hGorillas observed using tools in the wild

hGorillas observedusing tools in the wild
For the first time, biologists have documented gorillas in the wild, including the one above, using simple tools, such as poking a stick in a swampy pool of water to check its depth. Until now, scientists had seen gorillas use tools only in captivity. Among the great apes, tool use in the wild was thought to be a survival skill reserved for smaller chimpanzees and orangutans. The research in the Republic of Congo's rain forests was led by Thomas Breuer of the Wildlife Conservation Society at the Bronx Zoo, which released details of his study. Breuer is in Africa and was not immediately available for an interview. "This is a truly astounding discovery," he said in a statement. "Tool usage in wild apes provides us with valuable insights into the evolution of our own species and the abilities of other species." Other scientists said the observations were important, but not surprising. Breuer's observations were made late last year in a marshy clearing called Mbeli Baia located in Nouabal & eacute;-Ndoki National Park where monitoring has been ongoing since February 1995. The first instance was observed last October when a female gorilla (nicknamed Leah by scientists) attempted to wade through a pool of water created by elephants, but found herself waist deep after only a few steps. Climbing out of the pool, she retrieved a branch from a dead tree and used the stick to test the depth of the water.
Schwarzenegger vetoessame-sex marriage bill
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger followed through Thursday on his promise to veto a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, leaving the issue up to voters or judges who will likely face the volatile issue in the next year. "This bill simply adds confusion to a constitutional issue," the Republican governor said in a veto message. Schwarzenegger had announced his intention Sept. 7, a day after the Legislature became the first in the country to approve a bill allowing gays and lesbians to wed. Schwarzenegger said the bill by Democratic Assemblyman Mark Leno contradicted Proposition 22, which was approved by voters in 2000 and said only a marriage between a man and woman is valid.
Authorities investigatenear-miss on runway
LAS VEGAS -- A veteran air traffic controller was stripped of tower duty at McCarran International Airport while authorities investigated how two commercial airliners nearly collided on a runway, officials said Thursday. No one was hurt in the Sept. 22 incident, and more than 100 feet separated the planes in what a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman characterized as a minor runway incursion but the airport director, Randall Walker, called a "near-miss." "They admitted there was a controller error," Walker said. "You had a plane crossing and a plane cleared to take off on the same runway." The FAA said it did not appear the pilots of America West Flight 539 to Cleveland and Air Canada Flight 593 from Toronto had to take evasive action. The controller, whose name was not released, was faulted for allowing the Air Canada jet, which had just landed, to taxi across a runway where the America West jet was taking off.
Moose is 1st of its speciesknown to have disease
DENVER -- A moose killed in northern Colorado has tested positive for chronic wasting disease, apparently the first of its species known to have contracted the disease in the wild, officials said Thursday. An archer killed the moose Sept. 10, and testing confirmed the presence of the fatal neurological disorder, said Kathi Green, disease management coordinator for the state Division of Wildlife. More testing is being conducted, but she said the test earlier this month is the same one used to confirm preliminary results in elk and deer. Chronic wasting disease, a fatal and transmissible brain ailment similar to mad cow disease, has previously been found in several states and Canada only in deer and elk in the wild. Scientists have found no evidence the disease can be transmitted to humans.
Associated Press