Hundreds of bats have been released in Texas after going into hypothermic shock during freezing temperatures. AP
Hundreds of bats have been released in Texas after going into hypothermic shock during freezing temperatures. AP
Mexican free-tailed bats huddle in an incubator as they recover from the cold weather. AP
Mexican free-tailed bats huddle in an incubator as they recover from the cold weather. AP
The bats were also injected with fluids to keep them from dehydrating and starving. AP
The bats were also injected with fluids to keep them from dehydrating and starving. AP
Mary Warwick, wildlife director at the Houston Humane Society, releases bats at Waugh Drive Bridge in Texas. AFP
Mary Warwick, wildlife director at the Houston Humane Society, releases bats at Waugh Drive Bridge in Texas. AFP
About 700 bats were rescued from the colony due to frigid temperatures that caused them to fall to the ground. AFP
About 700 bats were rescued from the colony due to frigid temperatures that caused them to fall to the ground. AFP
The society rescued 1,600 bats from the Houston area. AFP
The society rescued 1,600 bats from the Houston area. AFP
Ms Warwick is congratulated after releasing the bats. AFP
Ms Warwick is congratulated after releasing the bats. AFP
Crowds watch as Mexican free-tailed bats are released after being rescued from the cold. AFP
Crowds watch as Mexican free-tailed bats are released after being rescued from the cold. AFP
Bats live under bridges in Texas. AFP
Bats live under bridges in Texas. AFP
Bats are released in Houston. AFP
Bats are released in Houston. AFP
Several bats would not fly away during the release initiative. AFP
Several bats would not fly away during the release initiative. AFP
Bat flights, which normally happen at sunset, draw crowds in the US. AFP
Bat flights, which normally happen at sunset, draw crowds in the US. AFP

World

US

Freezing bats plunging to the ground in Texas rescued

Animals will be returned to their natural habitats after spending time in incubators

The National

December 29, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

More than 1,500 bats will be released to their habitats on Wednesday after spending time in the attic of a Texas humane society director this week.

Hundreds of the flying mammals lost their grip and plunged to the pavement in Houston after going into hypothermic shock during the city’s recent cold snap.

Mary Warwick, the wildlife director at the Houston Humane Society, said she was holiday shopping when freezing winds compelled her to drive under a bridge, where she found more than 100 bats that appeared to be dead.

She collected the bats in a box and was amazed when, on her drive home, they began to come back to life, chirping and moving around in their spot on her heated passenger seat. She put the bats in incubators and returned to the bridge twice a day to collect more.

Two days later, she got a call about more than 900 bats that had been rescued from a bridge in nearby Pearland, Texas. More people showed up to rescue the bats.

Ms Warwick said each of the bats was warmed in an incubator until their body temperatures rose and they were then hydrated through fluids administered to them under their skin.

She soon realised there were too many bats for any one person to care for and the society’s current facilities did not have the necessary space, so she put them in her attic, where they were separated by colony in dog kennels. There, they were able to reach a state of hibernation that did not require them to eat.

“As soon as I wake up in the morning, I wonder: ‘How are they doing, I need to go see them,’ “ Ms Warwick said.

She said more than 100 bats died due to the cold, and others because of the fall from the bridges. Fifty-six are recovering at the Bat World sanctuary and 20 will stay with Ms Warwick a bit longer.

“That would really help in these situations where we continue to see these strange weather patterns come through,” she said of efforts to get a bat room at the human society.

“We could really use more space to rehabilitate the bats.”

Houston reached unusually frigid temperatures last week as an arctic blast pushed across much of the country.

Blizzard conditions from that same storm system are blamed for more than 30 deaths in the Buffalo, New York, area.

Exotic animal struggling on the rise -- in pictures

The Wildlife Centre, just outside Mussaffah in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, is a refuge for endangered species that have been smuggled into the country and domesticated. Lee Hoagland / The National
The Wildlife Centre, just outside Mussaffah in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, is a refuge for endangered species that have been smuggled into the country and domesticated. Lee Hoagland / The National
Al Ain Zoo became the new home for cheetah cubs that were smuggled into Dubai in 2010. Ten of the 15 died. Sammy Dallal / The National
Al Ain Zoo became the new home for cheetah cubs that were smuggled into Dubai in 2010. Ten of the 15 died. Sammy Dallal / The National
This bird was greeted each day by its care giver with the phrase 'Asalam Alaikum'. It now repeats the Muslim greeting. Lee Hoagland / The National
This bird was greeted each day by its care giver with the phrase 'Asalam Alaikum'. It now repeats the Muslim greeting. Lee Hoagland / The National
Ball Python eggs are popular with animal traffickers and smugglers. EPA
Ball Python eggs are popular with animal traffickers and smugglers. EPA
A surprising number of snakes are smuggled in and out of countries each year. EPA
A surprising number of snakes are smuggled in and out of countries each year. EPA
In Thailand, animal lovers are able to meet exotic beasts such as lions, frogs, birds and snakes at a yearly event. EPA
In Thailand, animal lovers are able to meet exotic beasts such as lions, frogs, birds and snakes at a yearly event. EPA
A member of the Cheetah Conservation Fund feeds a baby cheetah. AFP
A member of the Cheetah Conservation Fund feeds a baby cheetah. AFP
Every year an estimated 300 cheetah cubs are trafficked through Somaliland to wealthy buyers seeking exotic pets. AFP
Every year an estimated 300 cheetah cubs are trafficked through Somaliland to wealthy buyers seeking exotic pets. AFP
Cheetah cubs that survive being snatched from their mothers, and shipped out of Africa to wartorn Yemen and onwards to the Gulf can fetch up to $15,000 on the black market. AFP
Cheetah cubs that survive being snatched from their mothers, and shipped out of Africa to wartorn Yemen and onwards to the Gulf can fetch up to $15,000 on the black market. AFP
India has reported a surge in the smuggling of exotic birds including cockatoos and macaws, as well as other rare species such as tortoises, civets and snakes from South-East Asian countries. All remaining photos: Indian Police
India has reported a surge in the smuggling of exotic birds including cockatoos and macaws, as well as other rare species such as tortoises, civets and snakes from South-East Asian countries. All remaining photos: Indian Police
Wildlife experts say the reason for the sharp increase in smuggling is the high demand for rare animals as pets.
Wildlife experts say the reason for the sharp increase in smuggling is the high demand for rare animals as pets.
Combined with major legal loopholes, this has driven up the illegal trade in India.
Combined with major legal loopholes, this has driven up the illegal trade in India.
Smugglers usually use land routes along India's north-eastern region that borders Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh, but many fly the animals into country, with airport authorities thwarting many attempts.
Smugglers usually use land routes along India's north-eastern region that borders Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Bangladesh, but many fly the animals into country, with airport authorities thwarting many attempts.
There is no legislation in the country's Wildlife Act that covers their arrest or prosecution for possessing and smuggling exotic animals and birds.
There is no legislation in the country's Wildlife Act that covers their arrest or prosecution for possessing and smuggling exotic animals and birds.
Most of the arrests are made under India’s criminal law.
Most of the arrests are made under India’s criminal law.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

EPL's youngest
  • Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
    15 years, 181 days old
  • Max Dowman (Arsenal)
    15 years, 235 days old
  • Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
    15 years, 271 days old
  • Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
    16 years, 30 days old
  • Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
    16 years, 68 days old

The Porpoise

By Mark Haddon 

(Penguin Random House)
 

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

Kibsons%20Cares
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THE SPECS

Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury

Engine:  3.6L V-6

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 310hp

Torque: 367Nm

Price: Dh280,000

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
On Women's Day
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20SupplyVan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2029%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MRO%20and%20e-commerce%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Seed%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Haval H6

Price, base: Dh69,900

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.6-litre%2C%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E285hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E353Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh159%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES

SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities

Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments

SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY

Wimbledon order of play on Saturday, July 8
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)

Centre Court (4pm)
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Timea Bacsinszky (19)
Ernests Gulbis v Novak Djokovic (2)
Mischa Zverev (27) v Roger Federer (3)

Court 1 (4pm)
Milos Raonic (6) v Albert Ramos-Vinolas (25)
Anett Kontaveit v Caroline Wozniacki (5)
Dominic Thiem (8) v Jared Donaldson

Court 2 (2.30pm)
Sorana Cirstea v Garbine Muguruza (14)
To finish: Sam Querrey (24) leads Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-5
Angelique Kerber (1) v Shelby Rogers
Sebastian Ofner v Alexander Zverev (10)

Court 3 (2.30pm)
Grigor Dimitrov (13) v Dudi Sela
Alison Riske v Coco Vandeweghe (24)
David Ferrer v Tomas Berdych (11)

Court 12 (2.30pm)
Polona Hercog v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
Gael Monfils (15) v Adrian Mannarino

Court 18 (2.30pm)
Magdalena Rybarikova v Lesia Tsurenko
Petra Martic v Zarina Diyas

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Updated: December 29, 2022, 6:35 PM`
TexasAnimals