With plaster antlers and synthetic animal hide adorning eco homes everywhere, why not faux taxidermy? If you like the rustic look but aren’t feeling a real head on your wall, the faux mount may be right up your alley.

You know taxidermy, the art of mounting stuffed animal heads on a wall. Yes, it is an art. Not for everyone and many may even feel it’s a little creepy. But as the daughter of a talented and ethical taxidermist I can tell you, however you feel about it, there are those who are good at taxidermy and those who are … well … not.

There is the straightforward, hunter-esque sort of taxidermy. There is a bit edgier side to taxidermy, as well. Something for everyone?

Maybe.

If you are a home décor fanatic, you may be attracted to certain trends that are less than eco. Antlers, hides and skins are a big deal right now in interiors. They look cool. But do you feel okay about having animal parts tossed (however tastefully) around your home?

There is salvation for those of us looking to get in on the latest without the an-animal-lost-his-life guilt. Sub in plaster or ceramic antlers for the real thing. I love my fake sheepskin throws. You can even buy authentic looking faux animal hides to use as rugs.

Now for that head you’ve been longing to hang on your den wall? Enter, faux taxidermy. “Animal heads” made from metal, cardboard, wood, fiberglass…you kind of have options, here.

Ok, so most of us are not exactly lusting after a wall mounted head, faux or not. Safe to say, it is most likely something we can live without. And like traditional taxidermy, there is both good and weird stuff out there.

Now take a look at Mbare’s Recycled Metal Wall Art. These pieces are not only pretty and super unique, but made in Zimbabwe from recycled car tin.

One of a kind wildebeest, kudu, or springbok to adorn your living room? Pretty cool. Daniel, the man who makes these works of art, learned the craft from his father and now supports his own family with the business. Each piece sells for $58.

Has your idea of taxidermy changed? Can you see yourself purchasing a piece of faux taxidermy? A colorful water buffalo would look mighty nice sidled up against your artificial zebra print rug.

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Images from Mbare.com

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Swine flu is grabbing headlines, but this isn’t the only public health issue concerning authorities. Cholera cases are increasing in Africa and researchers studying the increase say climate change is to blame.

According to a recent press release from AlphaGalileo, a resource for European research news, a study lead by researchers from the Madrid Carlos III Institute of Health shows cholera cases in Zambia are increasing as temperatures rise.

Their study results confirm that an increase in environmental temperature six weeks before the rainy season also increases the number of people affected by cholera at a rate of 4.9%.

“This is the first time that it has become evident in the sub-Saharan region that the increase in environmental temperature is related to the increase in cholera cases,” says Miguel Ángel Luque, one of the study’s authors, in the press release.

The research project, which was done in Zambia between 2003 and 2006, analyzes data from three cholera epidemics. The results show that climatic variables, such as rain and environmental temperature, are related to the increase in cholera cases during the epidemic period.

Experts affirm that cholera has a seasonal component associated with the rain season. An increase in temperature six weeks before this period is related with a 4.9% increase in the number of cases of this sickness within the population.

The study also showed that  a 1º C increase in temperature six weeks before the beginning of the outbreak explains the 5.2% increase in cholera cases during an epidemic.

¨The climate change is affecting the dynamic and resurgence of infectious sicknesses in a key fashion, concretely malaria and cholera,” says Luque.

The goal is to have a predictive method to be able to release an early alert in the region and put out a warning to health authorities.

The World Health Organization’s data indicates a concerning increase in the number of cholera cases worldwide since the beginning of the twentieth century. Today the cholera epidemic’s main focus is found in Zimbabwe.

Since the beginning of the outbreak in August of 2008 until March 17th of 2009, 91,164 cases were reported in this country alone, 4,037 of them fatal.

Image: Let’s Go Everywhere

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