Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:08:29 GMT
Residents in tornado-stricken Moore, OK, await news on missing love ones Tuesday, a day after a massive tornado devastated the city, killing at least 51. Rescuers worked all night, with particular attentionMore >>
A medical examiner's office spokeswoman said 24 deceased victims from the Moore, OK, tornado had been transported to their Oklahoma City office. Seven of the dead were children.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 16:54:16 GMT
Desmonte Leonard the man accused of murdering three people in Auburn last summer will have a status hearing on October 15th. At the last meeting both parties had expressed intentions to meet in AugustMore >>
Desmonte Leonard, the man accused of murdering three people in Auburn last summer still has no expectation on when he will go to trial.More >>
The Senate is debating cuts to the federally subsidized crop insurance program as it considers a massive farm bill this week.More >>
The farm bill the Senate is considering this week would cut some farm subsidies but also expand government-subsidized crop insurance, a safety net used by many farmers in case of bad weather or lost revenue.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 15:17:00 GMT
People affected by the massive tornado that killed at least 51 people and destroyed parts of Oklahoma still do not know where their loved ones are, but many of them are using social media to find out.More >>
People affected by the massive tornado that killed at least 51 people and destroyed parts of Oklahoma still do not know where their loved ones are, but many are using social media to find out.More >>
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:36 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:36:49 GMT
(RNN) – A day after long track tornadoes devastated Shawnee and Edmond, OK, another round has begun near Oklahoma City.KOCO broadcast a slow rotating cloud that slowly extended down towards the groundMore >>
Dozens of people have died after a second day of tornadoes twisted through Oklahoma, this time taking aim at the town of Moore, south of Oklahoma City.More >>
CINCINNATI, OH (FOX19) -
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is mourning the loss of one of the world's most famous endangered Sumatran rhinos, Ipuh.
The male rhino, Ipuh, who was believed to be at least 33 years old, has lived at the Cincinnati Zoo for the past 22 years and sired three calves, Andalas (2001), Suci (2004) and Harapan (2007).
In 2001, years of breakthrough research by scientists at the Zoo's Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) resulted in the first captive birth of a Sumatran rhino since the 19th century.
Since then, Ipuh sired more offspring than any other Sumatran rhino in captivity, making him the most prolific captive male Sumatran rhino in history. Just this past year, Ipuh became a grandfather when his first-born calf, Andalas, became a father at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia.
In December 2012, the Cincinnati Zoo's Animal Care Staff first noticed Ipuh was moving stiffly and slowly during the mornings when keepers would first enter his barn. Since these symptoms are common in aging animals (and humans) it was noted but not considered too unusual.
However in late January, keepers began to notice that Ipuh was not eating all of his food overnight, which was unusual, and his ability to stand and move continued to decline despite the veterinary staff's best efforts to medicate him. Because Ipuh's condition continued to deteriorate, on Monday, Zoo staff made the difficult and humane decision to euthanize him.
"It is always devastating when a beloved animal reaches the end of its life, especially one whose amazing history makes him so special," said Dr. Terri Roth, Director of the Cincinnati Zoo's CREW. "He literally turned a failing captive breeding program for his critically endangered species into an international success. Our hope is that we can honor him by continuing to build on the legacy that Ipuh left behind, through his sons and daughters, as well as the scientific advancements that he contributed to in life."
Considered the most endangered of all rhino species and perhaps the most endangered mammal species on earth, it is estimated that at least 50 percent of the Sumatran rhino population has been lost in the last two decades.
The primary cause is conversion of rhino habitat for agriculture, even in some national parks, and poaching for its horn which some Asian cultures believe contains medicinal properties.
Today, there are only 10 Sumatran rhinos living in captivity worldwide and fewer than 200 wild rhinos, most in isolated forests on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia but a few rhinos still exist in Sabah, Malaysia.
CREW has successfully developed the technique to harvest and preserve rhino sperm, even after death.
Not only will Ipuh's calves and their offspring continue to provide hope for his species, but Ipuh himself may continue to sire calves even after his death.
"This is a sad day, not only for all of us here at the Cincinnati Zoo, but for the rhino community around the world," said Thane Maynard, Director of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. "Any time an animal as critically endangered as a Sumatran rhino passes away, it is a genuine loss to the Earth's biodiversity. What Ipuh did for his species will forever be an example of what scientific achievement and charismatic animals can do when they combine forces. Ipuh lived a big life, and he will be missed by all who knew and worked with him"
Sumatran rhino longevity is unknown but Ipuh was believed to be one of the oldest on record prior to his death.