Bjornoya
20-02-2006, 21:30
Amgen Co. Genetically Engineers the First Saddled Flightless Bird: The Chocobo (http://0201.netclime.net/1_5/1/P/C/Happy.mid)
After nearly a decade of trial-and-error Bjornoyan researchers have successfully engineered the first ratite that can be mounted and saddled by men. The purpose of the project was to create a creature capable of surviving the colder climate conditions of Bjornoya while supplying the same cheap transportation, entertainment, and food sources as animals used in Bjornoyan Africa.
The coloring of a chocobo varies, the first engineered were white but later breeds have black, yellow, gold, and blue feather coats (black being the dominant gene and all other recessive). The birds weigh on average 320 lbs, stand 7 feet tall, and can carry 300 lbs on their back or haul 550 lbs while harnessed for extended periods of time.
The birds are capable of fording shallow rivers, climbing steep cliffs, and reaching top speeds of 50 mph. Aggressive behaviors can be induced and the birds are known to fight at times. However their favorite activities are eating and racing in the open.
In appearance (http://www.ffcompendium.com/chara/10-chocobo-a.jpeg) the bird is covered from head to tail with feathers of uniform coloring. The legs are bare and from each extend three sharp and durable toes capable of grasping, climbing, and scratching. The heads of male birds have a flowing crown and their tail feathers are generally longer than females’. Their beaks are short and wide with an ever-present smile. Two stubby wings flank the creature and assist with maintaining balance at high speeds.
The current population is 30 breeding individuals, 7 males and 23 females. In time Amgen hopes to drastically increase these numbers. The creatures are sexually mature within 3 years of birth.
For the time being Amgen will maintain a monopoly on these creatures but has expressed its willingness to sell the creatures at a later date when their numbers have increased.
After nearly a decade of trial-and-error Bjornoyan researchers have successfully engineered the first ratite that can be mounted and saddled by men. The purpose of the project was to create a creature capable of surviving the colder climate conditions of Bjornoya while supplying the same cheap transportation, entertainment, and food sources as animals used in Bjornoyan Africa.
The coloring of a chocobo varies, the first engineered were white but later breeds have black, yellow, gold, and blue feather coats (black being the dominant gene and all other recessive). The birds weigh on average 320 lbs, stand 7 feet tall, and can carry 300 lbs on their back or haul 550 lbs while harnessed for extended periods of time.
The birds are capable of fording shallow rivers, climbing steep cliffs, and reaching top speeds of 50 mph. Aggressive behaviors can be induced and the birds are known to fight at times. However their favorite activities are eating and racing in the open.
In appearance (http://www.ffcompendium.com/chara/10-chocobo-a.jpeg) the bird is covered from head to tail with feathers of uniform coloring. The legs are bare and from each extend three sharp and durable toes capable of grasping, climbing, and scratching. The heads of male birds have a flowing crown and their tail feathers are generally longer than females’. Their beaks are short and wide with an ever-present smile. Two stubby wings flank the creature and assist with maintaining balance at high speeds.
The current population is 30 breeding individuals, 7 males and 23 females. In time Amgen hopes to drastically increase these numbers. The creatures are sexually mature within 3 years of birth.
For the time being Amgen will maintain a monopoly on these creatures but has expressed its willingness to sell the creatures at a later date when their numbers have increased.