AP PHOTOS: Israeli mask saves hurt rhino's vision

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By ARIEL SCHALIT

RAMAT GAN, Israel (AP) — Israeli specialists are easing the suffering of a two-ton rhinoceros with a chronic eye infection by creating a "no-fly zone" with a custom mask.

Neta Gueta of the Zoological Center of Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan helped design the mask that stops flies from laying eggs in the eye of the rhino named Tanda. Gueta said Tanda sometimes grew so frustrated with the infection and she rubbed her eye on rough tree bark, only exacerbating the problem.

Gueta credits the see-through mask with saving Tanda's vision after years of failed conventional therapy. She said the idea came from a device used for horses suffering from a similar condition.

The mask is made from "special netting built from special technology against insects so that files can't lay their eggs inside," Gueta said Tuesday. "They can stand on the netting but they can't lay their eggs."

FULL story at link.



Tanda, 22, a two-ton rhinoceros, wears a mask at the Zoological Center of Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. Israeli specialists are helping Tanda, who has a chronic eye infection, to fend off flies that are worsening its condition with a custom made mask. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141104/ml--israel-rhino_mask-ed03f2e299.html

[cosmicone]

1. Slow news day n/t

[ret5hd]

2. Scoff if you must, but...

sometimes news like this is the best part of my day. It seems we so often only seek to destroy and fight, and seeing things like this remind me that there are others, tho maybe few and far between, that see the world as I do, at least in a limited context such as this.

[FSogol]

3. Gotta agree with you. I am always cheered when compassionate people create solutions

to problems, especially problems that involve relieving suffering.

[Omaha Steve]

5. Exactly my reason to post it

Thank you for the feedback!

OS

[AtomicKitten]

4. Poor thing! I hope this works.

[red dog 1]

6. Kicked!...Thanks for posting, Omaha Steve

We need more stories like this, especially on a day like today.

Bless that rhino's not so little heart!

[Judi Lynn]

7. There was no "payoff" in it whatsoever for the specialists other than the knowledge

that a weary, ailing creature who had been alone with horrendous pain, trapped in suffering, had been given a chance to live without the agony which was driving her over the edge.

People who try to bring help to other people, or other helpless creatures are the ones who matter in this world, as I see it.

Carrying that kind of concern, respect for life makes some people unique, and evolved far beyond the ones who would by nature feel driven to dare mock them.

People respect those who are very big inwardly.