Thief makes off with reptiles from Calif. museum

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — A 7-foot-long boa constrictor, two ball pythons and a monitor lizard were stolen from a Central California science museum by a man who was caught on camera throwing the reptiles into a plastic trash bag.

Workers at the Discovery Center in Fresno discovered the theft Thursday morning, the center's director, Mary Ellen Wright, told the Fresno Bee (http://bit.ly/Yk5G8m). The unidentified suspect apparently broke in overnight, smashing the tanks that held the reptiles.

Surveillance video showed the man putting four reptiles into a garbage bag: the red-tailed boa constrictor, two 3-foot-long pythons and a 3 1/2-foot savannah monitor lizard. The suspect also went into the center's gift shop and took children's toys, the phone system and the security monitor, the Bee reported.

Wright said the reptiles — worth hundreds of dollars — are mortal enemies, and she is worried about their conditions.

"It would be like throwing two pit bulls in a locked room," she said.

Wright said the animals also could injure the thief. The monitor lizard has sharp, 2-inch claws.

Police are looking at the video, according to the Bee. A call to a Fresno police spokesman Friday was not immediately returned.

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Information from: The Fresno Bee, http://www.fresnobee.com

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Knut the polar bear becomes Museum display

Berlin (AP) — adorable in life, attracting admirers even in death: Knut polar bear Hide was mounted on a polyurethane body and is going on display in a Museum in Berlin.

The natural history museum on Friday unveiled the statue made by Taxidermists with bear fur famous Berlin Zoo and claws, with synthetic body and glass eyes.

The display runs through March 15. Knut will be added then the scientific collections of the Museum.

Knut was raised by hand after his mother rejected him. He rose to stardom in 2007 as a cuddly Cub, appearing on the covers of magazines, on film and in the mountains of merchandise. Died in 2011 after suffering from encephalitis.

The Museum dismissed criticism the decision to see Knut, saying it gives everyone a chance to see it.

View the original article here

Knut the polar bear becomes Museum display

Berlin (AP) — adorable in life, attracting admirers even in death: Knut polar bear Hide was mounted on a polyurethane body and is going on display in a Museum in Berlin.

The natural history museum on Friday unveiled the statue made by Taxidermists with bear fur famous Berlin Zoo and claws, with synthetic body and glass eyes.

The display runs through March 15. Knut will be added then the scientific collections of the Museum.

Knut was raised by hand after his mother rejected him. He rose to stardom in 2007 as a cuddly Cub, appearing on the covers of magazines, on film and in the mountains of merchandise. Died in 2011 after suffering from encephalitis.

The Museum dismissed criticism the decision to see Knut, saying it gives everyone a chance to see it.

View the original article here