Technology, Wildlife

Track the dangerous squirrels attacking the US power grid

It’s not just Chinese and Russian hackers that want to take down the power grid. The real cyber enemy lives inside — a true insider threat — and has been attacking national power lines for decades: squirrels. A new Twitter account and accompanying website @cybersquirrel1 is tracking the threat. As of January 5th, the site reports that squirrels have successfully disrupted the power grid 623 times, whereas birds have successfully penetrated it 214 times. These unclassified operations go back to 1987, or when the site begins its data collection.

Site visitors can choose a month and year to see a map populate with these successful squirrel operations around the country, along with links back to news stories about the subsequent power outages — via redwolf.newsvine.com

Wildlife

Baby Ocelot / Berlin Zoo

Visitors at Germany’s Berlin Zoo are getting their first glimpse of an Ocelot kitten born on 26 October. For the first eight weeks of his life, the baby has been behind the scenes with his mother Sarah. An experienced mother of eight, Sarah has taken excellent care of her little one — via ZooBorns

Technology, Wildlife

Taking Derby the Dog to New Heights with 3D Printing / 3D Systems

Following the original success of 3D printed custom prosthetics for Derby the Dog late last year, 3D Systems team members have continued research to allow Derby to walk with a straight back. He can now sit like a real dog — via Youtube

Wildlife

African Lion cubs / Werribee Open Range Zoo

Werribee Open Range Zoo, near Melbourne, Australia, has welcomed the arrival of three African Lion cubs. Born in the early hours of 20 October, this is the first litter for mum Nilo, and father Johari, and it is the first Lion birth in Werribee Open Range Zoo’s history — via ZooBorns

Wildlife

Brazilian Tapir / Chester Zoo

Keepers at Chester Zoo have announced the arrival of a rare Brazilian Tapir. The female calf, which has not yet been named, was born early in the morning of 5 December to experienced parents Jenny and Cuzco — via ZooBorns

Wildlife

Giant Squid Pet Plush Toy / PLAY

Lovers of pets and the planet, San Francisco-based PLAY offers an Under the Sea collection with a clam, turtle, starfish, crab and a giant squid to make your beloved dog go crazy. Inside each plush toy is a squeaker but also eco-friendly, certified-safe filler made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles; it’s built to last for hours and hours of entertainment — via Cool Hunting

Wildlife

Lion cubs on exhibit / Denver Zoo

Denver Zoo’s two, two-month-old lion cubs made their public debut this morning in the maternity yard of Benson Predator Ridge. Visitors may now see male Kalu (pronounced Kuh-LOO) and female Kamara (pronounced Ka-MAR-uh), along with the rest of the Zoo’s lion pride, as they explore their new habitat– via Youtube