In the last week of every month we take a look back at the crazy creatures and amazing animals that have made the headlines in recent weeks. Here’s a reminder of what September’s headlines told us about some of the animals that share our planet:

Fabulous Frida

Following the devastating earthquakes experienced in Mexico this month, we’ve learned of the amazing efforts of Frida, the rescue Labrador Retriever. Working with the Mexican Navy’s search and rescue team, seven-year old Frida has now saved the lives of 52 people in total, including many trapped in rubble following the recent quakes and aftershocks felt in Mexico City and across the state of Oaxaca. Wearing protective goggles and boots, Frida is able to access areas human colleagues often cannot, sniffing out people trapped under debris and alerting the rescue services as to where to focus their efforts.
When her expertise is not required in the field, Frida also works with newly recruited young rescue dogs, showing them just how to do it. Frida, we salute you!

Beavering away

In heart-warming wildlife news this month, we learn that the Forestry Commission is preparing to release a family of beavers into a fenced reserve close to Lydbrook in the Forest of Dean. The village suffered severe flooding in 2012 and experts hope that the network of dams and canals the beavers will construct will help slow the flow of Greathough Brook, thus reducing the potential for future flooding downstream. Scientists calculate that each beaver family’s constructions can hold back as much as 6,000 cubic meters of water and can therefore play a major role in controlling water damage. Beavers are no longer native to the UK, having been driven to extinction around 400 years ago. However, with a number of government-backed schemes nationwide showing that the animals can have an important effect, it is hoped that before too long, beavers will once again thrive along our waterways.

Until next time, very best wishes from Shailen and The Ralph Site team
The Ralph Site, non-profit pet loss support