What's this? It certainly looks like Louis and Simon are jousting for X Factor supremacy

On guard: Lookalikes of Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell were in battle at Warwick Castle on Saturday to promote the return of jousting displays for the summer season

When Warwick Castle wanted someone famous to open their summer season they decided to go for the very best.

Pulling out all the stops, they secured the services of not just one X Factor judge, but two.

And true to their word, both Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh turned up at the castle on Saturday afternoon, looking to settle their differences.

Or at least two lookalikes did.


As close as they got: The pair, and their horses, wore traditional jousting clothing, and posed for photos but left the real battle to the experts


Crossing swords: The pair put down their jousting lances to do battle for supremacy with these weapons


The pair of 'celebrities' were at the castle to help it mark the return of its jousting knights for the summer.

As on the TV show, the two men caused divided loyalties between many members of the crowd.

And while they did pose for these photographs, they were unable to battle it out for real, as they left that to the experts.

Cowell and Walsh also joined in with some falconry, with each man donning a protective glove so a bird could sit on their hand.


Well protected: Cowell donned a falconry glove to let this owl species perch on his hand before Walsh did the same with another bird


It's a bird! Walsh looks surprised as he holds aloft another species during his go at falconry


While guests were also treated to the falconry, they also witnessed a show by actors performing the Arthurian legend 'The Sword and the Stone.'

And visitors could get within fire-breathing distance of The Great Dragon, a star of the BBC's Merlin drama.

Warwick Castle was built in 1068 by William the Conqueror and used as a fortification until the early 17th century.

It was then converted by Sir Fulke Greville into a country house and remained in his family until 1978.

Following the Greville's family's sale to Tussauds, the company performed extensive restoration work before opening it to the public.

source: dailymail

The jaws of death: Daredevil wrestler who puts his head into mouth of a crocodile

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

What a croc: This Thai wrestler shocked crowds with this daredevil stunt

Crowds went snap-happy when this daring Thai wrestler put his head in between a deadly crocodile's razor-sharp teeth.

These amazing pictures show him risking his life in a pit of the fierce reptiles during a spectacular show for tourists in Pattaya city, in southeast Thailand.

As well as prising one of the man-eater's jaws open, the fearless performer kissed a croc on the nose, pulled one's tail and lifted up a small croc to show its belly to the delighted spectators.


Get snappy: The wrestler places a kiss on the croc's nose


One bite from the fierce reptile can crush a human skull and the man-eater can grow up to six metres and weigh up to a ton.

One shocked tourist told The People: 'However much they're paying him, it's not enough'.

Photographer Tom Howell, who was at the Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Park, said: 'The Crocodiles are large, big-toothed and very angry crocs.

'They all look mean and ready to eat someone. Its quite amazing how the Thai performers drag the crocodiles from there pit and make them do stunts.


Don't slip: tourists look on at the amazing spectacle


'At one point he ran and slide across the pit and straight into the jaws of an opened mouthed huge crocodile'.

The Million Years Stone Park & Pattaya Crocodile Park attracts thousands of visitors a year and includes daily shows of men fighting with adult crocodiles bare-hand.

The park breeds its own crocodiles and claims to have the largest population of salt water crocodiles in this country.


Heavy work: The Thai wrestler dangerously holds the crocodile, showing spectators its belly

source: dailymail

Why have you woken me up? Sleepy slender loris ignores attentions of vet during health check

Snooze time: The eight month old loris sleeps in the hands of a vet after her first health check

When you are just eight months old sometimes just the simple things in life like popping to the doctors can be exhausting.

This baby slender loris certainly found it all too much - falling asleep in the vets hands as she underwent her first ever health check.

And unlike most animals who are terrified of the vet this baby primate looked more than relaxed as she allowed the experts to examine her.


Morning! The baby loris clings to the vets hands as she wakes up after her health check


The loris and another baby just eight-months-old were at London Zoo's veterinary surgery to have their sex determined and to each have a micro-chip installed.

They are yet to be named and are the latest arrivals at the zoo in Regent's Park.

Slender Loris is the common name for the strepsirrhine primates who are nocturnal and originate from India, Sri Lanka, and southeast Asia.


Waiting game: The sharp-eyed loris waits patiently for her health check - but looks slightly anxious


London Zoo supports conservation of lorises in Sri Lanka, where populations are thought to be under threat from deforestation, agrictulture and development.

They are also hunted for their meat and body parts which are used for traditional folk medicine.

The adorable lorises are known for their slow and precise movements and have huge Bambi-like eyes, which give it excellent night vision and allow it to hunt for insects during the night.

They are also distinctive for their extremely thin, slender limbs.


Wakey wakey! The baby loris looks exhausted as the vet props her up with his hands during the examination



Bright eyes: Slender loris is the common name for the strepsirrhine primates who are nocturnal and originate from India, Sri Lanka, and southeast Asia

source: dailymail

She just paints on the hoof! Mechi, the 3,500-pound rhinoceros turned artist

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Mechi uses her lips to paint on her canvas at a zoo in Evansville in Indiana which is then sold in the gift shop


Her works of art sell like hot cakes at the gift store and some are even comparing her to Picasso.

But there is one big difference between the famous Spanish artist and Mechi - Mechi is a one-horned, 3,500 pound rhinoceros who lives at the Mesker Park Zoo in Indiana.

And not only that, but she paints with her lips rather than her feet or horn to create colourful swirls or designs.


Zoo keeper Brad Fichter holds Mechi's paper as she paints. Just before she starts to paint, she gets excited and can't wait to put her lips to paper


The staff call Mechi their Picasso in training and say they can sometimes even see a rhino in her paintings


Mechi came to the zoo three years ago after being found in the wilds of Nepal after her mother was killed by poachers.

Since then, zoo keepers have been encouraging her to paint after she took to the hobby like a duck to water.

They offered her the chance to paint as a form of stimulating entertainment for the long winter months when she couldn’t get out to mud wallow or sit by her pool in the sun.


The 3,500-pound rhino came to the zoo via Washington Zoo after her mother was killed by poachers in the Nepalese wild three years ago


According to the zoo, at first pieces of banana, carrot and sweet potato were placed on the paper for Mechi to move around and nibble on. Once she got used to the motions she made with her lips to move the treats, the keepers replaced these with blobs of non-toxic paint.

The zoo staff affectionately refer to her as their Picasso in training and some even believe they can see a rhino in some of her paintings.

Mechi’s art is sold in the zoo gift shop, and auctioned off to raise money for the zoo and other rhino-related causes.



The zoo had trained rhinos to paint before, so thought they'd offer Mechi the chance as a form of stimulating entertainment for the long winter months

source: dailymail

The bee’s knees? Chinese contestants cover themselves in insects for ‘bee bearding’ competition

By BY DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Daredevil: Beekeeper Wang Dalin, 42, stands with bees covering his body on a weighing scale during a 'bee-bearding' competition.


Chinese farmer Wang Dalin will certainly 'bee' happy after winning this incredible competition.

The 42-year-old beekeeper was competing in a daring 'bee bearding' contest in Shaoyang, Hunan Province of China, against 20-year-old farmer Lv Kongjiang.

The pair competed by standing on a scale wearing only a pair of shorts.

They then used queen bees to attract other bees onto their bodies.

Fearless: Wang Dalin shortly before the bees completely covered his body


Mr Dalin was crowned the winner after attracting 26.86kg of bees onto his body in 60 minutes, according to local newspaper reports.

Mr Kongjiang managed to attract a slightly lower 22.9 kg.


Second place: Lv Kongjiang waves at onlookers watching the 'bee bearding' contest


The event attracted a large crowd of fascinated onlookers.

However, unlike the competitors, many of them took the more sensible option of wearing protective clothing.


Support: Crowds watch as bees cover Wang Dalin

source: dailymail

Save my lion! Desperate plea from woman who is looking after paralysed Ariel in her living room

By LEE MORAN

Caring: Ariel's owner Raquel Borges launched the Facebook campaign to raise money to care for her paralysed lion


Stretched across a mattress, Ariel the lion dozes as four people gently clean and massage his body.

Under usual circumstances his carers would be at risk of a serious mauling from the 140kg beast.

But three-year-old Ariel is no ordinary animal - because just over a year ago he was struck down by a debilitating virus which paralysed all four of his legs.


Routine: Vet Livia Pereira has taken Ariel into her home so she can care for him full-time


An internet campaign has now been launched by his owner Raquel Borges and vet Livia Pereira to raise the $11,500 needed each month to pay for his treatment.

A staggering 35,000 people have already clicked the 'like' button on Ariel's Facebook page and sent in donations to help fund his daily caring routine.

Pereira said: 'When the Facebook campaign began in May, we had less than five followers, because it was designed to inform people of Ariel's case not to ask for help.


Kindness: Vet Livia Pereira snuggles in to paralysed lion Ariel


'But then we started asking for donations and the number of people following Ariel's case soared.'

Pereira, who cares for Ariel at her home, said that for unknown reasons his white blood cells were attacking his healthy cells due to a degenerative disease affecting his medulla.

This is a portion of the brainstem involved in motor functions.


Passed out: Ariel lies on a mattress, propped up by packets of toilet rolls


She believed Ariel's symptoms were similar to those of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and Guillain-Barre syndrome - an autoimmune disorder that can cause paralysis.

A team of Israeli veterinary neurologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who tested Ariel to see what degenerative disease was involved, will publish their results later this month.

Their trip to Brazil was paid for by Graziela Barrette, a Brazilian model living in New York, who had been moved after hearing of Ariel's plight.

Ariel was born in the shelter that Borges and her husband run in the southern city of Maringa, where they care for sick or abandoned animals.

She said: 'He was a perfectly normal and docile lion that slept with me until he was 10-months-old.'



Loving: Vet Livia Pereira kisses paralysed lion Ariel who has lost the use of his legs


But last year, after spending hours leaping and chasing balloons, Ariel started limping. 'I could tell he was in pain,' she added.

Days later he was unable to move his two hind legs and after surgery to remove a herniated disc he lost control of his front legs.




source :dailymail

Parents face 35 years in jail after hungry eight-foot pet python kills two-year-old daughter

By JACQUI GODDARD

Killer: Law enforcement officials remove a pet Burmese python, measuring more than 8 feet long, from the home in Oxford, Florida

A mother is facing up to 35 years in jail for third-degree murder after the pet python she treated 'like a puppy' squeezed her two-year-old daughter to death.

Jaren Hare, 21, and her boyfriend Charles Darnell, 34, went on trial in Florida today, two years after they found Hare's daughter Shaianna dead in her cot in July 2009, with their albino Burmese python, Gypsy, coiled tightly around her and its fangs embedded in her forehead.

Investigators say that the 8ft 6in serpent had not been fed for a month and was kept in a tank at their rural home in Oxford, Florida, with only a duvet thrown over the top, tethered loosely with bungee cords and safety pins, to try to prevent it from escaping.


On trial: Jaren Hare and her boyfriend Charles Darnell are accused of criminal neglect after her daughter was killed by their pet snake


Prosecutors say that the episode was more than just a macabre accident and that Shaianna died as a result of criminal neglect by the couple.

Though the snake was the 'instrument of death', Darnell and Hare were responsible for ensuring the child's safety but showed 'reckless disregard', they assert.


Grieving: Charles Darnell hugs Jaren Hare at their home on July 1 2009

'Those two adult defendants are responsible for the unlawful death of Shaianna Hare,' assistant state attorney Peter Magrino told jurors as the trial opened today.

Gypsy had slithered out of her unsecured tank at least five times in the previous four weeks alone, jurors will hear, including once the night before the toddler was killed, when Mr Darnell found the snake squirming along the hallway and popped it back in its tank.

The next morning, he found it wrapped around the little girl's lifeless body, trying to eat her. He stabbed the reptile several times with a six-inch knife and a meat cleaver to get it off Shaianna, but too late to save her.

'The baby's dead. Our stupid snake got out in the middle of the night and strangled the baby,' he sobbed to an emergency dispatcher after dialling 911.


Under suspicion: Gypsy had slithered out of her unsecured tank at least five times in the previous four weeks alone



Snake: The tank had only a duvet thrown over the top, tethered loosely with bungee cords and safety pins, to try to prevent the python from escaping

source: dailymail

Not 101, but quite a few: 16 dalmatian puppies born to one tired mother - who was also one of 16

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Puppy love: A Dalmatian bitch named Milly who herself was born in a huge and rare litter of 16 puppies has given birth to 16 beautiful spotted pups


Owners of a dalmation who gave birth to a rare, huge litter of 16 spotted pups have had to have a letter signed by vets to confirm the unusually large brood.

Bitch Milly, who was coincidentally one of 16, gave birth to the huge haul of puppies six weeks ago.

Owners Lisa and Terry Elvins, from Church Stretton, Shropshire, said registering the pups with the Kennel club had proved difficult because no-one believed Milly had had such a large litter.

Mum-of-three Mrs Elvins said veterinarians couldn't believe the size of the haul of puppies when they performed a caesarian operation on Milly.


Big hit: 18-year-old Lucy Elvins with Bertie and Maisie


She said: 'During the caesarian the vet pulled out eight puppies and gave a sigh, so we thought that was it - but there were still eight more to go. The vets were amazed.

'It's really unusual to have so many puppies in one litter and the Kennel Club actually don't believe us

'We have had to get a signed letter from the vet confirming it was 16 puppies in one letter so they can all be registered.'

It's all the more amazing as the bitch Milly was one of 16 puppies herself.'


Not quite 101: The puppies will soon be rehomed but the family will keep one, named Maisie


The family are all hard at work taking care of the pups which will be sold on to new homes, however Mrs Elvins said they have decided to keep one - named Maisie.

She said:'Everyone loves having the dogs around - my daughter Becky had her 21st birthday party recently and the puppies were a really big hit, everyone wanted to see them.

'It is really hard work looking after 16 dogs in the house as someone always has to be around them at feed time and as they are puppies they eat quite often.
'But at the same time it is lovely and rewarding.

'We are keeping Milly and one of the puppies Maisie, but the rest are all available to loving homes.'

source: dailymail

It's not easy being a St Bernard in balmy Bangkok: Mighty Milo struggles in the heat

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Walkabout: Milo on the march during his daily stroll


Spare a thought for Milo, the two-foot tall St.Bernard struggling to cope in the heat.

While the St.Bernard originates from the Swiss Alps and was initially bred as a rescue dog, Milo resides in Bangkok, Thailand, where he doesn't really have need of such a warm coat.

The sweltering heats of 33C yesterday were taking their toll on the pooch, who was spotted out padding the streets for a walk with his owner.


Full stretch: Milo displays his impressive tongue


He looked desperate for a drink of water, but was able at least to use his mighty tongue to regulate his body temperature.

As all children learn, dogs' tongues becomes larger during exercise because of increased blood flow and tend to hang out of the mouth.

Thus, when a dog pants, its quick shallow breaths cause moisture on the tongue to evaporate - thus cooling the entire body.


Tongue tied: Milo, the St Bernard, walks the streets of Bangkok, Thailand with his owner

source: dailymail

Now that’s a holiday snap and a half! Giant crocodile gives tourists a shock as he leaps from water

By RICHARD SHEARS

Snap! This monster crocodile sent tourists rearing back as it soared out of the water in Australia to grab a chunk of meat offered on a stick by a ranger


This monster crocodile soared out of the water in northern Australia to grab a chunk of meat offered on a stick by a ranger.

Tourists on the boat, cruising along the Adelaide River near Darwin, reared back as the giant 80-year-old crocodile suddenly leaped up to grab the titbit.

Feeding the crocs is a daily tourist attraction but usually they're much smaller than this 18ft fellow, nicknamed Brutus by rangers who have been aware of his presence over the years.


The picture was taken by Katrina Bridgeford, a photographer with the Northern Territory News, who was on the cruise with sons Jordan, 14, and Dylan, 11.

She recalled that when Dylan saw the massive creature rise out of the water he had only two words to utter - 'Holy crap!'

Brutus is missing his front leg following what is believed to have been a confrontation with a shark in the river's estuary - leaving many people to wonder just how big the shark was.

'When it came up out of the water there were a lot of "Oos" and "Ahs",' said Miss Bridgeford.

'I wasn't expecting anything like this. I couldn't believe how close it got to us.

'If you had put your hand out you would have been able to touch it - if you'd dared.'


source: dailymail

Get out of my way! The bulls of Pamplona go running… over the backs of revellers

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Ouch! Revellers crouch for cover as a bull jumps over them to get into the arena


Thousands of thrill-seekers dashed ahead of six fighting bulls in the streets of the northern Spanish city of Pamplona today in the first running of the bulls in this year's San Fermin festival.

Miraculously no one was gored, but one person was hospitalized after falling in the sprint, said Spanish Red Cross spokesman Jose Aldaba. In all, four people needed treatment by medical staff.

The bulls, from the Torrestrella farm, accompanied by six guiding steers charged down the 849 metre course from a pen to the city's bull ring in two minutes and 30 exhilarating seconds.


That's got to hurt! A 'mozo' or runner is painfully flipped over when a young bull catches him with a horn between the legs


Runners, wearing traditional white clothing and red handkerchiefs around their necks, tripped over each other or fell in the mad rush but avoided getting caught out by the charging bulls.

There were some unexpected moments as one of the steers separated from the pack and charged back towards the starting gate, sending runners scattering after they thought their dash was over.

Another steer stopped and laid down on the pavement near the end before eventually being guided into bullring, where the six bulls will take part in the afternoon's bullfight.



Stampede: The fighting bulls charge round a corner on their way to the ring as the runners try to keep up


Hoofed: a reveller winces as he is trampled after falling on the street


'The truth is there were very few people for the first running, so it was quite comfortable,' said 20-year-old Julen Iruzun, who was taking part in his third 'encierro,' the Spanish term for the run.

'That must be one odd steer' Iruzun said about the wandering one, 'but these things happen.'

The runs take place each morning at 8 a.m. and are televised across Spain.

People come from all over the world to test their bravery and enjoy the festival's nonstop street parties which last until July 14.

The festival was immortalized by author Ernest Hemingway in his 1926 novel 'The Sun Also Rises'.


Taking it easy: Runners are forced to wait while a cow that took a tumble on the cobbled street gets to its feet. Right, locals cheer from their balconies as the the bull run rushes past on the way to the town arena


Steer crazy: The angry animals rampage down the street as festival goers, dressed in traditional red and white, urge them on


A sangria-soaked runner is pressed up against a wall by a bad-tempered bull


At the end of each run, that last around two and a half minutes, the animals are led into the city's bullring


Spain bull running festival gets underway


source: dailymail

Get out of my way! The bulls of Pamplona go running… over the backs of revellers

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Ouch! Revellers crouch for cover as a bull jumps over them to get into the arena


Thousands of thrill-seekers dashed ahead of six fighting bulls in the streets of the northern Spanish city of Pamplona today in the first running of the bulls in this year's San Fermin festival.

Miraculously no one was gored, but one person was hospitalized after falling in the sprint, said Spanish Red Cross spokesman Jose Aldaba. In all, four people needed treatment by medical staff.

The bulls, from the Torrestrella farm, accompanied by six guiding steers charged down the 849 metre course from a pen to the city's bull ring in two minutes and 30 exhilarating seconds.


That's got to hurt! A 'mozo' or runner is painfully flipped over when a young bull catches him with a horn between the legs


Runners, wearing traditional white clothing and red handkerchiefs around their necks, tripped over each other or fell in the mad rush but avoided getting caught out by the charging bulls.

There were some unexpected moments as one of the steers separated from the pack and charged back towards the starting gate, sending runners scattering after they thought their dash was over.

Another steer stopped and laid down on the pavement near the end before eventually being guided into bullring, where the six bulls will take part in the afternoon's bullfight.



Stampede: The fighting bulls charge round a corner on their way to the ring as the runners try to keep up


Hoofed: a reveller winces as he is trampled after falling on the street


'The truth is there were very few people for the first running, so it was quite comfortable,' said 20-year-old Julen Iruzun, who was taking part in his third 'encierro,' the Spanish term for the run.

'That must be one odd steer' Iruzun said about the wandering one, 'but these things happen.'

The runs take place each morning at 8 a.m. and are televised across Spain.

People come from all over the world to test their bravery and enjoy the festival's nonstop street parties which last until July 14.

The festival was immortalized by author Ernest Hemingway in his 1926 novel 'The Sun Also Rises'.


Taking it easy: Runners are forced to wait while a cow that took a tumble on the cobbled street gets to its feet. Right, locals cheer from their balconies as the the bull run rushes past on the way to the town arena


Steer crazy: The angry animals rampage down the street as festival goers, dressed in traditional red and white, urge them on


A sangria-soaked runner is pressed up against a wall by a bad-tempered bull


At the end of each run, that last around two and a half minutes, the animals are led into the city's bullring


Spain bull running festival gets underway


source: dailymail