Dolphin Dies After Tourists Make It Pose For Too Many Photos

by Libby Zay on

While waiting for professional rescuers to save an injured dolphin stranded on a popular beach in Sanya, China, tourists taking souvenir photos ended up killing the helpless animal.

Failing to think of the consequences of their behavior, the tourists picked the distressed dolphin up out of the water again and again for nearly 30 minutes to use it as a prop for photos, South China Morning Post reports. Lifeguards eventually intervened and guided the dolphin away to prevent further manhandling, but the poor animal ultimately died due to excessive bleeding from its tail fin.

An op-ed on Chinese news site rednet.cn scolded the snap-happy tourists, saying they ignored the dolphin’s weakness just so they could take smartphone photos to share with their friends. The Daily Mail says the tourists, whose photos have since gone viral on a Chinese social networking site Sina Weibo, may now face animal cruelty charges.

[via Grist]

What Will Twitter Do With The Local Discovery App It Just Acquired?

by Libby Zay on

Twitter just acquired Spindle, a mobile app billed as a “news feed for your neighborhood” that aggregates social media updates from nearby restaurants, stores, event venues, museums and more, the Boston Globe reports.

Founded by three former employees of Microsoft, Spindle is a favorite tool for travelers looking for on-the-ground information on what’s happening nearby, particularly in cities they are just getting to know. After acquiring Spindle on Wednesday, Twitter has already shut down the service – a tactic the social media giant has previously employed as it absorbs start-up companies.

Although Twitter has yet to release an official statement on its intent, it looks like the company will use Spindle’s technology and talent to launch some sort of local discovery function of its own. We’ll just have to sit tight and see whether that will be an added function within Twitter, or a completely new platform.

[via Skift]

Video Of The Day: Cape Verde

by Elizabeth Seward on

“Cape Verde – twothousandtwelve” from Qjawa on Vimeo.

I’m in Cape Verde today and as a tribute to the country’s islands and this trip, my Video Of The Day today is one I came across on Vimeo of Cape Verde. This video is of the island Sal, where I am currently staying. Featuring everything from the arid, desert scenery within the island to the lagoons, salt baths and crystal clear waters meeting the white sand beaches, this video from one vacationer (Vimeo user: Qjawa) is bound to plant the desire in you to visit Cape Verde, as well.

Cape Verde – twothousandtwelve from Qjawa on Vimeo.

I’m in Cape Verde today and as a tribute to the country’s islands and this trip, my Video Of The Day today is one I came across on Vimeo of Cape Verde. This video is of the island Sal, where I am currently staying. Featuring everything from the arid, desert scenery within the island to the lagoons, salt baths and crystal clear waters meeting the white sand beaches, this video from one vacationer (Vimeo user: Qjawa) is bound to plant the desire in you to visit Cape Verde, as well.

Watch A Man Catch Keys Mid-Air On Roller Coaster (VIDEO)

by Libby Zay on

Remember that one time Fabio was smacked in the face by a goose while riding a roller coaster? Maybe if Fabio had cat-like reflexes – like the guy in the video above – his face would have been spared. While on a roller coaster ride in Spain, a pair of keys flew toward two riders while the coaster sped downhill. One of the riders reached up and grabbed them, and according to an account on Reddit.com, successfully returned the lost keys to their rightful owner. The perfectly timed, one-handed grab is pretty impressive. Watch and be amazed – and remember to always secure any loose items when you’re on a roller coaster, because most people aren’t as lucky as this guy.

Video Of The Day: ‘House Of The Sun’ From Maui

by Libby Zay on

Los Angeles-based photographer Dan Douglas sent us this gorgeous video he shot while visiting Haleakalā Volcano in Hawaii. According to Douglas, he set out to document what many people call “the most beautiful sunrise in the world.” Using four different cameras, he captured 5,000 images and stitched them together.

Incase you’re curious about Haleakalā, the volcano forms more than 75 percent of the island Māui, and is so large all of Manhattan could fit inside it, and in Hawaiian, the name means “house of the sun.” If anyone has seen a sunrise they consider to be more beautiful, I’d love to hear where it was. And if you want to make the journey to take this pre-dawn pilgrimage yourself, our resident Hawaiian Kyle Ellison has some tips on hidden gems on the islands.