Sheep baffles hotel staff after being spotted ‘waiting for lift’
A sheep stunned staff at a hotel in Wales after it was spotted apparently waiting for the hotel lift.
Animals
‘World’s loneliest elephant’ arrives safely in Cambodia
An elephant dubbed the “world’s loneliest” after languishing alone for years in a zoo in Pakistan was greeted on his arrival in Cambodia by chanting Buddhist monks and was then sent on his way to a wildlife sanctuary.
Penguins watch Christmas films to prepare for visitors returning after lockdown
London Aquarium has been screening Christmas films for its gentoo penguins ahead of its reopening on Wednesday.
Meerkats at London Zoo post their Christmas wish lists to Santa
Meerkats at ZSL London Zoo posted their Christmas wish lists after keepers installed a miniature postbox with their favourite crickets hidden inside.
World’s oldest surviving provincial zoo to relocate due to Covid-19 pandemic
The world’s oldest surviving provincial zoo is to relocate to safeguard its organisation’s future in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Kitten rescued from inside a car engine in Ballymena
A kitten has been given a “clean bill of health” after being rescued from inside a car engine in Ballymena, Northern Ireland.
‘Miracle’: 10-year-old girl reunited with missing pet cat after nine months
A 10-year-old girl has been reunited with her cat after it had been missing for nine months.
Man rescues puppy from jaws of alligator in Florida
A man has rescued his pet dog after it was attacked by an alligator in Florida.
In Video: Behind the scenes at Sea Life Centre during lockdown
Staff at the National Sea Life Centre have carried out maintenance work while the Birmingham attraction is closed to the public. Throughout lockdown, the centre still has to care for more than 2,000 creatures while also taking the opportunity to carry out cleaning, repair and renovation tasks. Here, curator Jonny Rudd discusses the ongoing task.
Farmer grateful for fans’ ‘overwhelming’ support after death of goose mascot
A farmer whose animal-themed social media channels have been a haven to many during lockdown has thanked his followers for their “overwhelming” support after the death of his goose.
Dog saved by animal charity after eating a face mask
A cocker spaniel has been saved by an animal charity after he ate a face mask.
Belgian racing pigeon sells for more than £1.4m in auction
A wealthy Chinese pigeon racing fan has put down a world record price of 1.6 million euro (£1.43 million) for a Belgian-bred bird.
Pigeon found in box left on bus
Animal welfare officers are attempting to trace the owner of a pigeon found on a bus.
Slow-living animal species could be disease reservoirs – study
Animals that live slowly – breeding less rapidly and living longer – could be reservoirs of diseases that jump to other species including humans, a new study suggests.
Boa constrictor on the loose surprises cat owner putting out her washing
A cat owner had quite the shock when she went out to hang up her washing and found a boa constrictor on the loose.
Orphaned seal pup Sir Tom Moore to be released into sea after beach rescue
An orphaned seal pup named Sir Tom Moore is to be released back into the sea after being rescued from a near-death situation earlier this year.
Female geladas hurry up and mature when new male joins the group – study
Female primate relatives of baboons, known as geladas, suddenly hurry up and mature when a new male enters the picture, a new study has suggested.
Lockdown risks safety of Norfolk seal pups, charity warns
The new national lockdown could put newborn seal pups at risk, a charity has warned.
Great fox-spider spotted for first time in 25 years in Surrey
One of the UK’s largest and most endangered spiders has been spotted for the first time in more than 25 years.
Chimpanzees prefer to focus on fewer friends as they age, study suggests
Like humans, wild chimpanzees focus on fewer but more meaningful friendships as they grow older, research suggests.
Raccoons busted after breaking into bank in California
Two raccoons were caught red-handed after breaking into a bank in California on Tuesday when a member of the public spotted them inside.
Cat returned to Swansea home after going missing for eight years
A cat has been reunited with his owners in Swansea after going missing for eight years.
Baby echidna named Rarity after its mother was hit by car
An orphaned baby echidna has been named Rarity by an Australian zoo after its mother was hit by a car.
Six reptiles at north-east rescue centre seek new homes
The Scottish SPCA is looking for loving owners to match up with some scaly soulmates in their care, ahead of Reptile Awareness Day.
Cat found and returned to owner three years after escaping from home
A cat that went missing from a Cambridgeshire home has been found nearly three years later.
‘Well-behaved’ baby okapi explores paddock at London Zoo for first time
A three-week-old okapi calf has explored her outdoor paddock for the first time at ZSL London Zoo.
Makeshift sauna created at RSPCA centre to help seals with breathing problems
Seals are enjoying a makeshift sauna at an RSPCA centre after staff created one from a wallpaper stripper.
In Pictures: Bear cubs tuck into pumpkin treats
Two rescued brown bear cubs have enjoyed an early Halloween treat at the Wildwood Trust in Kent.
Winner of ‘fattest bear’ competition crowned ahead of hibernation season
The winner of this year’s Fat Bear Week in Alaska has been crowned.
‘Wonderful surprise’: Orangutan born at zoo after negative pregnancy test
A baby orangutan has been described as a “wonderful surprise” after its mother returned a negative pregnancy test.