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Outrage after dog seen trapped in car cloaked in barbed wire

<p dir="ltr">One dog owner has become the subject of the internet’s ire when an image of their dog inside of a car lined with barbed wire circulated on social media. </p> <p dir="ltr">The German shepherd was spotted by someone walking by the carpark of Caves Beach’s southern end, who snapped a picture of the “disturbing” scene, and posted it to a local Facebook page for assistance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A German Shepherd inside a car full of barbed wire,” they captioned the series of images. “Unfortunately the car left before authorities arrived.”</p> <p dir="ltr">As their friend informed<em> Yahoo News Australia</em>, the dog had seemed “visibly distressed” and that’s what had drawn the witness over, and that they’d only left the area in order to get reception to call for police aid.</p> <p dir="ltr">People were quick to speak up, condemning the owner and voicing their concern for the shepherd, with one declaring it to be “the most f***ed up thing I've seen”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I would have smashed the car after taking the photos,” another said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“This is such strange behaviour and very distressing to see. To be done in the middle of the day in a public place where people will clearly see,” someone else wrote. “I really hope [the] police can still contact them and have a word.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am completely dumbfounded that someone thought that this was ok. That poor dog - god only knows the environment it is subjected to at 'home',” one added. </p> <p dir="ltr">And, as another put it, “this is so disturbing”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Some didn’t immediately assume the worst of the owner, however, suggesting that perhaps they were in a challenging living situation and left with few other choices, writing “I wonder if the owner is homeless and living out of their car. The wire could be some type of safety measure. Poor dog, though.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Those requesting to know more didn’t have to wait long, with updates soon coming in to inform everyone that NSW Police had confirmed officers had attended the scene, but that upon finding the car space empty, they were “making arrangements to speak to the registered owner”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The owner was eventually located by the police, with a spokesperson sharing that “they have checked the dog and confirmed there were no injuries and that [it] is being well cared for. </p> <p dir="ltr">“They have also been assured the wire has been permanently removed from the car.”</p> <p dir="ltr">They could not, however, reveal why the owner had lined the vehicle with the dangerous wire, or why the dog had been left in there. Nor could RSPCA NSW, who noted that the matter was under police investigation. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook </em></p>

Family & Pets

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New technology to keep track of koalas during bushfire season

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong><sup>Authorities were left to guess the death toll of adorable koalas and other threatened species after the Black Summer bushfires that tore through our east coast.</sup></strong></h3> <p>The disaster exposed a lack of data about what was living where - a consequence of how expensive and time consuming it is to gather such information on a large scale.</p> <p dir="ltr">On World Environment Day, news emerged of a three-way collaboration using drones, artificial intelligence algorithms and dedicated volunteers, to help make a difference.</p> <p dir="ltr">Drones fitted with cameras and thermal sensors will be given to trained Landcare groups and will be regularly flown over local koala habitats.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage will then be sent to the Queensland University of Technology to be scanned by the AI algorithm, which essentially allows computers to "see".</p> <p dir="ltr">Highly accurate data about the location and number of koalas is then returned to volunteers, who can use it to inform their conservation work.</p> <p dir="ltr">University ecologist Grant Hamilton developed the algorithm with colleague Simon Denman and says involving Landcare groups is the perfect way to scale up the use of the technology and start generating big data sets.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As the Black Summer bushfires showed, we simply don't know what's out there. The huge benefit of this is being able to cover a lot of ground quickly," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">It also removes the challenge of scaling rugged terrain and offers more accurate information.</p> <p dir="ltr">The $1.5 million project has been funded by WIRES, Australia's largest wildlife rescue organisation and Landcare with in-kind support from the university.</p> <p dir="ltr">Landcare Australia CEO Shane Norrish says the project will start with five groups from Victoria’s north to Queensland but will soon expand into other areas. </p> <p dir="ltr">The same approach could be used to monitor threatened species other than the koala.</p> <p dir="ltr">WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor says better data should mean a better wildlife response when future disasters strike.</p> <p dir="ltr">More than 60,000 koalas were killed or injured in the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfire disaster, WWF Australia calculated.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nearly three billion animals - including mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs - were impacted.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, the 2022 Queensland budget will allocate almost $40 million to help protect the state's native flora and fauna.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e79786d9-7fff-2dcf-aa20-f866bf50d5d5"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.04; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 12pt;"><em> Image: Getty</em></p>

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Rare albino echidna given a second chance at life

<p>An extremely rare albino echidna – affectionally named Mr Spike by his rescuers – has been found, saved and re-released back into the wild after being hit by a car.</p> <p>After sustaining minor injuries to his spikes, the unique monotreme was placed into WIRES Wildlife Rescue care before being whisked to Albion Park Veterinary Hospital in NSW for treatment.</p> <p>It was here that Dr Cindy Jarrett named the special white guy Mr Spike before clearing him to be placed back into bushland after several days of gentle rehab.</p> <p>A lack of melanin makes this adorable little creature albino and particularly rare, with only a handful of the mammals ever sighted in the country.</p> <p>Echidnas have been around for about 50 million years but are considered quite mysterious by researchers and scientists, often burrowing into the ground or moving at a hasty speed of 2.3 kilometres per hour.</p> <p>Local and overseas travellers alike know just how special it is to spot an echidna in the wild – so imagine how amazing it must have been to stumble across Mr White, and then be able to help him safely return to his home.</p> <p><em>Image: WIRES</em></p>

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WIRES to launch new Koala rescue course

<p dir="ltr">A new koala rescue course has been launched nationwide by WIRES for registered wildlife carers.</p> <p dir="ltr"> The course, which launches this month, is part of a WIRES plan to increase rescue and rehabilitation capacity and improve emergency rescue response for koalas. It will explore the best practice for rescuing and transporting injured, sick or orphaned koalas and will be delivered online.</p> <p dir="ltr">In February 2022 koalas in Queensland, NSW and the ACT were officially classified as an endangered species and WIRES chief operating officer Kyla Shelley said the sheer number of koala rescues in NSW painted a clear picture of the increased need to build volunteer capacity and capability.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We have seen almost a doubling of koala rescues in the last two years," she said. "These are usually complex situations and require specific skills to assist this unique species."</p> <p dir="ltr">The WIRES koala rescue course will cover:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Work health and safety risks involved in rescuing and transporting koalas</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Koala biology, behaviour, distribution, and threats</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Appropriate capture, handling, and transport methods</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rescue scenarios and how to approach koalas</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Koala observational assessment and reporting processes post-rescue</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Common injuries and diseases.</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"> The course is based on the standards and guidelines outlined in the NSW environment department code of practice for injured, sick and orphaned koalas and the official guidelines for initial treatment and care of rescued koalas. </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9fe457bf-7fff-22c7-2dd7-5af3c295787c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.04; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><em>Image: Getty </em></p>

Family & Pets

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Michael K Williams and The Wire: how the show redefined television watching

<p><em>This article contains spoilers for The Wire.</em></p> <p>Emmy-nominated actor Michael K Williams has died aged 54, reportedly of a <a href="https://nypost.com/2021/09/06/actor-michael-k-williams-found-dead-in-nyc-apartment/">suspected drug overdose</a>. Early last year the actor <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8CCmkpBb2g/?utm_medium=copy_link">mused on instagram</a> “How will I be remembered and what will be my legacy?”</p> <p>Undoubtedly the actor will be remembered for his breakthrough role as <a href="https://www.hbo.com/the-wire">The Wire</a>’s Omar Little. The homosexual, morally ambiguous outlaw who hunts Baltimore drug dealers for fun was somehow larger than life yet authentically believable.</p> <p>Armed with his signature sawed-off-shotgun, facial scar, duster jacket, and grin, Williams’s sheer presence played a key part in HBO’s 2002 series about <a href="https://drugpolicy.org/issues/brief-history-drug-war">America’s “war on drugs”</a>. This was the federal government’s zero-tolerance approach to illegal drug use that increased prison sentences for all drug-related incidents. Twenty years on, we can see how the programme redefined television and its impact in multiple ways.</p> <h2>1. Television as Greek tragedy</h2> <p>Unlike the then-popular <a href="https://theconversation.com/farewell-csi-the-show-that-made-forensics-fun-40857">CSI</a>-style investigative American cop show, The Wire embraces the cold-hearted nature of ancient <a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/447310">Greek tragedy</a>.</p> <p>Indifferent to individuals’ heroism and morality, the show demonstrates how the American dream remains unachievable for many. Internal politics within local government, an overworked police force and an underfunded education sector thwart individual talent and ambition. Characters are at the mercy of these institutions that stand in for traditional Greek gods.</p> <p>Omar may be the closest the show has to a heroic figure, but his attempts for redemption are rewarded by the barrel of a child’s gun as he is unceremoniously killed for a couple of dollars. He is the Achilles falling victim to Apollo’s eventual will, as envisioned by ancient Greek playwright Aeschylus.</p> <p><iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9qK-VGjMr8g?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <h2>2. The visual novel</h2> <p>The show’s creator, David Simon, coined the phrase “<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/10/22/stealing-life">visual novel</a>” to describe the programme’s distinctive and demanding viewing experience. Instead of each episode neatly concluding with a captured criminal, The Wire made it impossible to simply tune in at any point in the season.</p> <p>One investigation stretches over 13 hours of television, so you have room for all the regular idiosyncrasies and nuance of how people relate and how institutions work, much like a Dickens novel. Put simply, “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2009/aug/29/david-simon-edinburgh-interview-full">Fuck the casual viewer</a>” as Simon once elucidated.</p> <h2>3. Streaming series</h2> <p>The Wire heralded the binge-watching revolution when DVD box sets made consuming 13 hours of television in one sitting possible and irresistible. Compared to HBO’s other quality television dramas from the period – including <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/the-sopranos">The Sopranos</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/mar/09/rewatching-deadwood-still-the-most-extraordinary-rootin-tootin-tv-ever">Deadwood</a> – The Wire’s exploration of America’s war on drugs proved that television audiences had the patience and intelligence to consume a narrative that could be consumed as if it were one very long film.</p> <h2>4. Good guys or bad guys?</h2> <p>It’s difficult to imagine a universe where <a href="https://www.hbo.com/game-of-thrones">Game of Thrones</a> could have been commissioned had The Wire not blurred the previously clear division between hero and villain.</p> <p>Baltimore’s police department and Barksdale’s drug-dealing crew are presented as two social structures in a pragmatic conflict with one another. A parallel ensues between Baltimore’s criminal justice system and the laws of the street and the equal pressure they apply to individuals.</p> <p>For instance, drug kingpin Stringer Bell’s (Idris Elba) brutal murder of Omar’s lover Brandon for robbing his stash house is depicted as a logically justifiable action similar to that of the US justice system’s treatment of criminals. Without such iconic episodes, would we have been able to empathise with the callous actions of the bloodthirsty Lannisters in Game of Thrones?</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/420027/original/file-20210908-27-rd3frm.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="Man in suit." /> <span class="caption">Idris Elba as drug kingpin.</span> <span class="attribution"><a href="https://www.hbo.com/content/dam/hbodata/series/the-wire/character/the-street/russell-stringer-bell-1920.jpg/_jcr_content/renditions/cq5dam.web.1200.675.jpeg" class="source">HBO</a></span></p> <h2>5. Challenging the war on drugs</h2> <p>Perhaps Williams’ and the Wire’s greatest legacy will be the key role it has played in making the world increasingly sceptical of America’s war on drugs. Season four received the <a href="https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-wire/season-4">strongest critical reception</a> for portraying how a host of school children could be forced into a life of drug abuse against their will.</p> <p>The series highlights underfunded social services, a lack of employment opportunities, “benevolent” drug dealers, and drug-addicted parents to compellingly reveal that not all addicts are addled layabouts through choice. Instead, these people have been worn down by a system and societal structure that was against them from the moment they were unlucky enough to be born black in the projects (the US’s social housing).</p> <p>A testament to just how much the show changed opinion, during his first presidential campaign <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&amp;v=w2F3eLZHmoA">Barack Obama said</a>, “Omar’s a great guy.” While Obama was keen to point out he was not endorsing the character’s lawbreaking, The Wire nevertheless helped instigate a global debate as to whether America’s war on drugs is worth its escalating cost in terms of human lives and taxpayer money.</p> <p>David Simon <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2011/06/wire-creator-david-simon-has-counter-offer-eric-holder/351634/">has since vowed he will write a sixth season</a> if drugs are legalised nationally in the US. From new Portuguese laws to Cleveland police’s <a href="https://www.cleveland.pcc.police.uk/how-can-we-help/community/heroin-assisted-treatment-hat/">heroin assisted treatment programme</a>, drug addiction is now starting to be treated as a health problem, as the obituaries for <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-58470253">Michael K Williams’ untimely death</a> attest. The Wire and Williams’ performance went a long way in showing that drug addiction is an illness that demands understanding and that those suffering from it need society’s help and support, not its condemnation.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/167480/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-lamb-453614">Ben Lamb</a>, Senior Lecturer in Media, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/teesside-university-1230">Teesside University</a></em></span></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/michael-k-williams-and-the-wire-how-the-show-redefined-television-watching-167480">original article</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Moviestore Collection Ltd/Alamy</em></p>

TV

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To retire or re-wire? How to reframe your retirement

<p><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.megangiles.com/" target="_blank">Megan Giles</a></span>, Retirement Transition Consultant, supports those approaching retirement to successfully transition and create a retirement they will love to live!</strong></em></p> <p>Retirement is a gloomy word. It is derived from the French words ‘re’ and ‘tirer’, meaning to draw back and suggests that the best part of our lives is over once we are no longer working. It insinuates that retirement is simply a time to sit back and wait for the inevitable.</p> <p>But what if we framed it differently?</p> <p>I recently put the call out to my readers, thinking that surely there must be a better (and more inspiring) word than retirement to describe the life stage post-career. I figured who better to ask than those who are currently living this reality? I received a number of insightful suggestions but the one that really struck me was the notion to ‘rewire’ as shared by <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/retiringnotshy/?ref=br_rs" target="_blank">Jan Wild</a></strong></span> of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.retirement-planning.info/" target="_blank">Retiring Not Shy</a></strong></span>. I love this as it evokes a sense of renewal, reinvigoration and the opportunity to challenge assumptions.</p> <p>What would you rather do – retire or <em>rewire</em>?</p> <p>Growing research in the field of neuroplasticity demonstrates that the brain is not static. It continues to evolve and adapt, i.e. <em>rewire</em>, as we age. Scientists have demonstrated that the brain is sufficiently plastic (i.e. able to reorganise its neural pathways) to transform and change at any age, even in adulthood. Significant learning is not confined to childhood and adolescence as previously thought.</p> <p>If your brain can rewire, what shouldn’t you?</p> <p>Do you want to challenge the stereotype that older persons are unable to learn new things – or that the best of your life has passed once you step into retirement? Here are three science-based facts to inspire you to <em>rewire</em> and grasp life with both hands as you step into retirement.</p> <p><strong>Use it or lose it</strong></p> <p>It’s only when you stop doing things that you forget how to do them. There is a tendency for people to limit themselves as they age by doing only the things that feel comfortable, i.e. undertaking only familiar and repetitive activities. What this means, however, is that this familiarity enables the brain to become a little lazy (Guglielman 2017). Provided you keep challenging yourself, there is no reason that you can’t get out there and learn a new language or take up stand-up paddle boarding. Your brain will adapt and allow you to learn new skills. </p> <p><em>Tip:</em> Keep using your brain and your body in new and exciting ways. Fire up your network of friends, family and community (and those long held dreams!) and try new adventures and activities.</p> <p><strong>Keep pushing yourself.</strong></p> <p>Don’t allow old age to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Perhaps you’re a little nervous about driving and so you start to accept lifts from friends or catch the bus into town. You put mechanisms in place to ensure you can still get ‘out and about’ but without the stress of driving. This means, however, that your brain will stop receiving the stimuli that driving creates and instead focus its efforts on other functions. As a result you no longer have the competence (or confidence) to drive. This is known as negative learning (Merzenich, 2005).</p> <p><em>Tip:</em> Don’t assume that because you are older, there are things you ‘shouldn’t’ be doing. Provided your health will allow it, avoid ‘work-arounds’ and keep challenging yourself with complex (and perhaps exciting!) tasks.</p> <p><strong>Avoid getting caught up in ‘seniors moments’</strong></p> <p>A lapse in memory can be inconvenient and even embarrassing. It can even be time-consuming, such as forgetting where you left the keys. But before you start researching the symptoms of Alzheimers and self-diagnosing, recognise we all have forgetful moments. Regardless of age, people tend experience significant drop offs in retention after 60 minutes and after 24 hours because out brains ‘bump out’ older information to make way for new information (Waddington 2009). Further to that, forgetfulness can be caused by a number of things such as stress, fatigue or medication.</p> <p><em>Tip:</em> Avoid identifying with the stereotype. Acknowledge that you will forget things from time to time and get on with living a full and opportunity-filled retirement!</p> <p>The ability of the humble brain to change and adapt as we age is quite astounding. Be inspired by its capability and keep stretching, striving, flexing and challenging in all aspects of life. Forge your own path and create a retirement you will love to live!</p>

Retirement Life

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An interesting look at how the electricity system works

<p>Our homes are a long way from power-generating plants but by understanding the electricity system, you can better understand your electricity bill.</p> <p><strong>How does the power get to your house?</strong></p> <p>There are three businesses involved in getting the power to your house.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Generators </span></p> <p>Generators produce electricity from sources like coal and natural gas (and others such as sun or wind). They are responsible for electricity power stations and sell electricity at wholesale prices to retailers.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Distributors </span></p> <p>Distributors or networks own the poles and wires that deliver electricity to your home. They are responsible for fixing faults like blackouts and damaged electricity lines.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Retailers </span></p> <p>Retailers buy electricity from generators and then sell it to you.</p> <p><strong>Who pays for the costs of generators, poles and wire?</strong></p> <p>Your electricity bill is allocated towards the costs of generators, distributor’s network and retailers.</p> <p>A breakdown of a typical bill would be around 24 per cent for generators, 55 per cent for the distributors and 21 per cent retail costs.</p> <p><strong>Who sets the price for electricity?</strong></p> <p>The price you pay for your energy service includes the tariff and any other fees and charges that may apply under your contract.</p> <p>According to the government’s Australian Energy Regulator, some retailers have offers or tariffs that are “regulated,” which means the price is set by government. In Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and Tasmania, you can ask for a contract with a regulated electricity price. Regulated prices for gas are only available in New South Wales. In Victoria and South Australia, there are no regulated offers or tariffs (for electricity or gas), which means that energy retailers set all of their own prices.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/05/cheap-ways-to-keep-house-warm/">Top 5 energy efficient ways to keep your house warm this winter</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/05/save-money-on-energy-bills/">4 ways to save money on your energy bills</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/09/energy-saving-gadgets/">Smart gadgets that will help you save on energy</a></strong></em></span></p>

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