Filipino coffee traders called on villagers in Mountain Province to stop capturing and eating civet cats (Paradoxurus phippinensis) because a decline in the cat population would cause a decline in the supply of one of the world's most expensive coffee varieties. Civet cats eat ripe coffee berries, and local coffee traders gather the beans from their droppings to produce the most expensive coffee varieties in the world. The civet cat, locally known as motit or alamid, is a nocturnal animal that roams the forests of northern Philippines and dwells on rocks where fruit-bearing trees grow nearby.

A giant eagle owl is reported to be terrorizing residents in Middlesborough, England. With its 5-ft wingspan, the bird can easily pick up foxes, small dogs and deer. Reports said the owl set up its home on the roof of the town's train station near the town center, in September. However, the bird suddenly become unruly since December launching itself off high roofs and swooping on passersby.

Beginning February, the University of Sioux Falls, North Dakota will offer the first ever one-credit dating course called "Finding Dates Worth Keeping. " Offered through the USF Learning Institute, the authorities have appointed Laurie Chaplin as the course instructor. Chaplin, a relationships counselor and licensed therapist has been married for 28 years.

A lawmaker has filed a bill for the 2007 legislative session that would allow legally blind persons to use laser sights, or lighted pointing instruments for hunting live animals. "This opens up the fun of hunting to additional people, and I think that's great," said the bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Edmund Kuempel.

Carmen Erickson and his hunting group were elated to have shot down a nice buck, but their achievement was soon phased down to a shock when they examined the deer. The deer was actually a rare doe with a large 4-by-4 rack. "It's got no male utilities," Erickson, who lives in Minot, tells Grand Forks Herald. "It has teats . . . it was pretty unusual. "