Baby giraffe walks for first time after special shoes cure 'back-to-front' feet

You would not expect the tallest creature on the planet to need a set of heels, but this baby giraffe had to wear special customised ‘shoes’ for more than a year after being born with ‘back-to-front’ rear feet.

Now, thanks to the pioneering treatment, young Hope has walked unaided for the first time in her life.

The African mammal was born with a rare deformity called hyperextended fetlocks, meaning each rear foot was bent forwards – the equivalent of humans walking on their ankles rather than their heels.

Zoo vet Joseph Kramer fitted her with plywood shoes with extended ‘heels’ and an artificial tendon glued to the bottom of her rear hooves.

Hope wore them for 12 months while her front tendons stretched enough to let her walk unaided.

It was the first time the procedure had been carried out on a giraffe. She is now happy at home in Topeka Zoo, Kansas, where a spokesman said: ‘It is fantastic to see Hope walking completely normally now. One of her favourite things to do is chase squirrels and birds.

‘Right from the beginning, her mum, Dolly, was so supportive. We had to separate Hope from her mum while the procedure was carried out but she watched over the fence the whole time.’
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/870041-baby-giraffe-walks-for-first-time-after-special-shoes-cure-back-to-front-feet

Two-headed calf born in Georgia

By Associated Press
Story Published: Jan 7, 2011 at 8:59 AM PST

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) - A cow in Georgia has given birth to a two-headed calf.

Farmer Irakli Dzhgarkava, shown with the calf on Imedi television, says the cow is refusing to allow her strange offspring to suckle, so they are giving it milk from a bottle.

He says the calf eats with both heads.

Friday's television report says people have been coming to the village of Martvili to see the grayish-brown calf since it was born Jan. 2.

The village is located in western Georgia, about 280 kilometers (170 miles) from the capital, Tbilisi.


http://www.keprtv.com/news/offbeat/113078174.html

Two-headed calf born in Georgia

By Associated Press
Story Published: Jan 7, 2011 at 8:59 AM PST

TBILISI, Georgia (AP) - A cow in Georgia has given birth to a two-headed calf.

Farmer Irakli Dzhgarkava, shown with the calf on Imedi television, says the cow is refusing to allow her strange offspring to suckle, so they are giving it milk from a bottle.

He says the calf eats with both heads.

Friday's television report says people have been coming to the village of Martvili to see the grayish-brown calf since it was born Jan. 2.

The village is located in western Georgia, about 280 kilometers (170 miles) from the capital, Tbilisi.


http://www.keprtv.com/news/offbeat/113078174.html

Farmer raises two-legged lamb

4 August 2010, 9:35

A Chinese farmer is raising a lamb which was born with only two legs.

Cui Jinxiu, of Dadongzhuang village, Laizhou, Shandong province, says the lamb was one of two born on the farm two months ago.

"The first one was very healthy and normal. However, the second one surprised me," she said.

"It looked normal but just lay on the grass and when I looked again I was amazed to see it had only two legs."

The family doubted the two-legged lamb would survive but decided to try to raise it by feeding it from baby bottles.

"The very next morning after it was born, it managed to stand up by itself," added Cui.

"In the beginning it struggled to balance but now manages perfectly well by lifting its butt in the air.

"It is very strong willed and brave. Despite only having two legs, it is living normally just like other lambs.

"Once it sees me or hears my voice, it runs to me with excitement, and rub my pants with its head."

http://web.orange.co.uk/article/quirkies/Farmer_raises_two_legged_lamb

INDIA: Six-legged goat to grab eyeballs at goat exhibition

9 November 2009, 07:45am

VARANASI: Call it birth defect or wish of the Almighty, a goat with six legs, four testicles and three penis will be spared from holy sacrifice.

While the black-coloured goat, barely one-year-old and weighing around 10 kg, is all set to attract attention during the goat exhibition prior to the festival, the owner of the goat has ruled out any chances of sacrifice of the unique goat on the auspicious day.

"This goat is a gift of God and the sacrifice of such a goat is not allowed in Islam," said Sher Mohammed, the owner of the goat, while talking to TOI on Sunday. "The goat can be displayed during Bakrid exhibition, but sacrifice of the goat is strictly prohibited," he added.

Saying the goat was born with six legs, four testicles and three penis a year ago, the owner adds it can walk freely and normally like other goats. "It faces problems in defecating and urinating, as discharge of urine is witnessed after frequent intervals from different penis. But still, it is a special goat that attracts attention of people," he added.

His neighbour Sarfaraz maintained that such a goat was rare in the city and had not been witnessed till date in any parts of the region. "I have seen goats with the name of Allah or the holy number 786 on their bodies, but a goat with six legs is definitely unique and special," he said.

According to district veterinary officer Dr BB Singh, such abnormalities are rare but can occur in animals during the development of their body parts. "Genetic changes or mutations can also cause such birth defects," he informed.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Six-legged-goat-to-grab-eyeballs-at-goat-exhibition/articleshow/5209889.cms

(Submitted by Steve Puckett)

INDIA: Six-legged goat to grab eyeballs at goat exhibition

9 November 2009, 07:45am

VARANASI: Call it birth defect or wish of the Almighty, a goat with six legs, four testicles and three penis will be spared from holy sacrifice.

While the black-coloured goat, barely one-year-old and weighing around 10 kg, is all set to attract attention during the goat exhibition prior to the festival, the owner of the goat has ruled out any chances of sacrifice of the unique goat on the auspicious day.

"This goat is a gift of God and the sacrifice of such a goat is not allowed in Islam," said Sher Mohammed, the owner of the goat, while talking to TOI on Sunday. "The goat can be displayed during Bakrid exhibition, but sacrifice of the goat is strictly prohibited," he added.

Saying the goat was born with six legs, four testicles and three penis a year ago, the owner adds it can walk freely and normally like other goats. "It faces problems in defecating and urinating, as discharge of urine is witnessed after frequent intervals from different penis. But still, it is a special goat that attracts attention of people," he added.

His neighbour Sarfaraz maintained that such a goat was rare in the city and had not been witnessed till date in any parts of the region. "I have seen goats with the name of Allah or the holy number 786 on their bodies, but a goat with six legs is definitely unique and special," he said.

According to district veterinary officer Dr BB Singh, such abnormalities are rare but can occur in animals during the development of their body parts. "Genetic changes or mutations can also cause such birth defects," he informed.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/varanasi/Six-legged-goat-to-grab-eyeballs-at-goat-exhibition/articleshow/5209889.cms

(Submitted by Steve Puckett)