#egypt 🇪🇬
#heba
#pinetbook

🦉 This snowy owl in Michigan is rainbow colored— and scientists have no idea why.

In Michigan, a snowy owl nicknamed “Creamsicle” has captivated scientists and bird lovers alike—not for its hunting prowess or rarity, but for its shocking appearance.

With bright orange streaks across its snowy white feathers, the owl looks like it was dipped in dye. Wildlife photographer Julie Maggert, who spent four days tracking the bird, finally captured stunning images that have since gone viral. But they’ve also left experts puzzled: snowy owls are typically white with dark markings, and there has never been a verified case of natural orange coloration.
#elf #cameroon
Some scientists have speculated that a genetic mutation or environmental trigger like pollution might be to blame, but most lean toward a simpler explanation—staining. Experts at Project SNOWstorm believe the orange tint may be from de-icing fluid used at airports, where snowy owls are known to hunt in cleared areas during winter.

The stain appears to sit only on the surface of the feathers, leaving clean white layers beneath. Still, without testing a feather sample (which researchers won’t do, since the bird is healthy), the mystery remains unsolved. For now, Creamsicle will continue its migration—vibrantly orange and totally unexplained.

source
“Nobody knows why this snowy owl is orange.” CBC, 18 March 2025.

🐼❄️ A Ghost in the Bamboo: World’s First Albino Giant Panda Captured on Camera in China’s Wild 🌿

Deep in the misty forests of Sichuan, China, a flash of white against the green left scientists speechless. In April 2019, cameras in the Wolong National Nature Reserve captured something no one had ever seen before — an all-white giant panda with pinkish-red eyes, the unmistakable hallmark of albinism. It was the first confirmed albino panda in the wild, a living mystery shimmering like snow among the bamboo.

The young panda appeared healthy, strong, and confident — an astonishing sight, given that albinism in animals can sometimes cause poor vision or other vulnerabilities. For years, the white panda vanished into legend, until new infrared footage in 2023 revealed it once more, now a robust 5- or 6-year-old male, seen roaming near a mother and cub. It walked with the same steady grace as its black-and-white kin, blending into its world despite its striking difference.

Researchers believe the discovery could reshape understanding of panda genetics. The sighting confirms that the gene for albinism exists in the local population, and scientists are eager to see whether the pale panda might one day father cubs — potentially passing on his rare genetic trait. Conservation teams have since deployed additional cameras to study his movements, interactions, and survival in the dense mountain forests.#elf #cameroon

In a time when so much of nature feels threatened or diminished, the white panda of Wolong is a symbol of both rarity and resilience — proof that even after centuries of study, the wild still holds secrets luminous enough to humble us all. One flicker of motion, one moment of wonder, can rewrite what we thought we knew about life on Earth. 🌏✨

Sources: The Guardian, Smithsonian Magazine, ABC News (Australia), Phys.org, China Daily

(AI image for reference)

He fell on a snowy mountain and couldn’t move. Hours ticked by in the cold. What happened next still gives me chills.

Grga Brkic was hiking in Croatia’s Velebit mountains when he slipped down a steep slope and badly injured his leg. His two friends couldn’t reach him. Darkness moved in. Temperatures dropped.

His 8-month-old Alaskan Malamute, North, did the only thing he could. He curled up on Grga and stayed there. Minute after minute. Hour after hour.

For 13 hours, North kept his person warm with his body heat. He didn’t leave. Not to eat. Not to rest. He just held on.

Rescuers fought through deep snow and dangerous terrain to reach them. When they finally arrived, they found North still pressed against Grga, guarding him like a tiny furnace with a heartbeat.

Grga was lifted out and taken for treatment. North was fine. The photos say it all - a man on a stretcher, a dog refusing to let go.#elf #cameroon

It’s easy to say “dogs are loyal.” But stories like this make it real. A cold night. A hurt hiker. A young dog who simply would not move. Love can look like a blanket. Sometimes it has four paws.

References
‘A real miracle’: dog saves injured hiker stranded in Croatian mountains - The Guardian
Dog saves injured hiker by curling around him for 13 hours in Croatian mountains - Sky News
Croatian rescuers praise malamute’s care for hurt mountain hiker - ABC News (Australia)
Injured hiker saved by dog who lay on top of him for 13 hours - The Independent

Disclaimer: Images are generated using AI for illustration purposes only.

#fblifestyle