earth. Hippos in Congo have been reduced to less than 900, and scientists think this population will be extinct by the end of the century.

Gone: Giant Ape

It wasn’t quite King Kong, but gigantic apes, Gigantopithecus blackii, lived alongside humans for over a million years. Fortunately for the early humans, the 10-foot tall and 1,200 pound primate’s diet consisted mainly of bamboo. Unfortunately for the apes, humans likely out-competed the beast for living space, eventually leading to its extinction

Elusive Squid

Previously thought to be a mythical creature, a team led by Tsunemi Kubodera, from the National Science Museum in Tokyo, tracked and photographed the 26-foot long Architeuthis as it attacked prey nearly 3,000 feet deep off the coast of Japan’s Bonin islands.

Gone: Saber-Toothed Tiger

Fossil evidence indicates that the saber-toothed tiger (Smilodon californicus) , known for its 8-inch upper canine teeth, was somewhat shorter than a modern lion, but weighed more. This meat-eater was very common in California during the late Pleistocene epoch that ended about 11,000 to 10,000 years ago.

text source

Some say that the intelligence of a dog all depends on how well its owner trained it. Others believe it’s all about the genes…well, breed. While it may be a combination of both, here’s a look at the top 10 smartest dog breeds, in case you’re in need of a Dogs for Dummies Handbook:

10 Australian Cattle Dog

No you don’t have to live in Australia to encounter this dog. These dogs generally grow to be 30-50lbs. Australian Cattle Dog’s are known for their intelligence, especially when it comes to being able to train them to herd in cattle (this is where the name comes from if you didn’t catch it.) They have also been trained to be “biting” dogs. Don’t be scared, unless you’re training this dog to bite you. Australian Cattle Dogs are trained to bite cattle (not too hard) to keep them moving. These dogs have been herding cattle since the 19th century and today they still do just that. Australian Cattle Dogs are very active and love having a task at hand.

9 Rottweiler

Better known as the “Rottie,” Rottweilers are known to be very vicious, mean dogs that can take down a human. Speaking of humans, Rottweilers can weigh as much as a petite sized female; about 110lbs in fact. This breed of dog originates out of Germany but was used in the Roman Empire. Rottweilers are sometimes used as police dogs because of the strong jaw and teeth that they have. Rotties can take you down! In the olden days, they were used to carry wood and other large heavy goods to markets and houses. If you’re looking to train a dog to protect you and all of your (precious) belongings, the Rottie is definitely the way to go.

8 Papillon

This breed of dog is probably one of the cutest and smartest you’ll find. Papillons are able to show that cute things can be smart too. This breed also proves that small things (brains) do come in small packages. Papillons can weigh up to 11lbs and can weigh as little as 3lbs. These dogs are very charming and have always been a symbol of elegance. During the Renaissance, these dogs were adored by royal courts and the aristocrats of the time. They always proved to be good watch dogs because of their keen sense of hearing. Make the slightest sound and the Papillon’s ears will be up faster than you can say the name. King Henry II is said to have spend crowns upon crowns on his own Papillons.

7 Labrador Retriever

This is one of the most intelligent as well as one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world. The Labrador Retriever is an amazing breed of dog that offer many different services. The breed originates from Newfoundland and was trained to hunt waterfowl. As time has passed, Labs have been introduced to more and more jobs. Many of these dogs are used in the police force as bomb sniffing or drug sniffing dogs. Any dog that can be trained to do this is most definitely smart. These dogs are also used as rescue dogs. Many are trained to help the disabled, especially the blind. Labs can be trained to lead a human around while ignoring any type of distraction. The Labrador Retriever is a loving, obedient, and patient dog that can be trained to do almost anything.

6 Shetland Sheepdog

Though not one of the most popular dogs around, the Shetland Sheepdog is a very smart dog. Some owners of this breed of dog claim that they are just as smart as a human is. Shelties originated out of Scotland. Sporting a furry two-layered coat and definitely not the toughest looking dog around, Shelties are used to herd sheep. Since the breed can be both big and small in size, some of these dogs are used to keep pests and smaller animals out of gardens. Shetland Sheepdog’s are generally very hyper, but they have a great sense of hearing. If anyone ever shows up at your door or a car pulls into the driveway, you can expect to hear a bark from this dog.

5 Doberman Pinscher

his breed of dog comes in right at the middle of the list. The Doberman Pinscher is another German breed to make the list. In the past, these dogs were trained to be police dogs, watch dogs, and guard dogs. In the 1800s, men were looking for a dog that was loving and loyal as well as tough and ferocious when necessary. This is exactly where the Doberman Pinscher fits in. Even though they can be trained to be ferocious, many of these dogs are very gentle and docile. Some have even been used in hospitals to help patients that are undergoing therapy. Slightly vicious by nature, you can expect that this breed will protect you.

4 Golden Retriever

Often confused with the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retrievers are also very popular dogs that seem to be perfect for a family. In the past up to today, these dogs are man’s companion, especially for those who hunt. This breed can be easily trained to find and bring back waterfowl or game that has been shot. The dog’s soft mouth allows it to bring back unharmed game to its owner. Aside from being a hunting dog, Golden Retrievers can be used as rescue dogs, drug sniffing dogs, and guide dogs. This breed is very patient, which makes it that much easier to train. If you ever find a dog sports competition online or on the television, you are sure to see a Golden Retriever competing.

3 German Shepherd

Rin Tin Tin! This is the one breed of dog that you can say actually looks tough and mean. Looks are most definitely deceiving because the German Shepherd is one of the most lovable breed of dog you will ever come across. Loving or not, these dogs can be trained to do things that humans can’t. Today, these dogs are usually trained to be police dogs, rescue dogs, and some are even able to work with the military. These dogs are so bright that the Army and Marines have allowed them to be used in overseas activity. German Shepherds are very obedient dogs as well as protective. In the past, German Shepherds were used as herd dogs but today they are used in more “higher up positions,” so to speak. The German Shepherd is one of the smartest dogs around.

2. Poodle

urprised? You probably aren’t the only one. No your eyes aren’t going bad. The Poodle is number two on the list. Don’t let the fluffy, curly, white coat fool you. This breed of dog is absolutely brilliant. Though you have probably never seen it, Poodles are used as hunting dogs as well as watch and rescue dogs. The Poodle (sounds like puddle doesn’t it?) is also used as a water dog. Poodles come in all sizes, but even the Toy Poodle can be used to hunt birds. Poodles love to be around people and are very protective. Though this breed only weighs up to 8lbs, a mighty heart can come out of such a pretty looking dog.

1 Border Collie

Topping off the list is the Border Collie. This dog lives to work, literally. Though it may seem only us humans have a lifetime full of hard work, this breed of dog needs something to do to be happy. The Border Collie is used as a herding dog and has since grown to be used as a sporting dog as well. The breed is known for its agility, speed, and obedience. It is also known for it’s ability to learn new tricks quickly. These dogs love being able to work next to your side. Collies are especially great at dog sport competitions. You will generally see them competing in Flyball and disc games.

Source

Male-Male Competition

]]> http://thebizzare.com/animals/male-male-competition/feed/ 3 http://thebizzare.com/bizarre-stuff/the-panda-from-apocalypse-now/ http://thebizzare.com/bizarre-stuff/the-panda-from-apocalypse-now/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:46:03 +0000 rappin http://thebizzare.com/bizarre-stuff/the-panda-from-apocalypse-now/ Do not mess with this bear.

]]> http://thebizzare.com/bizarre-stuff/the-panda-from-apocalypse-now/feed/ 0