The Amazing Stuff

Just yesterday, on November 4, 2015, a devastating accident rocked South Sudan as a cargo plane full of passengers crashed shortly after takeoff. When investigators and rescue workers arrived on the scene, they knew that there was little hope of finding survivors in the charred, twisted wreckage.

But just as they were about to give up all hope, they made a miraculous discovery.

Prospects were grim as rescue workers stepped onto the site of the horrific crash.

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The plane was only designed to hold cargo and about 12 crew members, so it’s believed that overcrowding caused it to go down.

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Approximately 36 passengers are confirmed dead, but numbers will likely rise as the wreckage is moved.

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But just as they were about to give up hope, rescuers made a heartbreaking — but completely amazing — discovery.

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They found a one-year-old girl crying underneath the wreckage. She’s one of two reported survivors, and volunteers were completely floored by the tiny child’s will to live. The other survivor ultimately succumbed to injuries sustained in the crash, but somehow, this brave little one made it.

The girl, named Nyalou Thong, was immediately rushed to the hospital. She’s reportedly doing well after receiving treatment for a broken leg and other minor injuries.

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Sadly, Nyalou’s mother and brother died in the crash. As of now, rescuers are attempting to contact other family members.

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She is expected to make a full recovery.

(via Mashable)

This child truly is a tiny miracle. Officials and volunteers who responded to the crash signed on for the recovery mission with heavy hearts, but this discovery proved to be a glimmer of hope. We’re sending our thoughts to the people of South Sudan as they recover from this tragedy, and to little Nyalou as she heals.

In the early 1900s, English colonizers discovered a strange new animal which resembled the horses they knew back home, but with a dash of pizzazz: the zebra. They were, of course, intrigued by their new equine findings and set out to domesticate the wild animals for transportation.

As you probably noticed, due to the lack of documentation in history books, the attempt didn’t really take off. Though zebras do share a lot in common with their horse cousins, and have added benefits like a resistance to diseases carried by tsetse flies, they simply couldn’t be completely tamed.

But you can’t say it’s for lack of trying. These historical photos provide a glimpse of what you might have seen on your commute back in the day.

Imagine your cabbie rolling up with one of these fellas.

Getty Images / Topical Press Agency / Stringer

Just your average traffic jam in 1935.

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“I could do this in my sleep.”

Library of Congress

This is how Dr. Rosendo Ribeiro took house calls in Kenya.

Wikimedia Commons

Adventure seeker Osa Johnson always kept it classy in black-and-white, shown here in 1924.

Kansas Sampler

This was taken around 1930 in Calcutta, India.

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“So, what’re you in for?”

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Walter Rothschild made sure the royals took notice when he rode up to Buckingham Palace.

Wikimedia Commons

A couple of soldiers from Germany’s calvary of colonial force in East Africa, 1911.

Wikimedia Commons

It is kind of a bummer that it didn’t work out. How cool would it be to ride one of these to your office? It’s almost like they were the snazzy new sports car of the early 20th century.

Of course, we’re also grateful they weren’t able to be tamed because otherwise we wouldn’t be able to see them in all their wild glory.

When a photographer was on safari in Africa, he noticed a group of lion cubs off in the distance. Seizing the opportunity to finally do something he had dreamed of, he attached his GoPro camera to a remote-control car and off it went – racing until it came upon the young lions.

What happened next is an encounter the world simply has to see to believe:

Have you ever seen cuter ears?!

Turns out lion cubs are just as interested in GoPro cameras as we are!

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, Africa, is home to almost 6,500 animals who rely on their protection from awful poachers and other predators after their lives.

When rangers came across this little guy, it was clear the baby elephant had accidentally gotten himself lost from his mom and the rest of his herd.

By the time help arrived, the pack of pachyderms had moved over a mile away from the adorable calf.

Facebook / Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

They also noticed a group of over 10 lions had been keeping a close eye on the cutie, probably waiting for the right moment to strike.

Facebook / Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

Luckily, the big cats didn’t get a chance with this little guy as the rangers carefully steered him in the direction of his herd.

Facebook / Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

As soon as they were close enough for the mom to see her calf, she trotted over to guide him the rest of the way.

Facebook / Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

(sources Facebook, The Dodo)

Thank goodness these rangers were so quick to come to his aid. Hopefully his mom will scold the youngster about paying closer attention next time. You can help contribute to Lewa’s conservation efforts by learning more and donating over on their website.

The civil war that plagued Mozambique for nearly two decades ended in 1992, but its communities are still dealing with the aftermath. Land mines left across the African country continue to maim and take the lives of its peaceful residents.

However, one program has been making significant strides in ridding the area of these tragic reminders of war for good. Using these small, nimble, and adorable rats to sniff out the lingering mines has resulted in over 2,000 mines being found and destroyed, releasing 6 million square meters of land back to the public.

Known as APOPO, the program translates in English as “Anti-Personnel Land Mines Detection Product Development.”

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Each little critter (or not so little, compared to our domestic rats) is highly trained in carefully sniffing out the devices.

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Training began in 2003 and 11 successful graduates made their way into the field starting in 2006.

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Their slight bodies are perfect for moving across the dangerous land without setting off any explosives.

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Founder Bart Weetjens was inspired by his childhood love of pet rats and observing how well their little noses sniffed things out.

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Appropriately dubbed HeroRATs, they have also helped with detecting tuberculosis in Tanzania.

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Out in the fields, they are rewarded with a banana treat each time they find a mine.

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Without these helpful guys, residents would still be waiting on clearance for much of the farming lands their communities rely on.

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(sources APOPO, Amusing Planet)

They clearly have the brains to back up those adorable faces. You can help the cuties continue their lifesaving efforts by heading to the APOPO website and adopting a HeroRAT for a monthly or annual donation.