My award for most eye-catching headline I've seen thus far this year goes to The Guardian: tunnelling badgers endanger Britain's trove of hidden relics. It looks funny, but it's not really. Apparently a zillion badgers are taking advantage of "easy digging conditions," undermining Salisbury Plain, home not only of Stonehenge but of Bronze and Iron age sites as well as later Roman, Saxon and medieval settlements.
In other critter news, you should all be informed of the dangers of drinking water directly from a mountain stream while in Nepal. (Do not read this if you have a weak stomach.) From That Crazy Neighbor Lady.
Last but not least, giant rats will be trained to smell out tuberculosis. No word yet on emolument for said rats.
Posted by Linkmeister at January 14, 2004 10:45 AMI've never liked badgers. They can wreak havoc in your yard, but it never occurred to me that they could do that potentially serious damage. I do have a weak stomach, so didn't read the Nepal thing.
And how 'bout them rats??
Every day a new adventure.
Cas
Posted by: cassie-b at January 14, 2004 11:22 AMahhhhh! the noseleech! that was such a gross, but great story!
Posted by: undertoad at January 15, 2004 04:09 AMThe BBC recently did a series on parasites - one of those vile programmes that makes you squeal and squirm but have to watch. The nose leech featured on there.
Posted by: Penny Farthing at January 15, 2004 06:40 AMEeeeww!
Posted by: Skatemom at January 15, 2004 11:41 AM