Story of world's first 'bionic' dolphin and his prosthetic tail is to become Hollywood blockbuster... and it's going to be in 3D

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



Dolphin Tale: Winter's life will be documented in a new Hollywood movie which will be shown in the UK in October



Watching her swim through the water you would think she's like any other dolphin, doing backflips and splashing around in her pool.



But this is Winter, the world's first bionic dolphin, whose heartwarming story has inspired a Hollywood blockbuster.



At just two months old she lost her mother and her tail in a crab trap.





Splash: Winter with her prosthetic limb which took nearly two years to create





After 18 months of painstaking work, £150,000 and nearly 50 prototypes, the pair managed to create a 30 inch silicone tail.



Winter, who only wears the limb for a few hours a day, wouldn't survive in the wild and constantly needs a replacement limb as she grows.



Staff at the aquarium also spend hours massaging her muscles every day to ensure she is comfortable.



Visitors have also been inspired by Winter and a number of servicemen who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan have benefited from the work done by Mr Carroll.



Because Winter's skin is so sensitive, a special gel had to be created so that the fake limb wouldn't irritate her.



The gel has been so successful it is now being used for humans too.





A member of staff at the aquarium shows off the fake limb which moves along with Winter's spine





Brian Kolfage, who lost both legs and his right hand in Iraq, had such a severe reaction to the fake limbs he was unable to use them. But because of the breakthrough cream he is now able to walk again.



Young children visiting Winter are also inspired and find the courage to deal with their own deformities after meeting the inspirational dolphin.



Hannah Jenkins, 12, who was born without a left hand and forearm, said Winter helped her realise she too could survive.



Winter may never be the most elegant dolphin but, as she splashes about in the aquarium, it is safe to say that she probably doesn't care.



Dolphin Tale, directed by Charles Martin Smith, will be released in the UK in 3D this October.





Dolphin Tale 3D.





source: dailymail

Training going well? Irina Shayk struggles with her disobedient dog on day out in New York

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Training going well? Irina Shayk appeared to be struggling with her disobedient dog as she took him out for a walk in New York yesterday

It's a process most dog-owners don't look forward to.

And Irina Shayk certainly appeared to be struggling as she attempted to train her dog Caesare while on a walk in New York yesterday.

The 25-year-old model wagged her finger at her trusting Labrador, who appeared to have been pulling on his lead, as she made the most of the sunshine.


No! Irina wagged her finger at Labrador Caesare after he pulled on his lead


Clearly getting frustrated with the canine, Irina made Caesare sit down while she told him off for being disobedient.

Irina, who permanently resides in New York, once said that Caesare was named after Julius Caesar.

She also claimed that he was fathered by one of the dogs who played the title role in Marley & Me.


I'm sorry! The dog looked apologetic after he was told off by his owner


Despite the fact she was having difficulties with her dog, Irina looked stunning in her cut-out denim dress as she strolled the streets of Manhattan.

Teaming the bodycon outfit with a white Chanel handbag and black sandals, Irina looked in great shape as she enjoyed the warm weather.

But despite her toned physique, Irina recently insisted that she doesn't diet.


Disobedient: Caesare appeared to have got slightly excited and pulled on his lead when another little dog came up to him


She said: 'I’m never dieting, but it’s very important to take care of your health. I work out a lot, love boxing and Pilates, but I also eat healthy food and drink a lot of water.

'But the most important thing is to be happy and to be in love with your body!'

Irina added: 'I do work out five times a week, but I'm never dieting. I try to be healthy because to be happy and healthy on the inside shows on the outside.'


That's better: After a stern talking to, Caesare appeared to have learned his lesson



Reward: The dog gazes adoringly at his stunning owner as she rewards him with a stroke

source: dailymail

Botox for dogs? The goofy toy that brings a huge smile to your pooch's lips

By ANNA EDWARDS

Barking mad for it: This pooch looks thrilled with his new toy

Most dogs are simply content to fetch a stick if thrown one.

So this squeaky plaything is sure to bring a goofy smile to any pooch's face.

The novelty plush dog lips, made by pet product business Ancol, is guaranteed to give even the grumpiest dog the cheesiest grin.


One cheesy grin: This dog can't help but beam from ear to ear with his new plaything

In fact, it's almost certain they'll be grinning from ear to ear once they got this soft toy clamped between their chops.

With its oversized lips and huge teeth, any dog would be barking mad not to enjoy it.
Even lazy pets might be given a new leash of life once they pucker up and get their teeth into it.

And any owner would be thrilled to play with their pet if it meant seeing their mutt beam back at them.

The unusual toy is 16cm long, made from plush material and retails for around £3.50.


Open wide! With the plush toy clamped firmly in its jaws, this dog has got the biggest grin


source: dailymail

'I was clenching everything': Terrifying moment a snake slithered up windscreen as SUV sped along highway at 65mph

By FIONA ROBERTS

It's a miracle the driver managed not to crash - let alone keep in a straight line.

A snake terrified a young mother when it suddenly appeared on her SUV's windscreen after slithering out of the engine as she drove along an expressway into Memphis, Tennessee.

Rachel Fisher said she's not usually scared by snakes but she 'was clenching everything' as she drove at 65mph with the unusual hitchhiker on board - and her three young children in the back.


Terror: The huge snake suddenly appears on Rachel Fisher's windscreen as she speeds along the expressway towards Memphis, Tennessee


As she screamed and giggled hysterically, her husband recorded the incident on his camera phone and then posted the video on YouTube, where it has gone viral in just three days.

It happened last week as Mrs Fisher drove her husband, Tony, and their three children Elizabeth, three, Judah, two and Rivers, four months, back to Memphis after visiting her parents in Cordova.


Hitching a ride: The snake slithers along the windscreen

She had been driving for about 15 minutes when her husband suddenly yelled out.

Mrs Fisher told the New York Daily News: 'My husband saw it out of the corner of his eye and did a double-take.


Frightening: The snake winds itself over the wing mirror...


...and then opens its jaws as if ready to strike



source: dailymail

What's this? It certainly looks like Louis and Simon are jousting for X Factor supremacy

On guard: Lookalikes of Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell were in battle at Warwick Castle on Saturday to promote the return of jousting displays for the summer season

When Warwick Castle wanted someone famous to open their summer season they decided to go for the very best.

Pulling out all the stops, they secured the services of not just one X Factor judge, but two.

And true to their word, both Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh turned up at the castle on Saturday afternoon, looking to settle their differences.

Or at least two lookalikes did.


As close as they got: The pair, and their horses, wore traditional jousting clothing, and posed for photos but left the real battle to the experts


Crossing swords: The pair put down their jousting lances to do battle for supremacy with these weapons


The pair of 'celebrities' were at the castle to help it mark the return of its jousting knights for the summer.

As on the TV show, the two men caused divided loyalties between many members of the crowd.

And while they did pose for these photographs, they were unable to battle it out for real, as they left that to the experts.

Cowell and Walsh also joined in with some falconry, with each man donning a protective glove so a bird could sit on their hand.


Well protected: Cowell donned a falconry glove to let this owl species perch on his hand before Walsh did the same with another bird


It's a bird! Walsh looks surprised as he holds aloft another species during his go at falconry


While guests were also treated to the falconry, they also witnessed a show by actors performing the Arthurian legend 'The Sword and the Stone.'

And visitors could get within fire-breathing distance of The Great Dragon, a star of the BBC's Merlin drama.

Warwick Castle was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror and used as a fortification until the early 17th century.

It was then converted by Sir Fulke Greville into a country house and remained in his family until 1978.

Following the Greville's family's sale to Tussauds, the company performed extensive restoration work before opening it to the public.

source: dailymail

I'm no crazy cat lady... insists the California animal lover who lives with 700 felines

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Pioneering: The Cat House on the Kings in Parlier, California is the largest no-kill cat sanctuary in the world

Lynea Lattanzio, of Parlier, California, lives with over 700 felines.

But she insists she's no crazy cat lady.

Read more...

Are they Shoal-in monks? The taekwondo-performing divers who practice their martial art among the fishes

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

I make this look easy: A diver surrounded by sardines performs taekwondo during a performance for visitors at the Coex Aquarium in Seoul

There must be easier places to perform taekwondo - underwater and surrounded by sardines is perhaps not one of them.

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How Mei Xiang the giant panda fooled zoo keepers with a false pregnancy by cradling objects, not eating and staying in her den

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Everyone had hoped that Mei Xiang, who lives in the panda enclosure at the National Zoo in Washington DC, was pregnant

Even a Chinese breeding expert couldn't help giant panda Mei Xiang conceive.

Read more...

The really wild things making it big on the silver screen

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


These snow monkeys are embracing at the edge of a hot spring, Jigokudani, Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Japan. Only dominant females and their young have access to the hot water

A host of amazing animals from around the world are starring in a film opening in cinemas today.

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All sorts of bugs and ticks: The clockwork creepy crawlies you'll come to love in time

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Clockwork colours: This life-like meat fly even has the wings and colourful shell found on real flies but is actually made from metal

Anyone swatting these bugs may be in for a surprise - the creepy crawlies are filled with clockwork innards.

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Muddy hell! Horse stuck up to its nose in muddy swamp is rescued by firefighters

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Slough of despond: Rescue technician James Halton keeps Elvis the Welsh cob calm while attaching ropes to him

Firefighters had to use all their ingenuity to rescue a horse after it became almost fully submerged in a muddy swamp.

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Why have you woken me up? Sleepy slender loris ignores attentions of vet during health check

Snooze time: The eight month old loris sleeps in the hands of a vet after her first health check

When you are just eight months old sometimes just the simple things in life like popping to the doctors can be exhausting.

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The sheep-loving three-year-old who's winning awards (and hearts) by showing his flock at fairs

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Prodigy: Three-year-old William Mullin has been training sheep for over a year

There's a new rising star in the world of agricultural shows - and he's only three years old.

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Who does he think he is... Winnie the Pooh? Grizzly rescued after head gets stuck in a jar

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Stuck: The bear with a jar stuck on it's head weighed just 115 pounds when it was caught and treated by vets

After Winnie the Pooh, everybody knows bears have a tendency to get their heads stuck in jars.

Read more...

Seem-pals! The terrier who is best friends with a meerkat

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Stand-up guy: Timon the meerkat with his new best friend Poppy


To Poppy the terrier, Timon the meerkat is much more than a mere cat.

The playful pair, who live with owners John Bent and wife Sally in Dronfield, Derbyshire, are almost inseparable.

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Swanning around on the river: Intimate photos show the Queen’s birds looking after their young cygnets

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Mum's the word: The fluffy grey cygnets take refuge under their mother's wings

Graceful and elegant, the majestic swan has come to symbolise the very monarch that protects it.

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A monster of a find: Couple walking their dogs discover 30-ft carcass of a sea creature rotting on beach

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Monster discovery: Margaret Flippence with the 30-ft long sea creature she saw at Bridge at Don, Aberdeen


A couple were left shocked when they discovered the rotting body of a sea monster while walking along a beach.

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All bark but no bite! Trainee police dog fails to make the grade because she is 'not brave enough' to attack crooks

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Scaredy-cat: German Shepherd Vegas has been rejected by Northumbria Police because she is too nervous to bite

A cowardly dog has been denied a place in a police force after she was deemed 'not brave enough'.

Vegas, a 19-month old German Shepherd, underwent a rigorous regime to become one of the latest recruits to the Northumbria Police dog section.

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Who's the bird brain? Heron fishes from a 'rock' which suddenly comes alive

By DAILY MAIL

The heron landed on what looked like a rock, having spied a good spot on which to perch while looking for fish


This heron was in for a shock, when the 'rock' it was perched on to fish from turned out to be a hippo.

The bird realised something strange was going on, at Kruger National Park, South Africa, after the spot it had landed on suddenly began to move.


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Leopard on the loose: Big cat goes on the attack after straying into village

By MAIL FOREIGN SERVICE

The leopard attacks a forest guard at Prakash Nagar village near Salugara in north-east India


This is the horrifying moment a fully grown leopard pounces on a forestry department official in a village in deepest India.

The big cat mauled six people after straying into the village from a nearby national park and becoming startled by curious humans.


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