Provocative or uniform? An inside scoop into contemporary dance culture

 

In and around the western suburbs of Sydney, competitive dance schools participate in local and state eisteddfods.

Outrages costumes, hair and  make up are prominent on young girls and boys from as young as 5 years old. From fake eye-lashes to curly hair pieces these young children are put on display for adjudicators, mums dads and other dance schools to showcase there talents.

Amanda Beaver, dance mum with competitive daughter Ocean, 11, explains “as far as ‘growing up too fast’  is concerned, kids are experiencing things at a much younger age then ever before, but that is society and a million other factors not dance culture.”

Controversial opinions are being evident on the sexualisation of young girls and boys are over-whelming the dancing world. In the dance world, these costumes and face-do’s should be as over the top as possible in order to make a statement and showcase there routine, however some parents and on lookers have spoken up about there disgust and appall toward the sexualisation and Americanisation of these young children.

“There is no difference between a 12 year old wearing a bikini at the beach and a 12 year old wearing a crop top and shorts in a dance class” Aiden Tuaimau-Gadsdon, A male dancer and student teacher from Bankstown.

Only recently RG dance has become abruptly liable for such controversy. Owner and choreographer Grant Davis was arrested  after being caught sending provocative photos to his younger students also sending emails and messages including sexual innuendos. Allegations started back in 2006 when he was charged with minor sex offenses. Is the sexualisation of young girls in dancing causing this inappropriate behavior? Are we making our children grow up too fast introducing them to make up and raunchy costumes at too young an age?

This is not only a national issue though  recently an international phenomenon with links to the American show “Toddlers and Tiara’s” where young girls are dressed up in make-up, gowns and outfits of choice and paraded on a stage as young as a couple of months old. Is this the new dance culture? Grant Davies took inappropriate photographs of his students as young as 6 where he used the ‘need to see their muscle tone’ as an excuse for them to strip down into very inappropriate clothing  or in some cases fully naked and pose in suggestive ways. These children however were not held against there will or forced to do this, thus in a way felt comfortable in the clothing and positions they were taking. This may be out of trust of Mr. Davies or also the change in dance culture where due to the outrages costumes and make up the children wear in competitions and performances, these children, however naïve, are accustomed to being sexualized. Such a disturbing reality to the dance world and society. 

Canny Canines

Stray dogs in Russia are commuting to and from the city of Moscow on the underground train systems

These clever canines spend there days scavenging for food on the streets then commute back to the suburbs to spend there nights.

 Experts who are analyzing these dogs say they work together to get off at the right stop and overtime learn to judge time on the train. They have also noticed the dogs choose the quietest carriages on the trains.

 Scientists believe this amazing evolution begun after the collapse of the Soviet Union forcing industrial complexes to move from the city center into the suburbs.

 Dr. Andrei Poiarkov, of the Moscow Ecology and Evolution Institute, told The Sun: “These complexes were used by homeless dogs as shelters, so the dogs had to move together with their houses. Because the best scavenging for food is in the city center, the dogs had to learn how to travel on the subway — to get to the center in the morning, then back home in the evening, just like people.”

 He also mentions he has discovered the dogs playing while commuting. They jump onto the trains secondsbefore the doors are shut, “they do it for fun” he explains. The dogs are also learning how to wait for traffic lights and sneaky tactics to gain tasty foods says Dr. Poiarkov.

 “They sneak up behind people eating shawarmas — then bark loudly to shock them into dropping their food.”

 He also explains that to children the dogs “play cute” by putting their heads on the kid’s knees to gain sympathy

“Dogs are surprisingly good psychologists,” He concludes.

 

The Sun article gives a strong grounding in the scientific and human interest perspectives of this story. Because we are talking about animals and ‘homeless animals’ in particular, a strong sympathetic angle is vital to appeal to readers, although the scientific evidence and analysis conducted by the Sun and Dr. Poiarkov gives another interesting angle on the story reiterating its newsworthiness and appealing to a wider audience.

 

The link below will take you to the video of these canny canines in Moscow. 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2372125/Wild-dogs-that-commute-from-suburbs-to-scavenge-in-city.html

 

 

 

Rare Pink Dolphins

The rare Pink Dolphin or ‘Chinese White Dolphin’ are facing extinction after population numbers are dropping dramatically in Hong Kong waters. Conservationists are pleading for urgent action to be taken against pollution in which they believe is the biggest threat to these rare creatures.

The Age reports on the story “Their numbers in Hong Kong waters have fallen form an estimated 158 in 2003 to just 78 in 2011 with a further decline expected…” The Hong Kong Dolphin Society

 “It is up to the government ad every Hong Kong citizen to stand up for dolphins. We risk loosing them unless we all take action” says Samuel Huang (Society Chairman)

 

In the end of April a ‘Dolphinwatch’ Tours witnessed a group of the pink Dolphins assisting a mother support the body of its dead calf. A video was taken and it went viral around Facebook and YouTube.

 

Janet Walker, Spokeswoman from the Tour group reported “We’re 99% certain the calf died form toxins in the mothers milk, accumulated form polluted seawater”

 Experts have placed theblame on the significant drop in numbers on five main issues:

• Overfishing
• Increase in marine traffic
• Water pollution
• Habitat loss
• Coastal development

There are also new plans on developing a third lane runway on the Hong Kong international Airport. Mr. Huang believed this would place further strain on the Pink Dolphins already interrupted habitat.

More information on the pollutionof the Hong Kong waters would have been useful in understanding this story and the impact on the Dolphins, such as what kind of pollution. Are there environmental actions being taken against the pollution? The Age did not cover the story as well as it could have. It is lacking vital information for the understanding of the full consequence of this pollutionor is it marine traffic causing the problem? The direct quotes form the Dolphinwatch team does however give depth to the report and viability. 

                                                                                              

Mind blowing surgery

Three-year-old Asiatic Black Bear undergoes keyhole brain surgery

 

 

Michelle Nijhuis reports national geographic on the surgery and recovery of the brave bear.
Since Champa’s rescue he has always had trouble socialising with the other bears and had an abnormally shaped forehead.Champa has lived most of her life in a sanctuary after being rescued from wildlife traffickers. Free the bears are a non-for profit organisation in which have been rescuing bears just like Champa just south of the city of Luang Prabang.

The report explains the scientific diagnosis of the bear.

“Sanctuary staff and veterinarians suspected hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain,” a disease that strikes humans as well as animals. It’s most commonly caused by the blockage or overproduction of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain’s cavities.”

Due to the protection laws in Laos to do with Buddhist ideologies, euthanasia which would usually be the answer to this bears condition was not an option. Keyhole surgery was a major risk.

“So Free the Bears called on Pizzi, a South African veterinary surgeon who works in Scotland at the Edinburgh Zoo and also at a national wildlife rescue center. Pizzi uses a technique called “keyhole,” or laparoscopic surgery, in which surgery is performed through a small incision and with the help of a camera.”

The report then goes on to explain the six-hour procedure in full detail. This may be too scientific for some readers, more interested in the bear’s recovery.

The ending paragraph should be expanded, in which this is the main interest of all readers, the recovery of the bear.

“Six weeks after the operation, Champa is markedly more active and more social with other bears, and she is gaining weight. She will always have some brain damage, since the accumulated fluid does cause permanent harm. And she will remain in captivity. But her relief is obvious.”

A remarkable story about what science and new knowledge is doing to the health and wellbeing of not only humans but animals as well.

Disneys newest star

Daily Telegraph writes about the newest Disney Star “OSCAR’

Grizzly says cheese

The Age’s science reporter Nicky Phillips researches the new sugar free diet of Grizzly bears right here in Sydney’s Taronga Zoo. 

When Taronga Zoos keepers noticed the plaque build up in their Grizzly Bears teeth, they seeked professional advice from dentists and nutritionists. They found that there diets of fruit contain too much sugar in which are causing the plaque build up and regular brushing was essential.

”It took a few months to train them, but we can now brush their teeth with an electric toothbrush three times a week,” said Louise Ginman, the head of the zoo’s carnivore unit.

The Age then turns the story into a sceintific research case, explaining the new medicines and information assisting non human species with health dilemmas. 

“Besides dental hygiene, modern medicine has much to offer non-human species. But until recently, the medical profession had been isolated from the world of veterinary science, which, conversely, could offer clinicians a different perspective on human health dilemmas.

In an article for The Washington Post, Daphne Miller, an associate professor of family and community medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, reports on the emerging collaboration between medical and veterinary professionals.”

After months of training, Taronga Zoo keepers now brush the Grizzlys teeth 3 times a week with an electric toothbrush. 

Baby chimp feeds baby tiger

Two-year-old Chimpanzee feeds 60 day old cub in a crocodile farm and zoo in the outskirts of Bangkok

A fiery problem

The sighting of a tiny Pygmy Possum in Canberra has reiterated the dangers of collecting firewood from reserves and public parks. The Sydney morning Herald covered this story, revealing the true nature of the threatened and vulnerable species calling for precautions to be taken when collecting firewood this winter.

“Make sure you’re getting firewood from anaccredited, licensed supplier and not just go out into the parks and reserves.”Mr McNarma told ABC666

It also explains the “regeneration efforts” after the 2003 fires are working. Finding one of these Pygmy possums suggests population numbers might be higher then estimated in the ACT.

The Sydney Morning Herald presents an informative and scientific story, different from most human interest stories which is a risk for gaining readers.

Mr McNarma describes the creature as “rare, majestic little creatures”.

25 year old man arrested at his Tahmoor house today over animal cruelty

Follow up story from the Turkey abbitoir

NSW police force released a News report today covering the arrest of a 25 year old male from Tahmoor agaianst alligations of animal cruelty in his workplace. The un-named man was one of a suspected few who were examined kicking and stomping on birds who were destined for slaughter in the Turkey processing plant by the workers. The Rural crime investigators attached to the Camden local area have been examinging the case for some time now however have only been able to arrest one man so far and are pleading for witnesses and the perpetrators to come forward. ‘It’s also alleged several live birds had their limbs cut off.’ NSW police have recorded. ‘He was charged at Narellan Police Station with three counts of torture, beat and cause prolonged suffering to an animal before being bailed to appear in Picton Local Court on Tuesday 28 May 2013.’

 

 

PRIVATE PROPERTY DISPUTE OVER ATTACK

A pensioner in Melbourne’s North West has been left distraught after her poodle was violently attacked on its morning walk.

The Age covered the story on April 15th, weeks after the occurrence. Maria Calija pleads that her poodle was sniffing grass nearby the gates of ahouse when she heard a large bang. When she ran over and hit the Pit-bull on the head she noticed her young poodle ‘jaques’ face was missing from the eyes down. She says she was forced to wait for three hours until the dog could be put down at werribee animal hospital, jaques staying conscious the whole time. The police and council both refused to help with the case as it was on private property and thus was no action legally taken.

The Ages’s cover of this story focused on several controversial aspects of the story rather then focusing on the main incident. It looked at the owners hospital bill for the poodle, the arguement of private property, the discrepancy of the poodles whereabouts when it happened, however does not touch on the fact that there was no consequence for the Violent pit-bull or its owner.

Also more information about the discrepancy for the ‘private property’ aspect of the story would be useful to readers, explaining how it is ‘okay’ to violently attack and kill another animal if it is on private property?if the poodle was sniffing outside the gate how was it classed private property? These are major un-answered questions in which The Age have missed.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/poodles-face-ripped-off-in-attack-20130415-2hv8e.html