Africa-Press – Mauritius. With the new year just beginning, looking back at 2025 reveals a period marked not only by major political developments but also by a remarkable string of strange and unusual events that made headlines around the world.
From an Italian village where getting sick was forbidden to drug-addicted mice in a police evidence locker, and from a thieving monkey lured by coffee to a woman who woke up in her own coffin, these incidents provided moments of astonishment, humor, and sheer disbelief.
January
Italy bans illness while drug-addicted mice raid evidence locker
The year began with some of its most peculiar stories.
In Italy, the small village of Belcastro, with a population of 1,200 and located 28 miles (45 kilometers) from the nearest hospital, saw its local government issue an extraordinary decree: residents were instructed to avoid getting sick.
The ordinance explicitly stated that villagers should steer clear of illnesses requiring emergency medical intervention.
It urged residents to “refrain from potentially harmful behaviors, avoid domestic accidents, not go out too often, not travel or play sports, and instead rest most of the time.”
Mayor Antonio Torchia described the act as a “humorous provocation” aimed at exposing the inadequacies of the regional healthcare system. He noted that the roads to the hospital posed “more risk than any disease,” highlighting the perilous journey for those in need of care.
Meanwhile, in the US, the Houston Police Department in Texas reported a unique infestation.
An evidence locker containing approximately 180 tons of confiscated narcotics had become the target of mice.
Police officials said they were struggling to combat the “drug-addicted” rodents, which had consumed a significant quantity of the substances.
They emphasized the challenge of the situation, noting that the disposal of the remaining drugs must still adhere to strict environmental procedures.
February
Uninvited guest in a Dutch hotel room
In February, a guest at a hotel near the coast in Vlissingen, Netherlands received a startling surprise.
Upon entering their room, the customer discovered a seal fast asleep on the floor. The guest immediately notified hotel staff about the uninvited visitor.
After being awakened, the seal reportedly became grumpy but was safely handed over to authorities to be released back into its natural habitat.
March
Thief who swallowed earrings valued around $769,000
A brazen heist took place in the US state of Florida in March.
A thief named Jaythan Gilder posed as an assistant to an NBA basketball player to gain access to a special collection at a jewelry store. While distracting the staff, Gilder swallowed a pair of earrings valued at approximately $769,000.
He also stole a ring worth $575,000 before being apprehended shortly after. Gilder was kept under hospital supervision for days until the earrings were recovered through natural means.
Officials confirmed the jewelry was authenticated and returned to the store.
April
Man unknowingly buys his own stolen car; woodpecker ‘charged’ with vandalism
April brought a case of incredible coincidence in the UK.
A man named Ewan Valentine, whose car had been stolen, unknowingly purchased his own vehicle back.
After reporting the theft to the police, he found what he thought was an identical car for sale online. He didn’t suspect anything initially because the license plate had been changed.
However, Valentine grew suspicious over time as he discovered personal belongings in the trunk and found his own home address saved in the car’s navigation system.
Across the Atlantic in the US state of Massachusetts, a woodpecker was blamed for causing damage to more than 25 vehicles in a neighborhood. Resident Janelle Favaloro captured a photo of the avian culprit in the act.
In a social media post, she humorously reported the perpetrator: “There’s a punk in our neighborhood. The punk has been identified as being 18 to 24 inches tall, dressed in black and white, and wearing a red hat.”
The woodpecker primarily targeted reflective surfaces like side-view mirrors and windows. It is believed that the bird, likely in its mating season, was mistaking its own reflection for a rival. In response, some residents began covering their cars to prevent further damage.
May
Monkeys kidnap infants of another species for unknown reasons
In May, researchers from Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior made a baffling discovery on Jicaron Island, Panama.
They observed white-faced capuchin monkeys “kidnapping” the infants of another species, howler monkeys, for no apparent reason. Video evidence showed the capuchins snatching the young howler monkeys when they were isolated in the treetops.
Researchers are still unable to explain this behavior but speculate that the capuchins’ parental instincts may be misdirected, leading them to “adopt” the young of another species.
June
Hungry elephant helps itself to snacks in Thai market
A wild elephant in Thailand went on a snack run in June.
The owner of a convenience store shared security camera footage of the large animal wandering into his shop. The footage showed the hungry elephant using its trunk to grab and eat snacks from the shelves.
The owner reported that the elephant consumed about nine packs of rice crackers, a sandwich, and several bananas. Staff from a nearby national park were called to help coax the elephant out, and it eventually left the store on its own.
July
‘Service with lions’ at Chinese restaurant sparks investigation
An unusual dining experience at a restaurant in China’s Shanxi province drew media attention in July.
The establishment was reportedly offering an afternoon tea service where, for a fee of 1,078 yuan ($154) for four people, customers could interact with lions. The service also included opportunities for patrons to pet deer and alpacas.
A restaurant employee defended the practice, claiming they had obtained the necessary permits and were “operating like a zoo.”
However, the local forestry department issued a statement clarifying that close interaction between humans and such animals is prohibited and announced that an investigation had been launched into the matter.
August
Stolen WWII painting found in real estate ad; zoo asks for pet donations
A long-lost piece of art surfaced in an unexpected place in August.
“Portrait of a Lady,” a painting by Italian artist Giuseppe Vittore Ghislandi that was stolen from the Netherlands during World War II, was spotted hanging on the wall of a house in a real estate listing in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Researchers from the Dutch government’s cultural heritage unit said there was “no need to question its authenticity,” though formal verification would be required upon recovery.
The painting was later digitally removed from the 3D tour in the online listing.
Argentine police raided the home to find the artwork, which had been missing for over 80 years. While the painting was not found, police seized weapons and carvings that could be useful to the investigation, which is now focused on charges of “concealment and trafficking of the artwork.”
In Denmark, the Aalborg Zoo caused a public outcry by announcing that it would accept “pet donations” to feed its predators, such as the European lynx. An announcement on the zoo’s Instagram account called on the public to donate “small pets” like chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as live horses.
The post emphasized that donated animals would be “gently euthanized” by trained staff before being used as food.
“Thus, nothing is wasted, and we ensure the natural behavior, nutrition, and welfare of our predators,” the statement said.
The zoo even offered a tax deduction to owners who donated healthy horses shorter than 147 centimeters. The announcement was met with widespread public condemnation.
September
Woman scammed by fake astronaut; grandfather picks up wrong child from daycare
September saw a scam of cosmic proportions in Japan.
An 80-year-old woman on the island of Hokkaido was defrauded after meeting a man on social media who pretended to be an astronaut.
The scammer convinced her that his spaceship was under attack and he urgently needed cash to purchase oxygen. The woman sent him approximately 1 million yen (around $6,377).
In Sydney, Australia, a grandfather experienced a stressful mix-up when he went to pick up his grandchild from daycare. He was mistakenly given the wrong child and went home without realizing the error.
The child’s mother discovered the mistake upon their arrival, leading to a panic. The grandfather quickly returned the child to the daycare, resolving the situation. The teacher responsible for the mix-up was suspended and an investigation into the daycare center was initiated.
October
Escaped monkey captured with a cup of coffee
A clever tactic led to the capture of an escaped monkey in the US state of South Carolina.
A spider monkey named “Ava” fled from her owner during an autumn festival in the town of Eutawville. Town officials began searching for the primate after learning she was roaming free.
Although they located Ava quickly, she refused to approach any humans. In a stroke of ingenuity, officials placed a cup of coffee on the ground to pique her curiosity. As Ava approached to investigate the coffee, authorities were able to safely capture her and return her to her owner.
November
Woman declared dead wakes up in coffin
One of the year’s most shocking events occurred in Thailand in November.
A 65-year-old woman who had been brought to a funeral home for her own funeral was discovered to be alive.
Staff at the funeral home heard noises coming from her coffin and then noticed her moving. The woman’s brother explained that she had been bedridden for the past two years and had stopped breathing two days earlier.
She had been transported 310 miles (499 kilometers) in the coffin for the funeral service. Upon the discovery that she was alive, the woman was immediately rushed to a hospital.
