Somewhere in the dense wilderness of Brazil’s Parnaíba Delta, Flávia Miranda, a researcher in conservation medicine, embarks on a journey that might unveil a new chapter in the often-overlooked world of anteaters. Miranda, who has spent 30 years studying Brazil’s sloths, anteaters, and armadillos, suddenly stops amidst the tangled mangrove branches and finds a fascinating creature, a tennis ball-sized silky anteater—the smallest in the world.
A Unique Species
Silky anteaters are known for their diminutive size and distinctive features. The miniature species of anteaters was the first to evolve, between 30-40 million years ago, reside in the canopy of low-altitude rainforests and mangroves spanning from southern Mexico to northern Bolivia. They also toe the line between cute and creepy.
They’re solitary, nocturnal, mainly feed on ants and termites, and spend a significant portion of their two-year lifespan in a state of slumber! Until recently, scientists believed that all silky anteaters were a single species. In 2017, an analysis of their DNA revealed there are seven distinct species of silky anteaters, good on them.
Puzzling Isolation in Parnaíba Delta
The Parnaíba Delta is home to a peculiar population of silky anteaters. Isolated from their nearest kin in the Amazon Basin and the rainforests along Brazil’s Atlantic coast, these anteaters pose a mystery. They dwell more than 1,000 miles away from their closest relatives, raising questions about their origin as well as their migration habits.
Genetic analysis indicates that this population has been diverging from other silky anteater species for about two million years, but it requires further confirmation through physical characteristics to be declared a new species.
A New Era in Silky Anteater Research
The environment poses significant threats to these unique creatures. Local communities rely on the mangroves for resources like fencing, housing, and boats. Livestock also roam freely within the delta, overgrazing and trampling the delicate ecosystem.
Flávia Miranda’s work is truly groundbreaking, and she and her team have been working with the local community to restore and protect the mangroves, a venture that aids the silky anteaters and other wildlife. We still haven’t worked out if they’re cute or creepy, though!
Wimbledon Grounds Come to the Rescue of the British During the Germany-Britain War
One of the most notable facts in tennis history is that Wimbledon served as a pig farm and military camp during World War II. Since then, the British military’s active-duty members have been part of Wimbledon and acted as stewards. During the two weeks, Navy, Air Force, and Army personals volunteer for the event by helping around. You will find them bringing water, directory visitors, and even taking tickets. But, how did it all start? Read on to find out.
The Uk Braced for War During the 1930s
During the 1930s, there was much tension between Germany and Great Britain. The Germans were all set to run bomb rounds over London. The British knew about the upcoming attacks and made their preparations, including ARP or Air Raid Precautions during early 1935. This was a civil-run service that was later renamed in 1941 as the Civil Defence System.
Wimbledon Complex Becomes More Than a Sports Ground
While the whole country was fighting and preparing for various attacks, the Wimbledon complex came to the rescue of the armed forces. The ARP transformed the grounds into a farm and provided soldiers and civilians all the rations they needed. The complex parking lot into a vegetable field on one side and domestic animal farming on the other side. They had rabbits, ducks, geese, chickens, horses, and even pigs. The courts were left untouched so that they could use it for other purposes.
The Game Went on After Germany’s Defeat
Germany finally surrendered in 1945, and a month after that, the first tennis competition was played. The respective authorities shortlisted a few players from the armed forces to be part of the tournament, including – Dan Maskell. Although The Germans had damaged the ground due to the war, the initiative attracted close to 5000 spectators.