strangulation photos on Flickr

Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus - Greifvögel Habichtartige Greifvogel Raubvogel Vogel bird oiseau uccello ) über dem Belpmoos im Berner Mittelland im Kanton Bern der Schweiz

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Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus )

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S y s t e m a t i k

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- Klasse : Vögel ( Aves )

- Ordnung : Greifvögel ( Falconiformes )

- Familie : Habichtartige ( Accipitridae )

- Gattung : Milane ( Milvus )

- Art : Rotmilan

- Wissenschaftlicher Name : Milvus milvus - Linnaeus – 1.7.5.8

Der Rotmilan ( Milvus milvus ), auch Roter Milan, Gabelweihe oder Königsweihe genannt, ist eine

etwa mäusebussardgroße Greifvogelart aus der Familie der Habichtartigen ( Accipitridae ).

Im Gegensatz zum nahe verwandten, geringfügig kleineren S.chwarzmilan, ist seine Verbreitung

im Wesentlichen auf Europa beschränkt.

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Äußere Merkmale

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Der Rotmilan ist eine gut bestimmbare Greifvogelart. Verwechselt werden könnte er am ehesten mit

dem S.chwarzmilan, doch sind auch zu dieser nahe verwandten Milanart gute Unterscheidungsmerk-

male gegeben.

Der Rotmilan ist größer als ein M.äusebussard und etwas größer als der S.chwarzmilan; er ist aus-

gesprochen langflügelig und langschwänzig. Der sitzende Vogel wirkt rötlichbraun, wobei eine deutlich

hellere, meist ockerfarbene Federsäumung vor allem der Deckfedern des Oberflügels und des Rücken-

gefieders einen kontrastreichen Gesamteindruck vermittelt.

Das Kopf-, Nacken- und Kehlgefieder erwachsener Rotmilane ist sehr hell, fast weiß, und weist auf-

fallende schwarze Federnschäfte auf, die diese Körperpartien schwarz gestrichelt erscheinen lassen.

Der ziemlich kräftige Schnabel ist an der Basis gelb, am Schnabelhaken dunkelgrau oder schwarz.

Die kurzen Beine sind gelb, die Krallen ziemlich schwarz.

Die Iris erwachsener Vögel ist blassgelb. Das deutlich schwarz längsgestrichelte Bauchgefieder ist

etwas heller und leuchtender rötlichbraun als das Rückengefieder; ebenso gefärbt sind die Unter-

flügeldeckfedern. Die Arm- und Handschwingen sind an ihren Enden sehr dunkel, fast schwarz.

Im Flug fallen vor allem die langen, relativ schmalen Flügel und der tief gegabelte, rostrote Schwanz

auf, der immer in Bewegung ist und auch voll gefächert eine erkennbare Kerbung aufweist.

In der Oberansicht kontrastieren die schwarzen Arm- und Handschwingen stark mit dem übrigen,

rötlichbraunen Gefieder. Noch kontrastreicher ist das Flugbild von unten, da die Basen der Hand-

schwingen weiß sind und so ein ausgedehntes weißes Flügelfeld bilden und im Flügelbug meist ein

schwarzes Abzeichen zu erkennen ist.

Die äußersten, tief gefingerten Handschwingen sind in ihrem letzten Drittel schwarz. Im Segelflug

sind die Armschwingen leicht über die Horizontale angehoben, die Handschwingen jedoch gerade

oder leicht gesenkt, was ein erkennbar geknicktes Flügelprofil ergibt.

Die Flügel sind in fast jeder Flugposition im Carpalgelenk deutlich gewinkelt.

Die Geschlechter unterscheiden sich in der Färbung nicht, auch das Jugendgefieder ähnelt stark

dem Erwachsenenkleid. Bestes, und bei sehr gutem Licht auch feldornithologisch brauchbares

Bestimmungsmerkmal juveniler Individuen, ist der mehr sandfarbene, nicht hellgrauweiße Kopf und

das eher gesprenkelt ( nicht längsgestrichelt ) wirkende, mehr blass rötlichbraune Bauchgefieder.

Bei ganz jungen flüggen Rotmilanen kann der Schwanz am äußersten Rand noch eine Rundung

aufweisen, da die äußersten Steuerfedern noch nicht ihre volle Länge erreicht haben.

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Größe und Körpermasse

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Der reverse Geschlechtsdimorphismus ist beim Rotmilan ähnlich wie beim S.chwarzmilan in Bezug

auf die Körpergröße nicht sehr deutlich, etwas ausgeprägter jedoch in Bezug auf das Körpergewicht.

Die schwersten M.ännchen haben ein Gewicht von 1,1 Kilogramm; im Durchschnitt liegt das Gewicht

etwas unter einem Kilogramm. Die schwersten W.eibchen wiegen 1,4 Kilogramm, das Mittel liegt bei

1,2 Kilogramm. Die Körperlänge variiert zwischen 60 und 73 Zentimeter, wovon zwischen 31 und 39

Zentimeter auf den Schwanz entfallen. Die Spannweite beträgt 150 bis 171 Zentimeter.

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Laute

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Rotmilane sind akustisch weniger auffällig als S.chwarzmilane. Vor allem außerhalb der Balzzeit und

in weiterer Entfernung vom H.orst verhalten sie sich weitgehend stumm, sieht man von Nahrungs-

streitigkeiten mit anderen Vögeln wie K.rähen, B.ussarden oder M.ilanen ab, die meist sehr lautstark

ausgetragen werden.

Auffälligster Ruf ist ein hohes, in der Tonfärbung stark variierendes Wiiieeh, das in verschiedensten

Situationen meist gereiht, nur selten als gedehnter Einzelruf, vorgetragen wird.

Das erste Element ist langgezogen, die nachfolgenden schließen sich wellenförmig und kürzer

werdend an dieses an. In Aggressionssituationen ist dieser Ruf höher, spitzer und kürzer.

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Verbreitung

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Überwinternde Rotmilane können weiträumig in Südwesteuropa, vereinzelter auch in Süd -und

Südosteuropa, in Ausnahmefällen auch in K.leinasien, angetroffen werden.Das Verbreitungsgebiet

des Rotmilans ist heute im Wesentlichen auf Zentral-, West- und Südwesteuropa beschränkt.

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Lebensraum

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Der Rotmilan ist ein Greifvogel offener, mit kleinen Gehölzen durchsetzter Landschaften. Er ist be-

deutend weniger wassergebunden als die Nominatform des S.chwarzmilans, mit dem er jedoch

häufig in enger Nachbarschaft brütet.

Bevorzugte Lebensräume sind A.grarlandschaften mit F.eldgehölzen, oft auch P.arklandschaften,

seltener H.eide- und M.oorgebiete, solange B.äume als N.iststandorte zur Verfügung stehen. Häufig

nutzt er die günstigen Aufwindverhältnisse in engeren F.lusstälern oder an B.erghängen.

Zum Jagen braucht er offenes K.ulturland, G.rasland und V.iehweiden, daneben können auch Feucht-

gebiete als Nahrungsreviere dienen. Abgeerntete oder gerade umgepflügte Getreidefelder werden

ebenso in die Nahrungssuche eingeschlossen wie A.utobahnen und M.ülldeponien, letztere aber

nicht in dem Ausmaß wie vom S.chwarzmilan.

Sein Verbreitungsgebiet stimmt im Wesentlichen mit den Braunerdegebieten Mittel- und Osteuropas

sowie den mediterranen Braunerde- und Terra-Rossa-Gebieten überein und liegt schwerpunktmäßig

in den Intensivzonen der mitteleuropäischen Landwirtschaft.

Im Allgemeinen ist der Rotmilan ein Bewohner der Niederungen und der Hügellandgebiete etwa bis

800 m ü. NN. Im Schweizer J.ura liegen einzelne Brutplätze bei fast 1200 Meter über NN; in den

P.yrenäen sind Vorkommen in der subalpinen Stufe bekannt. Historische Brutplätze im K.aukasus

und im H.ohen A.tlas lagen in Höhen von fast 2500 Metern.

Im M.ittelalter scheint der Rotmilan auch in einigen europäischen S.tädten, so etwa in L.ondon,

gebrütet zu haben. Er dürfte dort eine ähnliche Rolle als A.bfallvertilger gespielt haben, wie sie

heute einige Unterarten des S.chwarzmilans ( M. migrans parasitus und M. m. govinda ) in A.frika

beziehungsweise S.üd- und S.üdostasien einnehmen.

In günstigen Nahrungshabitaten können Rotmilane in sehr hohen Siedlungsdichten vorkommen.

Besonders dicht besiedelt war der H.akel, ein etwa 13 km² großes W.aldgebiet in der M.agdeburger

B.örde, wo 1.9.7.9 136 Rotmilanpaare brüteten. Seither gingen die Bestandszahlen dort jedoch

kontinuierlich zurück. Solche Konzentrationen von bis zu zehn Brutpaaren innerhalb eines Quadrat-

kilometers sind Ausnahmen, doch auch in der Baar sowie im E.ichsfeld kommen Rotmilane in hohen Bestandsdichten vor.

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Nahrung

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Wie der S.chwarzmilan ist auch der Rotmilan weitgehend Nahrungsgeneralist. Im Gegensatz zu

diesem ist er aber ein leistungsfähigerer, aktiver J.äger. F.isch nimmt nur ausnahmsweise eine

so dominierende Stellung ein wie bei der Nominatform des S.chwarzmilans.

Auch A.as und A.bfälle werden zwar regelmäßig, aber seltener als vom S.chwarzmilan aufge-

nommen. Individuell sind die Nahrungs- und Jagdgewohnheiten recht verschieden.

Während der B.rutzeit besteht die Hauptnahrung aus kleinen S.äugetieren und V.ögeln. Mengen-

mäßig und gewichtsmäßig überwiegen bei den S.äugetieren F.eldmäuse ( M.icrotus s.p.) und

M.aulwürfe ( T.alpidae ), bei den V.ögeln sehr auffällig der S.tar.

Auch verschiedene T.auben ( C.olumbidae ), R.abenvögel ( Corvidae ) und größere D.rosseln

( T.urdidae ), so etwa A.mseln ( T.urdus m.erula ), W.acholder- ( T.urdus p.ilaris ) und M.istel-

d.rosseln ( T.urdus v.iscivorus ) werden relativ häufig geschlagen.

Dort, wo der F.eldhamster ( C.ricetus c.ricetus ) noch vergleichsweise häufig vorkommt, zum

Beispiel in O.stpolen, kann dieser zur H.auptbeute werden. Oft handelt es sich bei geschlagenen

V.ögeln um verletzte beziehungsweise kranke Individuen oder um J.ungtiere.

In w.asserreichen Gebieten können F.ische, unter ihnen vor allem W.eißfische wie die P.lötze

( R.utilus r.utilus ) und der B.rachsen ( A.bramis b.rama ), gewichtsmäßig dominieren. Erbeutet

werden sowohl lebende, als auch tote oder sterbend an der Wasseroberfläche treibende oder

an den U.fersaum gespülte Fische.

Nicht unbeträchtlich ist die Menge an W.irbellosen, die der Rotmilan sowohl im Flug als auch auf

dem B.oden aufnimmt. Vor allem im Frühjahr können verschiedene K.äfer ( C.oleoptera ) sowie

R.egenwürmer ( L.umbricidae ) wichtige Nahrungsbestandteile sein.

Der Anteil an R.eptilien und A.mphibien am Gesamtnahrungsaufkommen ist regional sehr unter-

schiedlich, in südlichen Populationen in der Regel etwas größer als in Mittel- oder N.ordeuropa.

An A.as ist der Rotmilan etwas weniger häufig zu finden als der S.chwarzmilan, doch nutzt er

totgefahrene oder verendete Tiere ebenso wie dieser. Er ist an g.roßen K.adavern ebenso anzu-

treffen wie an den R.esten von K.leintieren. Auch an M.ülldeponien oder dort, wo große Mengen

tierischen Abfalles anfallen, wie zum Beispiel bei S.chlachthäusern oder T.ierverwertungsanlagen,

finden sich Rotmilane ein.

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Nahrungserwerb

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Der Rotmilan ist ein Suchflugjäger offener Landschaften, der große Gebiete seines Nahrungsreviers

in einem relativ niedrigen und langsamen Gleit- und Segelflug systematisch nach Beute absucht.

Er ist Überraschungsjäger, der bei erfolglosem Angriff in der Regel abstreicht und das verfehlte Beute-

tier nicht weiter verfolgt. Nicht selten ist er auch schreitend auf dem Boden zu sehen, wo er vor allem

nach I.nsekten und R.egenwürmern sucht.

Erspähte Beutetiere nimmt der Rotmilan im Darüberfliegen vom Boden auf, ohne dabei zu landen.

Auch F.ische werden nach S.eeadlerart von der W.asseroberfläche weggegriffen und davongetragen.

Vögel vermag er gelegentlich im Flug oder auf Ä.sten zu überraschen und zu schlagen, meistens

jedoch erbeutet er sie auf dem Boden. Die B.eutetiere werden in der Regel nicht mit den Krallen,

sondern durch kräftige Schnabelhiebe getötet.

Rotmilane parasitieren auch bei anderen Vögeln, vor allem bei S.chwarzmilanen, K.rähen und

M.öwen. Sie jagen ihnen die B.eute ab oder belästigen sie so lange, bis sie bereits verschluckte

Nahrung wieder auswürgen.

Insgesamt ist der Rotmilan in seinen Nahrungserwerbsstrategien sehr flexibel. Besonders attraktiv

sind M.äharbeiten, da diese für ihn zuvor unzugängliche Beute freilegen. Bis zu ihrem Umbruch

bieten auch abgeerntete F.elder gute Nahrungsressourcen, auf die sich Rotmilane sehr schnell

einstellen können.

Bei ausreichendem Nahrungsangebot und außerhalb der B.rutzeit beginnt der Rotmilan erst einige

Zeit nach S.onnenaufgang mit den ersten Beuteflügen und kann seine Jagdflüge bereits einige

Stunden vor S.onnenuntergang beenden. Während des Tages legt er, meist in Horstnähe, längere

Ruhepausen ein, die auch zur intensiven G.efiederpflege genutzt werden.

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Verhalten

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Die Aktivitätszeit ist bei gutem Beutetierangebot auffallend kurz, kann aber, insbesondere während

der B.rutzeit, schon in der frühen M.orgendämmerung beginnen und erst mit Einbruch der

D.unkelheit enden. Immer werden aber zwischen den Beuteflügen ausgiebige Ruhepausen

eingestreut, auch dann, wenn die N.estlinge in unmittelbarer Nähe energisch betteln.

Außerhalb der B.rutzeit ist der Rotmilan sehr gesellig und zeigt kein territoriales Verhalten. Die

Art nächtigt fast immer in größeren Schlafgesellschaften, auch die Jagdflüge erfolgen gemein-

schaftlich.

Diese Schlafgesellschaften können mehrere hundert Individuen umfassen. Häufig kann in diesen

Milanansammlungen „spielerisches“ Verhalten wie gegenseitiges Necken sowie synchrone Flug-

spiele einiger Vögel beobachtet werden. Gelegentlich brechen Rotmilane im Flug Koniferenzapfen

ab, um sie einfach nur fallen zu lassen.

Auch während der B.rutzeit ist territoriales Verhalten nicht sehr ausgeprägt, doch wird die weitere Umgebung des Horstes ( etwa 100 Meter ) und der darüberliegende Luftraum gegenüber Artge-

nossen und artfremden Eindringlingen von beiden Partnern verteidigt.

Dabei steigen die Milane hoch auf und attackieren den Eindringling ziemlich energisch von oben.

Meist wird er auch, vor allem vom M.ännchen, eine gewisse Zeit verfolgt, während das W.eibchen

recht schnell zum H.orst zurückkehrt.

Ein Nahrungsrevier beansprucht der Rotmilan in der Regel nicht, nur bei sehr geringer Nahrungsver-

fügbarkeit zeigen einzelbrütende P.aare auch diesbezüglich territoriales Verhalten. Gelegentlich

wurde auch bei sehr großen Populationsdichten, wie sie zum Beispiel im H.akel bestanden oder

in einigen Gegenden W.ales bestehen, territoriale Verhaltensweisen bezüglich der Jagdflächen

festgestellt.

Rot- und S.chwarzmilane können sehr nahe beieinander brüten. Bei Streitigkeiten um einen

günstigen N.istplatz oder einen bereits errichteten H.orst ist in der Regel der Rotmilan der

Unterlegene.

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Wanderungen

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Die Zugstrategien dieser Art sind uneinheitlich. Insgesamt wird in den letzten beiden Jahrzehnten

eine Verkürzung der Z.ugwege und ein vermehrtes Ausharren der Art in zuvor winters geräumten

B.rutgebieten festgestellt. Schneeärmere W.inter, sowie ein größeres, allzeit verfügbares Nahrungs-

angebot auf M.üllkippen und entlang stark frequentierter S.traßen, ermöglichen es auch vielen

mittel- und einigen n.ordeuropäischen Populationen während des W.inters im Brutgebiet auszu-

harren.

Die größten W.interbestände gibt es in Mittel- und Nordeuropa im nördlichen Harzvorland, in der

Schweiz ( zum Beispiel bei N.eerach ), in B.aden – W.ürttemberg sowie in S.üdschweden. In

einigen Ü.berwinterungsgebieten in der Schweiz und in S.üdschweden wurden ( und werden )

die Überwinterer durch Zufütterungen unterstützt. In B.aden – W.ürttemberg ging die Anzahl der

überwinternden Rotmilane mit der Schließung einiger M.ülldeponien kontinuierlich zurück.

Die Mehrheit der nord- und mitteleuropäischen Rotmilane verlässt im H.erbst das Brutgebiet und

zieht nach S.üdwesten, insbesondere nach S.panien. Brutvögel des südwestlichen Mitteleuropas,

I.taliens, F.rankreichs und S.paniens, sowie die wenigen Rotmilane Südosteuropas und N.ordafrikas

sind mehrheitlich Standvögel mit unterschiedlich weiträumigen Nahrungsflügen innerhalb ihres

Ü.berwinterungsgebietes. In S.panien decken sich die Überwinterungsregionen mit den Brutgebieten

der dort residenten Rotmilane. Sie liegen vor allem in der N.ord- und S.üdmeseta, im E.brobecken,

in der E.xtremadura, sowie in Teilen S.üdandalusiens.

Rotmilane ziehen bei Tag und meistens einzeln oder in kleinen Trupps. Auf dem Wegzug sind die

Zuggemeinschaften in der Regel individuenstärker als auf dem Heimzug. Auf Grund der relativ

kurzen Zugdistanzen verlassen Rotmilane erst spät das Brutgebiet, selten vor M.itte S.eptember,

die meisten aber erst in der ersten O.ktoberhälfte. Die Weibchen ziehen etwa eine bis zwei Wochen

vor den Männchen fort. Sehr früh erfolgt der H.eimzug. Schon in der Februarmitte erscheinen die

ersten ziehenden Rotmilane wieder im Brutgebiet, die Mehrheit folgt Ende F.ebruar und in der ersten

M.ärzdekade. Ein Großteil der einjährigen und viele zweijährige Rotmilane ziehen auf ihren ersten

Heimzügen nicht ins Brutgebiet zurück, sondern verbringen den Sommer entweder im Überwinter-

ungsgebiet oder vagabundieren in kleineren Gesellschaften in S.üd- und M.ittelfrankreich, zum Teil

auch in der Schweiz.

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Brutbiologie

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Rotmilane werden in Ausnahmefällen bereits in ihrem ersten Lebensjahr fortpflanzungsfähig, brüten

aber meist erst im dritten Lebensjahr zum ersten Mal.

Die Art und Dauer der Paarbindung ist unterschiedlich. Weitgehend monogame Brutsaisonehen

sind die Regel, doch wurden mehrjährige Dauerehen ebenso beobachtet wie Partnerwechsel

während der B.rutzeit.

Bei Standvögeln scheint die Paarbindung stabiler zu sein als bei Zugvögeln, bei denen auch die

durch das Zuggeschehen höheren Ausfallraten zu häufigerem Partnerwechsel zwingen. Die Art ist

sehr brutortstreu.

Auch geschlechtsreife Jungvögel versuchen sich meist in der näheren Umgebung ihres Geburts-

ortes anzusiedeln, auch dann, wenn in weiterem Umkreis geeignete Brutplätze zur Verfügung

stünden. Das führt nach Walz in dichtbesiedelten Rotmilanhabitaten mangels geeigneter Brut-

plätze zu einer Erhöhung des Bruteintrittsalters.

Bei in M.ittel- und O.steuropa überwinternden Vögeln wurde Balzverhalten während der gesamten

Ü.berwinterungszeit festgestellt. M.ännchen und W.eibchen können bis zu zwölf Tage ( in Aus-

nahmefällen bis zu vier Wochen ) zeitlich versetzt im Brutgebiet ankommen. Sowohl das W.eibchen

als auch das M.ännchen kann zuerst eintreffen. Ebenso treffen aber einige bereits lose verpaart im

Brutgebiet ein. Dort beginnen die Standvögel bereits Mitte bis Ende F.ebruar mit der Hauptbalz, die

Zugvögel im Durchschnitt etwa zwei bis drei Wochen später.

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Horstbau und Balz

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Die Balz des Rotmilans ist nicht sehr auffällig. Im Wesentlichen besteht sie aus Horstbau, gemein-

samen Flügen über dem H.orststandort und häufigen K.opulationen, die bis in die Nestlingszeit

hinein anhalten.

Zur Kopulation fordert das W.eibchen mit leisen Trillerrufen, waagrecht geduckter Körperhaltung

und gesenktem Kopf auf. Meist fliegt daraufhin das Männchen seine Partnerin direkt an und landet

auf ihrem Rücken.

Ob die spektakulären Steilabstürze über dem Horstrevier zum Balzritual gehören, oder nicht doch

eher der Feindabwehr zuzuordnen sind, ist ungeklärt. Bereits in der Nestbauphase stellt das

W.eibchen eigene Nahrungsflüge weitgehend ein und wird ab dieser Zeit vom M.ännchen versorgt,

bis es sich etwa zwei bis drei Wochen nach dem S.chlupf selbst wieder an der Nahrungsbeschaffung

beteiligt.

Der Horstbau oder die Instandsetzung eines alten Horstes beginnt sofort nach Ankunft der Partner

im Brutrevier. Horststandorte und Horstbäume sind sehr unterschiedlich, in Mitteleuropa handelt es

sich aber hauptsächlich um E.ichen, B.uchen oder K.iefern.

Felsbruten kommen bei den Populationen auf den B.alearen und den nordafrikanischen Rotmilanen

vor. Ganz selten wurden auch Horststandorte auf G.ittermasten festgestellt. Meist liegen die Horste

relativ hoch und in starken Bäumen, doch wurden auch sehr niedrig gelegene Nester in schwachen

Bäumen festgestellt.

Gerne wählen Rotmilane Nistbäume entlang steiler Abhänge oder über Felsklippen, bevorzugt in

Randlagen, oder in stark aufgelichteten Beständen. Nistunterlage ist meistens eine starke Stamm-

gabelung, seltener eine Gabelung in einem starken Seitenast.

Am Horstbau beteiligen sich beide Partner. Das Grundgerüst besteht aus starken Zweigen, die

vom Boden aufgelesen oder mit dem Schnabel oder den Fängen von Bäumen abgerissen werden.

Die Auspolsterung erfolgt mit unterschiedlichem, weichem, organischem Material, aber auch mit

Kulturabfällen wie F.olien, P.lastiktüten oder B.indegarn.

Letzteres führt nicht selten zur Strangulation eines Nestlings. Plastikmaterialien verhindern eine

ausgeglichene Luftzirkulation und können zur Durchnässung und Unterkühlung der Jungen

führen.

Die Größe der Rotmilanhorste ist sehr variabel. Sie können auffallend klein und recht liederlich

zusammengefügt sein mit Durchmessern zwischen nur 45 bis 60 Zentimetern. Mehrjährig benutzte

Nester sind jedoch massive Konstruktionen mit einem Durchmesser von einem Meter und mehr,

bei einer Höhe von über 40 Zentimetern.

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Gelege und Brut

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Das Gelege besteht meist aus drei E.iern, seltener aus einem, zwei oder vier E.iern. Es wurden

auch schon Gelege mit fünf E.iern gefunden. Die E.ier wiegen etwa 60 Gramm und messen im

Mittel 57 x 45 Millimeter.

Sie entsprechen in Größe und Form einem mittelgroßen H.ühnerei. Auf trübweißem Grund weisen

sie unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägte, rötlichbraune Flecken, sowie schwärzliche Girlanden auf.

Legebeginn in Mitteleuropa ist frühestens Ende M.ärz, in der Regel aber erst Anfang bis Mitte

A.pril. Bis in den M.ai hinein können frische Gelege gefunden werden. In Südeuropa ist der Lege-

beginn etwa zwei Wochen früher, in den nördlichsten Verbreitungsgebieten nicht vor Ende A.pril,

Anfang M.ai. Rotmilane brüten nur einmal im Jahr, nur bei frühem Gelegeverlust kommt es zu einem

Nachgelege, meistens in einem anderen Horst.

Die Eier werden etwa 32 bis 33 Tage fast ausschließlich vom W.eibchen bereits nach dem ersten

E.i fest bebrütet, so dass die J.ungen mit deutlichen Entwicklungsunterschieden aufgezogen werden.

Nur für kurze Zeit übernimmt das M.ännchen das Brutgeschäft. In den ersten zwei bis drei Wochen

bleibt das W.eibchen fast ständig am H.orst, hudert und beschattet die Nestlinge und verfüttert die

vom M.ännchen herbeigebrachte Nahrung, die vor allem aus K.leinsäugern und V.ögeln besteht.

Die Nestlingszeit beträgt, abhängig von Witterung und Nahrungsangebot zwischen 48 und 54 Tagen.

In Extremfällen kann das Ausfliegen erst nach 70 Tagen erfolgen. Die Führungszeit ist im Gegensatz

zu der junger S.chwarzmilane recht kurz und beträgt selten mehr als drei Wochen. Danach ver-

streichen die J.ungvögel, meist verlassen auch die A.ltvögel die unmittelbare H.orstumgebung.

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Mischbruten

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In freier Natur wurden gelegentlich Mischbruten zwischen Rot- und S.chwarzmilan festgestellt. Der

S.chwarzmilan war meist der w.eibliche Vogel. Auch erfolgreiche Bruten zwischen einem Schwarz-

milanmännchen und einem H.ybridweibchen wurden bekannt.

In Gefangenschaft kommen solche Mischbruten häufiger vor. Im N.aturpark A.ukrug in M.ittelholstein

brütete ein Mischpaar 6 Jahre hindurch erfolgreich. Nach Ausbleiben des Rotmilans trat offenbar

eine H.ybride aus einer vorangegangenen Brut an seine Stelle.

Regelmäßig kommt es auf den K.apverden zu Mischbruten zwischen dem heimischen K.apverde-

milan und den vor etwa hundert Jahren eingewanderten S.chwarzmilanen. Der K.apverdemilan

wird entweder als Unterart des Rotmilans ( Milvus milvus f.asciicauda ) oder als eigenständige

Art ( Milvus f.asciicauda ) aufgefasst. Aus diesen Mischbruten entstehen fruchtbare Nachkommen,

die sich weiterverpaaren. Daher ist es fraglich, ob reinerbige K.apverdemilane überhaupt noch

existieren.

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Bestand und Gefährdung

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Der europäische Bestand wird auf 19.000 bis 25.000 Paare geschätzt.

Gründe für die Bestandsrückgänge liegen vor allem in der Intensivierung, beziehungsweise Um-

stellung der L.andwirtschaft, sowie im großräumigen Verschwinden des H.amsters, der in einigen

Regionen Hauptbeutetier des Milans war.

Besonders negativ wirkte sich diese Entwicklung nach der Wende auf die Rotmilanbestände im Osten Deutschlands aus, wo regional Bestandseinbußen um 50 Prozent und mehr und ein deutliches Absinken der Reproduktionszahlen zu verzeichnen sind. Neben der Verschlechterung der Nahrungsverfügbarkeit durch Umstellung der Mahdtermine, Rückgang der Rinderhaltung und damit verbundener Reduzierung des Grünfutteranbaus mit regelmäßiger Mahd, spielen direkte Verfolgung durch Abschuss oder Vergiftung sowie Unfallverluste an Hochspannungsleitungen und Windkraftanlagen eine stark negative Rolle. Auch das frühzeitigere Schließen von Mülldeponien sowie vermehrte Freizeitaktivitäten in Brutgebieten der Art wirken sich bestandslimitierend aus. Ob sich die zunehmenden Schwarzmilanbestände negativ auf den in direkter Konkurrenz unterlegenen Rotmilan auswirken, ist nicht restlos geklärt.

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Lebenserwartung

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Rotmilane können sehr alt werden. Ein in Freiheit aufgefundener Rotmilan war fast dreißig Jahre alt.

Die tatsächliche Lebenserwartung freilebender Vögel ist jedoch bedeutend geringer.

Besonders der erste Wegzug endet für viele Rotmilane tödlich. Am Ende des ersten Lebensjahres

leben von einem Geburtsjahrgang etwa 60 – 65 Prozent. Mit wachsender Erfahrung verlangsamt

sich die Ausfallsrate, sodass nach drei Jahren noch ungefähr 35 – 45 Prozent eines Jahrganges am

Leben ist und zur Brut schreiten kann.

Diese Zahlen sind jedoch von vielen Faktoren abhängig, sodass sie nur als Annäherungswerte zu

sehen sind. A.bschuss, K.ollisionen mit H.indernissen und S.tromleitungen sowie Vergiftungen sind

die häufigsten Todesursachen.

( BeschriebRotmilan AlbumRotmilan AlbumGreifvögelderSchweiz Schweiz Suisse Switzerland

Svizzera Suissa Swiss Sveitsi Sviss スイス Zwitserland Sveits Szwajcaria Suíça Suiza )

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F.lugp.latzf.est B.elpm.oost.age 2011 auf dem F.lugp.latz Bern B.elpm.oos am Sonntag den 19. Juni 2011

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Hurni110619 AlbumZZZZ110619B.elpm.oostage KantonBern

E - Mail : chrigu.hurni@bluemail.ch

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Letzte Aktualisierung - Ergänzung des Textes : 070223

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NIF

Tiger (Panthera Tigris) by PHOTOGRAPHY by DM & DBM.

The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest living cat species and a member of the genus Panthera. It is most recognisable for its black stripes on orange fur with a white underside. An apex predator, it primarily preys on ungulates, such as deer and wild boar. It is territorial and generally a solitary but social predator, requiring large contiguous areas of habitat to support its requirements for prey and rearing of its offspring. Tiger cubs stay with their mother for about two years and then become independent, leaving their mother's home range to establish their own.

The tiger was first scientifically described in 1758. It once ranged widely from the Eastern Anatolia Region in the west to the Amur River basin in the east, and in the south from the foothills of the Himalayas to Bali in the Sunda Islands. Since the early 20th century, tiger populations have lost at least 93% of their historic range and have been extirpated from Western and Central Asia, the islands of Java and Bali, and in large areas of Southeast and South Asia and China. What remains of the range where tigers still roam free is fragmented, stretching in spots from Siberian temperate forests to subtropical and tropical forests on the Indian subcontinent, Indochina and a single Indonesian island, Sumatra.

The tiger is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. India hosts the largest tiger population. Major reasons for population decline are habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation and poaching. Tigers are also victims of human–wildlife conflict, due to encroachment in countries with a high human population density.

The tiger is among the most recognisable and popular of the world's charismatic megafauna. It featured prominently in the ancient mythology and folklore of cultures throughout its historic range and continues to be depicted in modern films and literature, appearing on many flags, coats of arms and as mascots for sporting teams. The tiger is the national animal of India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and South Korea.

Etymology

The Middle English tigre and Old English tigras derive from Old French tigre, from Latin tigris. This was a borrowing of Classical Greek τίγρις 'tigris', a foreign borrowing of unknown origin meaning 'tiger' and the river Tigris. The generic name Panthera is derived from the Latin word panthera and the Ancient Greek word πάνθηρ pánthēr.

Taxonomy

In 1758, Carl Linnaeus described the tiger in his work Systema Naturae and gave it the scientific name Felis tigris. In 1929, the British taxonomist Reginald Innes Pocock subordinated the species under the genus Panthera using the scientific name Panthera tigris.

Subspecies

Following Linnaeus's first descriptions of the species, several tiger zoological specimens were described and proposed as subspecies. The validity of several tiger subspecies was questioned in 1999. Most putative subspecies described in the 19th and 20th centuries were distinguished on the basis of fur length and colouration, striping patterns and body size, hence characteristics that vary widely within populations. Morphologically, tigers from different regions vary little, and gene flow between populations in those regions is considered to have been possible during the Pleistocene. Therefore, it was proposed to recognize only two tiger subspecies as valid, namely P. t. tigris in mainland Asia, and P. t. sondaica in the Greater Sunda Islands. Mainland tigers are described as being larger in size with generally lighter fur and fewer stripes, while island tigers are smaller due to insular dwarfism, with darker coats and more numerous stripes. The stripes of island tigers may break up into spotted patterns.

This two-subspecies proposal was reaffirmed in 2015 by a comprehensive analysis of morphological, ecological and molecular traits of all putative tiger subspecies using a combined approach. The authors proposed recognition of only two subspecies, namely P. t. tigris comprising the Bengal, Malayan, Indochinese, South Chinese, Siberian and Caspian tiger populations of continental Asia, and P. t. sondaica comprising the Javan, Bali and Sumatran tiger populations of the Sunda Islands. The continental nominate subspecies P. t. tigris constitutes two clades: a northern clade composed of the Siberian and Caspian tiger populations, and a southern clade composed of all other mainland populations. The authors noted that this two-subspecies reclassification will impact tiger conservation management. It would make captive breeding programs and future re-wilding of zoo-born tigers easier, as one tiger population could then be used to reinforce another. However, there is the risk that the loss of subspecies uniqueness could lead to less protection efforts for specific populations.

In 2017, the Cat Classification Task Force of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group revised felid taxonomy in accordance with the two-subspecies proposal of the comprehensive 2015 study, and recognized the tiger populations in continental Asia as P. t. tigris, and those in the Sunda Islands as P. t. sondaica. This two-subspecies view is still disputed by researchers, since the currently recognized six living subspecies can be distinguished genetically. Results of a 2018 whole-genome sequencing of 32 samples support six monophyletic tiger clades corresponding with the six living subspecies and indicate they descended from a common ancestor around 110,000 years ago.[14] Studies in 2021 and 2023 also affirmed the genetic distinctiveness and separation of these tigers.

The tiger's closest living relatives were previously thought to be the Panthera species lion, leopard and jaguar. Results of genetic analysis indicate that about 2.88 million years ago, the tiger and the snow leopard lineages diverged from the other Panthera species, and that both may be more closely related to each other than to the lion, leopard and jaguar.

The fossil species Panthera palaeosinensis of early Pleistocene northern China was described as a possible tiger ancestor when it was discovered in 1924, but modern cladistics place it as basal to modern Panthera.Panthera zdanskyi, which lived around the same time and place, was suggested to be a sister taxon of the modern tiger when it was examined in 2014. However, as of 2023, at least two recent studies considered P. zdanskyi likely to be a synonym of P. palaeosinensis, noting that its proposed differences from that species fell within the range of individual variation. The earliest appearance of the modern tiger species in the fossil record are jaw fragments from Lantion in China that are dated to the early Pleistocene. Middle to late Pleistocene tiger fossils were found throughout China, Sumatra and Java. Prehistoric subspecies include Panthera tigris trinilensis and P. t. soloensis of Java and Sumatra, and P. t. acutidens of China; late Pleistocene and early Holocene fossils of tigers were also found in Borneo and Palawan, Philippines.

Results of a phylogeographic study indicate that all living tigers had a common ancestor 108,000 to 72,000 years ago.[27] A 2022 paleogenomic study of a Pleistocene tiger basal to living tigers concluded that modern tiger populations spread across Asia no earlier than 94,000 years ago. There is evidence of interbreeding between the lineage of modern mainland tigers and these ancient tigers. The potential tiger range during the late Pleistocene and Holocene was predicted applying ecological niche modelling based on more than 500 tiger locality records combined with bioclimatic data. The resulting model shows a contiguous tiger range at the Last Glacial Maximum, indicating gene flow between tiger populations in mainland Asia. The tiger populations on the Sunda Islands and mainland Asia were possibly separated during interglacial periods.

The tiger's full genome sequence was published in 2013. It was found to have repeat compositions much as other cat genomes and "an appreciably conserved synteny".

Hybrids

Captive tigers were bred with lions to create hybrids called liger and tigon. The former born to a female tiger and male lion and the latter the result of a male tiger and female lion. They share physical and behavioural qualities of both parent species. Because the lion sire passes on a growth-promoting gene, but the corresponding growth-inhibiting gene from the female tiger is absent, ligers grow far larger than either parent species. By contrast, the male tiger does not pass on a growth-promoting gene and the lioness passes on a growth inhibiting gene, hence tigons are around the same size as either species. Breeding hybrids is now discouraged due to the emphasis on conservation.

Characteristics

The tiger has a typical felid morphology. It has a muscular body with strong forelimbs, a large head and a tail that is about half the length of the rest of its body. There are five digits on the front feet and four on the back, all of which have retractable claws which are compact and curved. The ears are rounded, while the eyes have a round pupil. The tiger's skull is large and robust, with a constricted front region, proportionally small, elliptical orbits, long nasal bones, and a lengthened cranium with a large sagittal crest. It is similar to a lion's skull; with the structure of the lower jaw and length of the nasals being the most reliable indicators for species identification. The tiger has fairly robust teeth and its somewhat curved canines are the longest in the cat family at 6.4–7.6 cm (2.5–3.0 in). It has an average bite force at the canine tips of 1234.3 Newton.

Size

The tiger is considered to be the largest living felid species. However, there is some debate over averages compared to the lion. Since tiger populations vary greatly in size, the "average" size for a tiger may be less than a lion, while the biggest tigers are bigger than their lion counterparts. The Siberian and Bengal tigers, along with the extinct Caspian are considered to be the largest of the species while the island tigers are the smallest. The Sumatran tiger is the smallest living tiger while the extinct Bali tiger was even smaller. It has been hypothesised that body size of different tiger populations may be correlated with climate and be explained by thermoregulation and Bergmann's rule. Male tigers are larger than females.

Tiger fur tends to be short, except in the northern-living Siberian tiger. It has a mane-like heavy growth of fur around the neck and jaws and long whiskers, especially in males. Its colouration is generally orange, but can vary from light yellow to dark red. White fur covers the ventral surface, along with parts of the face. It also has a prominent white spot on the back of their ears which are surrounded by black. The tiger is marked with distinctive black or dark brown stripes; the patterns of which are unique in each individual, The stripes are mostly vertical, but those on the limbs and forehead are horizonal. They are more concentrated towards the posterior and those on the trunk may or may not reach under the belly. The tips of stripes are generally sharp and some have gaps within them. Tail stripes are thick bands and a black tip marks the end.

Stripes are likely advantageous for camouflage in vegetation with vertical patterns of light and shade, such as trees and long grass. This is supported by a 1987 Fourier analysis study which concluded that the spatial frequencies of tiger stripes line up with their environment. The tiger is one of only a few striped cat species; it is not known why spotted patterns and rosettes are the more common camouflage pattern among felids. The orange colour may also aid in concealment as the tiger's prey are dichromats, and thus may perceive the cat as green and blended in with the vegetation. The white dots on the ear may play a role in communication.

Three colour variants – white, golden and nearly stripeless snow white are now virtually non-existent in the wild due to the reduction of wild tiger populations, but continue in captive populations. The white tiger has a white background colour with sepia-brown stripes. The golden tiger is pale golden with reddish-brown stripes. The snow white tiger is a morph with extremely faint stripes and a pale reddish-brown ringed tail. White and golden morphs are the result of an autosomal recessive trait with a white locus and a wideband locus respectively. The snow white variation is caused by polygenes with both the white and wideband loci. The breeding of white tigers is controversial, as they have no use for conservation. Only 0.001% of wild tigers have the genes for this colour morph, and the overrepresentation of white tigers in captivity is the result of inbreeding. Hence their continued breeding will risk both inbreeding depression and loss of genetic variability in captive tigers.

Pseudo-melanistic tigers with thick, merged stripes have been recorded in Simlipal National Park and three Indian zoos; population genetic analysis of Indian tiger samples revealed that this phenotype is caused by a mutation of a transmembrane aminopeptidase gene. Around 37% of the Simlipal tiger population has this feature, which has been linked to genetic isolation.

The tiger historically ranged from eastern Pakistan to Indochina, and from southeastern Siberia to Sumatra, Java and Bali. The Caspian tiger lived from eastern Turkey and the South Caucasus to northern Afghanistan and western China. The Tibetan Plateau and the Alborz acted as barriers to the species distribution. As of 2022, it inhabits less than 7% of its historical distribution, and has a scattered range that includes the Indian subcontinent, the Indochinese Peninsula, Sumatra, the Russian Far East and northeastern China.

The tiger mainly lives in forest habitats and is highly adaptable. Records in Central Asia indicate that it occurred foremost in Tugay riverine forests and inhabited hilly and lowland forests in the Caucasus. In the Amur-Ussuri region, it inhabits Korean pine and temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, where riparian forests provide food and water, and serve as dispersal corridors for both tiger and ungulates. On the Indian subcontinent, it inhabits mainly tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, moist evergreen forests, tropical dry forests, alluvial plains and the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. In the Eastern Himalayas, tigers were documented in temperate forest up to an elevation of 4,200 m (13,800 ft) in Bhutan and of 3,630 m (11,910 ft) in the Mishmi Hills. In Thailand, it lives in deciduous and evergreen forests. In Sumatra, tigers range from lowland peat swamp forests to rugged montane forests.

Camera trap data show that tigers in Chitwan National Park avoided locations frequented by people and were more active at night than by day. In Sundarbans National Park, six radio-collared tigers were most active in the early morning with a peak around dawn and moved an average distance of 4.6 km (2.9 mi) per day. A three-year long camera trap survey in Shuklaphanta National Park revealed that tigers were most active from dusk until midnight. In northeastern China, tigers were crepuscular and active at night with activity peaking at dawn and at dusk; they exhibited a high temporal overlap with ungulate species.

As with other felid species, tigers groom themselves, maintaining their coats by licking them and spreading oil from their sebaceous glands. It will take to water, particularly on hot days. It is a powerful swimmer and easily transverses across rivers as wide as 8 km (5.0 mi). Adults only occasionally climbs trees, but have been recorded climbing 10 m (33 ft) up a smooth pipal tree. In general, tigers are less capable tree climbers than many other cats due to their size, but cubs under 16 months old may routinely do so.

Adult tigers lead largely solitary lives. They establish and maintain home ranges, the size of which mainly depends on prey abundance, geographic area and sex of the individual. Males and females defend their home ranges from those of the same sex, and the home range of a male encompasses that of multiple females. Two females in the Sundarbans had home ranges of 10.6 and 14.1 km2 (4.1 and 5.4 sq mi). In Panna Tiger Reserve, the home ranges of five reintroduced females varied from 53–67 km2 (20–26 sq mi) in winter to 55–60 km2 (21–23 sq mi) in summer and to 46–94 km2 (18–36 sq mi) during monsoon; three males had 84–147 km2 (32–57 sq mi) large home ranges in winter, 82–98 km2 (32–38 sq mi) in summer and 81–118 km2 (31–46 sq mi) during monsoon seasons. In Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, seven resident females had home ranges of 44.1–122.3 km2 (17.0–47.2 sq mi) and four resident males of 174.8–417.5 km2 (67.5–161.2 sq mi). Four male problem tigers in Sumatra were translocated to national parks and needed 6–17 weeks to establish new home ranges of 37.5–188.1 km2 (14.5–72.6 sq mi). Ten solitary females in Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve had home ranges of 413.5 ± 77.6 km2 (159.7 ± 30.0 sq mi); when they had cubs of up to 4 months of age, their home ranges declined to 177.3 ± 53.5 km2 (68.5 ± 20.7 sq mi) and steadily grew to 403.3 ± 105.1 km2 (155.7 ± 40.6 sq mi) until the cubs were 13–18 months old.

The tiger is a long-ranging species, and individuals disperse over distances of up to 650 km (400 mi) to reach tiger populations in other areas. Young tigresses establish their first territories close to their mother's. Males, however, migrate further than their female counterparts and set out at a younger age to mark out their own area. Four radio-collared females in Chitwan dispersed between 0 and 43.2 km (0.0 and 26.8 mi), and 10 males between 9.5 and 65.7 km (5.9 and 40.8 mi). A young male may have to live as a transient in another male's territory until he is older and strong enough to challenge the resident male. Young males thus have an annual mortality rate of up to 35%. By contrast, young female tigers die at a rate of only around 5%. Tigers mark their territories by spraying urine on vegetation and rocks, clawing or scent rubbing trees, and marking trails with feces, anal gland secretions and ground scrapings.Scent markings also allow an individual to pick up information on another's identity. A tigress in oestrus will signal her availability by scent marking more frequently and increasing her vocalisations. Unclaimed territories, particularly those that belonged to a decreased individual, can be taken over in days or weeks.

Male tigers are generally less tolerant of other males within their territories than females are of other females. Territory disputes are usually solved by intimidation rather than outright violence. Once dominance has been established, a male may tolerate a subordinate within his range, as long as they do not live in too close quarters. The most serious disputes tend to occur between two males competing for a female in oestrus. Though tigers mostly live alone, relationships between individuals can be complex. Tigers are particularly social at kills, and a male tiger will share a carcass with the females and cubs within this territory and unlike male lions, will allow them to feed on the kill before he is finished with it. Though the female and male act amicably, females are more tense towards each other at a kill.

Communication

During friendly encounters and bonding, tigers rub against each others' bodies. Facial expressions include the "defense threat", which involves a wrinkled face, bared teeth, pulled-back ears, and widened pupils. Both males and females show a flehmen response, a characteristic grimace, when sniffing urine markings. Males also use the flehman to detect the markings made by tigresses in oestrus. Tigers also use their tails to signal their mood. To show cordiality, the tail sticks up and sways slowly, while an apprehensive tiger lowers its tail or wags it side-to-side. When calm, the tail hangs low.

Tigers are normally silent but can produce numerous vocalisations. They roar to signal their presence to other individuals over long distances. This vocalisation is forced through an open mouth as it closes and can be heard 3 km (1.9 mi) away. A tiger may roar three or four times in a row, and others may respond in kind. Tigers also roar during mating, and a mother will roar to call her cubs to her. When tense, tigers will moan, a sound similar to a roar but softer and made when the mouth is at least partially closed. Moaning can be heard 400 m (1,300 ft) away.

Aggressive encounters involve growling, snarling and hissing. An explosive "coughing roar" or "coughing snarl" is emitted through an open mouth and exposed teeth. Chuffing—soft, low-frequency snorting similar to purring in smaller cats—is heard in more friendly situations. Mother tigers communicate with their cubs by grunting, while cubs call back with miaows. A "woof" sound is produced when the animal is startled. It has also been recording emitting a deer-like "pok" sound for unknown reasons, but most often at kills.

Hunting and diet

The tiger is a carnivore and an apex predator feeding mainly on ungulates, with a particular preference for sambar deer, Manchurian wapiti, barasingha and wild boar. Tigers kill large prey like gaur, but opportunistically kill much smaller prey like monkeys, peafowl and other ground-based birds, porcupines and fish. Tiger attacks on adult Asian elephants and Indian rhinoceros have also been reported. More often, tigers take the more vulnerable small calves. When in close proximity to humans, tigers sometimes prey on domestic livestock and dogs. Tigers occasionally consume vegetation, fruit and minerals for dietary fibre.

Tigers learn to hunt from their mothers, which is important but not necessary for their success. They usually hunt alone, but families hunt together when cubs are old enough. A tiger travels up to 19.3 km (12.0 mi) per day in search of prey, using vision and hearing to find a target. It also waits at a watering hole for prey to come by, particularly during hot summer days. It is an ambush predator and when approaching potential prey, the tiger crouches, with head lowered, and hides in foliage. The tiger switches between creeping forward and staying still. Tigers have been recorded dozing off while in still mode, and can stay in the same spot for as long as a day waiting for prey and launches an attack, when the prey is close enough. It can sprint 56 km/h (35 mph) and leap 10 m (33 ft).

Tiger Reserve

The tiger attacks from behind or at the sides and tries to knock the target off balance. It latches onto prey with its forelimbs, twisting and turning during the struggle. The tiger generally applies a bite to the throat until its target dies of strangulation. Holding onto the throat puts the cat out of reach of the horns, antlers, tusks and hooves. Tigers are adaptable killers and may use other methods, including ripping the throat or breaking the neck. Large prey may be disabled by a bite to the back of the hock, severing the tendon. Swipes from the large paws are capable of stunning or breaking to skull of a water buffalo. They kill small prey with a bite to the back of the neck or skull. Estimates of the success rate for hunting tigers ranges from a low 5% to a high of 50%.

The tiger typically drags its kill for 183–549 m (600–1,801 ft) to a hidden, usually vegetated spot before eating. The tiger has the strength to drag the carcass of a fully grown buffalo for some distance, a feat three men struggle with. It rests for a while before eating and can consume as much as 50 kg (110 lb) of meat in one session, but feeds on a carcass for several days, leaving very little for scavengers.

Enemies and competitors

Tigers may kill and even prey on other predators they coexist with. In much of their range, tigers share habitat with leopards and dholes. They typically dominate both of them, though large packs of dholes can drive away a tiger, or even kill it. Tigers appear to inhabit the deep parts of a forest while these smaller predators are pushed closer to the fringes. The three predators coexist by hunting different prey. In one study, tigers were found to have killed prey that weighed an average of 91.5 kg (202 lb), in contrast to 37.6 kg (83 lb) for the leopard and 43.4 kg (96 lb) for the dhole. Leopards can live successfully in tiger habitat when there is abundant food and vegetation cover, and there is no evidence of competitive exclusion common to the African savanna, where the leopard lives beside the lion. Nevertheless, leopards avoid areas were tigers roam and are less common where tigers are numerous.

Tigers tend to be wary of sloth bears, with their sharp claws, quickness and ability to stand on two legs. Tiger do sometimes prey on sloth bears by ambushing them when they are feeding at termite mounds. Siberian tigers may attack, kill and prey on Ussuri brown and Ussuri black bears. In turn, some studies show that brown bears frequently track down tigers to usurp their kills, with occasional fatal outcomes for the tiger.

Reproduction and life cycle

The tiger mates all year round, but most cubs are born between March and June, with another peak in September. A tigress is in oestrus for three to six days, inbetween three to nine week intervals. A resident male mates with all the females within his territory, who signal their receptiveness by roaring and marking. Younger, transient males are also attracted, leading to a fight in which the more dominant male drives the usurper off. During courtship, the male is cautious with the female as he waits for her to show signs she is ready to mate. She signals to him by positioning herself in lordosis with their tail to the side. Copulation is generally 20 to 25 seconds long, with the male biting the female by the scruff of her neck. After it is finished, the male quickly pulls away as the female may turn and slap him. Tiger pairs may stay together for up to four days and mate multiple times. Gestation ranges from 93 to 114 days, with an average of 103 to 105 days.

A tigress gives birth in a secluded location, be it in dense vegetation, in a cave or under a rocky shelter. Litters consist of as many seven cubs, but two or three are more typical. Newborn cubs weigh 785–1,610 g (27.7–56.8 oz), and are blind and altricial. The mother licks and cleans her cubs, suckles them and viscously defends them from any potential threat. She will only leave them alone to hunt, and even then does not travel far. When a mother suspects an area is no longer safe, she moves her cubs to a new spot, transporting them one by one by grabbing them by the scruff of the neck with her mouth. The mortality rate for tiger cubs can reach 50% during these early months, causes of death include predators like dholes, leopards and pythons. Young are able to see in a week, can leave the denning site in two months and around the same time they start eating meat.

After around two months, the cubs are able to follow their mother. They still hide in vegetation when she goes hunting, and she will guide them to the kill. Cubs bond though play fighting and practice stalking. A hierarchy develops in the litter, with the biggest cub, often a male, being the most dominant and the first to eat its fill at a kill. Around the age of six months, cubs are fully weaned and have more freedom to explore their environment. Between eight and ten months, they accompany their mother on hunts. A cub can make a kill as early as 11 months, and reach independence around 18 to 24 months of age, males becoming independent earlier than females. Radio-collared tigers in Chitwan started dispersing from their natal areas earliest at the age of 19 months. Young females are sexual mature at three to four years, whereas males are at four to five years. Tigers may live up to 26 years.

Tiger fathers play no role in raising the young, but he may encounter and interact with them. Resident males appear to visit the female-cub families within his territory. They have when observed swimming with females and their cubs and even sharing kills with them. One male was recorded looking after cubs whose mother had died. By defending his territory, the male is also protecting the females and cubs from harassment by other males. When a new male takes over a territory, cubs under a year old are at risk of being killed, as the male would want to sire his own young with the females. Older female cubs are tolerated but males may be treated as potential competitors.

Threats

Major threats to the tiger include habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation and poaching for fur and body parts, which have simultaneously greatly reduced tiger populations in the wild. In India, only 11% of the historical tiger habitat remains due to habitat fragmentation. Demand for tiger parts for use in traditional Chinese medicine has also been cited as a major threat to tiger populations.

In China, tigers became the target of large-scale 'anti-pest' campaigns in the early 1950s, where suitable habitats were fragmented following deforestation and resettlement of people to rural areas, who hunted tigers and prey species. Though tiger hunting was prohibited in 1977, the population continued to decline and is considered extinct in southern China since 2001.

In Bangladesh, tiger body parts like skins, bones, teeth and hair are consumed locally by wealthy Bangladeshis and are illegally trafficked to 15 countries including India, China, Malaysia, Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan and the United Kingdom via land borders, airports and seaports.

Conservation

Internationally, the tiger is protected under CITES Appendix I, banning trade of live tigers and their body parts.[1] In India, it has been protected since 1972 under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. In 1973, Project Tiger was founded to gain public support for tiger conservation, and 53 tiger reserves covering an area of 75,796 km2 (29,265 sq mi) have been established in the country until 2022. In Nepal, it has been protected since 1973 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973. In Bhutan, it has been protected since 1969; the first Tiger Action Plan implemented during 2006–2015 revolved around habitat conservation, human–wildlife conflict management, education and awareness; the second Action Plan aimed at increasing the country’s tiger population by 20% until 2023 compared to 2015. In Bangladesh, it has been protected since 1973 under the Wildlife (Preservation) Act and the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. In 2009, the Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan was initiated to stabilize the country's tiger population, maintain habitat and a sufficient prey base, improve law enforcement and cooperation between governmental agencies responsible for tiger conservation. Myanmar’s national tiger conservation strategy developed in 2003 comprises management tasks such as restoration of degraded habitats, increasing the extent of protected areas and wildlife corridors, protecting tiger prey species, thwarting of tiger killing and illegal trade of its body parts, and promoting public awareness through wildlife education programs.

Global wild tiger population

CountryYearEstimate

India India20233682–3925

Russia Russia2020480–540

Indonesia Indonesia2016400–600

Bangladesh Bangladesh2014300–500

Nepal Nepal2022355

Thailand Thailand2023189

Bhutan Bhutan2023131

Malaysia Malaysia2022<150

China China201855

Myanmar Myanmar201822

Total5,764–6,467

In the 1990s, a new approach to tiger conservation was developed: Tiger Conservation Units (TCUs), which are blocks of habitat that have the potential to host tiger populations in 15 habitat types within five bioregions. Altogether 143 TCUs were identified and prioritized based on size and integrity of habitat, poaching pressure and population status. They range in size from 33 to 155,829 km2 (13 to 60,166 sq mi).

In 2016, an estimate of a global wild tiger population of approximately 3,890 individuals was presented during the Third Asia Ministerial Conference on Tiger Conservation. The WWF subsequently declared that the world's count of wild tigers had risen for the first time in a century.

Some estimates suggest that there are fewer than 2,500 mature breeding individuals, with no subpopulation containing more than 250 mature breeding individuals. India is home to the world's largest population of wild tigers. A 2014 census estimated a population of 2,226, a 30% increase since 2011. On International Tiger Day 2019, the 'Tiger Estimation Report 2018' was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The report estimates a population of 2967 tigers in India with 25% increase since 2014. Modi said "India is one of the safest habitats for tigers as it has achieved the target of doubling the tiger population from 1411 in 2011 to 2967 in 2019". As of 2022, India accounts for 75 percent of global tiger population. The Tiger Census of 2023 reports tiger population in India at 3167.

In the 1940s, the Siberian tiger was on the brink of extinction with only about 40 animals remaining in the wild in Russia. As a result, anti-poaching controls were put in place by the Soviet Union and a network of protected zones (zapovedniks) were instituted, leading to a rise in the population to several hundred. Poaching again became a problem in the 1990s, when the economy of Russia collapsed. The major obstacle in preserving the species is the enormous territory individual tigers require, up to 450 km (280 mi) needed by a single female and more for a single male. Current conservation efforts are led by local governments and NGO's in concert with international organisations, such as the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The competitive exclusion of wolves by tigers has been used by Russian conservationists to convince hunters to tolerate the big cats. Tigers have less impact on ungulate populations than do wolves, and are effective in controlling the latter's numbers. In 2005, there were thought to be about 360 animals in Russia, though these exhibited little genetic diversity. However, in a decade later, the Siberian tiger census was estimated from 480 to 540 individuals.

Having earlier rejected the Western-led environmentalist movement, China changed its stance in the 1980s and became a party to the CITES treaty. By 1993 it had banned the trade in tiger parts, and this diminished the use of tiger bones in traditional Chinese medicine. The Tibetan people's trade in tiger skins has also been a threat to tigers. The pelts were used in clothing, tiger-skin chuba being worn as fashion. In 2006 the 14th Dalai Lama was persuaded to take up the issue. Since then there has been a change of attitude, with some Tibetans publicly burning their chubas.

In 1994, the Indonesian Sumatran Tiger Conservation Strategy addressed the potential crisis that tigers faced in Sumatra. The Sumatran Tiger Project (STP) was initiated in June 1995 in and around the Way Kambas National Park to ensure the long-term viability of wild Sumatran tigers and to accumulate data on tiger life-history characteristics vital for the management of wild populations. By August 1999, the teams of the STP had evaluated 52 sites of potential tiger habitat in Lampung Province, of which only 15 these were intact enough to contain tigers. In the framework of the STP a community-based conservation program was initiated to document the tiger-human dimension in the park to enable conservation authorities to resolve tiger-human conflicts based on a comprehensive database rather than anecdotes and opinions.

The Wildlife Conservation Society and Panthera Corporation formed the collaboration Tigers Forever, with field sites including the world's largest tiger reserve, the 21,756 km2 (8,400 sq mi) Hukaung Valley in Myanmar. Other reserves were in the Western Ghats in India, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, the Russian Far East covering in total about 260,000 km2 (100,000 sq mi).

Tigers have been studied in the wild using a variety of techniques. Tiger population have been estimated using plaster casts of their pugmarks, although this method was criticized as being inaccurate. More recent techniques include the use of camera traps and studies of DNA from tiger scat, while radio-collaring has been used to track tigers in the wild. Tiger spray has been found to be just as good, or better, as a source of DNA than scat.

Relationship with humans

A tiger hunt is painted on the Bhimbetka rock shelters in India and dated to 5,000–6,000 years ago. Thousands of years later, Emperor Samudragupta was depicted slaying tigers on coins. Tiger hunting became an established sport under the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. The cats were chased on horseback and killed with spears. Emperor Akbar participated in such activities and one of his hunts is the subject of a painting from the Akbarnama. Following Akbar, Emperor Jahangir will introduce musket to tiger hunts and eventually, elephant would be ridden. The British East India Company would pay for bounties on tigers as early as 1757 and tiger hunting would continue under British Raj. Tiger killings were particularly high in the 19th and early 20th centuries; as an estimated 80,000 cats were killed between 1875 and 1925. King George V on his visit to Colonial India in 1911 killed 39 tigers in a matter of 10 days.

Historically, tigers have been hunted at a large scale so their famous striped skins could be collected. The trade in tiger skins peaked in the 1960s, just before international conservation efforts took effect. By 1977, a tiger skin in an English market was considered to be worth US$4,250.

Body part use

Tiger parts are commonly used as amulets in South and Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, the fossils in Palawan were found besides stone tools. This, besides the evidence for cuts on the bones, and the use of fire, suggests that early humans had accumulated the bones. and the condition of the tiger subfossils, dated to approximately 12,000 to 9,000 years ago, differed from other fossils in the assemblage, dated to the Upper Paleolithic. The tiger subfossils showed longitudinal fracture of the cortical bone due to weathering, which suggests that they had post-mortem been exposed to light and air. Tiger canines were found in Ambangan sites dating to the 10th to 12th centuries in Butuan, Mindanao.

Many people in China and other parts of Asia have a belief that various tiger parts have medicinal properties, including as pain killers and aphrodisiacs. There is no scientific evidence to support these beliefs. The use of tiger parts in pharmaceutical drugs in China is already banned, and the government has made some offences in connection with tiger poaching punishable by death. Furthermore, all trade in tiger parts is illegal under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and a domestic trade ban has been in place in China since 1993.

However, the trading of tiger parts in Asia has become a major black market industry and governmental and conservation attempts to stop it have been ineffective to date. Almost all black marketers engaged in the trade are based in China and have either been shipped and sold within their own country or into Taiwan, South Korea or Japan. The Chinese subspecies was almost completely decimated by killing for commerce due to both the parts and skin trades in the 1950s through the 1970s. Contributing to the illegal trade, there are a number of tiger farms in the country specialising in breeding them for profit. It is estimated that between 5,000 and 10,000 captive-bred, semi-tame animals live in these farms today. However, many tigers for traditional medicine black market are wild ones shot or snared by poachers and may be caught anywhere in the tiger's remaining range (from Siberia to India to the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra). In the Asian black market, a tiger penis can be worth the equivalent of around $300 U.S. dollars. In the years of 1990 through 1992, 27 million products with tiger derivatives were found. In July 2014 at an international convention on endangered species in Geneva, Switzerland, a Chinese representative admitted for the first time his government was aware trading in tiger skins was occurring in China.

Attacks

Tigers are said to have directly killed more people than any other wild mammal. In most areas, the big cats typically avoid humans, but attacks are a risk wherever people coexist with them. Dangerous encounters are more likely to occur in edge habitats, between wild and agricultural areas.[196] Most attacks on humans are defensive, including protection of young. However, tiger do sometimes see people as potential prey. Tigers hunt people the same way they hunt other prey, by ambush and with a killing bite to the neck. A tiger inflicted wound also carries the risk of infection. Man-eating tigers tend to be old and disabled. Those they have been driven from their home ranges and territories are also at risk of turning to man-eating.

The Champawat Tiger was responsible for an estimated 434 human deaths in Nepal and India before she was shot by famed hunter Jim Corbett. Corbett recorded that the tigress suffered from broken teeth and thus unable to kill normal prey. Modern authors speculate that feeding on meagre human flesh forced the cat to kill more and more. Tiger attacks were particularly high in Singapore during the mid-19th century, when plantations expanded into the animal's habitat. The number of deaths ranged from 200 to 300 annually in the 1840s.

Tiger predation on humans is highest in the Sundarbans. An estimated 129 people were killed between 1969 and 1971. In the 10 years prior to that period, about 100 attacks per year in the Sundarbans. Victims of tigers attacks are local villagers who enter the tiger's domain to collect resources like wood and honey. Fishermen have been particularly common targets. Methods to counter tiger attacks have included face-masks (worn backwards), protective clothes, sticks and carefully stationed electric dummies. These tools have been credited with reducing tiger attacks to only 22 per year in the 1980s. Because of rapid habitat loss attributed to climate change, tiger attacks have increased in the Sundarbans in the 21 century.

In captivity

Tigers have been kept in captivity since ancient times. In ancient Rome, tigers were displayed in amphitheaters; they were slaughtered in hunts and used for public executions of criminals. Mongol Emperor Kublai Khan is reported to have kept tigers in the 13th century. Starting in the Middle Ages, tigers were being kept in European menageries. In 1830, two tigers and a lion were accidentally put in the same exhibit at the Tower of London. This lead to a fight between them and, after they were separated, the lion died of its wounds. Tigers and other exotic animals were mainly used for the entertainment of elites but from the 19th century onward, they were exhibited more to the public. Tigers were particularly big attractions, and their captive population soared.

Tigers have played prominent roles in circuses and other live performances. Ringling Bros included many tiger trainers in the 20th century including Mabel Stark, who became a big draw and had a long career. She was well known for being able to control the big cats despite being a small woman; using "manly" tools like whips and guns. Another trainer was Clyde Beatty, who used chairs, whips and guns to provoke tigers and other beasts into acting fierce and allowed him to appear courageous. He would perform with as many as 40 tigers and lions in one act. From the 1960s onward trainers like Gunther Gebel-Williams would use gentler methods to control their animals. Tiger trainer Sara Houckle was dubbed "the Tiger Whisperer", as she trained the cats to obey her by whispering to them. Siegfried & Roy became famous for performing with white tigers in Las Vegas. The act ended in 2003 when a tiger named Mantacore attacked Roy during a performance. The use of tigers and other animals in shows would eventually decline in many countries due to pressure from animal rights groups and greater desires from the public to see them in more natural settings. Several countries would restrict or ban such acts.

Tigers have become popular in the exotic pet trade, particularly in the United States. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimated that in the US, 5,000 tigers were kept in captivity in 2020, with only 6% of them being in zoos and other facilities approved by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The WWF argues that private collectors are ill-equipped to provide proper care for tigers, which compromises their welfare. They can also threaten public safety by allowing people to interact with them. The keeping of tigers and other big cats by private individuals was banned in the US in 2022 under the Big Cat Public Safety Act. Those who owned big cats at the time of the signing were expected to register with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service before 18 June 2023. The WWF also estimated in 2020 that 7,000–8,000 tigers were held in "tiger farm" facilities in China and Southeast Asia. These tigers are bred to be used for traditional medicine and appear to pose a threat to wild populations by rising demand for tiger parts.

Cultural significance

Tiger-shaped bronze from Zhou-era China, (c. 900 bc)

The tiger is among the most famous of charismatic megafauna. It has been labelled as "a rare combination of courage, ferocity and brilliant colour". In a 2004 online poll conducted by cable television channel Animal Planet, involving more than 50,000 viewers from 73 countries, the tiger was voted the world's favourite animal with 21% of the vote, narrowly beating the dog. Likewise, a 2018 study found the tiger to be the most popular wild animal based on surveys, and appearances on websites of major zoos and posters of some animated movies.

While the lion represented royalty and power in Western culture, the tiger filled such a role in Asia. In ancient China, the tiger was seen as the "king of the forest" and symbolised the power of the emperor. In Chinese astrology, the tiger is the third out of 12 symbols in the zodiac and controls the period of the day between 3 am and 5 am. The Year of the Tiger is thought to bring "dramatic and extreme events". The White Tiger is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations, representing the west along with the yin and the season of autumn. It is the counterpart to the Azure Dragon, which conversely symbolises the east, yang and springtime. The tiger is one of the animals displayed on the Pashupati seal of the Indus Valley civilisation. The big cat was depicted on seals and coins during the Chola Dynasty of southern India, as it was the official emblem.

Tigers have had religious significance, even being worshiped. In Buddhism, the tiger, monkey and deer are Three Senseless Creatures, the tiger symbolising anger. In Bhutan, the tiger is venerated as one of the four powerful animals called the "four dignities", and a tigress is believed to have carried Padmasambhava from Singye Dzong to the Paro Taktsang monastery in the late 8th century. In Korean mythology, tigers are messengers of the Mountain Gods. In Hinduism, the tiger is the vehicle for the goddess of feminine power and peace, Durga, whom the gods created to fight demons. Similarly, in the Greco-Roman world, the tiger was depicted being ridden by the god Dionysus. The Warli of western India worship the tiger-like god Waghoba. The Warli believe that shrines and sacrifices to the deity will lead to better coexistence with the local big cats, both tigers and leopards, and that Waghoba will protect them when they enter the forests. In both Chinese and Korean culture, tigers are seen as a protectors against evil spirits, and their image was used to decorate homes and tombs.

In the folklore of Malaysia and Indonesia, "tiger shamans" heal the sick by evoking the big cat. People turning into tigers and the inverse has also been widespread, in particular weretigers are people who could change into tigers and back again. The Mnong people of Indochina believed that tigers could transform into humans. Among some indigenous peoples of Siberia, it was believed that men could have sex with women after transforming into tigers.

The tiger's cultural reputation is generally that of a fierce and powerful animal. William Blake's 1794 poem "The Tyger" portrays the animal as the duality of beauty and ferocity. It is the sister poem to "The Lamb" in Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience and he ponders why God would create such different creatures. The tiger is featured in the medieval Chinese novel Water Margin, where the cat battles and is slain by the bandit Wu Song, while the tiger Shere Khan in Rudyard Kipling's 1894 The Jungle Book is the mortal enemy of the human protagonist Mowgli. The image of the friendly tame tiger has also existed in culture, notably Tigger, the Winnie-the-Pooh character and Tony the Tiger, the Kellogg's cereal mascot.

Body by Catherine MacGeorge

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18/52

Wow a week late?! TEHE WAT AM I LYKE?

I THINK this is a continuation/finale of Self Strangulation. Not totally happy with it, but it was getting ridiculous how long I keep taking. Good thing is I know exactly what I'm doing for this/next week so all should be up in time again. YAAAY haha.

Two middle aged men came striding towards me looking kind of annoyed just as I was taking this. It was extremely awkward trying to pull on a hoodie in time. Luckily they just thought I was Hare Coursing and were looking out for the farmer that owned the field, as they knew him personally. After I awkwardly explained myself they didn't have THAT much of a problem with me being there, but I packed up and headed home soon after anyway. Don't think I'll be using this field as a location again any time soon haha.

Got covered in so many stinging nettle stings doing this waaah :(

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Strangulation by Samuel Auguste

Boothill Cemetary, Tombstone, AZ by John H. Gámez

John T. Heath was a saloon owner in Bisbee. Born in Texas in 1855 to John and Sarah Heath, he moved with his family to Louisiana when young. The Heath family eventually returned to Texas where, in 1875 John Heath married Virginia Tennessee “Jennie” Ferrell. During his time in Texas, Heath was indicted for several crimes including cattle rustling, robbery, burglary, and running a house of prostitution. In 1882, Heath left Texas, settling first in the town of Clifton, Arizona, where he opened a saloon. In November 1883, Heath pulled up stakes gain and headed to Bisbee in the company of James "Tex" Howard. Along the way, Heath and Howard met up with some friends of Howard, Dan "Big Dan" Dowd, Omer W. "Red" Sample, and Daniel "York" Kelly. The three men accompanied Heath and Howard as far as Buckles' ranch, about 10 miles outside of Bisbee. Heath and Howard arrived in Bisbee on November 20, 1883. Heath immediately partnered with a local man named Nathan Waite and together they began preparing for the opening of a new dance hall. "Tex" Howard returned to his Buckles' ranch and his confederates. Heath and Waite's dance hall would open on December 8, 1883 - the same evening as the robbery.

Implicated in the Bisbee Massacre of 1883, he was found guilty of conspiracy to steal the Copper Queen Mine payroll but no evidence was produce to link him with the Bisbee murders.

At his request, John Heath was tried separately. His trial began on February 12, 1884. He was represented by Colonel William Herring. The prosecutors could not produce a witness who could tie Heath to the robbery. Certainly he had known the outlaws previously, but proving he had conspired with them was problematic. In the end, County Attorney Marcus Aurelius Smith called on Sergent L. D. Lawrence, of the 3rd Cavalry, who had been indicted for killing two men during a saloon brawl in Willcox, Arizona and had been incarcerated with Heath and the others since their arrest. Sgt.Lawrence swore he had heard Heath and the outlaws discuss the robbery and how and why their plan had failed. Heath's attorney questioned Lawrence as to whether he had made a deal with the County Attorney Smith to testify against Heath in exchange for a lighter sentence in his own case. Lawrence swore he had not but, in May of 1884, when he came to trial for the murders of the two men in Wilcox, he was represented by Smith's private law firm and tried before Judge Pinney. He was found guilty of the lesser crime of manslaughter and sentence to only two years in the Yuma Territorial Prison.

The jury, which split several times over the verdict, with some calling for conviction and some calling for acquittal, finally chose a "compromise verdict" and convicted Heath of second-degree murder.

Judge Pinney sentenced him to life at the Yuma Territorial Prison. The men of Cochise County were not satisfied. On February 22, a large lynch mob, reported as 50 to 150 men, broke into the county jail in the bottom of the Tombstone Courthouse, where Heath was being held awaiting his appeal in the case. After disarming the guards, the mob took Heath at gunpoint from the jail and left unharmed his five convicted associates awaiting their executions in March. As the mob exited the courthouse with the prisoner, Sheriff Ward attempted to intervene. He was physically tossed aside.

The mob took Heath down Toughnut street and lynched him from a telegraph pole at the corner of First and Toughnut streets. Heath's last words were: "Boys, you are hanging an innocent man, and you will find it out before those other men are hung. I have one favor to ask," he said, "that you will not mutilate my body by shooting into it after I am hung." His executioners agreed. Heath was then blindfolded and the noose was placed around his neck. Members of the mob then pulled the rope until Heath was suspended beneath the pole, where he slowly strangled to death. When the body finally came to rest, a placard was placed on the telegraph pole, bearing the following inscription:

JOHN HEITH

Was hanged to this pole by the

CITIZENS OF COCHISE COUNTY

for participating in the Bisbee massacre

as a proved accessory

AT 8:00 A.M., FEBRUARY 22, 1884

(Washington’s Birthday)

ADVANCE ARIZONA!

The verdict of the coroner's jury into the incident concluded: "We the undersigned, a jury of inquest, find that John Heath came to his death from emphysema of the lungs – a disease common in high altitudes – which might have been caused by strangulation, self-inflicted or otherwise".

While a grave marker for John Heath is erected at the Boothill Graveyard, records document that his body was returned to his family in Terrell, Texas. There he was buried at the Oakland Cemetery in an unmarked grave.

Bournemouth - Town Centre Prior to 1974. And The Houston Mass Murders. by pepandtim

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The Postcard

A postcard published by John Hinde Ltd. of 3/5, Dunn Street, London E.8, with photography by E. Nägele of John Hinde Studios.

The card was printed in the Republic of Ireland, and distributed by Thunder and Clayden, Dearden and Wade Ltd. of Bournemouth.

The card was posted in Bournemouth on Tuesday the 16th. July 1974 to:

Mrs. Archdale,

11, Mill Bank,

Norton-on-Derwent,

Malton,

N. Yorks.

The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:

"Dear Lily and Geoff,

Having a holiday at

Bournemouth.

Thanks for letter.

Hope your knee is

better.

Weather not too good.

Brian and Andrew came

on Sunday for a few

days.

All send our love,

Mabel & Jack".

Archbishop Makarios

So what else happened on the day that Mabel and Jack posted the card?

Well, on the 16th. July 1974, Archbishop Makarios III, Greek Cypriot leader, was rescued by British troops from Paphos and flown to Malta and on to the UK.

The Houston Mass Murders

Also on that day, 18-year-old Elmer Wayne Henley was sentenced to life imprisonment for his part in the Houston Mass Murders carried out by Dean Corll between 1970 and 1973.

Dean Arnold Corll was an American serial killer and sex offender who abducted, raped, tortured, and murdered a minimum of twenty-eight teenage boys and young men between 1970 and 1973 in Houston and Pasadena, Texas.

He was aided by two teenaged accomplices, David Owen Brooks and Elmer Wayne Henley. The crimes, which became known as the Houston Mass Murders, came to light after Henley fatally shot Corll. Upon discovery, the case was considered the worst example of serial murder in United States history.

Corll's victims were typically lured with an offer of a party or a lift to one of the various addresses at which he resided between 1970 and 1973. They would then be restrained, either by force or deception, and each was killed either by strangulation or shooting with a .22 caliber pistol.

Corll and his accomplices buried seventeen of their victims in a rented boat shed; four other victims were buried in woodland near Lake Sam Rayburn; one victim was buried on a beach in Jefferson County; and at least six victims were buried on a beach on the Bolivar Peninsula.

Brooks and Henley confessed to assisting Corll in several abductions and murders; both were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Corll was also known as the Candy Man and the Pied Piper, because he and his family had previously owned and operated a candy factory in Houston Heights, and he had been known to give free candy to local children.

'She'

Also on the 16th. July 1974, the Number One chart hit record in the UK was 'She' by Charles Aznavour.

De Vine strangulation by kelly lacy

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Behind the scenes - Dead Miel by Mike_Cantwell

My wife Louise taking a shot of MUA James Clark's handy work.

No Miel's were harmed in the production of this shot.... the other shots? Well that's a different story... ;-)

Ammo Baron.EXE by Josephine (a.k.a. Princess-Josie-Riki)

Ammo Baron.EXE is the terrifying, ghostly and gory EXE/horror form of Ammo Baron from the Shantae series. He is clad in a red and black version of his coat and helmet, a dark blue version of his shirt, a dark gray belt and blue pants which are reduced to a ghostly tail. He has ghostly blue skin, skeletal hands with claws stained in blood, a bleeding broken heart on the left side of his chest, black, red and blue tentacles on his back, bloody teeth, a bloody scar on his neck (which couldn't be seen) and a magenta eye with the black sclera. He is a grotesque serial killer ghost who kills and hunts down his victims (whether they are innocent or mean) by dismemberment, decapitation, hanging, strangulation, stabbing, cutting, biting, clawing, disembowelment, burning, cannibalism, impalement, shooting, drowning, crushing, neck breaking, bloodsucking, mutilation, etc. If someone says "Ammo Baron.EXE" three times at a mirror, they will get attacked by him when he appears (whether they survive and escape or get violently killed by him). He can also attack someone whether or not they say "Ammo Baron.EXE" three times at a mirror.

Damn, I can't believe I did that, but oh well.

Inspiration: Sonic.EXE (same name), Lewis (Mystery Skulls Ghost), Bloody Mary (an urban legend), the Candyman (another urban legend), Ken Kaneki (Tokyo Ghoul), Lucy (Elfen Lied), Alice Liddell and her Hysteria mode (American McGee's Alice/Alice: Madness Returns), Chara (Undertale), Sachiko Shinozaki (Corpse Party), Spooky (Spooky's Jumpscare Mansion), Werner Werman (Cuphead) in his Five Nights at Murine Corps form (whether he is a corpse or a ghost), Freddy Krueger (Nightmare on Elm Street), Scary Terry (Rick and Morty), Edward Scissorhands (same name), Sweeny Todd (same name/Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), Oogie Boogie (The Nightmare Before Christmas), Beetlejuice (stays the same), Archibald Corduroy the Lumberjack Ghost (Gravity Falls), Sadako Yamamura/Samara Morgan (The Ring), Kayako Saeki (The Grudge), Slenderman (the Creepypasta), Zalgo (another Creepypasta), Sally Williams (Play With Me), Golden Flumpty (One Night at Flumpty's), the Screamer (123 Slaughter Me Street 2), Ickybod Clay (ClayFighter), "Bendy"/Ink-Bendy/the Ink Demon and "Alice"/the Angel/Physical Alice (Bendy and the Ink Machine), Springtrap (Five Nights at Freddy's 3), Ennard (Five Nights at Freddy's: Sister Location) and William Afton, Scrap Baby and Molten Freddy (Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator)

Shantae (c) WayForward Technologies

Ammo Baron.EXE, idea and artwork (c) me

strangulation... by just call me Mr Lucky

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This is the fruit (I believe..) of a climbing fig that has taken over the Chinese Tallow tree at Jo Ann's mom's old house. In the beginning, it clings tightly to whatever it con reach, and covers it with tiny green leaves. You've seen it covering brick walls so thickly that the wall looks like a carefully sculpted topiary. It's pretty, as long it's kept trimmed and under control.

But left unchecked, it takes over the host plant, and slowly strangles it with vines that grow under the green leaves, and sucks the life out of the tree that supports it.. And the fruit it produces - these fig-shaped things in the photo - are not really fruit. They are really seed pods, that provide no nourishment for man nor beast. They are hollow except for the seeds, kinda like a bell pepper, except that they are probably poisonous.

I can't help thinking about the parallels between this fig, and the way it lives off the efforts of the host, and produces nothing - and the system we have set up (with the best of intentions) for subsidizing the millions of people living off the government...

Kano meets Cheryl / Carol by ritzcrackerman

Note Baboo the Ocelot and strangulation bruises

Dercum's Disease Sufferer - Left Front holding Dog by Rare Disease Day

I am a 50 year old woman now who was diagnosed with Dercum's Disease in 2005. This disease has progressed rapidly with weight gain and tumor growth over the last 4 years, however, I've had the disease much longer than I've had the diagnosis with my first visible tumors appearing at the age of 31. Since that time my search of an explanation for what the tumors could be began and I was laughed out of many doctors offices over the years, humiliated about my weight, and told the tumors were fatty lipomas and didn't cause pain like I was describing. For a while I just watched my weight escalate and the tumors increase for fear of having to meet another doctor that would laugh me out of their office. At one point my weight had reached 242 lbs and I'm 5'5". I joined WW and exercised constantly but the pain of doing so hindered my progress. I was successfully able to lose 63 lbs which brought me down to 179 lbs., still over the normal weight for my height and age at the time. I struggled to continue in the program and my instructor was as puzzled as me when I hit a plateau that lasted 8 1/2 months. Nothing we did to alter the program for me allowed me to lose any more weight. I was walking 4 miles a day, 7 days a week, we increased the weight lifting, increased and decreased food intake, nothing worked. Eventually I lost faith and left the program but not before an injury to my right knee made it impossible for me to continue walking any longer. It didn't take long for the weight to come back - within one year my weight was back up to 202 and within the next six months it was up to 232 - 10 lbs shy of the 63 I had lost. I was so discouraged. Since that time 2007 I am at 263 lbs. and have over 150 to 200 lipomas body wide. I am desparate to find something that will help me with my weight and the pain it is causing me, along with a cure or treatment to slow the progression of this disease. Dr. Karen Herbst in San Diego, CA is the only doctor in the US researching Dercum's Disease at this time (that and other fat disorders), but she is one person, and funding is not there for her to keep researching. As individuals with this rare disease the medical costs associated with having a rare disease and all the tests I've had to undergo, has broke our bank and I cannot donate to her research as many others with thise disease are also in the same financial situation. It seems a shame that so many are suffering, but we can't get word out to the world about this life altering, crippling, painful disease and get her the funding she needs to continue her research. This disease has been listed in the National Organization of Rare Diseases since the 1800's but to this date no answers have been found as to it's cause, treatments for it, etc. That's because there is no funding available for research and many doctors do not believe the pain this disease causes so it is ignored. As I have said, I have seen so many doctors in so many specialties who ignore my pain levels and focus only on my weight and tell me if I lose weight I'll feel better. I have tried - but I have not been able to lose any weight and the tumors keep coming causing me to lose the use of my hands, arms, legs, back etc. I have to have tumors removed when this happens to aleviate the pain and strangulation they cause on my nerves, tendons and muscles. Exercise is out of the question as my tissue is so riddled with tumors that the fear of tearing tissue is a true threat accoring to Dr. Herbst and the way I feel after even minimum exercise. I'm exhausted and in increased pain for 3 to 4 days after an extremely physical activity. I need help!!!! We all need help! It is estimated that there are over 500,000 I believe in the US alone with DD and that does not include those in other countries according to Dr. Herbst (please verify this number with her as I could be wrong as I suffer from brain fog as well from this disease). Her contact information is: Karen Herbst, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, Mailcode 9-111-G, San Diego, CA, 92161 Telephone: 858-552-8585 x7384, Email: karen.herbst@va.gov. I have supplied blood test, saliva tests, tissue samples, etc for Dr. Herbst. Please help us to get word out about this dibilitating disease - so many are already crippled by this disease and having to live a life of taking pain pills to get through each day. If there were a way for us to lose weight I'm sure we'd all feel a little better but according to Dr. Herbst pain level will not decrease with weight loss as we still have the tumors to contend with. I'd be happy to lose some weight if only I could find a solution to doing so. Thank you for your attention to my story. I hope you will help all of us sufferers with funding, publicity, whatever you can to help get word out.

blackberry & morning glory by Life As Art

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the morning glory vines and the blackberries are all tangled together in the back bushes... along with some clematis, a beleaguered shrub, a probable raccoon home, and god knows what else. When picking a bunch for breakfast this summer, I found this guy - the morning glory had wrapped around it when it was small and green, and it grew plump and fat around the vine's curve until it was part of the circumfrence of the berry! This is the best I could represent it.

Anglican Division F, Row 13a, Plot 2 by Discover Waikumete Cemetery

MAN FOUND STRANGLED.

DEATH AT SAILORS' HOME.

STRANGER TO THE CITY.

The body of a man was discovered in a lavatory at the Sailors' Home about 8 a.m. on Saturday, the neck being encircled by a handkerchief, the ends of which were grasped by the deceased's hands. Death had apparently resulted from strangulation. The man was a stranger at the Sailors' Home, and had been seen there for the first time on Friday afternoon. It is surmised that death occurred on Friday evening, as an inmate of the home, on going to the lavatory that night, found that something prevented the door from opening, but he did not suspect that anything was wrong, and made no investigation.

Inquiries by Constable Martin, of the water police, indicate that the deceased was a fireman from Liverpool named Thomas Hardiman, aged 31, who had signed off the steamship Durham at Wellington on September 19. Apparently he had come to Auckland on Friday by train, as a luggage ticket found in his pocket indicated that he had stored some luggage at the railway station on Friday. An inquest was opened before Mr. J. E Wilson, S.M., on Saturday, and was adjourned to enable a post-mortem examination of the body to be made, and further investigations to be carried out by the police.

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19191020.2.30

SUICIDE BY STRANGULATION.

DEATH AT THE SAILORS' HOME.

The adjourned inquest into the death of Thomas Hardiman, a ship's fireman, aged 31, whose body was discovered in a lavatory at the Sailors' Home on October 18, the neck being encircled by a handkerchief, the ends of which were grasped by the deceased's hands, has been concluded before the coroner, Mr. J. F. Wilson, S.M. The inquiry has been adjourned to allow the police to make further investigations.

Dr. D. N. W. Murray, who made a post-mortem examination, stated that death was due to strangulation.

The coroner returned a verdict of suicide by strangulation

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19191031.2.103

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.

Or if you need to talk to someone else:

1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor

Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland

Samaritans – 0800 726 666

Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

thelowdown.co.nz – or email team@thelowdown.co.nz or free text 5626

Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)

Supporting Families in Mental Illness – 0800 732 825

Plot 2: Thomas Hardiman (31) 18/10/1919 – Ship's fireman – Strangulation – at Sailor's Home

The rows 11 to 16 in Anglican F are what is known as ‘Potters Fields’, they were used to bury some of the people whose families were unable to afford burial costs, were institutionalised or unidentified at the time of burial. These plots were common graves with many having several individuals interred in each. They were narrower and closer together and, because they were not paid for, permanent grave markers were not permitted to be erected.

It is now no longer known where these rows start or find individual plots of which some are now been protected by native trees, flax and gorse.

Girl Holding Cushion in 1922. And Stutthof Concentration Camp. by pepandtim

The Postcard

A postcard bearing no publisher's name that was posted in Leigh on Monday the 6th. March 1922 to:

Miss M. Drinkwater,

24, Findlay Street,

Leigh,

Lancs.

The message on the divided back was as follows:

"Best of Wishes for a

Happy and Bright Birthday.

Best of Luck,

Mickey".

Lord Louis Mountbatten

So what else happened on the day that Mickey posted the card?

Well, on the 6th. March 1922, the engagement of the wealthy heiress Edwina Ashley to Lord Louis Mountbatten was announced.

Wanda Klaff

The day also marked the birth of Wanda Klaff.

Wanda Klaff became a Nazi camp overseer.

Wanda Klaff - The Early Years

Klaff was born in Danzig to German parents as Wanda Kalacinski. She was the daughter of railway worker Ludwig Kalacinski. The family name became Kalden in 1941.

She finished school in 1938, and began working in a jam factory. This lasted until 1942 when she married Willy Klaff and became a housewife, and then a streetcar operator.

Wanda Klaff's SS Career, Arrest, and Trial

In 1944, Klaff joined the camp staff at the Stutthof's subcamp at Praust (Pruszcz), where she sadistically abused many of the prisoners. On the 5th. October 1944, she arrived at the Russoschin subcamp of Stutthof (present-day northern Poland).

She fled the camp in early 1945, but on the 11th. June 1945, she was arrested by Polish officials, and soon after was laid up in prison with typhoid fever.

She stood trial with the other former female guards. She stated at the trial:

"I am very intelligent, and very

devoted to my work in the camps.

I struck at least two prisoners every

day."

The Execution of Wanda Klaff

Klaff was convicted and received a sentence of death. She was publicly hanged (by the short drop method) on the 4th. July 1946, on Biskupia Górka hill, near Gdańsk, aged 24.

Short drop hanging is where the prisoner only drops a short distance, and their suspended body weight and physical struggling causes the noose to tighten, normally resulting in death by strangulation or carotid or Vagal reflex. It differs from long drop hanging where the neck is broken and death is virtually immediate.

Strangulation by Franck Laboue

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20170413_MDP_KidWatchful_JX003 by Michigan Engineering

Kenya Brown, 11-year old student from Williamston Discovery Elementary School, tests KID Watchful but Safe Eyes on Baby: A Safer Monitor, a baby monitor device safety project started by University of Michigan College of Engineering students, at the biannual Design Expo in the EECS Building on North Campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI on April 13, 2017.

The device is a sensor that attaches to a baby monitor and helps retract chords when babies are detected in order to help prevent potential strangulation, choking, and other safety hazards.

Photo: Joseph Xu, Michigan Engineering Communications & Marketing

Capacocha mummified remains by summoning_ifrit

"Capacocha was the Inca practice of human sacrifice, mainly using children. The Incas performed child sacrifices during or after important events, such as the death of the Sapa Inca (emperor) or during a famine. As sacrificial victims, they selected children who were physically perfect, because these were the best they could give their gods. They dressed the children in fine clothing and jewelry and escorted them to Cuzco to meet the emperor where a feast was held in their honor. Then, high priests took the victims to high mountaintops for sacrifice. They gave the children an intoxicating drink to minimize pain, fear, and resistance, then killed them by strangulation, by a blow to the head or by leaving them to lose consciousness in the extreme cold and die of exposure. Early colonial Spanish missionaries wrote about this practice but only recently have archaeologists such as Johan Reinhard begun to find the bodies of these victims on Andean mountaintops, naturally mummified by the dry conditions found in these environments."

Anglican Division F, Row 11a, Plot 14 by Discover Waikumete Cemetery

MOTHER IN THE INFIRMARY.

CHARGED WITH CONCEALMENT.

When the name of Flora Ellen Waite was called at the City Police Court this morning, the woman did not appear. She was charged with having disposed of the body of her child at Mount Eden Gaol with intent to conceal the fact of its birth.

Senior-Sergeant Rawle stated that the accused, who is 31 years of age, and a native of New Zealand, was too ill to attend court, and was now under treatment at the gaol infirmary, at Mount Eden, she being an inmate of the gaol. The inquest on the infant had been opened, and adjourned until 27th inst., and he wished to apply to have Waite remanded to that date.

The remand was granted.

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19210721.2.42

BORN IN GAOL.

BABY'S BODY IN FURNACE.

MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY.

CHARGE OF CONCEALMENT.

MOTHER COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

Mr. McKean, S.M., to-day held an inquiry into the death of a child, whose dead body was found in the furnace of the laundry at Mount Eden Gaol on July 17,

Jane Caroline Poulton, matron of the female department of the Auckland Prison, said that on Sunday, July 17th, she accompanied a number of female prisoners to church. On returning to the women's quarters at 3 p.m. she unlocked the prison laundry, then went about other duties. On returning to the laundry a little later, a prisoner named Emma Neilson said to her, “Come, matron, look at this.” She went with her and found the blackened body of a child under the grate of the hot water service. Several women prisoners were present at the time, and she ordered them all out of the room and locked the door. Then she reported the matter to the superintendent. After that she went to look for Flora Waite, as she suspected there was something wrong with her. She found her coming out of No. 21 cell, where a woman named Bruce was in bed. Witness said to her: "Oh, Flora, did you do this?" and she said: "Yes, matron, I did." Witness asked why she didn't tell her of her trouble, and she replied that she was too ashamed. Then she said the child had been born on the Friday, in her cell. Accused said: "Oh, Matron, what will they do with me? They will give me another sentence." Witness then told her to remain in her cell, and sent for the doctor.

Mary Augusta Hodgson said that on the date in question she was in the laundry when she saw Flora Waite poking something into the furnace with a poker. She said, "I want to burn these things. Waite kept on kneeling in front of the furnace and poking at something inside. When asked to move away from the fire she said she was burning some rubbish. Witness said eventually, "Excuse me, ladies, you must let me put on some fire now. I want some embers." Then it was that the body of the infant was discovered.

Rose Brown stated that she saw Waite kneeling in front of the furnace, and that Waite afterwards told her the baby had been born on the previous Friday.

Emma Neilson stated that she asked Waite to get away from the fire, and she would not until some angry words passed. Witness stirred up the fire in the furnace, and raked out the body of a newly-born baby. Dr. Murray (gaol medical officer) stated that he had examined the body of the infant. The legs and arms were badly burned and the lower part burned away, showing the intestines. It was apparently an eight months' child. There was no sign of strangulation or violence. The lungs had been burned, and one could not tell from their appearance whether the child had breathed. Therefore he could not say whether the child was stillborn or not. The mother informed him that the child had been born dead, and that she had placed it in the furnace because she was a bit demented.

The Coroner returned a verdict that there was no evidence, that the child had been born alive, and Flora Ellen Waite, who was present in custody on a charge of having concealed birth, pleaded guilty, and was committed for trial to the Supreme Court.

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19210727.2.8

GAOL INMATE SENTENCED.

Arising out of the discovery of the charred remains of an infant in a laundry furnace at Mount Eden Gaol, Flora Waite was brought up for sentence for concealment of birth. In answer to the Judge, Mr. Meredith said there was no evidence to show whether or not the child was alive when it was born. His Honor said that, in the circumstances, he thought he ought to deal with the case simply as one of concealment of birth. The prisoner would be sentenced to one month's hard labour.

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19210818.2.99

Plot 14: James Gore (50) 27/1/1918 – Pensioner (Ang.)

Child of Flora Ellen Waite (abt 8 months gestation) 17/7/1921 – Burns – at Mt Eden Gaol

It is now no longer known where these rows start or find individual plots of which some are now been protected by native trees, flax and gorse.

Diastasis Recti Hernia by Restore Your Core

via

Diastasis recti is a common condition that is often mistaken or confused with a hernia. However, the two conditions are unique and require a variety of different treatments. Diastasis is latin for the separation of two parts. Recti is a latin plural meaning straight. In the medical field, diastasis recti is the separation of the linea alba (the straight line in between your six pack muscles) and the abdominal wall, commonly referred to as the six-pack muscles.

The confusion between diastasis recti and a hernia arises from the small to large bulge that may result in the midline due to diastasis recti and since a hernia is due to a “gap” – they are often confused. Please note that the two can often go hand in hand

What is Diastasis Recti?

A diastasis recti is a separation of the abdominal wall muscles (the rectus abdominis). Most of us know the famous 6-pack muscles by looking at fitness models or bodybuilders as they are the most superficial layer of muscle and easily spottable when body fat is low and muscle tone is high. With a diastasis recti, these muscles separate in the center of the abs, causing a gap between the left and right sides of the muscle. The left and right sides of the muscle attach into a connective tissue that runs from your ribs to your pubic bone and that tissue, the linea alba – stretches and thins and as a result – the 6-pack splits – left from right.

Are you looking for safe and restorative exercises to heal from your pelvic floor symptoms?

Learn more about the RYC program

Learn more

Are you looking for safe and restorative exercises to heal from your pelvic floor symptoms?

Learn more about the RYC program

Learn more

In both men and women, this gap can be created in the midline of your belly anywhere from the pubic bone to the base of your ribcage. One obvious way to feel for the gap is during a crunch or sit-up, where one would normally feel tension and closure at the center of the abs, there is a space and a gap and your fingers can sink into your belly easily.

What is a Hernia?

Your abdomen contains layers upon layers of muscles and strong tissues. These help you move while also supporting and protecting the internal organs. A hernia occurs when the muscular wall becomes compromised and allows the contents inside the abdomen to descend outward. There are many different types of hernias, but the most common two occur in the belly or groin area.

Diastasis Recti vs Hernia

As you may be aware, distinguishing between a hernia and diastasis recti may be challenging. However, there are distinct characteristics that help differentiate the two.

A diastasis recti occurs only at the midline of the abdominal wall. Although it can range in placement and severity from the rib cage down to the pubic bone, it does not vear from the midline of the abdomen.

A hernia can occur anywhere in the abdominal wall, groin, or even in the diaphragm. Hernias more often occur at the site of a prior surgery or due to a weakened abdominal wall due to the compromised muscle structures that typically occur after an invasive abdominal surgery.

A diastasis may enlarge over time, but not in the same way a hernia does. Diastasis recti may stretch or spread in span due to continued strain and excessive levels of pressure on the midline. However, a hernia may enlarge over time if left untreated which may lead to life-threatening complications – strangulation.

Hernias can incarcerate (also known as strangulate) which cuts off the blood supply to that particular section of the intestine. As stated before, this can be a life-threatening situation.

This is not a concern with diastasis recti.

Hernia vs Diastasis Recti Pregnancy

There are several common types of hernias that may be mistaken as diastasis recti. These include umbilical hernia and ventral hernia. In some cases, these types of hernias may be present alongside diastasis recti.

Umbilical Hernia

Umbilical hernias are more common in children and newborns, but may affect older men and women as well. Umbilical hernias typically create a soft swelling or bulge near the belly button. This occurs when a section of the intestine protrudes through the umbilical opening in the abdomen. These hernias are typically painless and often resolve on their own as the abdominal wall continues to develop.

Adults may experience an umbilical hernia as a result of excess strain on the abdominals due to pregnancy, fluid in the abdomen (ascites), or other abdominal complications such as diastasis recti.

An umbilical hernia may be more common during the second trimester of pregnancy as your intestines become pushed toward your abdominal wall and your back. Although a hernia is typically considered uncommon during pregnancy, there are a few risk factors to be aware of:

previous hernia before pregnancy

have weak or compromised abdominal muscles

have diastasis recti or a small opening between the abdominal muscles

have excess fluid in the stomach or body

Ventral Hernia

A ventral hernia may affect men or women at any time. In some cases, a ventral hernia may be present prior to pregnancy or may occur during the pregnancy period. You should talk with your doctor about possible treatments or precautionary measures regarding a hernia that may arise during your pregnancy. In most cases, your doctor will postpone any surgical treatments until after delivery.

You don’t have to live in

fear, pain or discomfort

Get back the confidence + lifestyle you love.

Start with us today

You don’t have to live in

fear, pain or discomfort

Get back the confidence + lifestyle you love.

Start with us today

Diastasis Recti & Pregnancy

Diastasis recti often occurs during a pregnancy. As your uterus expands and becomes larger and wider, it is common for the rectus abdominis muscles to separate to allow for your growing child. In many cases, the muscles will return and heal on their own during the postpartum period. However, there are some instances where the diastasis remains postpartum.

Finding a proactive pregnancy prehab program may significantly reduce the probability of a diastasis occuring post-pregnancy. In addition, a restorative exercise program postpartum could help you regain your core function and strength, thus, potentially reducing the severity or presence of a diastasis recti.

Can Diastasis Recti Cause a Hernia?

In some cases, a diastasis recti may allow for portions of your organs to slip through the abdominal wall, thus resulting in a hernia. Due to a compromised linea alba and supportive tissues and compromised muscle structures, preperitoneal fat can protrude through the linea alba. This is called an epigastric hernia and can occur in men, women, and children. It is also probable that a diastasis recti that is located closer to the belly button may result in an umbilical hernia.

These midline hernias may have noticeable lumps or a bulge and may result in sudden, sharp, severe pain with exercise.

restoreyourcore.com/hernia/diastasis-recti-hernia/

The Black Horse Inn by Graham Peers

Located in-between the pretty market towns of Wotton-Under-Edge and Dursley in Gloucestershire, on the route of the historic Cotswold Way, is the village of North Nibley.

The Black Horse Inn is situated in the centre of this beautiful village and sat beneath the Tyndale Monument, which was erected in honour of William Tyndale, who was responsible for translating the New Testament into English, for this he was later sentenced to death and executed by strangulation, after which his body was burnt at the stake in Vilvoorde, Flanders

The Great Wandering Albatross 132" x 52" x 16" inches by Iris Lavy

2 2

Mixed media from recycled materials

An 11 feet life size model, made of mostly recycled materials, of the 'Great Albatross' (wandering albatross). The wandering Albatross is the largest bird on earth, with a wingspan of up to 12 feet!

This piece is from my show 'Disposition' in which I explore our part, as humans, in affecting the planet, nature and the environment. It is made of mostly recycled materials - plastic containers, discarded clothes and fabric, acrylic paint, house paint, tape, flour, detergent, cardboard, wood, fishing line.

Title: The Great Wandering Albatross

Size: 16 H x 132 W x 52 inches

Ships in a crate

From my statement in the show "Disposition":

In 'Disposition' I used recycled materials, discarded plastic, Styrofoam, cardboard and fabric, and constructed them into three dimensional surfaces for painting and collage.

... In my research I discovered Hawaii to be the world's capital of endangered species, with more of them there (mostly plants) than anywhere else in the world. One of Hawaii's chain of islands is the 2.4 square mile Midway Atoll (Midway Island). On it resides a National Wildlife Refuge with the largest population of nesting albatross in the world, as well as other species of seabirds, endangered Hawaiian monk seals, dolphins and sea-turtles. However, due to Pacific Ocean currents and the island's location 'midway' between North America and Asia, it is also the location of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Every year 20 tons of plastic debris carried by ocean streams from east and west accumulate on the tiny island shores. Many ocean creatures and sea birds – largely Laysan Albatross chicks, ingest the plastic that floats in the water. Other animals become trapped and strangled in discarded fishing nets. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, many of them endangered, die each year from strangulation or starvation caused by entanglement in discarded fishing nets or ingesting plastic particles that block their digestion.

Another type of albatross, nesting near the antarctic, is an endangered seabird with the longest wingspan - up to 12 feet - of any other bird in the world, called the Wandering Albatross. I created a life-size model of a Wandering Albatross made from recycled materials, it can be viewed near the ceiling of the gallery. The bird is an inspiration for many legends, fiction and poetry. From ancient Greek mythology, sailors' superstitions, and poems. Among them the lengthy 18th century poem “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge (The popular heavy metal band “Iron Maiden” performs a 13 minutes *shortened* version of the poem). The poem tells of an albatross who guides a lost ship near Antarctica out of danger. Despite this, one of the sailors shoots the animal with a crossbow. The other crew members believe the dead bird's spirit placed a curse upon the ship, as they are later lost again, and suffer from thirst and other hardships. The mariner's guilt becomes a heavy burden, as though he is carrying the albatross like a cross around his neck. (The poem is in the public domain now, can be found online)

Natives of Hawaii practice an ancient method of conflict-resolution called Ho'oponopono, where families and tribes gather together to resolve problems and find peace and forgiveness in the community. A modern version of Ho'oponopono is practiced today by individuals around the world, as a method of meditation, self-forgiveness, resolving inner and outer conflicts, becoming internally peaceful and living in harmony with the world. The modern practice of Ho'oponopono is simple: it's based mainly on internally repeating the four phrases: I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME, THANK YOU as a mantra for contemplation, and for elevating emotional and spiritual vibrations, thereby taking full responsibility of one's own life. I incorporated the four phrases of Ho'oponopono, together with representations of the four natural elements: Earth, Water, Fire and Air, throughout the show.

An unsolved murder (I) by euronomad

On the night of Monday 4 June 1990, an 18 year old schoolgirl called Anne Stine Geisler (inset) wheeled her bicycle for what was to be the last time through this entrance to the back yard of her home in Teglgårdsstræde in inner Copenhagen, at the end of the Whitsun holiday.

The following morning, her body was found in a cellar room. Her hands had been bound behind her back and there was a cord around her neck. Cloths had been forced into her mouth and, bizarrely, her body had been doused in floor polish. The cause of death was recorded as strangulation; there was no evidence that she had been sexually assaulted.

Although the case made shock headlines, and hundreds (eventually thousands) of people were interviewed, no one has so far been charged with, or in connection with, her murder.

There are several aspects to this case that have caused continued speculation over the years. One is that a pattern of cuts made with a shard of glass or a knife - forming what some believe to be the killer's 'signature' - were found on Stine's body. Another is that Stine kept a secret diary, whose contents reveal that in certain respects her life was not quite that of the average schoolgirl.

While theories abound, the plain fact is that her killer has now evaded justice for 22 years. Stine Geisler is buried in the nearby Assistens Kirkegård cemetery in Nørrebro, where her grave is marked by a simple headstone.

Merriman Dam Caisson Lift by NYC Water

Out of the Archives: Superintendent Harvey Ury of Mason and Hanger Company seated next to a shaft used to transport employees working underground on the core wall caissons of the Merriman Dam. Workers were sent down in working chambers that were pumped with compressed air to keep groundwater out. Compressed air workers were susceptible to “the bends,” a constriction of the abdominal muscles which could cause strangulation. Various warning signs can be seen in the work area. July 5, 1940. (Image ID: p002274)

Hernia Repair Houston by sai karthik

Hernia Repair Surgery in Houston at Surgical Associates of Southern Texas. Surgical Associates Of Southern Texas have the expertise to repair Hernia. They are experienced and trained to do Hernia Repair Surgery. We can help in understanding your pain better and help you recieve the right treatment from the specialist of abdominal surgery. What Is A Hernia, What Is The Treatment For Hernia? When the abdominal wall presents itself with a bulge or even pain it is most likely to be a Hernia. It is a hole in the wall of the abdomen, which helps in the prevention of bowel strangulation. Bowel strangulation can sometimes be life treating if it goes untreated. In case the case of the hernia is severe and requires surgical intervention, we at Surgical Associates Of Southern Texas attempt to make the Hernia Repair Treatment minimally invasive to help speedy recovery and also limit the pain caused. We are located at 410 W Grand Pkwy S Suite 4D, Katy, TX 77494, and serving the greater Houston area for Hernia Repair Surgery. Please feel free to call 713-955-9191 for a consultation.

Visit us: www.surgicalstx.com/services/hernia-repair-surgery-houston/

Contact no: 713-955-9191

#HerniaRepairHouston #Herniasurgery #HerniasurgeonHouston #Hernia_Repair_Houston #Hernia_surgery #Hernia_surgeon_Houston

20090912 - Britt & Chris's wedding - photobooth - 0 - Carolyn, Clint - 5 - Murderous Marriage Milestones - 8391_FnD2_K by Claire CJS

The pre-planned story of "Murderous Marriage Milestones", starring Clint and Carolyn.

1) Love.

2) Anger.

3) Strangulation.

4) Death.

This is of course our favorite!

We framed our 2 photobooth pics in a frame we saw at a yardsale for a quarter.

Carolyn, Clint.

murder, strangling.

emotions, marriage, milestones.

Murderous Marriage Milestones. anger. bodily comedy. dead. love.

photobooth, Seacobeck Hall, Mary Washington Unviersity, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

September 12, 2009.

... Read my blog at ClintJCL.wordpress.com

... Read Carolyn's blog at CarolynCASL.wordpress.com

... View Britt's photos at www.flickr.com/photos/sweetest_brittany/

BACKSTORY: I fixed up some of the photobooth pictures a bit. Cropped out the silly 2nd column and extra whitespace, run auto-color which removed the washed out effect but lowered the gamma significantly, turned up the gamma bit where I thought that was an improvement, and then used color-based selection to select just the highlights and turn those down a bit. I also completely desaturated the fake black & white pics (that are actually blueish) into a real black & white. I definitely prefer them better than the originals!

(Judas) Jew's Ear Fungi by Jelltex

Auricularia auricula-judae, known as the Jew's ear, jelly ear or by a number of other common names, is a species of edible Auriculariales fungus found worldwide. The fruiting body is distinguished by its noticeably ear-like shape and brown colouration; it grows upon wood, especially elder. Its specific epithet is derived from the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from an elder tree; the common name "Judas's ear" eventually became "Jew's ear", while today "jelly ear" other names are sometimes used. The mushroom can be found throughout the year in temperate regions worldwide, where it grows upon both dead and living wood. Although it is not regarded as a choice edible mushroom in the west, it has long been popular in China, to the extent that Australia exported large volumes of the mushroom to China in the early twentieth century.

While not widely consumed in the west, A. auricula-judae was used in folk medicine as recently as the 19th century for complaints including sore throats, sore eyes and jaundice, and as an astringent. Today, the mushroom is a popular ingredient in many Chinese dishes, such as hot and sour soup, and also used in Chinese medicine. It is also used in Ghana, as a blood tonic. Modern research into possible medical applications have variously concluded that A. auricula-judae has antitumour, hypoglycemic, anticoagulant and cholesterol-lowering properties.

The species was first mentioned in the scientific literature as Tremella auricula by Carl Linnaeus in his 1753 Species Plantarum, and later (1789) described by Jean Baptiste François Pierre Bulliard as Tremella auricula-judae. However, the genus Tremella is now reserved for fungal species that live as parasites on other fungi. Tremella auricula-judae is now considered a basionym. In 1791, Bulliard transferred the species to the genus Peziza. In 1822, Elias Magnus Fries transferred the species to Exidia, and, in so doing, sanctioned the name. In 1860, Miles Joseph Berkeley described the species as a member of Hirneola, a genus described by Fries in 1848, now considered synonymous with Auricularia. The species was given the name Auricularia auricula-judae in 1888 by Joseph Schröter. The specific name of A. auricula-judae comprises auricula, the Latin word meaning ear, and Judae, meaning of Judas. Under binomial nomenclature, a species name can comprise only two words; but the taxonomists responsible for this naming hyphenated the specific name to "bend the rules" and keep the name "within the letter of the law". The name was criticised by mycologist Curtis Gates Lloyd, who said "Auricularia auricula-Judae is cumbersome and in addition is a slander on the Jews". Though critical of Lucien Marcus Underwood, saying he "would probably not have known the Jew's ear from the calves' liver", he followed him in using Auricularia auricula, which was in turn used by Bernard Lowy in an article on the entire genus. Despite this, Auricularia auricula-judae is the currently recognised name for the species by many sources, though Auricularia auricula is still occasionally used. As well as the obligate synonyms from Bulliard, Fries and Berkeley, there are numerous other synonymous names. Mycologist George Willard Martin, writing in 1943, noted that the species was known by at least 12 binomials, of which none appeared to be valid, and noted that "the citations given for the various names are extremely erratic". Mycologist Mary F. Barrett attributes "such multiplication of names" to "the wide distribution of the Judas' ear, its ability to grow upon many different kinds of decaying wood, and to its great variation in size, colour and shape".

The fungus is associated with Judas Iscariot because of the belief that he hanged himself on an elder tree after his betrayal of Jesus Christ. Folklore suggests that the ears are Judas's returned spirit, and are all that are left to remind us of his suicide. The common name of the fungus was originally Judas's ear, but this was later shortened to Judas ear and, in the late 19th century, shortened again to Jew's ear. Common names for the fungus which refer to Judas can be traced back to at least the end of the 16th century; for instance, in the 17th century, Thomas Browne wrote of the species:

In Jews' ears something is conceived extraordinary from the name, which is in propriety but fungus sambucinus, or an excrescence about the roots of elder, and concerneth not the nation of the Jews, but Judas Iscariot, upon a conceit he hanged on this tree; and is become a famous medicine in quinsies, sore throats, and strangulations, ever since.

While the term Jew's meat was a deprecatory term used for all fungi in the Middle Ages, the term is unrelated to the name Jew's ear.[12] A further change of name to jelly ear was recommended in the List of Recommended Names for Fungi. The idea was rejected by mycologist Patrick Harding who considered it "to be the result of political correctness where it is not necessary", and who "will continue to call [the species] Jew's ear", explaining that, while anti-Semitism was commonplace in Britain, the name Jew's ear is in reference to Judas, who was a Jew. However, the name has been adopted in some recent field guides. Unrelated common names include the ear fungus, common ear fungus, the Chinese Fungus, the pig's ear, the wood ear, the black wood ear, the tree ear and Kikurage. The species was known as "fungus sambuca" among herbalists, in reference to Sambuca, the generic name for elder.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auricularia_auricula-judae

How to Tell If You Have a Hernia by Restore Your Core

via

Hernias are common in both men and women, yet symptoms vary. Some types of hernias are more common in men and some may occur more often in women. A groin hernia is much less common in women than men.

Below we will address how to recognize the signs of a hernia and the symptoms may manifest themselves.

What is a Hernia?

What Does a Hernia Feel Like?

A hernia often feels like a slight bulge located on either side of the pubic bone (groin or inguinal hernias), in various locations in the abdomen (ventral hernias), at the site of a previous surgery (incisional hernias), near or within the belly button (umbilical hernias), or in the upper part of your chest in the diaphragm (hiatal hernias).

What Does a Ventral Hernia Feel Like?

If you have a ventral hernia, you may feel a bulge, pressure, or heaviness in your abdominal cavity. You may also feel the bulge in the outer surface of your abdomen in the affected area. A ventral hernia is not subject to occuring in one particular area like many other types of hernias, but can occur anywhere in your abdominal wall.

Many people who have a ventral hernia express symptoms of mild pain, aching, discomfort, or pressure in the affected area. These symptoms often increase with activity or exercises that add stress or strain to the abdominal wall. You may experience an increase in pain or discomfort while running, lifting heavy objects, straining during bowel movements, or while doing abdominal exercises.

In other cases, some people may not experience any adverse symptoms or pain with a ventral hernia.

What Does an Inguinal Hernia Feel Like?

Inguinal or groin hernias are often mistaken as being a male only condition. However, it is important to acknowledge that it is possible for both men and women to develop a inguinal hernia. Yet, due to the unique anatomy of both, it is more likely for a male to be at higher risk of a groin hernia.

Many people believe that women with an inguinal hernia are misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed with this condition due to varied symptoms. Some women may never experience a bulge or some of the other more noticeable symptoms as with male patients. Below is a varied list of noticeable signs for men and women with a inguinal hernia:

Symptoms in Male Patients

A bulge you can see or feel in your groin, either side of the pubic bone

Aching pain in the groin, scrotum, or surrounding area

A feeling of pressure or pain in the groin

A sensation of heaviness or tugging of the scrotum around the testicles

Increased pain during physical activities such as: heavy lifting, pushing, and straining

Symptoms in Female Patients

Aching or sharp pain the inguinal canal

Burning sensation in the groin

A bulge at the hernia site – again, may not be present in with a groin hernia for female patients

Discomfort that increases with the aforementioned activities.

3 Signs You May Have a Hernia

Sign 1

A bulge in your abdomen or in your groin region may be an indicator of a hernia. Often these can go unnoticed and be present without any painful side-effects. However, during extensive physical activity or while coughing, jumping, standing, or straining during a bowel movement, you may notice the bulge more. You may notice that the lump disappears when you lay down.

Sign 2

Soreness or pain in the affected area may also be an indication of a hernia. Although some people may never experience any pain or discomfort, many people express a feeling or sensation of discomfort, heaviness, pressure, or pain in the affected area. This mild discomfort or pain may increase while coughing, exercising, or during bowel movements.

Sign 3

In severe cases, a hernia can progress to the point of strangulation. This means that the blood supply becomes cut off to certain parts of the intestine and abdomen. In this case, you may experience more severe symptoms that may include:

chronic pain

chronic constipation

nausea

vomiting

inability to perform a bowel movement or pass gas

a strangulated hernia can quickly become life-threatening. It is vital to your health to seek immediate medical attention if you are suffering from any of the above symptoms resulting from a hernia.

How to Feel For a Hernia

Typically, a doctor is needed to make the proper diagnosis depending on the type of hernia and the severity of your condition. Your doctor will check for a bulge in the groin or abdomen. A hernia may be hard to see or feel, so your doctor may ask you to stand and cough of strain in order to make the bulge more prominent. If the diagnosis is inconclusive, your doctor may recommend an image test, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.

You may be able to feel your hernia on your own. If you notice a slight bulge in your groin or abdomen, it is best to see a doctor before making a self-diagnosis.

Symptoms of a Hernia

Symptoms vary depending on the type of hernia you may be experiencing. Some of the more common hernia symptoms include:

Bulge or lump in the groin, scrotum, or noticeable swelling in the scrotum.

Pain or discomfort in the groin or abdomen that worsens if you bend over or lift anything

A feeling of heaviness in the groin or abdomen

Discomfort or pain during bowel movements or urination

Abdominal pain, discomfort, or swelling at the end of the day, especially if you were standing most of the day.

Hernia Risk Factors

There are a variety of factors that may put you at risk of developing a hernia. In many cases, a hernia is the result of a weakened or compromised abdominal wall.

Some of the more common causes of a weakened abdominal wall include:

a congenital condition that occurs during development in the womb and is present from birth

age

Surgery treating a previous injury, injury

chronic cough or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)

smoking (can weaken the abdominal wall)

improperly engaging in strenuous exercise or lifting heavy weights

pregnancy, especially having multiple pregnancies

chronic constipation, excessive strain during bowel movements

obesity

fluid in the abdomen, or ascites

Treatment for a hernia will eventually require surgery, even if your hernia does not present any health risks at first. Engaging in a prehab type program may help reduce the risk of future complications. To learn more about Restore Your Core and abdominal restoration, click here.

restoreyourcore.com/hernia/how-to-tell-if-you-have-a-hernia/

strangulation by Paul Capuano

Kids and Cords Don't Mix by US CPSC

About once a month a young child dies from a window cord strangulation. CPSC recommends three steps to prevent strangulations.

Trip the power cords fantastic by Soon

Following on from a rearrangement at one particular client, the choice of location for the onsite desk was obviously one of those set aside as an afterthought. Every one else manages to fancy free their feet.

Clearly there is to be no waving of the water bottle near the boots, for it will only clash with the electronics and light display underneath the kidney desk. Don't even think about testing the waterproofer every now and then.

Enjoy kicking it to the beats while working on some code? Then be prepared for a possibly shocking reception.

Strangulation. by jodiegriffiths192

Scott Minor 20 by Mark Estabrook

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and Dan Dwyer share a joke in the O'Club back yard. Scott, seated, lived in the BOQ (Bachelor Officer's Quarters) directly above Steven Scherp. Scott was entertaining an out of town guest late one night when he heard disturbing noises from the room below. Since one of our fellow classmates had suffered a sexual assault approximately a month prior, he immediately called base security, who responded quickly and surrounded the room with a special weapons unit. By the time a command center was set up next door, James H. Rice had already fired his .45 at the security team and Steven Scherp lay dead from strangulation.

Strangle the Stuffing out of Her by Orin Zebest

Leviathan (whale) by Iris Lavy

3 9

Mixed media from recycled materials

A video recording of the show can be viewed on YouTube at:

youtu.be/Gnb2SNmpBYo?t=1m28s

(Account: Iris Lavy Video: Disposition)

Many ocean creatures and sea birds ingest plastic particles floating in the water. Other animals become trapped and strangled in discarded fishing nets. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, many of them endangered, die each year from strangulation or starvation caused by entanglement in discarded fishing nets or ingesting plastic particles that block their digestion. Plastic bags and other plastic particles were found in the stomachs of dead whales washed on the beach.

news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2015/01/150107-sea-trash...

Hold Me Back by Bharat Chintapalli

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The rhinos, more prominently the Great Indian Rhinoceros, have captured the imagination of thousands of creators in history. Kings took pride in having hunted one of these, a comic book super villain called Rhino was created by Stan Lee and John Romita for Marvel comics - to battle none other than Hulk, and Spiderman occasionally. Such is the brute strength, the sheer size and bulk of this magnificent animal - as if it has evolved from the dinosaurs and horses.

There was a time when the Great Indian Rhinoceros roamed the entire part of North India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma and South China. Now however, it is listed as a vulnerable species and only a handful of these beasts roam the wild - 2500 of them, mostly in Assam, Nepal and Bhutan near the Himalayan foothills. These solitary mammals can weigh up to 4000 kilograms, to the size of a Gothic SUV, and sport mean horns that can grow to reach a length of 25 inches. The Kaziranga National Park that has around 70% of the population of this species has a mammoth responsibility of conserving this beautiful animal, holding back the imminent threat of extinction.

Many private companies are making sincere efforts to develop the environment. It is high time they looked at the cause of wildlife conservation too. Organizations and their leaders identify and compare their brand to animal traits at times - like the speed of a cheetah, the majesty of a tiger, the endurance of a rhino, the vision of an eagle and so on. They can take a step ahead and contribute for the cause of saving species like the rhino starting with making people aware. I wonder why Ceat had removed the rhino from their logo in 2008 after 50 years. Were the winds of change strong enough to blow away the rhino from the logo or did the rhino just ran past the billboard?

I wish people's hearts would go out to these animals that are poached for their invaluable horns by shooting them, trapping them in pits and sawing off the horn from above, electrocution, smearing poison on the plants the animals eat, strangulation by metal noose that can cut through rhino hide and many such horrendous methods. A stringent anti-poaching act with a punishment of death penalty may be a long shot. Till then, there is an urgent need to provide alternate avenues of livelihood to the poachers and their families and also remove the humans living in the forests by putting in place reasonable compensation policies (like the ones they have for SEZs).

Let us hold back their extinction, let us remember them for what they are. The Great Indian Rhinos

Title Dedication: AC/DC

download video dvd-mastering-judo-shime-waza-strangulation-techniques by Budo International

Download Videos on Martial Arts, Combat Sports and Self Defense. Own catalogue, 800 titles with Training methods, techniques, concepts, tips and Applications. More info or Download this video at: budointernational.com/en/4007-download-video-judo-ju-jitsu

VIDEO: A year on- Israeli police cover up the lynch of Palestinian bus driver, Yousef Ramouni. JERUSALEM (Jerusalem Watch): On November 16th 2014, Yousef Ramouni, 32, was found hanged in a bus depot on the border of East and West Jerusalem, occupied Lifta. The Israeli police quickly framed his death as a suicide. The next day, Israeli officials conducted an autopsy with a single Palestinian observer, pathologist Dr. Saber al-Aloul. Dr. Aloul publicly stated that Ramouni died “from hanging and strangulation.” Israeli authorities, however, claim that Dr. Aloul agreed that the cause of death was suicide. The Israeli police closed Ramouni’s case. Citing signs of violence on Ramouni’s body, the prevalence of Israeli attacks against Palestinians, and the Israeli police’s lack of transparency, the Ramouni family maintains that Yousef did not commit suicide, but was killed because he was Palestinian. Ramouni’s death occurred amidst a rise in nationalistic attacks against Palestinians following the murder of Mohammad Abu Khdeir in July 2014. VIDEO: ift.tt/1R6NZ70 - ift.tt/1NdkaA6

Crookston (14) by Arjayempee

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As stated earlier, Crookston became the property of the Stewarts of Darnley, and eventually became the property of Henry, Lord Darnley. Henry spent his youth in England, his father, the Earl of Lennox, having been banished from Scotland. He arrived in Scotland in 1565, a gallant young man of 22. He immediately became a favourite of the young Queen, and they were eventually betrothed.

The match was dynastically ideal for the Scotland as it avoided the uncertainty of a foreign match and promised a monarchy free of ties with England and France, while strengthening the Scottish claim to the English throne - Darnley being the grandson of Henry VIII's sister Margaret, who had been married to King James IV.

They were married in July 1565 and according to tradition, it was to here at Crookston that Darnley brought his Royal bride on their honeymoon. Of their time here, the poet William Motherwell wrote:

"Beneath yon tree—

Now bare and blasted—so our annals tell

The martyr Queen, ere that her fortunes knew

A darker shade than cast her favourite yew,

Loved Darnley passing well—

Loved him with tender woman’s generous love,

And bade farewell awhile to courtly state

And pageantry for yon o’ershadowing grove—

For the lone river’s banks whose small birds sing,

Their little hearth with summer joys elate—

Where tall broom blossoms, flowers profusely spring;

There he, the most exalted of the land,

Pressed with the grace of youth a Sovereign’s peerless hand."

However happy they may have been here, stolling under 'yon o’ershadowing grove', it was sadly, not to last. From not long after their marriage, Mary gradually became aware that the 'gallant' Darnley was in reality, vain, arrogant and unreliable. He was three years younger than Mary and not particularly mature. He was also unpopular with the other nobles and had a mean and violent streak, aggravated by a drinking problem. (Apart from that, he was perfectly fine!)

Things came to a head at 2 am on the night of February 10, 1567, when two explosions rocked the foundation of Kirk O'Field - a property in Edinburgh that Mary had bought for Darnley's use. The explosions were later attributed to two barrels of gun powder that had been placed in the small room under Lord Darnley's sleeping quarters. The explosions, however, were not what killed him. His body, along with that of his valet William Taylour, was found outside the building. Darnley was dressed only in his nightshirt, suggesting he had fled in some haste from his bedchamber. It was determined that they had both been killed by strangulation!

Battle scars by Durley Beachbum

Here is a sorry story for you, from November 2010

I let the dogs out as usual just before 9pm, so that I could watch a bird programme uninterrupted. Hetty Fritz and Buster always screamed and barked at the foxes, and Ralph rushes out silently.

Anyway after 10 minutes, the programme had started, Hetty and Fritz had returned looking peculiarly guilty, and there was no sign of the others.

I went to look and eventually found Ralph , in the darkest corner,surronded by brambles, killing a fox by strangulation, like a jaguar, and absolutely silently. I tried to drag him off, but being partly Staffie he has strong jaws.

My breathing is poor at the best of times as I have COPD and half my left lung missing, so I nearly came a cropper myself! Once I got my breath back I donned thick leather gardening gloves, collected a couple of leads and returned to the murder scene.

Ralph had got tired and let go fairly easily, so I got him inside and washed his facial wounds of which he had many. I sat watching the box and mopping my bleeding dog until about 11pm, when I put the dogs to bed.

The next problem, like after all murders, was disposing of the body. Picture this panting granny out in the pitch black with a feeble wind-up torch, apologising to a corpse as she stuffs it into a big feed sack. Luckily it was rubbish night so I double-wrapped it and put the unlucky creature in the bin.

I woke every hour to check on Ralph, who I had given some canine antibiotics I happened to have.

I had phoned the emergency vet for advice: to visit them it's £108 to go in the door!

Next morning we saw our vet - she was very surprised to see us as I had only been there the day before with Hetty who was probably on her way out,although she was still happy in herself.

Hetty had stopped eating and her heart murmur was 5 out of 6 so if the new medication hadn't worked by the Monday it was to be the end for her. Sad but true.

Still, I wouldn't be without them.

Since then I have always let the little ones out to de-fox the garden before I let Ralphie go!

One of China's most terrible methods of death punishment—Shanghai 1900 by Stéréos Collection from Musée de la Photo, Charleroi Belgique.Anaglyphe Peppin somewhere over the Rainbow. Peppin ANAGLYPHES

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If you find this document on the Boxer War in China offensive, I will remove it from your group upon request.

That's not the point!

From our photographer's (Mr. Ricalton's) description. This famous river pirate killed several people. His last offense was to gouge out a man's eyes. He was placed in a cage with planks around his neck; several flat stones were placed under his feet. He stood in the passage of the six city gates (old Shanghai) for a day each. During all this time, he had to stand or strangle himself. He was then placed in a cage where a stone had to be removed each day until he died by strangulation. This diabolical process is rarely used and has caused great disturbance among the Chinese. A dense crowd surrounded the criminal every day; the day before, the day he removed the stones, his friend procured him an opiate with which he committed suicide. On the first day, he (the criminal) permitted the photographs, which cost 50 cents. On the second, he charged 55 cents. Mexican money (52 gold cents). I paid on the condition that he remove his hat to see his face. Two Chinese photographers took pictures of him and displayed them in their windows as advertising. The crowd that came to see and buy the pictures was so large that the police chief ordered the picture removed, as the crowds were clogging the streets.(Note: Law-abiding Chinese have their heads shaved and stand in line, a sign of loyalty to the Manchu dynasty. Convicts' hair is allowed to grow long.)

S: Back Underwood.

One of China's most terrible methods of death punishment—Shanghai 1900

On August 4, there were approximately 70,000 Qing imperial soldiers and between 50,000 and 100,000 Boxers along the route.

Nearly 30,000 Chinese Christians were murdered, along with more than 300 missionaries, including French Bishop Laurent Guillon, Vicar Apostolic of Southern Manchuria, whose head is paraded on a pike. Among the Europeans, the Boxer Rebellion also cost the lives of 64 of the 461 soldiers and left 133 wounded, a total of 43% of the men put out of action. Sixteen civilians lost their lives and 28 were wounded.

Thousands of Boxers were beheaded. After supporting them, Imperial troops participated in the suppression. The Empire emerged from the conflict on its knees, humiliated, and de facto placed under foreign control (the postal service, for example, was placed under the control of French officials, and customs under that of the British).

S: WIKI

One of China's most terrible methods of death punishment—Shanghai—(see back).

Extrait de la description de notre photographe (M. Ricalton's). Ce célèbre pirate fluvial a tué plusieurs personnes. Son dernier délit fut d'arracher les yeux d'un homme. Il est placé dans une cage avec des planches lui serrant le cou ; plusieurs pierres plates sont placées sous ses pieds. Il se tenait dans le couloir des six portes de la ville (le vieux Shanghai) pendant une journée chacune. Pendant tout ce temps, il devait se tenir debout ou s'étrangler. Il était ensuite placé dans une cage où une pierre devait être retirée chaque jour jusqu'à ce qu'il meure par strangulation. Ce procédé diabolique est rarement utilisé et a suscité un grand trouble parmi les Chinois. Une foule dense entourait le criminel tous les jours ; la veille, le jour où il avait retiré les pierres, son ami lui a procuré un opiacé avec lequel il s'est suicidé. Le premier jour, il (le criminel) a permis les clichés, qui coûtaient 50 centimes. Le deuxième, il le facturait 55 centimes. Argent mexicain (52 centimes d'or). Je payé à condition qu'il enlève son chapeau pour voir son visage. Deux photographes chinois ont pris des photos de lui et les ont affichées dans leurs vitrines comme publicité. La foule venue voir et acheter les photos était si nombreuse que le chef de la police a ordonné que la photo soit retirée, car la foule encombrait les rues. (Note : Les Chinois respectueux des lois ont le crâne rasé et font la queue, signe de loyauté envers la dynastie mandchoue. On laisse pousser les cheveux des condamnés.)

S: Back Underwood.

One of China's most terrible methods of death punishment—Shanghai 1900

Le 4 août, il y avait environ 70 000 soldats impériaux Qing et entre 50 000 et 100 000 Boxers le long de la route.

Près de 30 000 Chinois chrétiens furent assassinés, ainsi que plus de 300 missionnaires, dont l'évêque français Laurent Guillon, vicaire apostolique de Mandchourie-Méridionale, dont la tête est promenée au bout d'une pique. Parmi les Européens la révolte des Boxers a coûté aussi la vie à 64 militaires sur 461, et a fait 133 blessés, soit en tout 43 % d'hommes mis hors de combat. 16 civils perdent la vie et 28 sont blessés.

Des milliers de Boxers furent décapités. Après les avoir soutenus, les troupes impériales participèrent à la répression. L'Empire sortit du conflit à genoux, humilié et mis de facto sous tutelle étrangère (les postes étaient par exemple placées sous le contrôle de fonctionnaires français, les douanes sous celui des Britanniques).

S :wiki

Strangulation by Andrew Ashton

Day 13

It looks as though this tree has been strangled by a vine.

Taken at Latitude/Longitude:-20.410407/32.699696. km (Map link)

Presbyterian Division E, Row 7, Plots 31 & 33 by Discover Waikumete Cemetery

An inquest was held by Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., on Saturday morning concerning the death of Mrs. Ellen Riddell, who was found dead in bed at her son's residence, Archhill, on the previous day. Dr. Bull stated that he had attended deceased off and on for some years past. On Monday last he was called to see her, and found her suffering from general nervous debility. On Friday he was called again, and found deceased dead in bed, with a strip of flannel wound around her neck, and knotted. There was no evidence of a struggle, and in his opinion death was due to strangulation. The coroner returned a verdict that the deceased committed suicide by strangling herself while in a state of unsound mind, due to ill-health.

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19140907.2.30

Plot 31: Amy Alberta Riddell (75) 1975

John Riddell (98) 1975 – Rtd Farmer

David William Storey (78) 1982 – Gardener (ashes)

William George Allan Laird (71) 1989 – Builder

Margaret Alberta Laird Laird (84) 2002(ashes)

Jessie Storey (100) 2011 – Mrs

John Victor Riddell (94) 2015 – Managing Director (Engineer) & Soldier (ashes)

Plot 33: Stillborn Child Riddell 1915

Ellen (Helen) Riddell (67) 1914 – Widow

For what's the earth

with all it's art. verse. music. worth.

compared with love found. gained. and kept?

In Loving Memory Of

JOHN RIDDELL

dearly loved husband of the late

Amy Alberta

loved father of

Jessie, Margaret, & Jack

died 13th August 1975

aged 98 years.

In Loving Memory

AMY ALBERTA

loved wife of

John RIDDELL

mother of

Jessie, Margaret & Jack

died 22nd January 1957

aged 75 years

At Rest

In Loving Memory Of

HELEN RIDDELL

mother of

Margaret, John & Robert

died 5th Sept. 1914

aged 67 years

In Loving Memory Of

DAVID WILLIAM STOREY

dearly loved husband of

Jessie

loved father of Jocelyn

grandfather of

Lee. Kim. David and Mark

born 2.9.1903 – died 18.7.1982

In Loving Memory of

JESSIE BAIN STOREY

Born 13 May 1911 – 15 May 2011

Dearly beloved wife of David

Loved mother of Jocelyn

Nana of Lee Kim Dave & Mark

GG of Michaela Jessie Saskia Lauren

Jack Charlie James and Isaac

JOHN VICTOR RIDDELL

(Jack)

18 August 1920 – 30 July 2015

Cherished husband of Lyn

Loved father of

Denise, John & Delwyn

Poppa Jack to Nick, Callan, John, Paul,

Glenn, Chris & Aimee

Great Poppa Jack to their children

Loving husband also of Lucy.

In Loving Memory Of

LYN RIDDELL

dearly loved wife of

Jack

loved mother of

Denise, John & Delwyn

died 30th March 1977

aged 53 years

WILLIAM GEORGE ALLAN LAIRD

'George' 5.11.1917 – 3.3.1989

Treasured Husband of Margaret

Loving Father of Robyn & Kevin

Esteemed Father-in Law of Graham & Linda

Loved Grandfather of

Sheena, Annika, Todd, Kytie, Eldon & Jaymie

In Loving Memory Of

MARGARET ALBERTA LAIRD

(nee Riddell)

16-2-1918 – 15-1-2002

cherished wife of George

mother of Robyn and Kelvin

grandmother of

Sheena, Annika, Todd,

Kylie, Eldon, Jaymie

If you are concerned about your own mental health the best place to get help is your GP. However if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others call the police on 111.

If you need to talk to someone:

• LIFELINE: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)

• SUICIDE CRISIS HELPLINE: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)

• YOUTHLINE: 0800 376 633

• NEED TO TALK? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)

• KIDSLINE: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)

• WHATSUP: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)

• DEPRESSION HELPLINE: 0800 111 757

cheery strangulation by *Karo*

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This makes me laugh every time I look at it.

Auto-strangulation by rebyre2009

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Rehearsal by Enchanticals ~I'm Coming Back

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Beau’s friends are rehearsing on one of my vintage chairs for their synchronized swimming performance at the upcoming big Halloween Monster Mash Bash at Beau’s grave in the cemetery...

To assure that they keep in sync, they got the bright idea and tied cords around their necks. This, they believe, serves to keep them all synchronized.

Should one of them get out of sync, the cord will either tug or become slack. In their case there is no danger of strangulation or death.

For my Flickr Groups…

Sheffield - Knife Grinders Prior to 1905. And a Botched Execution in Minnesota. by pepandtim

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The Postcard

A photograph of Sheffield knife grinders on a postcard which was posted on Friday the 19th. May 1905 to George French in Trelawn Avenue, Headingly, Leeds.

The sender, Alma Smith, appears to have worked for a supplier of steel products, because after giving her address as Wolseley Road, Lowfield, Sheffield, she wrote:

"Dear George,

I can't get razors on this

week.

Send next week address.

Yours to a cinder,

Alma Smith"

Wikipedia contains an 1853 engraving called 'The Knife Grinder'. The man in the engraving is sitting in exactly the same position and is holding the knife in exactly the same way.

The only difference is that in the engraving the man is using a foot treadle, whereas in the photograph the wheels would be turned by electricity (or maybe water or steam power?).

William Williams and Two Murders

So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?

Well, on the 19th. May 1905, William Williams was convicted of murder in Minnesota.

William Williams was born in 1877, and was an immigrant from Cornwall working as a miner in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

In 1904, while hospitalised for diphtheria, Williams befriended local boy John Keller, a local teenager who was recovering from the same disease, with whom he developed a sexual relationship.

Keller's father did not approve of their relationship, and told his son that he was no longer permitted to associate with Williams.

In a fit of rage, in April 1905 Williams shot and killed both Keller and Keller's mother in their home. Keller was killed instantly when he was shot in the back of the head while he was in bed, while his mother died from a gunshot wound a week later. Keller's father was not at home at the time of the shooting.

Williams was arrested and tried for premeditated murder, though he pleaded not guilty by reason of "emotional insanity." He told the court he hadn't slept for three nights prior the murder, and had been heavily drinking that day.

His defence was rejected, and on the 19th. May 1905, he was convicted of murder. The severity of the punishment was manipulated - Ramsey County Attorney Thomas Kane excluded jurors who were opposed to the death penalty.

The Botched Execution

On the 13th. February 1906, Williams was executed in front of 32 witnesses in the basement of the Ramsey County Jail in Saint Paul. Before the execution, Williams spoke from the gallows, insisting on his innocence:

"Gentlemen, you are witnessing an

illegal hanging. I am accused of killing

Johnny Keller.

He was the best friend I ever had, and

I hope I meet him in the other world.

I never had improper relations with him.

I am resigned to my fate.

Goodbye."

However the rope that was being used to hang Williams proved to be too long, since its length was miscalculated by Sheriff Miesen. Sheriff Miesen must have been several sandwiches short of a picnic - it surely wasn't a difficult calculation to make.

Williams therefore hit the floor after dropping through the trap door of the gallows. Three deputies had to hold his body up by the rope for over 14 minutes, until Williams finally died of strangulation. Williams's attorney stated that execution was:

"A disgrace to civilisation".

Williams's botched execution was used by opponents of the death penalty in Minnesota to argue that capital punishment should be abolished in the state. Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911, and since then it has never been reinstated.

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