Trickster's stories

Feds: Bush Can't Override Gray Wolf Protection
Tue 30 Sep 2008 - 16:22

A federal court has overturned the Bush administration's attempt to circumvent the Endangered Species Act by selectively removing protection for gray wolves in three states of the upper Midwest.

You can read more about the ruling here.

Trickster

Baby Birds Babble
Fri 2 May 2008 - 15:43

MIT researchers have discovered that baby birds have something in common with baby humans: they first "babble" to learn to speak. In this case, the "speech" of a bird is the adult bird's song. The parallel between bird and human may lend insights into the mysteries of human language-learning.

The full story is available at Discovery News.

Mummified Dinosaur Discovered
Tue 18 Mar 2008 - 12:17

A 65 million year-old mummified Edmontosaurus carcass, complete with fossilized soft tissue structures, has been discovered. This is the fourth time a significant mummified dinosaur body has been unearthed, and this particular one may be the most well-preserved specimen of its kind.

Scientists are working to fully recover the remains, which will take about a year of effort. A CNN report shows a small revealed section of the dinosaur's greenish-black skin, if you click on the picture arrow.

Trickster

Aqua Teen Hunger Force: Furries
Wed 20 Feb 2008 - 14:33

Furries are the subject of a recent ATHF episode. Click here to see it in all its glory, but don't say I didn't warn you.

Note: the site seems to block out non-US viewers.

Trickster

Long-Eared Jerboa
Mon 10 Dec 2007 - 13:52

The long-eared jerboa is a small desert mouse with a long tail, enormous ears, and kangaroo-like legs. It lives in China's Gobi Desert, and although little-known, is endangered.

The first-known live footage of this animal is available at this link, and was recently featured on CNN. The long-eared jerboa is one of the mammals in the EDGE project, which is concerned with the lack of conservation effort for biologically unique mammals on the verge of extinction.

Trickster

Mickey Takes The Witness Stand
Wed 5 Dec 2007 - 17:53

In an amusing clerical error, an Italian court has summoned Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, and Tweety to take the stand in a copyright counterfeit trial.

Lawyers for Disney say that the characters maintain permanent residence in Disneyland and therefore, regretfully, cannot answer the summons. Newsweek has the full story.

Trickster

The Incredible Hulk of Dogs
Tue 10 Jul 2007 - 14:36

Meet Wendy, the muscular whippet. Wendy has a rare genetic disorder that gives her double the musculature of an ordinary dog. She's been featured recently on the Today Show and in national press.

Today's Victoria Times Colonist has an article on Wendy with more information, including a picture showing off her "24-pack" stomach.

Mood Patch For Fido
Mon 30 Apr 2007 - 14:14

A Japanese company has developed a patch to determine the stress level of a dog or cat. The patch goes on the bottom of a pet's paw, and measures excess sweat to estimate stress. The product will be available soon in Japan, but it's unclear when it will hit the overseas market.

The CNN report is available here.

Morphicon Hotel Name Change!
Mon 9 Apr 2007 - 12:00

The Morphicon 2007 hotel, the Radisson Columbus-Worthington, is transmogrifying into a Holiday Inn. This change is set to take place in June, but it is possible that signage outside the hotel will say "Holiday Inn" rather than "Radisson" by the time of our convention. Please do not be alarmed or confused by the change! Only the name of the hotel is changing.

If you want to get the discount room rate, you MUST reserve by April 26th. Call the Radisson directly at 614-436-0700, or fax them at 614-436-5318. You may also call the central office at 1-800-333-3333. Either way, be sure to ask for the Morphicon room rate (room block MOR-07).

Trickster
Hotel Liaison Type Fuzzball

Morphicon Charity Needs Your Help!
Wed 28 Mar 2007 - 13:27

Morphicon is currently in dire need of charity donations of art and memoribilia. Our proceeds this year will go to Ferrets Unlimited: a volunteer no-kill shelter which finds homes for abandoned ferrets, and which provides a permanent loving home for those for whom an adoptee can't be found. See Ferrets Unlimited for more information on our chosen 2007 charity...