Basel Zoo Has Stocks Windfall; Windows: Swiss Birds Mortal Enemy; BVB Crowdsources Tram Name; Violent Message Graffiti on No. 8 Tram

News For 8 May 2018

The Basel Zoo, also known as the Zolli, in local parlance, reported its 2017 fiscal figures last week.  It's been said that monkeys throwing darts at a board of stock symbols have a better chance of beating the market than professionals.  And, although neither monkeys nor Dr. Doolittle may have been on staff to help with the stock-picking, it seems the Zoo's stocks portfolio did quite well anyway.  Net financial results soared to a profit of 3.7 million francs from 870,000 francs in the prior year - mostly attributable to the Zoo's investments.  In addition to the financial windfall, foot traffic and paid entrances increased by 15% year over year.  According to the most recent figures, the Zoo employs 210 people, and take care of 6346 animals of 546 species.

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At least one dead bird per year per building can be expected, according to an ornithology leaflet Vogelschutzpraxis produced in Sempach. In Switzerland, it is estimated hundreds of thousands of birds die every year slamming into a window. Transparent glass is the most dangerous for birds, as it reflects the environment mirroring a living space. Dirty windows are an obstacle and clearly delineated, strongly contrasting lines on transparent panes provide the most efficient collision protection. As for those birds of prey silhouette stickers? They are ineffective, the study notes.

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In the spirit of our times, the BVB, operator of Basel's tram service, has started a crowd-sourcing campaign to determine the name of its latest Flexity Tram.  The trams each carry names, which in the past have been references to the Basel region and its culture.  For example, Basilisk, Saint-Louis and Dante Schuggi (which happens to be the name of the vintage one-car tram that's been riding the rails since the 1910s in Basel).  If you would like to participate, and throw your suggestion in the hat, simply find the BVB Facebook page, and the related post, where you can comment.  At the moment, the front runners are "Young Boys", "Roger Federer" and "Flexi McFlexface".

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A week ago last Sunday, unknown perpetrators spray painted a message on the No. 8 tram calling for the assassination of Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan. The message was left around 11:30 p.m. at the Neuweilerstrasse stop. The driver did not notice the act. The material damage is estimated to be around 5,000 Swiss francs, according to BVB spokesman Benjamin Schmidt. The tram is now back in circulation.