First ever videos of snow leopard mother and cubs in dens recorded in Mongolia

Public release date: 12-Jul-2012
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Contact: Susie Weller
sweller@panthera.org
646-786-0417
Panthera

Unprecedented footage provides glimpse into the world of young snow leopards

New York, NY For the first time, the den sites of two female snow leopards and their cubs have been located in Mongolia's Tost Mountains, with the first known videos taken of a mother and cubs, located and recorded by scientists from Panthera, a wild cat conservation organization, and the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT).

Watch the videos and view a photo gallery.

Because of the snow leopard's secretive and elusive nature, coupled with the extreme and treacherous landscape which they inhabit, dens have been extremely difficult to locate. This is a tremendous discovery and provides invaluable insight into the life story of the snow leopard.

Dr. Tom McCarthy, Executive Director of Panthera's Snow Leopard Program stated, "We have spent years trying to determine when and where snow leopards give birth, the size of their litters, and the chances a cub has of surviving into adulthood. This is one of those exceptional moments in conservation where after years of effort, we get a rare glimpse into the life of an animal that needs our help in surviving in today's world. These data will help ensure a future for these incredible animals."

A short video of the female and her cub who were bedded down in a partially man-made den was recorded from a safe distance by Orjan Johansson, Panthera's Snow Leopard Field Scientist and Ph.D. student, using a camera fixed to an extended pole.

The team, which included a veterinarian, entered the two dens (the first with two cubs, and the second containing one cub) while the mothers were away hunting. All three cubs were carefully weighed, measured, photographed and other details were recorded. Two of the cubs were fixed with tiny microchip ID tags (the size of a grain of rice) which were placed under their skin for future identification. The utmost care was taken in handling the animals to ensure they were not endangered, which was the top priority of the team at all times. In the following days, the team monitored the mothers' locations to ensure that they returned to their dens and their cubs, which they successfully did.

"Knowledge about the first days and weeks of life is vital to our understanding of how big cat populations work, and how likely it is for a newborn to reach adulthood and contribute to a healthy population. A valid conservation program requires such information, which this new development in snow leopard research provides," said Dr. Howard Quigley, Panthera's Executive Director of both Jaguar and Cougar Programs.

Referred to by locals as 'Asia's Mountain Ghost,' knowledge of snow leopards in general is quite limited due to the cat's elusive nature, and even less is known about rearing cubs and cub survival in the wild. Until now, what is known has mostly been learned from studying snow leopards in zoos. Although snow leopard litters typically consist of one to three cubs in a captive zoo environment, no information exists regarding litter size in the wild. As wild snow leopard cubs are subject to natural predators, disease, and also human threats such as poaching or capture for the illegal wildlife market, the percentage of cubs which survive to adulthood has until now only been speculated.

The use of PIT tags and observations of snow leopard rearing in the wild will allow our scientists to learn about the characteristics of a typical natal den and speculate how a den is selected, how long snow leopard cubs remain in dens, when cubs begin to follow their mothers outside of the dens, how often and how long the mother leaves the cubs alone to hunt, how many cubs are typically born in the wild, and other valuable data.

All of these data and more, gathered through camera-trapping and GPS collaring, help to inform effective conservation initiatives undertaken by Panthera across the snow leopard's range.

###

About Panthera

Panthera, founded in 2006, is devoted exclusively to the conservation of wild cats and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world's premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global conservation strategies for the largest, most imperiled cats tigers, lions, jaguars, and snow leopards. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera works in partnership with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities and governments around the globe. Visit Panthera.

---

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 12-Jul-2012
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Susie Weller
sweller@panthera.org
646-786-0417
Panthera

Unprecedented footage provides glimpse into the world of young snow leopards

New York, NY For the first time, the den sites of two female snow leopards and their cubs have been located in Mongolia's Tost Mountains, with the first known videos taken of a mother and cubs, located and recorded by scientists from Panthera, a wild cat conservation organization, and the Snow Leopard Trust (SLT).

Watch the videos and view a photo gallery.

Because of the snow leopard's secretive and elusive nature, coupled with the extreme and treacherous landscape which they inhabit, dens have been extremely difficult to locate. This is a tremendous discovery and provides invaluable insight into the life story of the snow leopard.

Dr. Tom McCarthy, Executive Director of Panthera's Snow Leopard Program stated, "We have spent years trying to determine when and where snow leopards give birth, the size of their litters, and the chances a cub has of surviving into adulthood. This is one of those exceptional moments in conservation where after years of effort, we get a rare glimpse into the life of an animal that needs our help in surviving in today's world. These data will help ensure a future for these incredible animals."

A short video of the female and her cub who were bedded down in a partially man-made den was recorded from a safe distance by Orjan Johansson, Panthera's Snow Leopard Field Scientist and Ph.D. student, using a camera fixed to an extended pole.

The team, which included a veterinarian, entered the two dens (the first with two cubs, and the second containing one cub) while the mothers were away hunting. All three cubs were carefully weighed, measured, photographed and other details were recorded. Two of the cubs were fixed with tiny microchip ID tags (the size of a grain of rice) which were placed under their skin for future identification. The utmost care was taken in handling the animals to ensure they were not endangered, which was the top priority of the team at all times. In the following days, the team monitored the mothers' locations to ensure that they returned to their dens and their cubs, which they successfully did.

"Knowledge about the first days and weeks of life is vital to our understanding of how big cat populations work, and how likely it is for a newborn to reach adulthood and contribute to a healthy population. A valid conservation program requires such information, which this new development in snow leopard research provides," said Dr. Howard Quigley, Panthera's Executive Director of both Jaguar and Cougar Programs.

Referred to by locals as 'Asia's Mountain Ghost,' knowledge of snow leopards in general is quite limited due to the cat's elusive nature, and even less is known about rearing cubs and cub survival in the wild. Until now, what is known has mostly been learned from studying snow leopards in zoos. Although snow leopard litters typically consist of one to three cubs in a captive zoo environment, no information exists regarding litter size in the wild. As wild snow leopard cubs are subject to natural predators, disease, and also human threats such as poaching or capture for the illegal wildlife market, the percentage of cubs which survive to adulthood has until now only been speculated.

The use of PIT tags and observations of snow leopard rearing in the wild will allow our scientists to learn about the characteristics of a typical natal den and speculate how a den is selected, how long snow leopard cubs remain in dens, when cubs begin to follow their mothers outside of the dens, how often and how long the mother leaves the cubs alone to hunt, how many cubs are typically born in the wild, and other valuable data.

All of these data and more, gathered through camera-trapping and GPS collaring, help to inform effective conservation initiatives undertaken by Panthera across the snow leopard's range.

###

About Panthera

Panthera, founded in 2006, is devoted exclusively to the conservation of wild cats and their ecosystems. Utilizing the expertise of the world's premier cat biologists, Panthera develops and implements global conservation strategies for the largest, most imperiled cats tigers, lions, jaguars, and snow leopards. Representing the most comprehensive effort of its kind, Panthera works in partnership with local and international NGOs, scientific institutions, local communities and governments around the globe. Visit Panthera.

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-07/p-fev071212.php

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Video: Will Jones-Drew hold out?

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Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/48150721#48150721

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Possible pilot shortage raises safety concerns

WASHINGTON (AP) ? An industry forecast that nearly half a million new airline pilots will be needed worldwide over the next 20 years as airlines expand their fleets has raised safety concerns that airlines will hire lower caliber pilots as they struggle to fill slots.

Boeing, one of the world's largest makers of commercial jetliners, forecasts about 465,000 new pilots will be needed worldwide between now and 2031 as global economies expand and airlines take deliveries of tens of thousands of new commercial jetliners. The forecast includes 69,000 new pilots in the North America, mostly in the U.S. The greatest growth will be in the Asia-Pacific region, where an estimated 185,600 new pilots will be needed.

Likewise, Boeing predicts 601,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians will be needed over the same period, with greatest demand ? 243,500 technicians ? in the Asia-Pacific region. An estimated 92,500 new technicians will North America.

The rising global demand for airline pilots has raised concern among industry and government officials that there will be a global and a domestic pilot shortage.

"In many regions of the world, a pilot shortage is already here," the Boeing forecast said. "Asia Pacific in particular is experiencing delays and operational interruptions due to pilot scheduling constraints."

That's particularly true in China and India, industry officials said. Airlines based in Asia and the Middle East have been holding pilot job fairs in the U.S. and thousands of pilots laid off due to U.S. airline bankruptcies and mergers are now flying for foreign carriers.

"We have airlines around the world as they buy our airplanes and come to us on the training side of the house, saying 'We're struggling to fill (pilot) seats. Can you help us?' " said Carl Davis, Boeing's chief of pilot services. Davis presented his company's forecast Thursday at a conference in Washington on pilot training hosted by the Air Line Pilots Association, the world's largest pilot union.

U.S. industry and government officials are also concerned that the rising global demand for pilots, combined with an anticipated wave in pilot retirements and tougher qualification standards for new pilots that kick-in next year, will create a domestic shortage as well.

"I'm concerned because it has safety implications," John Allen, the Federal Aviation Administration's director of flight services, told The Associated Press.

Allen said he wants to spur a discussion among industry, labor unions, and academia about a potential shortage that will "really look at this and address it, not to just sweep it under the rug ... Is this a problem? And, if it is a problem, how bad is it?"

He said he is fearful that if there is a shortage, airlines will hire pilots who are technically qualified but don't have the "right stuff."

"If the industry is stretched pretty thin ... that can result in someone getting into the system that maybe isn't really the right person to be a pilot. Not everybody is supposed to be a pilot," Allen said.

Jean Medina, a spokeswoman for Airlines for America, responding to Allen's comments, said: "Safety is always our top priority and our airlines hire pilots that meet the rigorous standards set by the FAA." The International Air Transport Association didn't respond to a request for comment.

Lee Moak, president of the pilots union, said he doubts a pilot shortage will be felt in the U.S. for about three to five years. If U.S. airlines start hiring pilots in large numbers, he said, pilots now flying for foreign carriers will likely return home. There are currently about 90,000 airline pilots in the U.S. and Canada.

"Globally is another matter," Moak said.

Industry and government officials anticipate a wave of pilot retirements at U.S. airlines beginning this year. Five years ago, the FAA raised the mandatory retirement age for pilots from 60 to 65. The fifth anniversary of that decision is Dec. 13. Pilots who were age 60 on that date five years ago are reaching the age where they have to retire.

Also, FAA regulations created in response to an aviation safety law passed by Congress two years ago will raise the experience threshold required to be an airline first officer from the current 250 hours of flying time to 1,500 hours, the same level as required of captains. That's expected to make it harder for airlines to find qualified new applicants.

At the same time, the pool of military-trained pilots that airlines have relied upon in the past has largely dried up as more pilots choose to remain in the military rather than seek airline careers, industry officials said. That means airlines have had to rely on new hires that have accumulated their experience at flight schools and, later, working as flight instructors at local airports and the flight schools.

"The cost of getting into flying is very expensive," Davis said. "When I talk to college students, if they're coming out of a 4-year collegiate (aviation) program most of them are $150,000 -to- $160,000 in debt. And that only gives them the qualifications to go be a flight instructor. If you're making $20,000 a year as a flight instructor you're lucky."

A shortage in the U.S. will likely first be felt at regional airlines, which tend fly smaller airliners and hire less-experienced pilots than mainline careers. A typical pilot career path is to get hired as a first officer at a regional airline, get promoted to captain and then get hired by a mainline carrier.

"It appears based on retirements alone there is going to be a massive need for mainline hiring," said Dave Ryter, a regional airline captain who spoke at the training conference.

"If that comes to fruition," Ryter said, "the mainlines will draw from the regionals. ... It's the regionals that will have to find the entry-level pilot. That will be the first challenge, although it will eventually trickle up to the mainlines."

___

Follow Joan Lowy at http://www.twitter.com/AP_Joan_Lowy

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/f70471f764144b2fab526d39972d37b3/Article_2012-07-12-Airline%20Pilot%20Shortage/id-5478af1aa17547d5ab36001af271fed6

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Building Greener Real Estate

2012-07-12Founded in 2008, the Green REsource Council is the Real Estate industry's answer to organizing green ethics for sustainable growth. The main goal of the Green REsource Council has been the design and implementation of a Green Designation for licensed Realtors that can be achieved and maintained through regular education in the emerging field of the green construction of new structures and the retrofitting of existing structures with "greener" technologies.

The Mission

The Council's mission is "to make the knowledge of green real estate practices available to everyone and to encourage our industry to produce more sustainable new and existing homes." The Council:

• provides communities with up-to-date information on sustainable practices and energy conservation,
• gives green real estate professionals knowledge of green building principles, advocates spreading green ideals and provides members the tools and support to build more sustainable communities,
• enables real-world incorporation of green principles into daily Real Estate practices. What Makes a Building Green?

Green construction practices focus on using sustainable materials, alternate energy sources, and energy efficient appliances to reduce the overall environmental impact both of the construction effort and the long-term outcomes of living or working in the building. Some greening strategies include:

• Installing Energy STAR appliances,
• Integrating heat pump systems that use existing geothermal energy to heat homes, Using sustainably-produced building materials like bamboo
• Green building tactics use solutions that improve energy and water-use efficiency, environmentally responsible building materials, reduce waste and toxins, maximize indoor air quality, and encourage both smart growth and sustainable development.

That's a big responsibility.

Who Decides What's Green?
The Green REsource Council was founded to help Realtors understand green building. Since 2008, the Council has dedicated time and valuable resources to the process of poring through the available scientific literature on environmentally sustainable development, and to consulting with industry experts on what works and what doesn't. While no one body has the final authority to pronounce "what's green," the green REsource Council is confident that its members have the experience and resource base to design an educational program that is both comprehensive and up-to-date.

The Green Designation
The REsource Council's NAR Green Designation is a program offered under the auspices of the National Association of Realtors to educate licensed Realtors on green ethics, standards, and practices. It's the only recognized green designation for NAR Realtors, so those who receive the designation distinguish themselves even among the already-distinguished NAR Realtor pool.

Greening the MLS
The Green REsource Council also advocates for green MLS systems (Multiple Listing Systems) across the country, and provides a range of examples. Multiple listing systems are standardized databases of Real Estate listings. "Green" MLS versions have included fields for green characteristics and certifications, and adhere to particular best practices to encourage the green building movement.

Building Green Momentum
The Green REsource Council helps Realtors act as discerning advocates for green building practices, and sophisticated expert consultants for buyer-clients who want to buy buildings that are truly constructed to be environmentally responsible. The Council offers toolkits and resources to help buyers, builders, and Realtors understand the ways green design protects people, profit, and planet. Visit the Green REsource Council's NAR Green Designation page to learn more.

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Source: http://earthandeconomy.com/news/nargreen-585.html

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How to plan a debt-free vacation

By Andrew Housser

When you're on a budget, planning a vacation may seem like an unnecessary luxury. But studies show that taking a break from work and everyday life stressors is good for both physical and mental well-being. Vacations are rejuvenating. They also promote and strengthen family bonds. With some foresight and a little planning, you can enjoy your break without worrying about breaking the bank. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

1. Start saving.

You don't have to know where you're going in order to start socking away money to get you there. Take a look at your budget and figure out how much money per month you can afford to set aside in a vacation fund. Stash as little as $100 a month, and you'll have $1,200 to spend on next year's getaway.?

2. Pick a destination.

Don't rush to zero in on an exact location. In fact, flexibility can be a money-saving friend. Determine the type of vacation your family has in mind -- tropical, historic, outdoorsy or a mix -- and make a list of potential vacation spots.

3. Go off-season.

You can save up to 50 percent or more on peak season prices by traveling when tourist traffic is at its lowest because hotels, restaurants and stores are more eager for your business.

4. Watch for deals.

Once you have a general idea of where you'd like to go, sign up for travel discount and deal sites such as Groupon Getaways, Living Social Escapes and TravelZoo. But don't let the bargains blind you: always read the fine print regarding extra fees, blackout dates, expirations and other terms.

5. Be alert.

Sign up for email alerts from airlines and rental car companies so you'll be in-the-know when they offer special deals. Travelocity's free FareWatcher service tracks roundtrip air fares for multiple destinations and notifies you of price changes. Other sites, including Kayak and Expedia, can help you find the lowest prices on airfare, rental cars and hotels.

6. Save money on meals.

If you're traveling by car or renting one, and you have access to a fridge or cooler, you can stock up on grab-and-go foods for breakfast and lunch (think yogurt, sandwich fixings). Another idea is to "switch" lunch and dinner. Because lunches are often less expensive than dinners, make lunch your main dining-out experience, and eat breakfast and dinner in your lodging, or outside as a picnic if weather cooperates. Once you know your destination, scope out nearby restaurants online to find ones with budget-friendly options.???

7. Join an auto/travel club.

Despite the membership fee for organizations such as AAA, you'll still save money thanks to discounted pricing at hotels, restaurants, car rental agencies and more. The membership may also come in handy if you have car problems while traveling to your destination.

8. Rent a home.

Save money on lodging costs by renting a vacation home or condo, or seek out a resort hotel that also offers units with kitchens. Or consider traveling with friends or extended family -- and split the rental cost.?

9. Pile up the points.

Check your credit card to see if it offers any award points you can use toward travel expenses. You may also consider opening a new credit card account if your credit is good, as some airlines offer free roundtrip tickets when you open an account and make a purchase. However, these cards can carry hefty interest rates, and unless you are extremely disciplined, having more than one credit card can create problems. If you go this way, make sure to charge only what you can pay off in full each month, and never charge anything that you wouldn't otherwise buy just to earn points.?

10. Plan a staycation.

A faraway destination might not be in your budget this year, but you can still get away from it all without leaving home. Make a list of places and activities in your area that you've been wanting to check out. Think about amusement parks, museums, theater shows, zoos, water parks, festivals and family fun centers like bowling alleys, go-kart racing and miniature golf. Some public libraries offer free passes to museums.

Remember, your goal while on vacation should be to relax and enjoy yourself. You can't do that if you're constantly fretting about what everything costs. Worse, you don't want to return from vacation and cringe when the credit card bills roll in. Budget and plan wisely now so you can enjoy your R&R without going into debt.

Source: http://claycounty.myfoxal.com/news/families/114466-how-plan-debt-free-vacation

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Limbaugh: It All Went Downhill When Women Got the Right to Vote (Little green footballs)

Share With Friends: | | Politics - Top Stories News, RSS Feeds and Widgets via Feedzilla.

Source: http://news.feedzilla.com/en_us/stories/politics/top-stories/237209113?client_source=feed&format=rss

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Canada: Drugs in ZXT Gold weight loss caps

OTTAWA, June 29 (UPI) -- Officials at Health Canada said the weight loss product, ZXT Gold bee pollen capsules, contains hidden pharmaceutical ingredients that could be harmful.

ZXT Gold bee pollen capsules, distributed by Floyd Nutrition LLC via its Web site, www.floydnutrition.com, contain sibutramine and phenolphthalein, which may pose serious health risks, Health Canada officials said.

Canadians who have purchased or used ZXT Gold bee pollen capsules should speak to a healthcare practitioner about questions or concerns regarding the product, the officials advised. Report any suspected adverse reaction to Health Canada.

Sibutramine was previously used to treat obesity but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because of its association with an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke, increased blood pressure and heart rate, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping and constipation.

Phenolphthalein was previously used as a laxative but is no longer authorized for sale in Canada because it may cause cancer, decreased blood pressure, skin rash and gastrointestinal bleeding.

"ZXT Gold bee pollen capsules are not authorized in Canada and have not been evaluated by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality," Health Canada officials said.

Source: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2012/06/29/Canada-Drugs-in-ZXT-Gold-weight-loss-caps/UPI-20371341013514/

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