Wild Gorillas Use Tools, Photos Reveal
Researchers have observed and photographed wild gorillas using sticks and stumps to navigate a swampy forest clearing in the Republic of Congo. The images provide the first documented use of tools among wild gorillas.
In one instance, a female gorilla named Leah tried to wade across a pool of water but found herself waist deep after just a few steps. She retreated, grabbed a branch sticking out of the water, and used it to gauge the water’s depth before wading deeper.
According to the researchers, Leah repeatedly tested the depth as she walked about 33 feet (10 meters) out into the pool, before returning to shore and her wailing infant.
In another instance, a female named Efi detached a stump from a bush and used it for support as she dug for herbs. She then made a bridge with the stump to help her cross a muddy patch of ground.
How cool is that?
This rank up there with the crow actually crafting a tool by bending a wire to fish food out of a tube. Only the crow thing was really freakin’ sweet, IMO.
I’m sure this one’s making the rounds:
http://www.findthebrownie.com
The objective of the game, as defined by NY Times columnist Paul Krugman, is to find an important government job occupied by a person with no apparent qualifications other than strong personal, political, or business ties to a member of the administration.
They posted four names on Tuesday and that’s it. Of those four one shouldn’t be on there and the other three, well, they’re so vague in the “credentials” they’re sharing and fail to share their sources so I don’t know if it’s up to snuff. Honestly, I doubt it.
Anyone in the RVA area knows what I’m talking about. Damn, it’s nice out. Hope it rules this evening, I may forget the homework and do some biking.
I tried to post about this on Monday but Blogger was messing up and I didn’t have a chance later. Anyway, here’s what I tried to say:
The Dan Patrick Show on ESPN Radio just finished up talking about a potential issue in yesterday’s Patriots/Steelers game where an extra minute was put on the clock early in the fourth quarter. Considering New England won the game through a drive in the last 1:14 of the game, that might be a big deal.
And the NFL acknowledged that this did indeed happen:
52 Seconds that could have been
“In yesterday’s Pittsburgh-New England game, the game clock was improperly reset early in the fourth quarter, resulting in 52 seconds being added to the game’s official time.
“With 14:51 remaining in the fourth quarter, a Pittsburgh run from the Steelers’ 30-yard line resulted in the ball carrier being tackled for no gain. The game clock properly continued to run. However, before the ball was snapped for the next play, a false start penalty against the Steelers stopped the clock with 13:59 remaining. Following the enforcement of the penalty and before the ball was snapped for the next play, the game clock was improperly reset to 14:51 again, instead of remaining at 13:59.
“The on-field officiating crew, which oversees the official game clock operated in the press box, failed to recognize that the clock was improperly reset.”
New England won the game 23-20 in Pittsburgh.
Since the game was over before anyone noticed, the result stands. No guarantee the results would have changed anyway, whether the Patriots got the ball with half a minute left or if it just went to overtime. Still, huge gaff.
Hey, folks. Well, I’m moved into the new place and have my cat Pantera with me too. We’re both still getting settled and adjusting to this living alone thing, but so far so good (aside from the lack of any sort of soundproofing from stomping upstairs and the smell of pot leaching down as well). I’ll have an e-mail off to everyone with the new address and phone number when I have time to do that.
School’s in and so far so good. Radio station’s working out well. Check out my show this Sunday from 8-9pm at WVCW if you want to hear my sexy voice.
Otherwise, all is normal and boring as usual. Hope everyone else is doing well and I hope to get back on this blogging thing once I get settled (and get internet at the new place).
Snopes says it’s real. Whether or not it was on purpose is up for discussion.
So I have found myself a new apartment. Yea, me. More later.
