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Oldest Gorilla on Earth Celebrates Birthday at Atlanta Zoo

Founded in 1989, Zoo Atlanta has served residents and visitors to the area with a front-row view of black bears, raccoons, jaguars, hyenas, lions, and even gorillas. Recently, the Zoo Atlanta was in the news thanks to a very special birthday celebrated by a Western Lowland Gorilla named Ozzie. Ozzie celebrated his 60th birthday and in doing so he would become the oldest male living gorilla on record, at least according to Zoo Atlanta!

The Western Lowland Gorilla

Ozzie belongs to a subspecies of the Western Gorilla, known as the Lowland Western Gorilla. This subspecies is the only known Gorilla subspecies to be kept in zoo enclosures. The most finite subspecies of gorilla, Ozzie, is considered a member of one of the stronger and larger subspecies. With jet black skin and no fur, it is easy to see how similar their hands are to humans.

Gorillas like Ozzie often walk erect and can stand up to 5’11 while weighing in at 600lbs. The male western lowland gorilla will typically weigh more while standing taller. Western Lowland gorillas can be social creatures and they often make bonds with members of both genders, across differing groups. Western lowland gorillas aren’t territorial and they tend to follow the lead of at least one adult male.

Thanks to their large hands and advanced thumbs, gorillas like Ozzie can work with tools while exhibiting real intelligence. Gorillas have been tracked using sticks to measure water depth, buckets to fill water, and tools to drink beverages while in captivity.

A Special Birthday Bash

As the oldest male gorilla on record, Ozzie was more than ready to celebrate in style with his friends, caretakers, and fellow animals at the Zoo Atlanta. To celebrate the occasion while marking a special moment for Ozzie, the staff at Zoo Atlanta would provide him with a multi-tiered cake filled with frozen fruits that had been carefully colored for decorative purposes.

According to Zoo Atlanta, Ozzie has enjoyed prolific success as a mate. Ozzie has 20 descendants spanning three generations, with many of those animals still living with Ozzie at the Zoo Atlanta. The gorillas that have been removed from captivity have been sent to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Ozzie presently lives in a habitat made specifically for senior gorillas. His roommates include females, Machi, Kuchi, and Choomba – ranging between 36 and 58 years old. According to most researchers, a gorilla is considered geriatric after they surpass the age of 40.

The Species on the Brink

While conservationists are doing their best to foster new growth within the western lowland gorilla species, they are facing an uphill battle. Primarily living in forests, brush, and lowland tropical forests, these gorillas are watching as their habitats face imminent destruction. Along with disease and hunting, multiple factors have coincided to push the western lowland gorillas to the brink of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the western lowland gorilla as critically endangered.

A 1980 census of Africa found gorilla populations roughly equal to 100,000. Continued studies following the Ebola outbreak, bushmeat hunting, and famine, have all merged to create a potentially insurmountable barrier to recovery.

At the time of this writing, zoos around the world have 550 western lowland gorillas in captivity.

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Backpacks of Care: Vancouver Volunteers Bring Hope to Homeless Youth

Kelly Taylor

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Volunteers gathered in Vancouver on Saturday morning to help brighten the holidays for homeless youth. The annual Backpacks of Hope initiative, led by Covenant House, provides gifts for 350 young people, ages 16 to 24, who use the non-profit’s residential housing and drop-in programs.

“This is like the community is wrapping the youth with a hug for the holidays,” said Amanda Merler, manager of volunteer services at Covenant House. “Getting these backpacks shows them there are people out looking to support them.”

Giving Back: A Volunteer’s Story

Among the 50 volunteers was Andrew Teel, a 22-year-old who spent part of his childhood in foster care.

“I could have been one of those youths,” Teel said. Born with fetal alcohol syndrome, Teel now works in a restaurant and is part of an adoptive family. “I wanted to help youth who might not have had the opportunity I have now—a family that cares about you and a safe place.”

Teel first volunteered at 13 and continues to return every year with his adoptive family.

Thoughtful Gifts for the Season

Each backpack contains practical and comforting items, including:

  • Warm clothing like socks and toques
  • Toiletries and first aid kits
  • Chocolates for the holidays
  • Journals for reflection

“All of our residents wake up on Christmas morning to find a backpack under the tree with staff all gathered around, just like a traditional family,” Merler said.

Community Collaboration

The initiative relies on support from 35 groups—corporate teams, schools, and individuals—who help bundle and deliver the backpacks.

Covenant House continues to face fundraising challenges, particularly with mail delays impacting donations. To support the initiative, donations can be made at covenanthousebc.org or by calling 604-638-4438.

For Vancouver’s homeless youth, this effort serves as a reminder that they are not alone. The backpacks offer more than supplies—they bring warmth, care, and hope during a difficult time of year.

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Happy Hooves and Quacky Feet Travels Across Whidbey Island

Kevin Wells

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Clementine Lee’s farm animals aren’t staying put—they’re hitting the road, bringing smiles to children all over Whidbey Island. Earlier this year, Lee launched Happy Hooves and Quacky Feet, a mobile petting zoo that features a delightful collection of ducks, sheep, and goats, all ready to make appearances at events.

Among the playful cast of characters are a goose named Dog and a dog named Goose, adding an extra touch of fun to the experience. Lee also introduced goats Willow and Fern to the farm, acquired from another petting zoo on the island. With hopes that her goats and sheep will soon give birth to kids and lambs by spring, Lee is focused on ensuring the animals are friendly and approachable for children.

“The call ducks are small enough for little kids to hold,” Lee explained, referring to the petite breed of ducks that enjoy being cuddled. Even Dog, her goose, is known for his gentle nature and affection.

Having previously worked as a preschool teacher and face-painter, Lee saw a natural progression in creating a mobile petting zoo. She’s already brought her animals to birthday parties and events like the recent Greenbank Farm Harvest Faire.

“My life keeps taking me in new and exciting directions,” she said with enthusiasm.

Next up for Happy Hooves and Quacky Feet is the Fall Festival at Whidbey Grace in Oak Harbor, where the animals will don Halloween costumes—including Dog, the goose, who will be dressed as a mermaid. The event takes place on Sunday, October 20, from 5-7 p.m.

Currently, Lee offers an introductory rate of $200 for two hours with her mobile petting zoo, which includes three sheep, two goats, a goose, and a lively flock of ducks—though she admits it’s hard to keep an exact count. “They’re always moving around,” she said with a laugh.

Caring for the animals is a family effort, with help from her 9-year-old son, Leonidas Mitchell. Ducks were the first animals they acquired while living in northern California, but the family tragically lost their home and animals in one of Santa Rosa’s devastating fires.

Lee’s love for animals deepened after a moving experience at an outdoor farm school where her son attended. There, she encountered an affectionate sheep named Celeste, who offered her comfort after the loss of her home.

“After everything, this sheep just came up and gave me all the love and hugs,” Lee recalled.

To her surprise, Celeste and her two lambs, Clover and Crimson, would one day become part of Lee’s own flock. In 2021, after moving to North Whidbey, Lee’s son’s former teacher offered her the sheep. Lee happily drove 16 hours from California to bring them to Oak Harbor.

Reflecting on the experience, she added, “I never knew I’d love a sheep or a goose. I used to think sheep were afraid of everything, but they can be so affectionate.”

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Golden Duck Promise: 14-Year-Old Skateboarder’s Olympic Triumph Earns Unique Reward

Kelly Taylor

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Australia’s youngest Olympic gold medalist, 14-year-old Arisa Trew, didn’t just secure her place in history at the 2024 Paris Olympics – she also earned herself an unusual prize. The skateboarding prodigy revealed that her parents had promised her a pet duck if she won gold, a reward she’s eagerly anticipating.

Trew’s preference for a duck stems from her family’s frequent travel schedule, which makes traditional pets like dogs or cats impractical. The young athlete expressed her fondness for ducks and her excitement about the prospect of having one as a pet during post-victory interviews.

Her gold medal-winning performance in the women’s park skateboarding event saw her score an impressive 93.18 in her final run, outshining competitors from Japan and Great Britain. Trew’s achievement is particularly remarkable given that this was her Olympic debut.

The teenager’s journey to Olympic glory began with inspiration from the Tokyo 2020 Games, spurring her ambition to reach the podium in Paris. Her success builds upon previous victories at the X Games in 2023 and 2024.

Trew’s parents, Simon and Aiko, were present to witness their daughter’s historic win, expressing amazement and pride at her accomplishment. The young skateboarder’s triumph also drew praise from skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, who commended her performance and the progress of the sport.

As Trew celebrates her victory and looks forward to her unique reward, her story highlights not only her exceptional talent but also the joy and determination that define her approach to the sport. The promise of a pet duck serves as a charming footnote to an extraordinary Olympic achievement.

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Unexpected Global Stardom: Dutch Seal Rescue Webcam Captivates Japanese Audience

Shannon Jackson

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A live stream featuring rescued seals at the Pieterburen centre in the Netherlands has unexpectedly become an international sensation, particularly in Japan. The webcam’s sudden rise to fame began with a social media post that quickly went viral, leading to a significant increase in viewership and donations.

The centre’s staff were taken aback when they noticed a dramatic spike in viewers, with numbers soaring far beyond their usual audience. This surge in popularity has translated into a substantial boost in financial support, with the rescue centre receiving a month’s worth of typical donations in just one day.

The phenomenon has been attributed to a potential cultural connection. Some speculate that the seals’ appearance in the water bears a resemblance to a Japanese symbol of good fortune, which may explain the enthusiastic response from Japanese viewers.

In light of this newfound attention, the Pieterburen team has been actively engaging with their international audience, using translation tools to respond to queries and provide educational information about the seals and their care.

While seals are actually formidable predators in their natural habitat, their appealing appearance often leads people to perceive them as endearing creatures. This dichotomy between their true nature and public perception adds an interesting dimension to their popularity.

This isn’t the first time a Dutch wildlife webcam has garnered international attention. Earlier this year, a fish-monitoring camera in Utrecht also experienced a similar surge in global interest, demonstrating a widespread fascination with live nature feeds.

The unexpected popularity of the seal webcam not only benefits the rescue centre financially but also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about marine life conservation on a global scale.

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Love Smashes Into Olympic Victory: Chinese Badminton Star’s Golden Moment Crowned with Surprise Proposal

Jess

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The 2024 Paris Olympics delivered more than just athletic triumphs for China’s badminton mixed doubles champion Huang Yaqiong. After clinching gold with her partner Zheng Siwei, Huang received an unexpected and heartwarming surprise that left spectators at La Chapelle Arena cheering for reasons beyond sport.

The Chinese duo dominated their South Korean opponents in the final, securing a decisive victory in under an hour. This gold medal performance marked a significant improvement from their silver medal finish at the previous Olympics in Tokyo.

As Huang basked in the glow of her Olympic triumph, her boyfriend Liu Yuchen, himself an Olympic silver medalist in men’s doubles, seized the moment to create a memory that would rival the gold medal in significance. Following Huang’s victory celebration, Liu approached with flowers and, in a gesture that captivated the audience, dropped to one knee to propose marriage.

Caught off guard by the romantic gesture, Huang joyfully accepted, later expressing her astonishment to the media. She marveled at the extraordinary turn of events, becoming both an Olympic champion and a bride-to-be in rapid succession.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the first Olympic proposal for the Chinese badminton team. Zheng Siwei, Huang’s doubles partner, had proposed to his girlfriend following their silver medal performance in Tokyo. Zheng noted the added joy of this occasion, with Huang experiencing both competitive success and personal happiness simultaneously.

The proposal added a touching personal dimension to China’s continued dominance in Olympic badminton. The nation has now secured medals in the sport for six consecutive Olympic Games, with more opportunities for gold on the horizon in the women’s doubles event.

Reflecting on their journey from silver to gold, Zheng credited their improved performance to a more strategic approach to training and competition since the Tokyo Games. This refined methodology appears to have paid dividends, both on and off the court, for the Chinese badminton team at Paris 2024.

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