WORLD/ TINY, A BABY GORILLA, DIES AT 7 MONTHS: A baby gorilla named Tiny by keepers at London Zoo has died after an attack by a new male silverback. The 7 month old western lowland gorilla was injured on Thursday when he and his mother Mjukuu, pictured earlier, were introduced to new male Kesho for the 2nd time. During a scuffle between the whole group, the baby suffered a broken arm and suspected internal injuries. The infant gorilla underwent a 3 hour operation to pin his arm but vets were unable to revive him. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) director said everyone at the zoo was "completely heartbroken". Kesho's arrival last year was recommended by experts to create a cohesive social group, after the death of the zoo's previous male gorilla. In the wild, male gorillas often attack the offspring of their rivals, so staff were cautious about introducing Kesho to the baby, who was the offspring of the former male. Kesho had been gradually introduced to the 2 other female gorillas at the zoo but keepers waited many months for an introduction to the youngster and his mother. Mjukuu had begun to interact confidently with Kesho and the 1st introduction on Wednesday "went very well," according to zookeepers. Kesho asserted his authority during a 2nd attempt on Thursday, and during a scuffle between the whole group the baby's arm was seriously injured. The gorillas were separated and the baby taken to the on-site vet hospital. When he was brought off the anaesthetic, Tiny was unable to breathe by himself, and vets suspected he had also sustained internal injuries. Despite repeated efforts he could not be revived, ZSL said. A ZSL Director said "We knew this was going to be an extremely difficult situation for the gorillas and their keepers and we've always been open about the challenges we would face introducing a new male in such difficult circumstances. Everyone here is utterly devastated. Although we had tried to be prepared for the worst, we are all completely heartbroken by this". Keepers returned the baby's body to Mjukuu so she could come to terms with his death. Gorilla introductions between the adults will continue in order to create a stable, secure group, ZSL said.
US/ LOUISIANA SPILLWAY OPENED TO SAVE MAJOR CITIES FROM FLOODING: The US Army Corps of Engineers have opened floodgates in Louisiana that will inundate up to 3 million acres of land in an attempt to protect large cities along the Mississippi River. The Morganza Spillway opened at 3:00pm today, pictured, to ease pressure on Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This is the 1st time in 38 years the level of the Mississippi has forced the floodgate to be opened. About 25,000 people and 11,000 buildings could be adversely affected by the spillway being opened. Fed by rainwater and the spring thaw, the Mississippi and its tributaries have caused massive flooding upstream, and officials have said the flooding in Louisiana is the worst since 1927. The US Army Corps of Engineers warned that if the spillway was not opened, New Orleans could be flooded by about 20ft of water. A Corps spokesman said: "It's a historic day, not only for the entire Mississippi River but for the state of Louisiana". He said one bay was being opened at Morganza to allow 10,000 cubic ft of water per second to pass. He also said the opening would be slow to "make sure folks have the understanding that water is coming their way and they evacuate according to their local procedures". Wildlife also needed time to get to higher ground, he said. The main water crest was not expected at the spillway until May 24 and would last for 10-14 days, thus the spillway has the potential to be opened for the better part of 3 weeks.
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