'Super pod' of 1,500 dolphins captured on drone video as they cavort off California's coast
A miles-long cluster of dolphins was filmed leaping, gliding and cavorting their way across Carmel Bay on the central coast of California. They formed an unusual "super pod" of more than 1,500 of the marine creatures. Captain Evan Brodsky, with the Monterey Bay Whale Watch, captured drone footage of Friday's huge gathering of Risso's dolphins. Marine biologist Colleen Talty also was on the trip and ssays the mix of adult and juvenile dolphins were likely the result of several pods coming together and swimming southward. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says Risso's dolphins typically travel in groups of 10 to 30 animals.
Man says he was behind some of the viral googly eyes on public art in Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- A man in the central Oregon city of Bend says he was responsible for some of the googly eyes placed on sculptures there. The googly eyes sparked a viral sensation covered widely by news outlets last month. City officials at the time said eight sculptures total were affected. Bend resident Jeff Keith says he placed them on two sculptures. As the founder of a nonprofit that works to combat human trafficking, Keith said pranks help him cope with his emotionally heavy work. The googly eyes delighted many residents. But the city said the adhesive can damage the art, and it spent $1,500 to remove them.
Anchorage Museum among Alaskans combining to win auction for Alaska Railroad's golden spike
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- The golden spike that was used to complete the Alaska Railroad in 1923 will for the first time be on permanent display in Alaska after entities combined to win an action for the 14-karat gold spike Friday. The Anchorage Museum and the city of Nenana, with financial help from private donors and the Alaska Railroad, won the Christie's auction of the spike in New York with a bid of $201,600. That was more than four times the $50,000 top-line estimate for the historical artifact. President Warren G. Harding tapped the spike during the ceremony outside Nenana 102 years ago. The spike has since been held in private hands outside Alaska.
Last 4 escaped monkeys are captured in South Carolina after months on the loose
YEMASSEE, S.C. (AP) -- Officials say they have recaptured the final four monkeys who escaped two months ago from a South Carolina compound that breeds them for medical research. Yemassee Police announced the final captures Friday in a social media post without further details. The 43 monkeys escaped from the Alpha Genesis facility through unlocked gates. The last holdouts have spent two months living in the woods, weathering a rare snowstorm and being temped back into captivity by peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Alpha Genesis CEO Greg Westergaard said in a statement that all the monkeys appeared to be in good health.
The man pushed onto New York's subway tracks says he will ride again
NEW YORK (AP) -- A man who survived being shoved onto subway tracks ahead of an oncoming train in New York City says that in spite of the trauma, he eventually plans to make his way back to the train. Joseph Lynskey said in an interview with the New York Times that New York is his home and he won't be intimidated. The 45-year-old was standing on the platform in the West 18th Street station after lunch on New Year's Eve when a hard shove from behind sent him flying off the platform and under the train. A 23-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and assault charges.
Mittens the cat is mistakenly left on a plane and becomes a frequent flyer
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A Maine coon cat named Mittens accidentally flew three times between New Zealand and Australia this month after her cage was mistakenly left in the plane's cargo hold. Mittens was booked on a one-way trip from New Zealand with her owner to their new home in Melbourne, Australia. But Margo Neas waited hours for her cat before learning the plane had returned to New Zealand with Mittens still on board. They were finally reunited after the cat was flown to Australia again. The airline apologized. Neas said her cat has been extra cuddly since her travels.
Sunfish that got sick after aquarium closed has recovered -- thanks to human cutouts
TOKYO (AP) -- A solitary sunfish at an aquarium in Japan lost its appetite, began banging into the side of the fish tank and appeared unwell days after the facility closed last month for renovations. As a last-ditch measure to save the popular fish, its keepers hung their uniforms and set up human cutouts outside the tank. The next morning, the sunfish ate for the first time in about a week and has been steadily recovering, according to the Kaikyokan aquarium in southwestern Japan. Staff say they think the sunfish was affected by the sudden absence of an audience.
A blooming plant that reeks of gym socks and rotting garbage has thousands lining up for a whiff
SYDNEY (AP) -- An endangered tropical plant that emits the stench of a rotting corpse during its rare blooms has begun to flower in a greenhouse in Sydney. It is the first time a corpse flower has bloomed at the Royal Sydney Botanic Garden in 15 years. The plant's scientific name is amorphophallus titanum but the specimen was dubbed Putricia by her fans, for her putrid scent. Up to 20,000 people have lined up to see her in less than a week. As well as her real-life admirers, the 5-foot Sumatran rainforest plant has drawn an eccentric but devoted online fandom.
Rio's thirsty zoo animals get icy treats to cool down in Brazil's stifling summer heat
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- A Rio de Janeiro zoo is giving ice pops to a bear, a jaguar, wolves and monkeys for some welcome relief from Brazil's stifling summer heat. The ice pops are part of the animals' well-being program to provide thermal comfort. Some of the animals also have access to water tanks or air-conditioning to cool down. Temperatures have shot to over 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in recent days. Biologist Letícia Feitosa says the favorite flavor of carnivores is blood, while herbivores get fruit or vegetable flavored frozen snacks.
First responders saved a moose that fell through lake ice in New York. Here's how they did it
NEW YORK (AP) -- A team of forest rangers in New York state have rescued a moose who became trapped in an icy lake. New York conservation officials say a passerby reported seeing the moose fall through into the lake in a forested area near the Vermont border, about 60 miles south of Lake Placid. Images of the rescue show officials in dry suits kneeling on snow-covered ice so that they don't fall in while they aid the moose. The team used chainsaws and other tools to create a channel for the bull moose from where it fell in, to where it was thick enough to support the animal's weight. A bull moose can weigh around 1,000 lbs.
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