Cordite's stories

Wildlife documentaries missing the point...?
Wed 19 Mar 2003 - 11:36

This interesting article discusses the increasing tendency of wildlife filmakers not to strictly observe nature, but to enhance and sensationalize it either through their narrative style or technical means.

"film-makers seem to be drifting towards a kind of biophobia, towards ever more reductionist points of view, more anthropocentric stagings, more aggressive and invasive filming techniques."

Rather than bringing us closer to understanding the other species on this planet, they are, in effect, making them more foreign.

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Counsellor Seeks Horse Couples with "Problems"
Tue 18 Mar 2003 - 13:37

Relationship counsellor Tracey Cox of the television series Would Like to Meet is seeking couples whose lives have been disrupted by an equine companion.

"I'm particularly keen to hear from people who are finding that you, your partner or your kids' love of horses is starting to dominate everyone's lives and causing stress at home." said Tracey.

The upcoming program has yet to be named, but is expected to air during the month of May.

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Anime Series "Wolf's Rain" Promising
Wed 12 Mar 2003 - 14:44

Produced by BONES (Cowboy Bebop) the twenty-six episode television series Wolf's Rain has received many positive reviews, and the story's synopsis easily points out its interest for anthro fans:

"...a wounded wolf named Kiba is one of the only survivors of a species once thought to be extinct. He and other wolves have the ability to appear human to the normal people of the world."

A character guide from Pointblank is available here, with official site at www.wolfs-rain.com

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Animals Freeze to Death in Italian Zoo
Tue 11 Mar 2003 - 16:04

Built in the Aspromonte mountains of southern Italy at over 4000 feet, the "Jurassic Park" zoo may not have been the ideal home for toucans, ostriches, and zebras.

In fact, it proved that it wasn't. As the fall season came on the temperature dropped signifigantly, bringing snow and dangerous living conditions to the park's tropical species.

Half of the zoo's fifty animals perished over the winter.

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Versailles Stables Open Again After 200 Years!
Tue 11 Mar 2003 - 09:55

The Globe and Mail reported today that the 17th century stables at Versailles re-opened late last month as the Academy of Equestrian Arts.

Built for Louis the XIV to house 600 horses, the stables are now home to 20 Lusitanos, a gift from the Academy's new director, Bartabas.

Well known for his direction of the Zingaro Equestrian Theatre and his film Mazeppa, Bartabas has set his goals for the new Academy and is intent on passing on to future riders an impeccable level of equitation. His role with the Versailles project is dicussed in greater detail in this article from October of last year.

Guide-Horses for the Blind
Tue 11 Mar 2003 - 09:52

This article picks up the story of Janet Burleson, who founded The Guide Horse Foundation in 1999.

She has been training miniature horses for a role normally reserved for canines, but which she says they excel at - leading the blind and disabled. Despite criticism from guide dog groups, Burleson insists the miniatures to be calm, reliable, and naturally safety oriented, making ideal companions for certain indiviuals.

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West Bank Zoo Struggles On After Losses
Thu 6 Mar 2003 - 19:06

In a land of perpetual violence, even the animals are not immune. Several recent deaths at the Qalqiliya Zoo - some attributed to tear gas and gunfire - have led to a macabre sort of "taxidermist's zoo".

The zoo's veterinarian, Dr. Sami Khader, also happens to be a taxidermist, and has mounted their zebra, giraffes, and a growing list of other animals in an effort to help the zoo continue its mission in educating the public.

This Blood-bank is for the Dogs...
Tue 4 Mar 2003 - 18:47

The Animal Lovers Group of Bangkok, Thailand, has established a blood bank to assist the city's estimated 300,000 stray dogs.

"The group plans a blood drive on March 9 at a Buddhist temple. It is storing the blood in refrigerators to supply two private animal hospitals when needed. "

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Animated "Clone Wars" on Cartoon Network
Thu 27 Feb 2003 - 14:36

Lucasfilm has teamed with the Cartoon Network and will be airing a series of twenty animated shorts of the Star Wars Universe this fall.
Picking up where Episode II left off, each episode will be two to three minutes in length, and is produced by a production team headed by Genndy Tartakovsky of Samurai Jack fame.

Woman Jailed for Feeding Deer
Wed 26 Feb 2003 - 17:34

The "Deer Lady", as she has come to be known, was imprisoned for eight days for breaking a California law which prohibits the feeding of wildlife. Thana Minion is believed to be the only person ever jailed in the state for the crime, which is a misdemeanor.
She previously served a 45 day sentence in 2000 for violation of the same law.