A strange new breed of palm tree that flowers once every 100 years and then dies a few months later has been discovered in Madagascar. Named Tahina spectabilis, the tree, which can grow up to 60 feet high, had previously been misidentified as another species because no one had ever seen it bloom. But last year, scientists saw that one specimen was literally dripping with nectar and had sprouted huge fronds, 15 feet across, which resembled a Christmas tree. So far, 92 of the “suicide palms” have been found. “For botanists,” said William Baker of London’s Kew Gardens, “it’s equivalent to finding a new kind of elephant.”
Animal lovers were outraged last year when NFL quarterback Michael Vick was found to have been running a vicious dogfighting operation that killed or injured dozens of dogs. But more than 50 of the pit bulls that were rescued from Vick’s Virginia property have since been sent to various shelters and sanctuaries, where they are being trained to curb their attack instincts and interact peacefully with people and other dogs. Trainers say they are surprised at how quickly the dogs have responded, and they even expect to find some of them adoptive homes soon.
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