|
Whilst I was in Sicily earlier this year I
had the rare pleasure of 2 unforgettable experiences.
Firstly, I was on the side of Mount Etna whilst
this active volcano was erupting. Standing only a few yards
from the lava flow and listening to the main crater explode
into life every few minutes was a unique and memorable opportunity.
Secondly, that holiday as I was driving back
from the main crater down the side of the volcano I managed
to photograph a Sicilian fox.....not a pseudonym for a member
of the local mafia but a genuine wild animal living off
the small herbivores which feed off the fertile slopes.
I was reminded of this experience the other
day as I was driving back from the cinema and counted three
dead foxes at the side of the road. These animals had clearly
been fatally injured after colliding with a motor vehicle.
The danger of our roads is all too evident
in our daily routine at Fairfield. The extent of injuries
sustained and the number of casualties involved can be extremely
frustrating; six victims in the last week alone! Lack of
insurance can also be a major factor as owners come to realise
the high costs involved in restoring patients back to health.
As we approach the longest
night of the year it is worth dwelling on the dangers of
our roads by increasing visibility of our pets with the
use of reflective collars and leads, and increased vigilance
whilst driving. The sad fact of reality is that the fox
living on the side of an active erupting volcano is almost
certainly safer than any of our urban wildlife living in
and around Hinckley!
Terry Dunne BVMS, Cert SAO, MRCVS
Videos
I took a couple of short video sequences. The files are
fairly large - but if you have broadband and a couple of
minutes to spare.....
Video 1: Mount
Etna - etna.avi 23s 3.4 Mb
Video 2: Lava
Flow - lava.avi 30s 4.2 Mb
|
