Watercooler Stories

Pandas strain finances at U.S. zoos

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The four U.S. zoos that house giant pandas say the animals are putting too much strain on their finances.

They want to renegotiate future loan agreements with China, saying it may make more sense to send the animals back to China after contracts expire, the Washington Times reported.

The zoos in Atlanta, Memphis, Washington and San Diego each pay more than $1 million a year for what the Chinese government says is a fund to protect endangered animals. In addition, China charges the zoos a one-time fee of about $600,000 each time a panda cub, such as Tai Shan, is born, the newspaper said.

Zoo officials say the loan fees and money required for upkeep take away funds from other species that also need protection.

The National Zoo in Washington joined with the three other zoos to open an informal dialogue with China regarding a new contract. They hope a less-expensive agreement can be reached, the newspaper said.

New Delhi eaters lose fear of chicken

NEW DELHI, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Restaurant owners in India's capital report chicken dishes are making a comeback after disappearing from menus because of fear of avian influenza.

Raw eggs are still a non-starter.

"The sale of chicken items had taken a beating last week but we are seeing a steady sale now," Umesh Mattoo, corporate head chef of Piccadelhi in Connaught Place, told The Hindu.

Fast-food chains like McDonald's and Domino's Pizza did not change their menus, although McDonald's did report a temporary drop in sales of chicken items. Domino's told the newspaper most of its customers were reassured by its guarantee that it uses only certified chickens.

Some restaurants said they have continued to serve chicken to customers who asked for it, even though they removed it from menus.

Avian influenza has been reported in two areas in India but not in the New Delhi area.

Dog's medication becomes village project

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A Scottish village has devoted itself to helping with the medical treatment for its mascot, a friendly St. Bernard puppy with an enlarged heart.

Merlin is one of the best-known residents of Ballater. The village in Royal Deeside is near Balmoral Castle, Queen Elizabeth II's Scottish hideaway.

Two months ago, a veterinarian told Kevin Verrall, the dog's owner, that Merlin would be dead within a few weeks without medication that costs about 200 pounds ($350) a month. Merlin's heart had grown so big it almost filled his chest cavity, The Scotsman reported.

Verrall owns the Internet café in Ballater. When other storeowners learned of Merlin's medical problems, they put out collection boxes to raise money -- and one even had special cards printed up with the dog's picture.

"Merlin is his old self again," Verrall said. "He is out in the garden, talking to everyone all day. He loves everyone here and they all love him."

Even with the medication, Merlin is expected to live no more than a year or so. But Ballater hopes to make that year a good one.

Researcher measures deer-dragging

LA CROSSE, Wis., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin exercise researcher has dedicated himself to finding the caloric values of snowshoeing, rock-climbing and even deer-dragging.

"Dragging a deer is a common activity in Wisconsin," John Porcari of the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse told the Los Angeles Times.

Establishing the number of calories expended by hunters dragging their kill to the car took 16 hunters, a "portable metabolic analyzer" and several road kills obtained from the state Department of Natural Resources. Porcari created standardized deer weighing 125 pounds each by removing limbs as needed.

Researchers like Porcari have spent decades establishing the caloric output needed for every conceivable activity, from casino gambling, which uses 156 calories an hour, to mowing the lawn, at 246 calories. Porcari said it is important to test a large number of subjects to get a good average figure.

No one is likely to get thin dragging a deer. But researchers have found that the number of calories expended in the United States continues to drop gradually -- while waistlines head in the other direction.