Animals which hit Swisster headlines in 2009

Editors all over the world recognise the power that animal stories exercise over us. Swisster is no different. Articles related to the animal kingdom consistently scored well on the “most read” section in 2009.

None more so than the story of “Aisha”, a lynx which one day decided that captivity at a modest zoo in canton Jura wasn’t in her best interests, and picked the most inopportune moment to escape – for the zoo officials that is.

As press photographers gathered to admire “Aisha’s” new pen, the lynx showed exactly what it thought of “improved” security measures and almost effortlessly leapt to freedom.

http://www.swisster.ch/news/society/escaped-lynx-aisha-still-large.html

Aisha is still at large and feeding herself in the wild.

http://www.swisster.ch/news/society/escaped-lynx-aisha-faces-winter-wild.html

A similarly embarrassing incident occurred at the 24-million franc bear park in Bern. This time however, a mentally disabled man thought that it might be a good idea to enter the facility and see the bears up close.

“Finn”, a four-year-old male, wasn’t impressed with the gesture and his predictable reaction left the intruder in hospital while the bear was shot in the chest by a guard as it retreated to its den. Both victims have fortunately since recovered, but the incident raised serious security questions at the capital's much-touted tourist attraction.

http://www.swisster.ch/news/society/bern-official-defends-bear-park-security-after-mauling.html

The ghoulish nature of leech therapy is often the butt of jokes in the Rowan Atkinson TV series “Blackadder”. But the blood-thinning qualities of invertebrate treatment seem to be gaining stature with some medical practitioners in Switzerland, who are also making a tidy sum on the side by breeding the animals.

http://www.swisster.ch/news/education-health/appeal-leech-therapy-grips-more-patients.html

The reintroduction of once extinct animals in Switzerland sounds nice in practice. In reality it’s easier said than done.

Damaged irrigation channels have prompted farmers in Bern to complain about beavers and the government has ruled in their favour, allowing the animals to be culled under certain conditions.

http://www.swisster.ch/news/society/bern-grapples-with-expanded-beaver-population.html

Wolves have been the subject of similar attention from the agricultural community since they began venturing over the Italian border some 15 years ago.

Last winter, Fribourg became the latest canton to suspect their presence.

http://www.swisster.ch/news/society/wolves-venture-canton-fribourg.html

Finally, it’s a little known fact that some 30 people are bitten every year in Switzerland by vipers which are fairly prevalent in some regions. Most of the victims though, deserve what they get.

http://www.swisster.ch/news/education-health/vipers-switzerland-leave-well-alone.html

Swisster will continue to monitor the antics of Switzerland’s animals – and the humans who come into contact with them – in 2010.