Animal News: 2016

Well, it's not long until 2016 ends in the usual blink of an eye. It's been another crazy year, what with the loss of quite a few celebrity icons, not to mention Andy Murray actually winning Wimbledon...

But it's not all about the humans!! What about our friends in the animal kingdom?


Year Of The Tiger

It was great to hear from WWF that there are now nearly 3900 tigers in the world, an increase of about 700 since 2010. This is the first time in a century that the numbers have risen, and I couldn't be more pleased. Fingers crossed they can hit their target of doubling the numbers by 2022.

Promising for Pandas?

2016 was also a good year for Giant Pandas, with their status being changed from "endangered" to vulnerable. This is mainly due to China's efforts. Sadly, this could be short-lived due to bamboo habitats being destroyed. Approximately one-third could be wiped out in the next 80 years, mainly due to climate change.

Everyone Knows A Dave.....

Worms don't normally hit the headlines, but Dave the Worm did! The largest earthworm ever found in the UK, he measured an incredible 40cm and weighed 26g!

Invasion of the Moths

After stadium workers left the lights on all night, the Euro 2016 final saw a swarm of moths fly in. Maybe they just wanted to play too!

Paws for Palmerston

On the 13th April, Palmerston the cat arrived at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office to begin his role of Chief Mouser. He made the news in May when he caught his first mouse. He also keeps getting into trouble! As well as sneaking into Number 10 Downing Street, he's also had a few fights with Larry, the cat at Number 10. To be fair, I think Larry starts the fights.....

By Source = <a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://twitter.com/DiploMog/status/720236191958855681">https://twitter.com/DiploMog/status/720236191958855681</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50160102">Link</a>

By Her Majesty's Government - https://assets.digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk/government/assets/history/buildings/larry-the-cat-a47549e08bdbc6cd0e3e042eea943f65b7a4590d95642586e51acb44bb2dcea2.jpg, OGL, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46634105

Smoking Vs. Vaping: How Much Could We Save?

Smoking Vs. Vaping: How Much Could We Save?

I'm a smoker. A heavy smoker. On a good day, I probably get through about 10g of tobacco. On a bad day, up all day and working nights, I probably go through 15g. I used to smoke normal cigarettes, and still treat myself to a pack now and again, but it got far too costly.

So I buy a pack of tobacco for around £4. I probably buy 7 a week. That comes to £28. You could say that's £112 a month, but add in the odd pack of ciggies or extra tobacco, it's more like £150. 

It's not just my pocket that's suffering, it's my health too. But despite all that, I still haven't found the willpower to give it up. I've tried the gum, which made my mouth itch, and an e-cigarette which I hated. 

Now, everywhere I go, people are vaping. They look like dragons, with a cloud of smoke obscuring their heads. At first, I'd shake my head at them and roll my eyes. But....maybe it's worth a go......

Now, if it works, how much would I be saving? According to my research, I could save around £23 a week. Apparently, after I've purchased my starter kit, my average spend would be as follows:

£155 a year for liquid

£20 a year on batteries

£72 a year on clearomisers (originally I thought this was a cleaning product, but apparently it's the part that converts the liquid into vapour)

All in all, this sounds brilliant. And they smell nicer too! So come payday (unless I give up before I start) I'm going to invest in a vapey whatsit and do my very best dragon impression. If I can last at least a week, there just might be hope for me yet.