PRLog-(inan.info)- – RNL Bio, Co, Ltd, a company dedicated to the development of stem cell therapeutics and the commercialization of dog cloning technology announced today that the firm successfully cloned an American woman’s pet dog, Booger. Five clones were born on July 28, 2008.

One clone was born from one surrogate mother and four from another. Prof. Byeong-Chun Lee identified the puppies as the genuine clones and a reconfirmation is currently being conducted by The Department of Forensic Medicine at Seoul National University’s College of Medicine.

Bernann originally contacted an American company named Genetic Savings and Clone (GSC) for

(inan.info)-Members of the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Network successfully removed a black rubber strap Tuesday that was wrapped around the head of a juvenile bottlenose dolphin, averting a life-threatening injury.

In a coordinated effort, NOAA and network members located the juvenile dolphin in the Wilmington River, part of the intracoastal waterway near Savannah, Ga., and removed the piece of rubber that had wrapped around the area between its flippers and blowhole.

The team of scientists from NOAA, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Savannah State University, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, University of Georgia Marine Extension, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and others, began by carefully capturing the dolphin. An experienced marine mammal veterinarian gave the animal a complete physical exam and removed the rubber strap. The dolphin was then released into the river.

“We launched a rescue effort for this dolphin because the animal was entangled in marine debris and the entanglement was life-threatening,” said Jenny Litz, a NOAA Fisheries biologist. “As the dolphin was growing, the piece of rubber was tightening around its body and could have

(inan.info)-King, NC — This June, the “dog days of summer” will take on a whole new meaning at workplaces across America. On Friday, June 20, water coolers will be joined by water dishes; the blue-plate special will be kibble with gravy; and the collars worn by the day’s special office visitors will have leashes attached to them.

Hard-working dog lovers will be joined by their canine companions for the 10th annual Pet Sitters International's Take Your Dog To Work Day(TYDTWDay®), dedicated to celebrating the great companions dogs make and encouraging individuals to adopt dogs from local shelters and rescues.

The issue of adoption is especially important this year because of “foreclosure dogs,” abandoned as the housing crisis has forced families from their homes. Animal shelters in Los Angeles, one of country’s hard-hit foreclosure regions, saw a spike of 16% overall in pet drop-offs and the number of animals euthanized shot up 31 percent in the first four months of 2008, over the same period last year.

“The crisis is nationwide, with many thousands of dogs who have been part of a family now sitting alone in shelters, and we want to make a difference in helping all dogs find a good home,” says PSI President Patti Moran. “Take Your Dog To Work Day celebrates the bond between dog and human, and our intention is that dogless co-workers will see how much joy a four-legged friend could bring into their lives and choose to adopt.”

Pet Sitters International takes a positive approach to boosting dog adoptions with a fun, interactive and dog-centric Web site (takeyourdog.com) for cubicle-dwelling canine enthusiasts and bosses alike, seeking information on how to get involved.

When people adopt a dog, they’re not only helping save an animal; they’re helping themselves. Research shows having a dog makes people healthier and happier, with lower blood pressure and

(inan.info)-By VOA News

The U.S. Interior Department has decided to classify polar bears as a threatened species, warning that the loss of Arctic sea ice is threatening their habitat.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne announced the decision Wednesday. But Kempthorne stressed that simply describing the bears as endangered will not stop climate change or stop sea ice from melting. He said a real solution for

(inan.info)-WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pledging to work with wildlife conservation agencies and bird conservation groups across the nation, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today unveiled a Presidential initiative to halt and reverse the dramatic decline in U.S. wild bird populations.

“Last year, annual surveys conducted by the Audubon Society documented the alarming decline in populations of common birds, which have plummeted 70 percent on average since 1967,” Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said. “That specter reminds me that more than 50 years ago, a former U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist named Rachel Carson wrote about a ‘Silent Spring’ without wild birds singing in the trees. Today, we are bolstering the struggle to ensure that we will never have a Silent Spring.”

The Birds Forever Initiative, a joint effort of the U.S. Fish and

(inan.info)-The bandwidth of the website for "Preditors in Action" was tapped so much that it read the following: "Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later."

There was much interest in the information about the grizzly bear trainer that was killed by one of the bears today and its relationship to the Predators in Action.

According to news reports, the bear in the Will Ferrel movie "Semi-Pro" killed one of its trainers. It was said that the paramedics pronounced 39 year old, Stephan Miller dead at the scene.

Grizzly bears are know for their fierce behaviors and many times, even when trained, animals just do what comes natural.

According to the fish and game reports, it is not

(inan.info)-The National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced this year's Graduate Research Fellows (GRF), who represent a diverse group of scientific disciplines and regions of the country. They are also a diverse group of individuals. Among the 913 awardees, 490 are women, 133 are from underrepresented minority groups, and 31 are people with disabilities.

The GRF program, the oldest of NSF's programs, makes awards directly to graduate students rather than to universities. As such, the awards are "portable." Students receive three years of funding at the institution they choose--up to $121,500--for research-focused master's and

(inan.info)-NOAA’s Fisheries Service is seeking comment on its proposal to minimize the U.S. Navy's disturbance to marine mammals as a new class of ship is tested for structural integrity and crew survivability in naval training waters off the east coast of Florida sometime between May and September.

The U.S. Navy has requested what’s known under the Marine Mammal Protection Act as an incidental take authorization. The proposed authorization outlines measures the Navy should take to

(inan.info)-University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine- "Please Mom (or Dad), Don't Go!"- That's what dogs with separation anxiety are saying when they notice their owners grabbing car keys and heading for the door after giving them a kiss good bye (and maybe a lipstick imprint on their forehead). This behavior disorder, which is often confused with other behavior problems linked with too little exercise or under socialization, is one of the biggest problems behaviorists see today.

Linda Case is an adjunct assistant professor who teaches companion animal behavior and training at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, Ill. She also owns Autumn Gold Dog Training Center, in Mahomet, Ill., and has authored several books including one coming out this summer entitled "Dogs and Cats: Understanding and Training Our Two Best Friends." She says, "the most obvious feature of separation anxiety is that stress-related behaviors are shown only when the caretaker is not present."

Dogs with separation anxiety are very attached to their owners, and upon their departure become extremely stressed. They may begin to bark, pace, vomit, or salivate excessively. Michael, the owner of Freya, a one-year-old Malamute cross with

(inan.info)Smithsonian-The 2008 giant panda mating season began Tuesday at the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Female Mei Xiang (may-SHONG) and male Tian Tian (tee-YEN tee-YEN) attempted to mate throughout the day Tuesday.

Zoo staff carefully observed each mating and, because satisfactory mating did not occur, Zoo scientists and veterinarians performed a nonsurgical artificial insemination Wednesday morning. Both pandas were anesthetized, allowing Zoo scientists to collect sperm from Tian Tian and insert it directly into Mei Xiang's uterus.

Giant pandas have one very brief breeding season per year, with only a day or two of