"The white stoat mascot is Tina — short for Cortina, after Cortina d'Ampezzo, one of the two cities hosting the Winter Olympics. Her younger, darker-furred brother, Milo — after the city of Milan — was born without one paw and is the mascot for the Paralympics in March. Their images are on magnets, bags and pins. But since stores sold out in the Games' first days, it's been nearly impossible to find a plush toy of the stoat siblings in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo."
"Embodying the dynamic Italian spirit' Marco Granata, a doctoral student who researches stoats at the University of Turin in Italy, thinks the organizers are missing out on an opportunity to educate people a bit more and help this animal. It's ironic because everyone now is talking about stoats, looking for stoats, but no one knows about real stoats, mostly because the Olympic committee didn't inform the population about it, he told The Associated Press."
Stoats serve as the mascots for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Stoats change coat color from brown to white in winter to camouflage with snow. Climate change is prompting stoats to turn white before snow arrives, leaving them exposed to predators whose sharp vision targets contrasting white fur on bare ground. The mascots are Tina, named for Cortina d'Ampezzo, and Milo, named for Milan; Milo was born without one paw and represents the Paralympics. Merchandise quickly sold out and medalists receive plush toys, while a costumed Tina appears at venues. A University of Turin researcher says organizers missed an opportunity to educate the public about stoat risks.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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