to move up and down
Valentine’s Day around the world
From the attack of a giant flower ball to the longest kiss (AP Photo; Getty Images)
Penguins aplenty in Antarctica, new satellite map shows
Antarctica boasts almost twice as many emperor penguins as previously thought, researchers have discovered using satellite mapping technology to count to the iceberg-huddling birds from above.
Using satellite mapping with resolution high enough to distinguish ice shadows from penguin poo, an international team has carried out what they say is an unprecedented penguin census from the heavens over the past three years. (Photo: Martin Passingham/Reuters)
Giant fossil penguin found in New Zealand
Fossilized remains of one of the largest penguins ever, an “elegant” giant standing 1.3 metres tall, have been found in New Zealand, scientists said Tuesday.
The penguin lived 27-24 million years ago, when New Zealand was mostly underwater and consisted of isolated, rocky outcrops that offered protection from predators and plentiful food supplies, researchers said. (Photos: Chris Gaskin, Jo Galer/Geology Museum/ University of Otago/AFP Photo)
Odd Christmas photo of the day
Santa Claus feeds a Humboldt penguin at Marineland aquatic park in Antibes, south-eastern France, December 13, 2011. (Photo: Eric Gaillard/Reuters)
Gay penguins no more: Buddy and Pedro find female partners, zookeeper says
The bromance between Pedro and Buddy, the potentially homosexual African penguins that made headlines last month when Toronto Zoo keepers said they would be split up for reproductive purposes, has come to an end.
Less than 72 hours after the union ended, Buddy successfully paired with female Farai on November 19, said Tom Mason, curator of birds and invertebrates at the Toronto Zoo, at a press conference.
They bonded “very tightly” Mr. Mason said.
However, life after Buddy might not be as easy for Pedro, who has been courting female Thandiwey for several weeks but has made no permanent moves.
“Pedro is very ready to go, per se, but his prospective mate… is a little standoffish,” Mr. Mason said.
The pair were split up to preserve the species, which has seen its numbers drop from 1.2 million in 1910 to 60,000 in 2010 and 50,000 now. (Photo: Mark Blinch/Reuters)
![Gay penguin separation means survival of the species: zoo keepersSplitting up a pair of potentially homosexual African penguins and pairing them with females might sound anti-gay, but keepers at the Toronto Zoo insist they are simply trying to preserve the species.Pedro, 10, and Buddy, 20, were brought to the Toronto Zoo this year from Pittsburgh’s National Aviary to “pair-bond” with a couple of eligible females. Instead, the pair bonded with each other. Zookeepers now report seeing the pair snuggling, calling to each other and displaying courtship behaviour.This week, the Toronto Zoo says it will be forced isolate the pair.“The two girls have been following them; we just have to get the boys interested in looking at them,” said Tom Mason, curator of birds and invertebrates at the Toronto Zoo.With Pedro and Buddy’s species on the cusp of extinction, Mr. Mason insists that the Toronto Zoo cannot afford to let a season go by without passing on the pair’s genes. “If [Pedro and Buddy] weren’t genetically important, then we’d let them do their thing,” Mr. Mason said. (Photo: Ken Ardill/Toronto Zoo)](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lucp4ypj2D1qze0z6o1_1280.jpg)
Gay penguin separation means survival of the species: zoo keepers
Splitting up a pair of potentially homosexual African penguins and pairing them with females might sound anti-gay, but keepers at the Toronto Zoo insist they are simply trying to preserve the species.
Pedro, 10, and Buddy, 20, were brought to the Toronto Zoo this year from Pittsburgh’s National Aviary to “pair-bond” with a couple of eligible females. Instead, the pair bonded with each other. Zookeepers now report seeing the pair snuggling, calling to each other and displaying courtship behaviour.
This week, the Toronto Zoo says it will be forced isolate the pair.
“The two girls have been following them; we just have to get the boys interested in looking at them,” said Tom Mason, curator of birds and invertebrates at the Toronto Zoo.
With Pedro and Buddy’s species on the cusp of extinction, Mr. Mason insists that the Toronto Zoo cannot afford to let a season go by without passing on the pair’s genes. “If [Pedro and Buddy] weren’t genetically important, then we’d let them do their thing,” Mr. Mason said. (Photo: Ken Ardill/Toronto Zoo)
NHL Halloween: Guess which one is Sidney Crosby.
Our sports editors are REALLY excited about the start of the new season.
NHL PREVIEW: Feeling clueless about the start of NHL season? Read our hockey cheat sheet and impress your friends when the puck drops on Thursday.
Photos: Penguins in Santa suits!
Normally we don’t like it when people get into the Christmas spirit too early. We’re looking at you department stores and shopping malls that put up bunting and play carols before the Halloween candy bags have even been properly pilfered through. More photos.
