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Wild fox kills 25 flamingos at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

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WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:

  • A wild fox broke into an outdoor flamingo habitat at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. on Monday.
  • The fox killed 25 American flamingos and one Northern pintail duck.
  • According to the zoo, it is the first time a wild predator has broken into the mesh exhibit since it was built in the 1970s. 

Officials for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. say a fox is responsible for killing 25 American flamingos and one Northern pintail duck at the zoo after staff found the dead animals early Monday morning. 

Staff at the zoo’s Bird House, which is currently closed to the public due to renovations, arrived on Monday and found the deceased flamingos in the flamingo habitat. The zoo was home to a flock of 74 American flamingos, according to a news release.

Staff noticed a fox around the flamingo yards, but it soon escaped the zoo grounds. Initial investigation of the incident found a “softball-sized hole” in the metal mesh fence that surrounds the yard. The last time the space was inspected was on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. local time with “no areas of concern.”

Three other flamingos were also injured, and they are being treated at the zoo’s veterinary hospital.

“This is a heartbreaking loss for us and everyone who cares about our animals,” Brandie Smith, director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, said in a statement. “The barrier we used passed inspection and is used by other accredited zoos across the country. Our focus now is on the well-being of the remaining flock and fortifying our habitats.”

Officials said this is the first time a predator has breached the exhibit since it was installed in the 1970s. The metal mesh has since been replaced, and live traps have been set up around the exhibit. Cameras with infrared sensors triggered by movement have also been placed to capture any overnight activity.

The remaining flamingos were moved indoors to their barn, while the ducks were put in a “covered, secure outdoor space.”

The zoo told USA TODAY on Tuesday afternoon the fox hasn’t been spotted since the incident.

The attack comes after another fox was responsible for “9 confirmed bites on Capitol Hill” in April, including biting Rep. Ami Bera and a journalist at Politico. The fox was captured and euthanized, with testing confirming it had rabies.

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Source: USA Today

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2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Robert F. Bolino

    May 9, 2022 at 2:54 pm

    I’m sure they have seen that Fox on Camera before he finely found a weak spot!
    Now they cry!! To late to trap that Fox, lazy ass!

    • 2004done

      June 17, 2022 at 4:40 am

      At breakfast, I overheard: “But look at that fluffy tail, they’re so cuuuute” from an obvious dalt wisney cartoon-loving democrat that will never care about any destruction. until they move under her porch and decide her cats taste like chicken.

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Crime

10-Year-Old Boy Drives Stolen SUV on Highway to Meet Mom [Video]

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In a Nutshell:

  • A 10-year-old boy in Michigan stole a 2017 Buick Encore in an attempt to drive to his mother in Detroit, leading to a brief interstate chase that was stopped with the help of OnStar, a vehicle security service.
  • The young driver, who is less than 5 feet tall, evaded police attempts to pull him over, and drove erratically across multiple lanes before the vehicle was disabled by OnStar.
  • After exiting the car, the boy tried to run but was eventually apprehended and taken to the Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center.

Cue the “Baby Driver” jokes, folks.

It appears we have a junior speed demon on our hands, one who is all revved up and ready for a new type of playdate.

A 10-year-old Michigan lad decided that stealing a car was the best way to meet up with his mom, sparking a highway chase that had more twists than a Hollywood action flick.

On the fateful day of May 27th, our mini motorist, measuring in at less than 5 feet tall, nicked a 2017 Buick Encore from Buena Vista, a township just about 35 miles north of Flint, according to a series of tweets from Michigan State Police.

His destination?

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His mother, waiting some 100 miles away in Detroit.

Apparently, the allure of the family reunion was stronger than a potentially unattended Xbox.

Following a call from OnStar, the high-tech babysitter hidden within the Buick, Saginaw County Central Dispatch was tipped off that the Buick was zipping southbound on Interstate 75.

When troopers located the vehicle near the Birch Run exit and tried to pull it over, our little driver proved he wasn’t ready for nap time, refusing to hit the brakes.

Thanks to OnStar’s ingenuity, the authorities managed to disable the SUV, and what followed would have been perfect for a high-octane Pixar movie.

Witnesses reportedly saw the silver SUV swerving across three lanes, wobbling onto the shoulder, and kissing a guardrail hello before the police, with their sirens wailing, caught up.

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But our pint-sized protagonist didn’t go quietly into that good night.

The boy bolted from the car before finally being caught, thus ending his daring adventure on a less than victorious note.

And where does a would-be underage wheelman wind up after such escapades?

The Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center, according to the police.

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Let’s just hope he doesn’t get any ideas about hot-wiring any more cars in the meantime.

For now, we’ll chalk this up as one of the strangest episodes of “Kids Say (and Do) the Darndest Things” we’ve ever heard of.


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U.S.

Man Sues Girlfriend Over Family Heirloom

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In a Nutshell:

  • A man from Illinois, known as John, is suing his ex-girlfriend after she sold his family’s prized 1972 Ford F100 pickup truck to a junkyard in an act of revenge following a disagreement.
  • After learning about the incident, John instantly broke up with her, filed a police report, and managed to retrieve his truck from the junkyard. The truck was sold for $400, significantly less than its estimated worth of $9,500.
  • Jasmin Hughes, an attorney specializing in administrative law and consumer protection, explained that John’s ex-girlfriend could face serious legal consequences, as she committed the tort of conversion by knowingly depriving John of his property. John could potentially recover damages including loss of wages and the cost to repair any damage to the truck.

A furious man named John from Illinois is literally taking his ex-girlfriend to the cleaners (or should we say the junkyard) for selling his family’s prized pickup truck to a scrapyard.

According to him, this wasn’t just a road rage incident, but a premeditated attempt to “hurt” him after an argument over their pet cats.

Yes, ladies and gents, we’re dealing with a cat-astrophic breakup here.

You see, this wasn’t just any old pickup truck.

This was a 1972 Ford F100, handed down through his family and kept in pristine condition.

John’s tale of car woe first appeared in a Reddit post titled “My girlfriend sold my car because of a petty argument. I am now suing her,” where he laid out the gritty details of the whole fiasco.

He recalls coming home from the bar one night to find the truck missing and his girlfriend confessing to her auto-atrocity.

The offending girlfriend had sold the truck to a junkyard for a measly 400 dollars, a far cry from its estimated worth of $9,500.

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“When I got back home from the bar, I noticed the pickup wasn’t there. I asked her and she told me what she did. I instantly packed up my things, my cat, told her we were done and left,” John explained.

John, like many of us would, quickly broke up with her and has not spoken to her since.

He subsequently filed a police report, tracked down the truck at a local junkyard, and is now ready to gear up for legal action.

Jasmin Hughes, an attorney specializing in administrative law and consumer protection, clarified to Newsweek that John’s ex could be in some serious trouble.

“When someone knowingly takes property with the intention of depriving the owner, they have committed the tort of conversion,” she explained.

Even though the truck was returned, John may still be entitled to damages, potentially covering any loss of wages due to the incident, along with compensation for the damage to the truck, which now sports some unwanted scratch art.

Since this gasoline-infused saga hit Reddit, the post has garnered over 8,800 votes and hundreds of supportive comments cheering John on.

Moral of the story: don’t mess with a man, his cats, or his 1972 Ford F100, especially if you’re not ready for the legal road trip that could follow.

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Business

For Sale: High School Listed as Single-Family Home in Oklahoma

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In a Nutshell:

  • An old high school in Burbank, Oklahoma, originally built in 1924, is listed for sale as a single-family home for a remarkably low price of $60,000.
  • The 17,408-square-foot property boasts five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and even features an indoor basketball court, preserving its athletic heritage.
  • Prospective buyers have the opportunity to unleash their imagination and transform this historic building into their dream home or explore its potential as a unique commercial space.

In the realm of unusual real estate listings, a peculiar gem has emerged in the form of an old high school in Burbank, Oklahoma.

This historic 17,408-square-foot building, originally known as Burbank High School, has hit the market as a single-family home, listed for the surprisingly modest price of $60,000.

If you’ve ever dreamt of living in a quirky space with a rich history, this might just be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

Constructed way back in 1924, this former educational institution has since transformed into a potentially unconventional living space.

The listing on Zillow proudly boasts of the property’s five bedrooms, four bathrooms, and, most intriguingly, an indoor basketball court.

Yes, you read that right—an indoor basketball court!

It seems the spirit of athleticism has lingered long after the school’s closure in 1968.

According to the real estate listing, the old high school presents a myriad of possibilities for its future owners.

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“There is plenty of opportunity to make this property your own,” the listing gushes.

“The large lot size and open floor plan provide endless opportunities. With some imagination, this could be the perfect home for you.”

Imagine the creativity that could be unleashed within those spacious walls—a home theater, an artist’s studio, or perhaps even an eccentric museum of oddities.

Not limited to residential use, the realty firm behind the listing suggests that the versatile structure could easily be converted into a commercial space.

So, for those entrepreneurs out there seeking a distinctive building to house their business, this peculiar property might just be the answer to your offbeat aspirations.

Situated at 450 McCorkle Ave. in Burbank, OK, this extraordinary residence has been on the market since May 19, beckoning curious buyers to explore its unconventional charm.

The listing emphasizes that the property remains active on multiple listing services, ensuring its continued presence in the real estate spotlight.

If you’re looking for a conversation starter or a home that breaks the mold, this old high school turned single-family home is a rare find.

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With its intriguing history, spacious rooms, and the potential for imaginative transformations, it holds the promise of a truly one-of-a-kind living experience.

So, if you’re in the market for a dash of quirkiness blended with an affordable price tag, this Oklahoma oddity might just be your dream come true.


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