A   A   A

Posted: Thursday, 14 January 2010 9:51AM

Country's Only Hippo Escapes Zoo During Floods



PODGORICA (Reuters) - Montenegro's only hippopotamus escaped from the mountainous Adriatic nation's zoo during floods this week, officials said Wednesday.

The two-ton female called Nikica broke out of her cage and swam away after seasonal floods hit the zoo just outside the Montenegrin capital Podgorica, zoo manager Davor Mujovic said.

"She remains at large, but one of the guards is keeping an eye on her and is feeding her daily," he said.

The hippo found a dry spot a mile away from the zoo as shelter from cold flood waters. Mujovic said zoo guards would have to wait until the water recedes to try to lure the animal back to its enclosure with food.

In its native Africa, the world's third largest mammal on land is considered aggressive and dangerous. But zoo owner Nikola Pejovic said Nikica was not a threat to people.

"People like her, and she is used to people, villagers are bringing her fresh hay," he said.


Story Copyright 2010, Reuters Photo Copyright 2010, Getty Images

Man Bites Police Over A Pet Peeve


Police arrested an 82-year-old man after he bit and kicked officers who had arrived to mediate in a dispute with a neighbor over a domestic pet.

German Firm Can't Fire Man For 1.8 Cent Theft


A German company that fired a man for the theft of 1.8 euro cents (two U.S. cents) worth of electricity had no grounds for firing him, a court ruled.

Vuvuzelas Banned From European Soccer Competition


Vuvuzelas have been kicked out of European competitions after UEFA said that the controversial plastic trumpets drowned out supporter.

Older People Enjoy Reading Negative Stories About Young


Older people like reading negative news stories about their younger counterparts because it boosts their own self-esteem, according to a new study.

John Lennon's Toilet Sells For $14,740 At Auction


A toilet that belonged to late Beatle John Lennon fetched $14,740 at auction on Saturday.

"We're About To Crash," Passengers Told In Error


British Airways apologized to passengers after an emergency message warning they were about to crash into the sea was played by mistake.

T-shirt Explains Philadelphia's Blunt Speech


For Mike Monteiro, a transplanted Philadelphian who now lives in California, his T-shirt says it all.

Man, Shot In Head, Notices Five Years Later


A Polish man living in Germany went about his business for about five years without noticing he had been shot in the head.

Typo Vigilantes Correct Errant Signage


If you're confused about the difference between "it's" and "its", or unsure how to spell "cemetery", you're not alone.

Vuvuzelas Make It Into The Oxford Dictionary


The ever-present hum of the vuvuzela during this year's soccer World Cup catapulted the plastic trumpet to prominence.

All That Glitters Isn't Gold, Some Of It Is Wine


Like gold, top wines are highly prized, represent wealth and are selling near their historical highs

Lennon Letter Reaches Singer 34 Years Later


A British folk singer was stunned to find Beatles legend John Lennon had written him a private letter advising him on how to handle success.

Skateboarding Priest Becomes YouTube Hit


A Hungarian Roman Catholic priest has become a YouTube hit with his distinctive method of spreading the word on wheels.

U.S. To Commemorate WWII With "Kiss-In"


Americans will gather for a group "kiss-in" in Times Square and buglers across the country will play the military funeral tune "Taps" on Saturday.

Martin Luther Has Wittenberg In A Stir 500 Years On


About 800 colorful statuettes of 16th-century Protestant reformer Martin Luther are popping up in the eastern German town of Wittenberg.
Archive