Cryptoprocta spelea, the giant fossa, is an extinct species from
Madagascar in the family Eupleridae. Most closely related to the
mongooses, the family includes all of Madagascar's carnivorans. The
giant fossa was first described in 1902, and in 1935 was recognized as a
separate species from its closest relative, the living fossa
(Cryptoprocta ferox). Apart from its size, C. spelea was similar to the
fossa. When and how C. spelea became extinct is unknown, and there is
some anecdotal evidence of more than one surviving species. The species
is known from subfossil bones found in a variety of caves in northern,
western, southern, and central Madagascar. In some sites, it occurs with
remains of C. ferox, but there is no evidence that the two lived in the
same places at the same time. C. spelea would have been able to prey on
larger animals than its smaller relative could have, including the
recently extinct giant lemurs.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptoprocta_spelea>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1937:
Led by the United Kingdom and France, nine nations met at the
Nyon Conference to address international piracy in the Mediterranean
Sea.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyon_Conference>
1960:
Running barefoot in the marathon event at the Rome Olympics,
Abebe Bikila became the first athlete from sub-Saharan Africa to win an
Olympic gold medal.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abebe_Bikila>
2000:
British forces freed soldiers and civilians who had been held
captive by the militant group the West Side Boys, contributing to the
end of the Sierra Leone Civil War.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Barras>
2008:
CERN's Large Hadron Collider (section pictured), the world's
largest and highest-energy particle accelerator, first began operations
beneath the France–Switzerland border.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_Hadron_Collider>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
atiptoe:
1. On tiptoe; on the tips of one's toes in order to move quietly or to
stand taller.
2. (figuratively)
3. Quietly, and little by little.
4. Without retreating from adversity, confrontation, or danger; standing
tall; bravely, proudly, unyieldingly.
5. In a state of anticipation; keenly awaiting.
6. On tiptoe; moving or standing on the tips of one's toes.
7. (figuratively) In a state of anticipation; keenly awaiting.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/atiptoe>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
In a little over a week's time we will come together as a nation,
as a Commonwealth and indeed a global community, to lay my beloved
mother to rest. In our sorrow, let us remember and draw strength from
the light of her example. On behalf of all my family, I can only offer
the most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your condolences and support.
They mean more to me than I can ever possibly express. And to my
darling mama, as you begin your last great journey to join my dear late
papa, I want simply to say this: thank you. Thank you for your love and
devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so
diligently all these years. May "flights of angels sing thee to thy
rest."
--Charles III
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Charles_III>
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