'Miracle' birth of baby elephant A baby elephant believed to have died during labour was born alive at an Australian zoo on Wednesday, amazing its keepers and defying expert opinion that such an outcome would take a "miracle". Zoo director Cameron Kerr reported the "amazing news" that the calf had been born and was showing signs of life. 3/9/2010 7:05:37 PM

SPCA recommending charges for owner of skeletal dog The B.C. SPCA says it is recommending animal cruelty charges against the owner of a dog that was dropped off at a Maple Ridge shelter looking like a "walking skeleton" last month. Trooper weighed 10.5 kilograms when he was brought in, roughly a third the weight of an average golden retriever. 3/9/2010 3:50:22 PM

US Woman charged with beating Bulldog pup with a shovel A Queens woman has been charged with animal cruelty after her neighbors caught her on video beating an 11-month-old English bull dog with a snow shovel. Spike had "a hip fracture, a broken leg, three broken teeth and injuries to his ears." 3/9/2010 11:52:53 AM

Family hopes to stop release of SeaWorld death video SeaWorld and the family of a trainer slain by a killer whale want to prevent video of the attack from becoming public. Dawn Brancheau died last month after being pulled into the water by the 12,000-pound orca. The family and SeaWorld have been consulting the lawyer who represented race driver Dale Earnhardt's widow. 3/9/2010 8:36:34 AM

UK Mommy state: 'Insurance for all' plan for dogs All dog owners in England and Wales would have to insure against their pet attacking someone under Labour proposals to tackle dangerous breeds. Police and local authorities could also be given powers to force owners of dangerous dogs to muzzle them or even get them neutered. 3/9/2010 6:46:18 AM

For dog walkers, the walk in the park is hard work Pass by any of Toronto's (or any other larger city) parks, especially around noon, and you're sure to see a canine league of nations. Short, tall, fat, thin, purebred and mutts. They race, chase balls, beg for treats and do their business. For serious dog walkers it's a business. 3/8/2010 5:26:17 PM

Trauma of capture affected former Victoria killer whale Tillikum, says psychologist Traumatic capture in Iceland as a baby, separation from his family and almost 30 years of imprisonment have likely left a killer whale that killed a trainer last week with post-traumatic stress disorder, says a psychologist who specializes in human-animal relationships. 3/8/2010 4:49:39 PM

Bonobos opt to share their food (Video) One of our closest primate relatives, the bonobo, has been shown to voluntarily share food, scientists report. This sort of generous behaviour was previously thought by some to be an exclusively human trait. Bonobos were more likely to choose to share their food than opt to dine alone. 3/8/2010 9:10:13 AM

Oscar win for dolphin hunt film A film which follows the annual dolphin hunt in the Japanese town of Taiji has won the Oscar for best documentary. The Cove, directed by Louie Psihoyos, follows activists as they try to gain access to a bay where dolphins are corralled and killed. 3/8/2010 8:34:42 AM

Time running out for Alberta's dwindling grizzlies Minister mulls reinstating spring hunt even as gov't report recommends bears be listed as threatened species....The international measure for listing a species as "threatened" is 1,000 mature adults. The latest Alberta status report suggests there are fewer than 360 mature adult grizzly bears. 3/8/2010 8:12:24 AM

B.C. dog found starving, emaciated, is recovering The owner of a dog found emaciated and near death in Maple Ridge, B.C., last week should be charged with animal cruelty, the B.C. SPCA says. The golden retriever was brought to the SPCA last Sunday by a member of the public who found him covered in feces and urine. 3/8/2010 7:44:29 AM

Canada opposes U.S. effort to ban polar bear trade A cross-border battle is looming over polar bears, the Arctic giants that provoke passionate reactions in both Canada and the United States. The U.S. wants to ban the trade in polar-bear body parts, a proposal that will be considered at a meeting beginning next week of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. 3/6/2010 6:15:04 PM

Wildlife medical products probe includes Canada Canada is one of 18 countries involved in an international sting operation targeting the illegal trade in wildlife medical products. Interpol's Environmental Crime Program organized the month-long operation. Interpol says that the illegal trade in endangered wildlife is a threat to the planet's biodiversity. 3/6/2010 9:56:39 AM

Woman bitten by bear at Wis. zoo, fingers severed Police say a bear bit off a woman's fingers at a Wisconsin zoo after she ignored barriers and warning signs to try to feed the animal. The woman's boyfriend was bitten as he tried to pry the bear's mouth off her hand, but he didn't lose any fingers. Her 3-year-old granddaughter wasn't injured. 3/6/2010 5:39:14 AM

Mush! Despite money woes, Iditarod returns The 38th running of the world's most famous sled dog race begins Saturday amid depleted finances that have slashed the cash purse even as the cost of competitive mushing continues to climb. Yet the mystique of the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race keeps drawing mushers from around the world. 3/6/2010 5:29:30 AM

Nanaimo SPCA staffer attacked, dog stolen A worker at the Nanaimo SPCA was injured when the owners of a dog entered the facility and forcibly removed it earlier in the week. Lorraine Negley was back at work Friday with scratches on her arms. She was otherwise unscathed, but was shaken by the attack. 3/5/2010 3:59:45 PM

NASCAR fan may get plea in parrot's shooting Prosecutors will make a plea offer by next month to Dennis Zeglin, 67, accused of shooting his pet African grey parrot to death last year because the creature's squawks annoyed him as he watched NASCAR. Zeglin was intoxicated June 7, 2009, when he shot Mikey, a 20-year-old parrot. 3/5/2010 6:06:10 AM

Woman busted for feeding cats sues cops A Vancouver realtor has filed a lawsuit against four Delta cops claiming damages for injuries she suffered when she was arrested while trying to feed about 150 starving cats. "I was there with the permission of the owner," said Donna Liberson, who is also an animal-rights activist. 3/5/2010 5:20:20 AM

SPCA to file criminal charges against Langley zoo After winning its war this week to obtain a report on a giraffe death at the Mountain View Conservation Centre, the B.C. SPCA is now filing criminal animal-cruelty charges against the zoo. Since December, three Masai giraffes have died at the controversial rare-species centre in Fort Langley. 3/5/2010 4:39:57 AM

Sanctuary Gives Blind Lion a New Lease on Life Paul Hart will never forget the first time he met Ares. It was at an airport in South Africa, and Ares—a 2-and-a-half-year-old lion—had just been flown in from France. Hart peered inside the animal's travelling crate and was shocked by what he saw. Ares had been rescued from a French circus. 3/4/2010 7:12:42 AM

Monkey on the loose evades captors for over a year A monkey that has eluded capture in the Tampa Bay area for more than a year has again escaped from Florida wildlife officials. Authorities were called to a neighbourhood in St. Petersburg on Wednesday when the rhesus macaque monkey was spotted. 3/4/2010 6:50:08 AM

Missing dog turns up 600 miles from home About two weeks before Christmas, Deacon, an 85-pound German shepherd, went missing from his family home in rural Stuart, Virginia. Deacon, a gift from Pamela Holt to her husband Keith, had become a beloved family member, and everyone was upset. But a curious call in late February. 3/4/2010 6:09:34 AM

SPCA searching for owner of starving dog An emaciated golden retriever brought tears to staff at the Maple Ridge SPCA when he was dropped off at the shelter on Sunday. Now the SPCA wants to know who is responsible for the dog — and is appealing to the public. “I always think I’ve seen it all, but I’ve never seen anything that bad,” said Eileen Drever. 3/4/2010 4:42:02 AM

About 700 grizzlies live in Alberta: Report Alberta is home to nearly 700 grizzly bears, according to a provincial government report released Wednesday. Completed by a large-mammal expert independent of the Alberta government, the grizzly head count may be the province's most detailed report to date. 3/4/2010 4:37:34 AM

Seattle Man accused of beating family dog with hammer Prosecutors have charged a man accused of beating his dog with a hammer in an attempt to kill him. Kirk D. Frazier, 49, of Seattle has been charged with first-degree animal cruelty in a case involving his dog, Pretzel, a large pit bull mix that had to be euthanized. 3/3/2010 4:05:48 PM

Committee recommends two new dog parks A city committee has recommended that both Lakawanna Park and the park at Skaha East Marina be designated as off-leash dog sites. The parks and recreation advisory committee made the recommendations to city council after a series of discussions. 3/3/2010 6:25:24 AM

'Dog whisperer' row as trainer accused over electric shock collars tours Britain A dog trainer to Hollywood stars begins a UK tour tonight amid warnings from animal welfare groups that his techniques can cause unnecessary pain and suffering. His philosophy is that the owner, not the pampered pooch, is 'leader of the pack'. He teaches that dogs should be treated as dogs, not substitute children. 3/3/2010 5:55:01 AM

Fox killed by chickens after breaking into their coop Being chickens, they probably didn't put too much thought into it. But somehow a flock of four birds managed to kill a fox that had slunk into their pen. 'I went inside and the fox was laying there. I've never heard of anything like this before. It's like revenge of the chickens.' 3/3/2010 5:19:58 AM

Sea lions slowly returning to San Francisco pier Sea lions are returning to San Francisco's Pier 39 after an abrupt disappearance that left tourists disappointed and experts baffled. The number is fluctuating. But the population appears to be making a slow return after mysteriously ballooning to about 1,700 in late November, then dwindling to a handful in the following days. 3/2/2010 5:39:28 PM

‘Lazy’ Brit fined for walking dog from his car An English dog-owner was fined and barred from driving for six months after taking his pet for a stroll while sitting behind the wheel of his car. He told the court that "a lot of people exercise their dogs in that manner." 3/2/2010 5:33:47 PM

Bison population needs land to grow: study Restoring the wild bison population in North America depends on the land made available for roaming and a change in public attitude towards the animal, says a new study co-edited by a Calgary researcher. Finding proper land for bison to breed and roam freely is the biggest challenge, said Cormack Gates. 3/2/2010 5:26:22 PM

DIY pet rescue: How a one-day CPR class could save your pooch Would you give the “kiss of life” to your furry best friend? One person who’s 100 per cent behind pet CPR is Matt Armstrong of Toronto. He revived his neighbour's dog, Sheena, when her heart stopped during a walk in the woods last month. 3/1/2010 3:45:17 PM

Polar bear DNA shows animals evolved quickly: Scientists DNA extracted from a polar bear fossil found in Norway is giving scientists rare insight. "Our results confirm that the polar bear is an evolutionary young species that split off from brown bears some 150,000 years ago and evolved extremely rapidly," said researcher Charlotte Lindqvist. 3/1/2010 2:29:55 PM

‘Temperamental’ pet bull kills owner Ricky Weinhold was attacked Saturday by a one-ton bull on a farm where he leased barn space in Wernersville, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia. "The poor man, he loved his animals," Coroner Terri Straka said. "They were his pets." 3/1/2010 2:18:31 PM

Stray cat credited in cancer diagnosis When Judy Danchura opened her door last summer to a hungry stray cat in Winnipeg, that simple act of kindness became a turning point in her life and the start of a battle with cancer. While she and her husband slept, the cat hopped onto the bed and walked across her body. 3/1/2010 2:12:05 PM

Camels bust their humps to win beauty pageant Ten golden-colored camels adorned with sparkling ornaments line up for the finale of a beauty contest in one of the UAE's northern emirates, awaiting the selection of two proud winners. Gulf Arabs from across the region gather in a large sandy plot in Ajman to sit in for a four-hour competition. 3/1/2010 5:17:39 AM

Pit bull rescued twice in a week For the second time in a week, Dano is resting at the Saint John Animal Rescue League after being rescued. Dano was first rescued from the Toronto Humane Society where the light-brown dog was to be euthanized. Dano was getting acclimatized to his new surroundings when two women walked into the shelter, specifically looking for a pit bull. 2/28/2010 5:06:25 AM

Drinking, smoking chimp sent to rehab A Russian chimpanzee has been sent to rehab by zookeepers to cure the smoking and beer-drinking habits he has picked up. An ex-performer, Zhora was transferred to a zoo where he fathered several baby chimps, learned to draw with markers and picked up his two vices. 2/27/2010 8:21:21 AM

Big deer-poaching ring busted in southern Quebec Wildlife agents say they've broken up a deer-poaching ring that involved more than 80 suspects. A two-year investigation, aided by tips from the public, led to raids by 100 agents Wednesday and Thursday. The communities are in the Richelieu valley towards the U.S. border. 2/25/2010 4:00:28 PM

Pest-control company ruffles feathers as peacocks roam Surrey neighbourhood Peacocks aren’t a problem for some residents of the Surrey neighbourhood where the beautiful but noisy birds have taken up residence. But the private company called in to look at them is. Chetan Tamber doesn’t mind the birds, a flock of peacocks and peahens known collectively as “peafowl.” 2/25/2010 1:37:52 PM

Family say whale trainer's death an accident (Video) The grieving family of a veteran trainer who was killed by an orca at SeaWorld Orlando say they consider her death an accident. The orca that killed Dawn Brancheau was always considered a particularly dangerous animal by staff. Staff were not allowed to swim with Tilikum. 2/25/2010 9:47:15 AM

Why Do Dogs Howl at 'Law & Order' Song? (Video) Eight-year-old Knuckles may not be the most talented pooch, but there is one the thing the Jack Russell Terrier can do without fail. Whenever he hears the "Law & Order" theme song, his ears perk up and he starts to whimper, then he lifts up his head and chimes right in, singing along to the music with a full-blown wail. 2/25/2010 9:12:40 AM

Canvassers take to the streets to find and register L.A. canines A recent City Council decision means a crackdown on unlicensed dogs in L.A. (and a boon to the city's coffers). A motion unanimously approved by the council Tuesday directs L.A. Animal Services to coordinate with the Department of Water and Power, which keeps records of residences with dogs. 2/24/2010 5:03:24 PM

Whale Kills Trainer at SeaWorld's Shamu Stadium (Video) A SeaWorld killer whale seized a trainer in its jaws Wednesday and thrashed the woman around underwater, killing her in front of a horrified audience. It marked the third time the animal had been involved in a human death. Distraught audience members were hustled out of the stadium immediately, and the park was closed. 2/24/2010 4:12:25 PM

Dog Chasing A Bird Survives 300-Ft. Fall British rescuers say a dog that chased a seagull and fell off a 300-foot cliff into the sea has survived with only minor injuries. Paul Legendre of the Royal search and rescue service says the springer spaniel was rescued Feb. 14 after it darted off southern England's scenic Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. 2/24/2010 12:27:58 PM

Newborn orca joins resident pod struggling for survival Ecstatic whale watchers are welcoming another new baby to the endangered southern resident killer whale pods. The newcomer was first spotted swimming off the north end of Cordova Bay on Sunday, and the following day the birth was confirmed with photographs. 2/24/2010 10:25:50 AM

Small dogs' genes traced to Middle East A genetic study of grey wolves has found that small domesticated dogs probably originated in the Middle East more than 12,000 years ago. Older remains of domesticated dogs in Germany and Western Russia are all of large dogs. 2/24/2010 10:05:56 AM

Bomb Dog: Black Lab awarded British military medal A perky British Labrador whose bomb-sniffing exploits helped save lives in Afghanistan was decorated for canine courage. The military nominated Treo for the prize in recognition of his help uncovering a series of Taliban bombs during his time serving in Helmand Province in 2008. 2/24/2010 9:21:43 AM

Alliance calls for better marmot habitat protection An alliance of environmental groups is accusing the B.C. government of not protecting enough of the critical habitat of the Vancouver Island marmot, the real-world counterpart of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games' mascot Mukmuk. 2/24/2010 6:20:08 AM

‘Tillman’ a highlight at doggone Olympic Games Watch your back, Shaun White. There's a new snowboarding superstar in town who promises to leave a mighty big impression on the slopes. Meet Tillman, a four-year-old English bulldog from Oxnard, Calif., whose prowess with a skateboard has already made him a YouTube sensation. 2/23/2010 2:35:01 PM

US Great Dane 'Giant George' is tallest dog on record Guinness World Records says a Great Dane in the U.S. standing 3 feet, 7 inches (1.09 metres) tall from paw to shoulder is the tallest dog ever on record. The 4-year-old, 250-pound (115-kilogram) blue Great Dane is owned by David Nasser. 2/22/2010 4:11:31 PM

Who let the dogs pig out? Someone once said that if your dog is fat you're not getting enough exercise. So it's no surprise that as human obesity rates soar, man's best friend is loyally packing on the pounds as well. "Overweight people are more likely to have overweight dogs," said Victoria Stilwell. 2/22/2010 11:08:45 AM

Shelter launches Senior for Senior program The P.E.I. Humane Society has a new program aimed at getting Island seniors to adopt older animals. Senior for Senior offers a discount to people over age 60 if they adopt a cat or dog over the age of seven. "They are often calmer and more easy-going than puppies and kittens," shelter manager Beckie MacLean said. 2/22/2010 6:32:08 AM

Bikers cried when lost dog CinnaBun was returned After three weeks of a desperate search for his beloved pit bull, Jesse James Tweeted Wednesday that he and CinnaBun have been reunited. A woman brought CinnaBun to Jesse James's Long Beach bike shop, where upon sight of the long-lost pooch, the crew started crying. 2/22/2010 5:40:28 AM

World's Biggest Bunny? Ralph the rabbit seems to be the stuff of fairy tales: Once upon a time, there lived a rabbit named Ralph. He lived in England. But he wasn't any ordinary rabbit...But this rabbit isn't the stuff of Peter Cottontail. Ralph the rabbit would likely frighten Peter by his immense size. 2/21/2010 2:05:59 PM

The world's most bizarre house pets In 2009's smash comedy The Hangover, the drug-addled protagonists make off with boxer Mike Tyson's pet tiger. It's a hilarious vignette -- and funnier still when you consider how many people in the real world in fact keep tigers, and all sorts of other unlikely beasts, as pets. 2/21/2010 1:40:30 PM

Bull charges into US woman's home Excuse anyone who heard about Sally Joyner's weekend and figured she was full of bull. Even she didn't expect to be taken seriously when calling for help Saturday morning. "I called 911 and said, 'Please don't think I'm crazy, but a bull just crashed through my front door'" 2/21/2010 12:23:09 PM

Four tigers found at Jakarta home Indonesian conservation officials have discovered four fully-grown tigers at a house in Jakarta, along with several rare cockatoos and birds of paradise. They are now trying to establish whether the tigers belong to the endangered Sumatran species, of which there are only about 400 in the wild. 2/20/2010 4:59:11 PM

Sled dog dies on Yukon Quest trail A sled dog belonging to an Alaskan musher has died — likely of a heart condition — while competing in this year's Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, the race's first dog death in three years. The 27th annual Yukon Quest is a 1,600-kilometre race through the rugged terrain between Fairbanks and Whitehorse. 2/19/2010 6:51:27 AM

Abused animals could get right to lawyer in Swiss proposal "Fish don't get much sympathy," Lawyer Antoine F. Goetschel explains. That's doubly true for the unnamed dead pike whose cause Goetschel took up earlier this month, much to the amusement of Swiss anglers who couldn't understand why one of their own was being hauled into court for landing a big catch. 2/19/2010 5:59:59 AM

Scottish terrier Sadie wins Westminster dog show A peppy Scottish terrier known as Sadie was crowned the nation's top dog on Tuesday, winning Best in Show at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club championship. Sadie, a jet-black four-year-old, displayed the ideal combination beating out 2,500 entrants at the 134-year-old dog show. 2/19/2010 5:43:43 AM

Victoria man says bylaw officers tackled him over off-leash dog A Victoria man says City of Victoria bylaw officers had no right to tackle him and pin him to the ground after he walked away in the midst of a lecture about having his dog off-leash. Brad Rodgers said he was injured in the confrontation with the two bylaw officers. 2/19/2010 5:40:08 AM

Hibernating bear stars on webcam People around the world can now go online to peek inside the den of a rare kermode bear in British Columbia while the animal hibernates. A couple from the community of Rosswood installed the webcam after they discovered the den while hiking early last year. 2/19/2010 4:56:27 AM

Toronto: Dogs and cats at risk as epidemic kills raccoons If you see a raccoon lying on a sidewalk in the middle of the day, call Toronto Animal Services – and keep your dog on a tight leash. The animal is likely sick and dying, and could infect your pet with a lethal strain of distemper, an epidemic that has killed hundreds of raccoons and skunks in the GTA since May. 2/18/2010 10:10:08 AM

Spring gets into the swing of things early One consideration has so far kept Judy Runzer from taking advantage of mild February weather and planting some primulas. “I see deer out and about, and I think, ‘Oh, boy, do I want to start fighting with them already?,‘” Runzer, of the Kelowna Garden Club, said with a laugh on Wednesday. 2/18/2010 6:20:47 AM

Chickens can see more colours than humans: Scientist After staring into the eyes of chickens, a group of American researchers think they maybe on the path toward finding new ways to treat human blindness. Researchers have discovered light receptors in a chicken's eye allow the bird to see more colours than humans. 2/18/2010 5:45:14 AM

Pelican attacks weather man 'live' (Video) An Australian weather man has been attacked by a pelican as he presented the forecast on the breakfast programme. Network Nine's Steve Jacobs was broadcasting live from Taronga Zoo, when Marnie the pelican launched at him as the weather graphics were being shown. 2/17/2010 6:01:49 AM

Let the show begin! Westminster Dog Show follies (Video) It's day one of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and 25-hundred of the most pampered dogs from around N. America are getting their chance to strut their stuff! But in the wake of a Brooklyn family receiving what seemed to be a doggie ransom note, Jeanne Moos wanted to see how owners keep their beloved dogs safe. 2/16/2010 12:16:28 PM

Scotland: Rescue centre cat wedged in can A cat that wandered into a Fife rescue centre with a can stuck on its head has left staff wondering how it reached them without being knocked down. The female cat walked into the Scottish SPCA's Wildlife Rescue Centre in Middlebank on Sunday with her head wedged in an empty pet food tin. 2/16/2010 6:01:57 AM

Ont. Bouvier aims to be Westminster's top dog Demetrius the dog has the credentials for a big win at one of the world's largest and most prestigious dog shows next week, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Ch Quiche's Demetrius, or Demetrius for short, is a 5½-year-old Bouvier des Flandres. 2,500 dogs from 173 breeds will compete. 2/15/2010 5:09:06 PM

Comfort a canine: 10 ways to help dogs in need (Video) At the end of the day, everyone wants someone to come home to, even dogs. But unfortunately, not every canine has that option. Wendy Diamond, a pet lifestyle expert and author of “It's a Dog's World: The Savvy Guide to Four-Legged Living,” shares tips on how pet owners can help local animals in need. Here's an excerpt. 2/15/2010 10:21:02 AM

Woman keeps world’s largest rodent as a pet Caplin Rous relishes snuggling in bed, going to the pet store with his owner and doing tricks like sitting and shaking for treats. He might sound like your typical dog, but guess again. He's actually a capybara, otherwise known as the largest rodent species on earth. 2/15/2010 10:18:04 AM

Baltic, the Polish pup rescued from ice floe, swimming through fan mail The incredible story of Baltic, the Polish pooch rescued from an ice sheet at sea, has struck a chord worldwide. The seagoing mutt is being bombarded with email, will likely soon have a Facebook page and one family drove more than 500 km. from the Czech Republic in the false hope he was theirs. 2/15/2010 9:43:26 AM

Abbotsford Pitbull attacked in families' fenced-in yard When people hear of pitbull attacks, they usually think of the pitbull as being the aggressor. But with five-year-old Deuce, it's the other way around. The pooch is nursing numerous facial wounds after begin attacked in his fenced backyard by an Akita running loose. 2/15/2010 8:59:28 AM

Manitoba pet owners support opposition bill The fur is set to fly in Manitoba over whether landlords should be forced to accept tenants with pets. Animal owners are lining up behind an opposition bill that, if passed into law, would outlaw no-pet rules at rental properties across the province. 2/15/2010 5:32:46 AM

Elderly B.C. woman chases dog-hunting cougar from her house The broken ornaments and shattered plant pots have been cleaned up in Marjorie Walton’s Port McNeill home. But the petite senior citizen still shakes as she remembers chasing a disoriented cougar out of her house. Walton is not the only one suffering after-effects. 2/14/2010 5:37:26 PM

China recalls US panda due to political issues When China requested the return of a giant panda from the National Zoo in Washington, it was thought this was because the pandas back home were not producing enough babies. President Barack Obama’s decision to meet the Dalai Lama this week has infuriated the Chinese. 2/14/2010 6:58:45 AM

Tiger's ancient ancestry revealed (Video) The tiger may be more ancient and distinct than we thought. Tigers are less closely related to lions, leopards and jaguars than these other big cats are to each other, according to a new comprehensive study. 2/14/2010 6:10:12 AM

Teen Kidnaps Own Dog to Save Pet from Euthanasia This time Billy saved Lassie -- or to be more exact, Bronson saved Buck, and almost went to jail for it. Bronson was told by a veterinary clinic in New Zealand that unless he could afford $2,500 surgery for 5-month-old Buck, who was hit by a car, his pet would have to be put down. 2/13/2010 7:17:02 AM

Dozens of dogs die in rural Alberta fire As many as 50 small-breed dogs were killed in a fire that destroyed a rural home in southern Alberta, officials said Friday. RCMP and firefighters from Foremost and Bow Island were called to a house near Etzikom at about 9 p.m. Wednesday. By the time they arrived, the building was in flames. 2/13/2010 5:33:21 AM

Police transport killer tiger to ‘undisclosed location' Provincial police say a Siberian tiger which killed its owner last month has been transported unharmed to an undisclosed location. The 300-kilogram tiger fatally mauled 66-year-old Norman Buwalda on Jan. 13 at his exotic animal sanctuary in Southwold Township. 2/12/2010 10:55:16 AM

Naturalist club features Okanagan wapiti (Elk) Wapiti, often called elk, are members of the deer family, as are moose and caribou. They were named elk several centuries ago by Europeans arriving in North America. Wapiti are big animals compared to the “dainty” mule deer. At 750 pounds (340 kg), stags are over twice the size of a mule deer buck. 2/12/2010 6:08:07 AM

Do speedy elephants walk or run? (Video) With their awkward, lumbering gait, elephants moving at high speed are not the most graceful of animals - but are they walking or running? Now scientists believe they have an answer: new research confirms that they do both - at the same time. 2/12/2010 6:04:22 AM

When vets make mistakes, pets pay the price Jared Genser was a day away from euthanizing his family dog, Finnegan, when the Washington, D.C. lawyer discovered that the lab’s diagnosis of a painful and deadly bone cancer was wrong...and more....But because the errors occurred in animals, owners and advocates say they were ignored, minimized or outright denied 2/11/2010 1:00:39 PM

Moose-hunt hotline would save lives: N.L. group A citizens group wants the Newfoundland and Labrador government to set up a hotline so hunters can be dispatched quickly to shoot moose near highways before they tangle with traffic. The latest proposal aims to reduce the more than 700 moose-vehicle collisions in the province every year. 2/11/2010 12:48:36 PM

Coyote attacks N.B. woman A New Brunswick woman who wrestled with a coyote Wednesday was still shaken hours afterwards but managed to walk away needing only a tetanus shot and a bandage. Marie Simon said she went into her backyard about 2:30 a.m. to let her puppy Sampson out. 2/11/2010 8:33:35 AM

Kelowna rabbit supporters ask public to show their heart The Responsible Animal Care Society will hold a special Valentine’s event in honour of the hundreds of rabbits they have humanely captured over the past two years. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb.13, at Total Pet, 1985 Harvey Ave. 2/11/2010 6:23:09 AM

Animal Trap kills family friend A spring-loaded trap killed a family dog on the side of a Joe Rich road on Sunday, and there‘s nothing illegal about it. Mike Miner was driving up Philpott Road with his two young daughters and let his two dogs run ahead of the family‘s pickup. The dogs were sniffing in the trees. 2/11/2010 4:39:21 AM

Teen kidnaps puppy to save it from euthanasia A New Zealand teenager faced legal action for stealing his own injured puppy from a clinic to save it from euthanasia when the family couldn't afford expensive surgery after it was hit by a car. The story appears headed for a happy ending, however. 2/10/2010 6:43:59 AM

How do you judge a camel beauty contest? They're tall, they're blonde, they're elegant, and at the height of their careers they can command millions of dollars. In the remote Western Region of the United Arab Emirates, 28,000 of the humped beasts gathered at the end of January for what was billed as the biggest camel beauty contest ever. 2/10/2010 5:48:51 AM

One fifth of adults choose pets over spouse on Valentine's Day The survey of 24,000 people in 23 countries found 21 percent of adults would rather spend February 14 with their pet than their spouse, although the French were least likely to choose a furry friend over a human with only 10 percent taking that option. Men and women were evenly split. 2/9/2010 2:25:31 PM

Pesky peacocks run amok in Vancouver suburb A neighbourhood in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey is in a flap over a flock of problematic peacocks. At least 12 peacocks — and maybe as many as 35, according to some reports —have taken up residence in the Sullivan Heights area. 2/9/2010 4:51:47 AM

Kelowna Puppy trapped overnight on steep bank A puppy spent a lonely night on the bank of Powers Creek before firefighters rescued it on Sunday. The three-month-old lab-chow somehow got trapped 45 metres down a bank just off Glencoe Road. Residents living nearby heard it barking Saturday night, and a father and his son climbed down the bank in attempt to rescue the frightened animal. 2/8/2010 5:17:24 AM

Alaska dentist fixes bald eagle's broken beak An Alaska dentist has given a bald eagle a unique beak - using a temporary crown, sticky poster putty and yellow highlighter. The bird was found in December with severe damage to its beak, apparently from fishing line that wrapped around it and started cutting into it. 2/7/2010 6:57:28 PM

The case against eating animals What you choose to feed yourself is one thing, but deciding what to feed your children is more complicated. After his son was born, Jonathan Safran Foer set about researching animal farming. The result is Eating Animals (Little Brown; 352 pages, $31.99). 2/7/2010 6:02:39 AM

3 cheetahs swim moat to escape New Zealand park enclosure Three cheetahs swam a moat and crawled through a hole in a rusty fence to escape their enclosure and then briefly roamed inside a wildlife park in New Zealand. Orana Wildlife Park rushed visitors to a secure area while rangers rounded up the big cats Thursday, park chief executive Lynn Anderson said Friday. 2/7/2010 4:34:50 AM

Langley zoo giraffe dies during hoof-trimming, charges likely The B.C. SPCA is preparing animal cruelty charges after Jerome the giraffe died during a hoof trimming procedure at a Fort Langley zoo on Friday afternoon. The young male giraffe had lived at the Mountain View Conservation Centre. 2/6/2010 6:07:39 AM

UK: More cat owners 'have degrees' People who own a cat are more likely to have a university degree than those with a pet dog, a study by Bristol University suggests. It also found that UK pet ownership was much higher than previously thought. Overall, it estimated that 26% of UK households owned cats and 31% owned dogs. 2/6/2010 4:38:42 AM

Kitten Pulled From Dash Gets New Home, Name Central Illinois mechanic Dana Underwood makes the nooks and crannies of a car sound like a small-animal zoo. He's fished mice, snakes and rabbits out of automobiles - some alive, some not. Underwood's Thursday auto safari had a happy ending. 2/5/2010 4:58:26 PM

Calm comes on four legs Walking the dog that day, I was in a bad mood. The kids had been home sick most of the week, and my list of Things Not Getting Done had grown by leaps and bounds. Today was for catch-up and here I was languishing in the ravine while my canine friend checked his pee-mails at every stump. 2/5/2010 3:10:19 PM

Mauled owner fights off his own pit bulls A New Zealand man attacked by his pet pit bulls at home managed to fight them off and shut them in a room before calling emergency services for help. The 34-year-old was in a serious but stable condition yesterday after surgery for multiple lacerations to his scalp, face and arms. 2/5/2010 7:37:20 AM

Guard dog's frozen body discovered in N.S. **Warning: this story contains graphic content...A Nova Scotia man is demanding answers from the SPCA after he found a dog's frozen body near his home Wednesday night. Joe Bona said he first saw the dog nearly two years ago when he was walking his own dogs at night. He said he contacted the SPCA. 2/5/2010 5:09:01 AM

Superbowl: Welcome to the jungle (Videos) Why pay millions of dollars for George Clooney, when a talking frog puppet that croaks one word will work for free? Technically, the makers of Budweiser have used both to sell their beer. Here are the 10 most memorable animal pitchmen from the last 43 years of Super Bowls. 2/4/2010 11:45:12 AM

Dog rescued from icy sea gets new master Baltic, the spunky dog who floated at least 75 miles on an ice floe, has a new owner: The seaman who rescued him. The decision was made after the dog rejected six people who had claimed to be his original owner. The dog's new master is Adam Buczynski, who pulled him to safety. 2/4/2010 6:47:37 AM

Richmond Council bans retail sale of rabbits Big and fluffy, it looked just like Peter, a childhood pet rabbit of Coun. Ken Johnston. Only this one met its fate at the paws of an aggressive dog. Johnston figures the confused rabbit was dumped on the trail by someone who once called it a pet. It illustrates, Johnston said, the need to crack down on animal sales at pet stores 2/3/2010 2:53:02 PM

Oliver Area Cougar, Still Not Found The cougar roaming around Oliver has yet to been found. After receiving a number of calls from concerned residents, Astral Media has learned therer are no reports of the cougar getting shot legally or illegally. Conservation officer Mike Stern says the cougar has not been seen in over a week. 2/3/2010 2:25:06 PM

Wolverine numbers 'melting away' The wolverine, a predator renowned for its strength and tenacious character, may be slowly melting away along with the snowpack upon which it lives. It has evolved for life on the snowpack, having thick fur and outsized feet that help it move across and hunt on snow. 2/3/2010 6:27:37 AM

Polar-bear summit accomplished little, scientist contends The much-touted polar bear summit last year in Winnipeg cost taxpayers at least $115,000 and one prominent scientist says it made no real progress toward saving the iconic animal. "There were lots of good intentions and very little action to date," said Andrew Derocher. 2/3/2010 6:07:30 AM

8 puppies abandoned in freezing cold Eight puppies were discovered whimpering inside a large plastic container after being abandoned at a Fredericton park in the freezing cold on Tuesday. The puppies are lucky to be alive and to have survived without frost-bitten paws or tails. 2/3/2010 5:12:08 AM

Winnipeg cat comes back home after 14 years Fourteen years ago, a Manitoba family lost their three-year-old orange tabby when she wandered away from their home in southern Manitoba. "We thought a fox got her," Ingrid Kerger said this week. The family has no idea how the feisty feline spent her 14 years on the lam after going missing on Oct. 12, 1996. 2/2/2010 2:29:38 PM

Too Many Deer? Call in the Wolves, Scientists Say Scientists are calling for a formidable new cadre of pest exterminators to prowl America's national parks: wolves. A coalition of researchers has proposed trucking wolves into parks and other wild places to curb booming populations of deer and elk, which upset the natural order by mowing down native vegetation. 2/2/2010 2:11:22 PM

How did the goose cross the road? Geese certainly can fly across a road. Explorers report them flying even across Mount Everest. Migrating bar-headed geese routinely over fly the Himalayas. Migrating Canadian geese fly, in fair weather, up to 1.6 kilometres (a mile) high, reaching speeds of 70 to 100 km/hr (45 to 60 mph). 2/2/2010 9:03:23 AM

‘Gothic kittens’ — groomer pierces necks, ears A northeastern Pennsylvania woman is heading to trial on animal cruelty charges for marketing "gothic kittens" with ear and neck piercings over the Internet. Thirty-five-year-old groomer Holly Crawford is scheduled for trial Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre. 2/2/2010 5:56:41 AM

Giraffe with overgrown hoofs may be euthanized Jerome the giraffe will fight for his life on Tuesday at a controversial zoo in the Vancouver suburb of Fort Langley. The young male giraffe, who lives at the Mountainview Conservation Centre, has overgrown hoofs and may have to be euthanized if the job of shearing them down doesn't work. 2/2/2010 5:09:07 AM

(Eastern) Groundhogs predict 6 more weeks of winter Groundhog Day has produced a big chill. Nova Scotia's furry forecaster, Shubenacadie Sam, got a glimpse of his shadow today, heralding six more weeks of winter. But Sam isn't the only groundhog with a weather forecast. Pennsylvania's Punxsutawney Phil also saw his shadow. 2/2/2010 4:45:05 AM

Who is stabbing the dairy cows of B.C.'s Comox Valley? The savage stabbings of four dairy cows on a British Columbia farm has a local farmers' association warning that if such behaviour starts with cows, "it is not a big leap to have this sort of crime jump to people." The bizarre attack has shaken farmers in the region of 60,000 on the northeast coast of the island. 2/1/2010 4:37:51 PM

Hunting dog triggers shotgun, hits master A hunter trying to retrieve duck decoys got a surprise when he was accidentally shot by his own dog. The accident occurred Saturday when the female Labrador retriever stepped on her owner's loaded shotgun, causing the safety to disengage and the weapon to fire. 2/1/2010 4:26:27 PM

Cougar Lingering Around Town of Oliver The town of Oliver is dealing with a cougar which has been around for months. Officials received word of a cougar sighting from a resident in a wetland area of townThe local conservation officer is aware of the sighting. Residents are being urged to report cougar sighting as soon as possible. 2/1/2010 4:11:47 PM

Saskatchewan: Fatal mauling of boy, 9, highlights wild-dog menace The death of a nine-year-old boy torn apart by dogs on a north Saskatchewan native reserve Saturday has highlighted a growing danger – wild dog packs that roam many northern communities. The child was found dead in the snow near the home of a cousin he was going to visit at Canoe Lake First Nation. 2/1/2010 3:05:18 PM

Animal rights groups sue Edmonton over ailing elephant Two animal-rights groups filed a court application Monday claiming the City of Edmonton is breaching Alberta's Animal Protection Act by keeping Lucy the elephant ill, alone and in distress. The decision to keep Lucy in Edmonton has been the subject of controversy. 2/1/2010 1:47:45 PM

A man, a quest, a groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, take your annual bow. Wiarton Willie, enjoy your moment in the sun, or the shade, or whatever. But this Groundhog Day, my thoughts are with Bytown Blackie – an ebony-hued marmot that lives along the westbound Queensway, was born free and remains so in the wilds of Ottawa East. 2/1/2010 8:34:53 AM

PetSmart fires man who brought dog to work "We love to see healthy, happy pets" is PetSmart's motto — but apparently the policy doesn't apply to pets belonging to employees. Eric Favetta, a 31-year-old PetSmart employee, was fired for "theft of services" after bringing his dog to work during an overnight shift he'd picked up as a favor to his manager. 1/31/2010 8:09:46 PM

Rossland Bear Aware hoping for more funding Funding is looking a bit iffy for Rossland Bear Aware, however the society will continue to operate in 2010. Program coordinator Rachel Roussin, who will be stepping down from her post this year, says with no provincial funding in 2009, budget wise it was a tough year operating without the extra 14 thousand dollars. 1/31/2010 7:48:32 AM

Fat cats: Adorable, or just plain wrong? Like many great things in life, this one started off simply enough. Erik Riesenberg, a sales and marketing manager in New York, adored his two cats, Bailey and Violet. Violet, in particular, cracked him up because she was so photogenic. (Ed: We vote for 'just plain wrong.') 1/31/2010 5:49:10 AM

Man Charged With Laundering Kitty A Lincoln, Nebraska man has been charged with animal cruelty after police said he put his roommate's cat in a washing machine. Investigators said Richard Lynne Andersen, 22, put a video of the incident on his cell phone. 1/31/2010 5:36:51 AM

Wild tiger conservation plan enlists 13 countries A dozen Asian nations and Russia vowed Friday to double the number of wild tigers by 2022, crack down on poaching that has devastated the big cats and prohibit the building of roads and bridges that could harm their habitats. 1/29/2010 10:25:31 AM

PETA promises seal hunt will dog Harper An animal rights group says one of its members will follow Prime Minister Stephen Harper as he visits St. John’s on Friday. A member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said Thursday the group hopes to persuade Harper to end Canada's seal hunt. 1/29/2010 10:23:48 AM

Video: Terrified dog rescued from ice floe A Polish research vessel has rescued a frightened dog who apparently wandered out onto a frozen river and was washed out to sea. The dog was first spotted on Poland’s Vistula River, and firefighters attempted a rescue, but were unsuccessful. He was nearly 25 kilometres out to sea when a ship spotted him. 1/29/2010 9:45:31 AM

Cougar sighting in Oliver The Town of Oliver has issued a warning after a cougar sighting along 87th Street in a wetland area near MacPherson Meadows. Conservation officer Bob Hamilton has been notified of the sighting and has told town staff that it is cougar season and that cougars are primarily nocturnal, but active at dawn and dusk. 1/29/2010 6:00:44 AM

Labrador Retriever top dog in U.S. for 19th year The Labrador Retriever was named the top dog in the United States for the 19th consecutive year by the American Kennel Club. The German Shepherd came in second place, followed by the Yorkshire Terrier, the Golden Retriever and the Beagle. 1/28/2010 2:37:47 PM

Toronto approves 29 new dog parks Twenty-nine new off-leash dog parks were approved by city council yesterday, after more than two years of review. The parks join the city’s 30 existing off-leash parks. “I’m glad that we’re starting to see results,” said Luan Egan, who helped form Toronto Unleashed. 1/28/2010 7:37:25 AM

Veterans Affairs looks to dogs to help stress disorder Elizabeth Baker, owner of Thames Centre Service Dogs, takes abandoned and surrendered dogs with good personalities and turns them into psychiatric service dogs. Baker takes abandoned and surrendered dogs with good personalities and turns them into psychiatric service dogs. 1/28/2010 5:51:18 AM

Trial to be set in hanging death of emaciated horse People concerned about the hanging death of an emaciated horse continued their protest outside the Victoria Court House yesterday morning. Inside provincial court, defence lawyer Donald McKay entered a not guilty plea on behalf of David Whiffin of Brentwood Bay. 1/26/2010 5:10:04 PM

Cougar sightings could mean pop. increase A cougar population explosion, could be a reason why so many of the cats have been seen by residents in the West Kootenays, according to a local conservation officer. Arnold Deboon says young cats may be looking to establish there own territories, and with older animals in the prime areas, this leaves the periperhies near humans. 1/25/2010 11:01:54 AM

Movie made by chimps shown on TV (Video) The world's first film shot entirely by chimpanzees is to be broadcast by the BBC as part of a natural history documentary. The apes created the movie using a specially designed chimp-proof camera given to them by primatologists. The film-making exercise is part of a scientific study. 1/25/2010 5:06:15 AM

Hi-tech insurance for Kenya herds A new insurance scheme has been launched in northern Kenya which offers herdsmen a chance to protect their livestock against drought. The initiative uses satellite technology to check the pasture available for the herders. Arid northern Kenya suffered a severe drought last year. 1/24/2010 8:30:34 AM

Experts stunned by swan 'divorce' Experts have told of their surprise after witnessing a rare "divorce" between a pair of swans at a wildfowl sanctuary. The Bewick's swans have returned to winter at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust centre at Slimbridge - but both have brought new partners. 1/24/2010 7:57:59 AM

Dog surge along with troop surge in Afghan war The U.S. troop surge in Afghanistan has led to a dog surge — and unexpected problems in procuring high-quality dog food with enough protein and nutrients for hundreds of canines used to find explosives and perform other energy-intensive missions. 1/23/2010 2:23:58 PM

Black bear on Internet gives birth to cub A researcher says Lily the black bear has given birth to a cub in her den in northeastern Minnesota. Biologist Lynn Rogers says Lily gave birth just after 11:30 a.m. Central Time Friday in her den, which is equipped with a video camera. The North American Bear Center put a camera in Lily's den outside Ely, Minn. 1/23/2010 11:46:19 AM

Police come to the rescue of 150 stolen ferrets in Mexico City Police in Mexico City have rescued 150 ferrets from armed robbers after a high speed chase. Police say they found the furry contraband after the suspects crashed their car into a tree and then fled on foot. Fourteen boxes of ferrets imported from the U.S. were taken by force by three robbers. 1/23/2010 9:03:27 AM

Chihuahua human rights case dismissed A fight over a chihuahua described as a disabled man's service dog has been dismissed by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal. There is no evidence the dog or its owner's disability was a factor in wanting them to leave a bulk food store in Carleton Place, Ont., said the ruling. 1/23/2010 9:00:15 AM

19 bears rescued from bear bile farm in Vietnam The three tractor-trailer containers sat in a row, divided with metal partitions into 19 tiny, sweltering cells. Massive claws and furry black noses poked between the iron bars: 19 rare Asiatic moon bears awaiting their next gall bladder milking. Their bile is a coveted traditional medicine ingredient. 1/22/2010 4:46:02 PM

Hippo that fled its flooded zoo returns home In the end, the zoo keeper was right. The 2-ton hippo that escaped from a zoo in Montenegro has returned home, without hurting anyone. Some officials said Nikica should be shot and killed when it escaped from a zoo on a small island in a lake, and entered a nearby residential area. 1/22/2010 11:10:22 AM

Canada bans Baffin Bay polar bear exports Inuit in Canada are not pleased with the federal government for quietly banning the export of polar bear parts in Nunavut's Baffin Bay area. Environment Canada enacted the ban, starting Jan. 1, on the export of fur, claws, skulls and other products from polar bears harvested in Baffin Bay. 1/22/2010 10:46:04 AM

Okanagan Lake plays host to visiting tundra swans A group of tundra swans from Alaska have made their home here on Okanagan Lake this winter, including one young female who was banded in King Salmon, Alaska last summer. Banding birds helps in monitoring migration habits, but it’s only useful as long as someone spots the band and reports it. 1/22/2010 10:41:32 AM

More cougar sightings in Nelson Nelson Police say they've received a number of calls over the past day regarding a cougar within city limits. After Tuesday's discovery of a deer carcass on a residential property, further sightings have occured in the areas around Uphill and the Burlington Northern tracks. 1/22/2010 9:25:08 AM

Animals rafted to Madagascar: study The animals that live on Madagascar are descended from animals that floated there on natural rafts sometime between 20 million and 60 million years ago, a new study suggests. They say their work in modelling the currents in ancient oceans lends credence to a theory first put forward in 1915. 1/20/2010 2:35:38 PM

Malignant malaria found in apes The parasite which causes malignant malaria in humans has been identified in gorillas for the first time. Researchers analysed faeces from wild gorillas in Cameroon and blood samples from a captive animal from Gabon. It is most common in Africa, south of the Sahara. 1/19/2010 5:50:38 AM

Famous commuter cat Casper killed by car Six months after becoming an international star, Casper the bus-riding cat has been killed by a hit-and-run driver. Casper was a local legend in Plymouth, England. For four years, he lined up each morning at the stop outside his house. Once on board, he’d curl up in a corner and fall asleep. 1/18/2010 3:46:51 PM

Similkameen: Cougar killed after Princeton area attacks More cougar problems afflict B.C.'s interior. Just days after two cougar attacks left two young boys and their families shaken and one heroic dog injured, Princeton receives its own brush with the predator. A deadly cougar was tracked down Jan. 8, after its movement through the rural residencies on Old Hedley Rd. 1/18/2010 11:45:39 AM

Do you know this dog? Transit police save huskies from heavy Vancouver traffic Transit police are asking the owner of two dogs to come forward after the animals were rescued from heavy Vancouver traffic Saturday evening. Two husky dogs were spotted running among cars on Cambie Street. Two transit officers, with the help of several passersby, caught the dogs. 1/17/2010 8:26:05 PM

Pack of wild pigs shut down autobahn in western Germany for hours Police say a pack of wild pigs popped under a fence onto a stretch of the German autobahn, shutting the highway down for hours. Police in Lower Saxony said the pigs apparently dug under a fence designed to keep them and other wildlife off the high-speed road. 1/17/2010 9:54:47 AM

Haiti and the science of sniffer dogs Science editor Alan Boyle's Weblog: Rescuers from all around the world are converging on Haiti in the wake of this week's earthquake - and not all of them are human. Finding survivors amid the rubble of Port-au-Prince is a job tailor-made for dogs. The search-and-rescue operation "appears to be unprecedented in scale." 1/17/2010 7:56:16 AM

Alligators and birds share lung structure and ancestor Alligators and birds share a breathing mechanism which may have helped their ancestors dominate Earth more than 200 million years ago, scientists say. Research published in the journal Science found that like birds, in alligators air flows in one direction. 1/17/2010 7:48:21 AM

“No pets allowed” policy overlooks benefits “No pets allowed.” Any pet guardian who’s had to look for a new place to live in the past few years has probably been confronted with that message as they browsed the newspaper classified ads. Unfortunately, only nine per cent of rental suites allow cats and only five per cent allow dogs. 1/16/2010 7:55:25 AM

Vancouver Island dairy cows stabbed A Vancouver Island farmer is shocked after four of her dairy cows were stabbed — one fatally. Police in Comox Valley are investigating the attack on the cows. One of the animals was put down due the extent of the injuries, a second animal was pregnant and has since aborted from the stress of the incident. 1/15/2010 4:14:13 PM

Arctic polar bears imperilled by man-made pollution The long term survival of polar bears is being threatened by man-made pollution that is reaching the Arctic. This conclusion comes from a major review of research into how industrial chemicals such as mercury and organochlorines affect the bears. 1/14/2010 5:25:21 AM

Kelowna: Gov't Red tape 'sank my business' A Kelowna dog-grooming school closes its doors Friday, and the owner blames excessive red tape. Brandy East, 35, said, "It was the fees, and it was their demanding nature." Twenty per cent of her tuition income went to fees to PCTIA, even though she has only taught a total of 20 students since starting. 1/14/2010 5:09:59 AM

U.S. Major veterinary drug recall gets bigger What if your veterinarian was using a recalled drug -- and didn't know it? The recalls involve two commonly used injectable veterinary drugs: butorphanol, a fast-acting opioid used to control pain from surgical procedures in dogs and cats, and the anesthetic agent ketamine. 1/13/2010 7:27:33 PM

Hippo escapes from Montenegro zoo (Video) A female hippo, Nikica, is on the loose in a village in southern Montenegro after escaping from a flooded zoo. The two-tonne animal, considered one of the world's most dangerous, reportedly swam over the wall of her pen during heavy flooding in the Balkan country. 1/13/2010 6:36:48 PM

Arizona Police Asked to Confiscate Michael Jackson’s Remaining Giraffes After Two Die The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has sent a request to Page, Ariz., Police Chief Charlie Dennis to immediately confiscate two surviving giraffes that previously belonged to the late Michael Jackson. The request comes following the news that the other two giraffes acquired from Jackson’s estate died in the past seven weeks. 1/13/2010 1:35:38 PM

Adopt a Pet: What a surprise awaited us We had lost our previous dog six months before and had come to realize that we were simply not a complete family without a dog. We had put our name in to adopt a dog. Little did we know the surprise awaiting us. Willow, a beautiful black Lab/Newfie cross, had just come into the shelter. 1/13/2010 12:06:20 PM

How would you feel if you were an animal caged for scientific testing? Wearing my own clothes, I am in a room stocked with 7,000 tiny fish. The clothes are a relief after a morning spent in paper underpants, pyjamas, zip-up boiler suit, overshoes, hairnet and mask. If animal laboratories are the “hellholes” depicted by rights activists, then this is a peculiarly sterile vision of hell. 1/12/2010 8:10:17 AM

Genetics explains the Chinese wrinkly dog Just how did the Shar-pei get its famous wrinkled appearance? Scientists who have analysed the genetics of 10 pedigree dog breeds believe they now have the answer. The pedigree dog has become a fascination - and a remarkably useful research tool - for geneticists. 1/12/2010 8:01:27 AM

Crocodilian Crossroads: The Plight of Croc Talk (Video) One of Kelowna’s leading tourist attractions has reason for optimism that it won’t have to close its doors. The Croc Talk facility located in East Kelowna, home to abandoned crocodilians, African wildcats, turtles and tortoises, has received support from local companies since two supporters went public last month. 1/11/2010 6:12:58 PM

Activists go undercover to thwart puppy mills Megan Anderson's nerves are shot. But she presses ahead — the dogs need her. She pulls into the driveway of Scarlet-Maple Farm Kennel. She tells the adolescent boy who greets her that she's looking for puppies to give to her nephews for Christmas. It's a lie. A necessary one, Anderson thinks. 1/11/2010 5:16:03 PM

Cat ends high-profile sojourn in tree A cat that had been up in a tree since Friday morning in Waverley, N.S., just outside Halifax, has finally decided to come down. Late Monday afternoon, the year-old black feline named Shady jumped to the snow below the tree and ran off into the bushes. 1/11/2010 3:19:21 PM

Cold, bad diet killed giraffe: Vet An animal autopsy indicated that lack of warmth and inappropriate diet likely killed one of two giraffes that died recently at Langley's Mountain View Conservation Centre, says the facility's veterinarian. Two Masai giraffes, a six-week old and a young adult, died at the rare-species zoo within days of each other. 1/11/2010 6:56:16 AM

Exotic animal owner killed by 650-pound tiger A 66-year-old exotic animal owner from southern Ontario was attacked and killed by his 650 pound tiger as he entered the animal’s cage to feed it. Ontario Provincial Police were aware that Norman Buwalda kept exotic animals on his property in Southwold, southwest of London. 1/11/2010 5:02:35 AM

Sheryl Crow at odds over Obama administration's wild-horse plan Sheryl Crow has spoken out against the war in Iraq and in support of embryonic stem-cell research and efforts to combat global warming. Now, the singer is trying to ride to the rescue of thousands of wild horses that roam the American West. 1/10/2010 5:29:33 PM

Behemoth bruin terrorizes Nevada homes A gigantic, bullet-scarred black bear has been terrorizing homeowners on the north shore of Lake Tahoe. Wildlife officials have tried everything, but the food junkie apparently knows a bear trap when he sees one, shakes off bullets like they were mosquito bites, and keeps coming back for more. 1/10/2010 8:58:18 AM

Prince Edward Island: Family Dog saves man in fire A family dog is being credited with saving a man's life during a house fire in P.E.I., early Saturday. The man had been home alone asleep about 12:30 a.m. when he was awakened by the dog barking and saw the flames. The man and dog escaped uninjured, but the home was destroyed. 1/9/2010 11:27:46 AM

Dog Olympics? Canine competition at Whistler At the top of Whistler Mountain yesterday, competitors bolted through starting gates, spectators groaned when entrants veered off course and cheers erupted as the winner shook the victor's banner in his teeth. The lively pooches and their human partners were at the Incredible Dog Challenge. 1/9/2010 5:43:41 AM

New killer whale spotted off Vancouver Island The biggest new year baby in the area is making waves in Juan de Fuca Strait. A slightly wrinkled J Pod killer whale calf was spotted near San Juan Island Jan. 3. The birth is the sixth over the last year for the three endangered southern resident killer whale pods. 1/8/2010 3:49:09 PM

Ontario SPCA arrests two of its officers The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arrested two of its own Thursday, including one of its most high-profile agents, Toronto Humane Society agent Trevor Smith. Mr. Smith was charged with two counts of personating a peace officer and one of perjury. 1/7/2010 6:44:35 PM

San Francisco Sea lions showing up in Oregon The question on everyone's mind lately has been: Where have San Francisco's famous sea lions gone? The answer might lie about 500 miles north of the Golden Gate, where an estimated 2,000 sea lions have recently arrived off the central Oregon coast. 1/7/2010 6:00:27 PM

In war of dogs vs. cats, the winner is clear Cats. Dogs. Those can be fighting words in some circles. Cats are "nasty, stinking creatures," says Mark David of Warrensburg, Missouri. And dogs? They're noisy, disruptive and "lick you and themselves," counters Sanford Reikes of Louisville, Kentucky. 1/7/2010 12:05:26 PM

Fruits freeze, iguanas drop from trees in Florida Across the so-called Sunshine State, oranges and strawberries are freezing, icicles are hanging off palm fronds, and iguanas paralyzed by the cold are falling out of trees. Temperatures have plunged as low as the 20s in recent days (Minus 5C). 1/7/2010 6:59:14 AM

Queen's gift pooch Suzanna makes debut Suzanna the yellow Labrador retriever — a gift to the RCMP from the Royal Family — made what RCMP officials described as her first public appearance on Wednesday. Suzanna was presented to the RCMP in June by Prince Edward. 1/6/2010 5:15:41 PM

Elephant kills American mother and daughter in Kenya An American woman and her one-year-old daughter were trampled to death by an elephant while walking in Mount Kenya national reserve, police said Wednesday. The 39-year-old woman and her daughter died instantly. Her husband and three other people on the outing Monday managed to escape. 1/6/2010 11:39:50 AM

China puts panda cubs on display for World Expo Ten giant panda cubs, all born after the deadly earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province in 2008, were on their way Tuesday to Shanghai to go on display during this year's World Expo. Six female and four male pandas from the Wolong Giant Panda Reserve Center in Sichuan were to arrive Tuesday evening. 1/6/2010 10:15:21 AM

Is this the world's smartest dog? (Video) A seven-year-old dog in Austria called Betsy has amazed scientists by being able to recognise more than 340 words. Most dogs can recognise about 15 commands (?). Betsy's skills were recorded as part of the BBC's science programme Horizon. It examined the increase in scientific investigations into canines. 1/6/2010 6:48:21 AM

Michelle Obama featured in PETA anti-fur ad without permission The fur is flying over a new ad campaign by an animal rights group the White House says is using first lady Michelle Obama's image without her permission. Mrs. Obama appears in the ad with celebrities Oprah Winfrey, Carrie Underwood and Tyra Banks. 1/6/2010 6:18:03 AM

Lawyer says B.C. man was forced to hang horse The lawyer representing a Vancouver Island man accused of starving and hanging a 27-year-old Appaloosa horse to death said his client had no choice but to hang the animal. Dozens of demonstrators calling for "Justice for Jalupae" rallied outside courtroom proceedings yesterday. 1/6/2010 5:09:46 AM

Fred the dog makes it home to Montreal If home is where the heart is, then Fred the dog has it made. The big, friendly dog who charmed strangers on a cross-Canada train trip since Friday won some more hearts last night when his train pulled into Central Station and the 7-year-old Kugsha was reunited with relatives of his late master. 1/5/2010 8:17:22 PM

Update: Fred the dog rolling home It must take quite a winning personality to shine out from a crate in a train car rumbling across Canada. But Fred the dog has done just that, rolling over for visitors to rub his belly, making babies giggle at stops en route and charming the train's chef into cooking for him. 1/5/2010 3:16:27 PM

Forces planning to expand use of sniffer-dog teams Canada's military is already planning for a 2011 withdrawal from Afghanistan but in the meantime is ramping up the deployment of bomb-sniffer dogs – canines trained to detect the hidden explosives that insurgents use to kill Canadians. 1/5/2010 5:38:24 AM

Scientists say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons' Dolphins have been declared the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans, with scientists suggesting they are so bright that they should be treated as “non-human persons”. Dolphins have distinct personalities, a strong sense of self and can think about the future. 1/4/2010 5:14:31 PM

Neighbour saves dog using CPR Cats may have nine lives but this dog definitely has more than one. Matt Armstrong, 46, brought his neighbour's dog, Sheena the Boxer, back to life by performing CPR after she collapsed and stopped breathing while on a walk. "Just out of nowhere Sheena collapsed, she had no life signs, no heartbeat. 1/4/2010 4:22:56 PM

Pig now purrs happy tune My female pet guinea pig, Ananda, has been through a lot, but continues to be sweet, loving, blissful and grateful. When I first met her in a pet shop, she was housed with a much larger and older guinea-pig who was obviously bullying her, and I watched her scream and run to hide. 1/4/2010 4:27:44 AM

Boy calls dog who fought off cougar his 'guardian' A boy from Boston Bar, B.C., whose golden retriever saved him from a charging cougar says he wouldn't be alive if his dog hadn't stepped in. Austin Forman, 11, was gathering firewood in his backyard at about 5 p.m. PT Saturday when his dog, Angel, started acting strangely. 1/3/2010 4:14:37 PM

Tarantula owners advised to cover eyes Tarantula owners are advised to don goggles when handling the pets, ophthalmologists say. The warning comes after a 29-year-old man went to hospital last February with a three-week history of a red, watery and light-sensitive eye that did not clear up with antibiotics. 1/2/2010 6:58:17 PM

No more home on the range for Nevada's wild horses With helicopters swooping low and slow, wranglers began rounding up and corralling wild horses on a vast Nevada range this week, feeding an intense debate over whether removing the animals helps or hurts the preservation of an enduring symbol of the old West. 1/2/2010 10:07:25 AM

Endangered species to get daily web spot in 2010 Endangered species from polar bears to giant salamanders, great white sharks to beluga whales and Namibian quiver trees to Cuban crocodiles will have their day on the Internet throughout 2010. The material will be posted on the IUCN website (www.iucn.org). 1/2/2010 9:32:00 AM

Scientists think they have found origin of bizarre cancer that is wiping out Tasmanian devils Fierce as they are, Tasmanian devils cannot beat a contagious cancer that threatens to wipe them out. Now scientists think they've found the disease's origin, a step in the race to save Australia's snarling marsupial. Since the disease's discovery in 1996, their numbers have plummeted by 70 per cent. 1/2/2010 9:14:15 AM

San Francisco sea lions quit town The famous sea lions of San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf have disappeared after 20 years - leaving experts baffled. Last month, Pier 39 groaned under the weight of some 1,500 of the animals. Although the hunt for food seems the likeliest reason, experts admit it is a mystery. 1/2/2010 4:24:32 AM

As the year comes to a close a Kelowna business struggles to stay open Doug Illman’s public plea to save his ailing business, CrocTalk, has provided some relief but the possibility of closure is still imminent. “We’re still in the same position,” he said. “We need to get these bills paid to stay afloat." 12/31/2009 4:45:09 PM

Guardian angels bringing Fred the dog home Fred the dog has two guardian angels who will travel across the country tomorrow to fetch him, in a journey that shows just how far some people are willing go for a pet - even one they've yet to meet. Fred was found by Cyril Roy's side Nov. 30, three days after the man died. 12/31/2009 7:35:01 AM

Touch Pets Dogs for the iPhone: No Mess, No Fuss Touch Pets Dogs was released for the iPhone in early November by ngmoco, and I’ve had a chance to play with it for a while. It reminds me a lot of Nintendogs, a game my brother had on his Nintendo DS: you pick a puppy, and then you can play with it, teach it tricks, and take care of it. 12/30/2009 8:58:47 PM

S.F.'s vanishing sea lions baffles experts Hundreds of sea lions that have rested, scuffled and provided hours of blubbery, barking entertainment for two decades at San Francisco's Pier 39 have disappeared - and biologists have no idea why. 12/30/2009 7:58:07 PM

Hungry monkeys belly up to buffet in Thailand We have so much to be thankful to monkeys for: they're the butts of our jokes, the typists on our theoretical typewriters, and the subjects of our medical experiments. Monkeys help us feel as if we've made some evolutionary progress over the past couple million years. Yet seldom do we say thank you. 12/30/2009 10:21:02 AM

Winter habits of northern wolves revealed A Canadian biologist and an American scientist are cracking the centuries-old mystery of the lives of Arctic wolves in winter. "I've studied them for 25 summers but I've never known what they've done after I leave," said David Mech of the U.S. Geological Survey. 12/30/2009 9:48:04 AM

What, or who, killed several trumpeter swans? Chilliwack, B.C., are baffled by the recent deaths of several trumpeter swans -- North America's largest native bird. The swans inhabit a pristine sanctuary in the quiet waters of Nicomen Slough near Deroche. The area is cradled by mountains and fed by crystal streams. 12/30/2009 5:34:38 AM

Dogs rescued from illegal meat factory brought to Vancouver Island In her four years of life, Vixen has seen a lifetime of horror. The chubby Siberian husky, now in foster care in Duncan, B.C., was being fattened up as a Taiwanese dinner delicacy when she was rescued from an illegal meat factory by an extreme group of Taiwan-based animal rescuer. 12/29/2009 3:49:45 PM

Surrey tropical animal collection faces wintery eviction For 22 years, Gary Oliver has made saving exotic animals and educating children about them his life's work. But it all could come to a horrible end this week if he can’t find a way to stave off Cinemazoo’s eviction from its North Surrey location. 12/28/2009 5:48:20 AM

War vets, shelter dogs heal together in program Dave Sharpe was troubled by thoughts he could not share after he returned from a tour in Iraq. "I found myself waking up in the middle of the night, punching holes in walls, kicking and beating the refrigerator door," he said. Then one day, he went to a local pit bull rescue and took home a puppy. 12/27/2009 6:26:58 PM

Germany's Got Talent: And the Winner Is … A Dog The finale of the German reality television series that looks for the most talented act from around a nation screened on Saturday evening. Nine million Germans watched and some of them even voted for a winner. Their conclusion: The most talented performer in Germany is a black and white dog. 12/27/2009 9:40:50 AM

UVic rabbits' days may be numbered The University of Victoria's rebel rabbits have one last chance. As hundreds of feral rabbits run wild on campus, officials on Wednesday announced they have hired a Vancouver Island wildlife damage-control company on a $12,800 contract to test non-lethal methods for dealing with the bunnies. 12/27/2009 8:25:57 AM

Fred, the loyal dog, is going to a new home Fred the Dog is going home. Via Rail has offered free tickets for Fred and two Montreal residents who will fly to Vancouver to accompany him on a four-day ride to Montreal and a new home with relatives of his master, who died in November. Fred was found at his side and taken to the local pound. 12/26/2009 6:21:25 AM

Efforts made to save grizzlies from trains Wildlife and railway experts will be thinking outside the boxcar this winter to come up with ways to reduce the number of grizzly bears that are killed by trains that rumble through the Rocky Mountain national parks straddling the B.C.-Alberta border. 12/26/2009 5:27:05 AM

Missing dog reunited with owners after Coquitlam drug bust A routine drug bust in Coquitlam allowed police to return a missing dog to its grateful owners. On Dec. 14 an officer performing a traffic stop saw the driver try to swallow a stash of drugs. What the officer did not expect to find was a missing dog in the back seat. 12/25/2009 5:37:14 AM

Chimps seen using cleavers to chop up food For the first time, chimpanzees have been seen using tools to chop up and reduce food into smaller bite-sized portions. Chimps in the Nimba Mountains of Guinea, Africa, use both stone and wooden cleavers, as well as stone anvils, to process Treculia fruits. 12/25/2009 5:12:18 AM

Snoopy named pop culture's top dog The "Peanuts" comic strip character Snoopy was named the top dog in pop culture by the American Kennel Club on Tuesday as part of its 125th anniversary celebration, beating out a college sports mascot. Nearly 76,000 online voters chose their favorites from a list of pop culture dogs 12/24/2009 5:38:45 AM

Family pet killed, Chilliwack RCMP making excuses The Lower Mainland District Police Dog Service has suspended its urban training exercises and is reviewing its protocols in the wake of the fatal shooting of a family's pit bull during an exercise in Chilliwack. (Ed: Police caused the problem by trespassing without permission, and a family pet dies.) 12/24/2009 5:30:06 AM

Researchers call for conservation zone for killer whales in B.C. Wildlife researchers have identified the key feeding area for a critically endangered population of killer whales near Vancouver Island and proposed the creation of a unique, miniature conservation zone for the few square kilometres encompassing the animals' favourite seafood restaurant. 12/23/2009 2:29:40 PM

Squirrels chew up Fredericton's Christmas lights Grey squirrels in Fredericton have developed a taste for Christmas lights. Especially if they aren't red. The pesky critters chewed up the LED lights used to decorate city trees each holiday season for the past four years. This year, Downtown Fredericton Inc. tried to outfox the squirrels. 12/23/2009 6:35:11 AM

Family furious after police shoot pit bull in yard A Chilliwack family is furious after their six-year-old pit bull was shot and killed by police who came onto their property unannounced to perform a training exercise with a police dog. (Ed: What made police think they could trespass on private property unannounced and not cause problems?) 12/22/2009 9:25:21 PM

Animals trump presents for Cody on his eighth Cody McGunigle has a passion for helping animals in need. The David Thompson elementary student donated $321 to the BCSPCA — money that was given him by schoolmates on his eighth birthday party. 12/22/2009 5:27:14 PM

Letter: Stop the slaughter of unwanted horses ....What most people do not know is that presently, partly because of the high costs of taking care of a horse, there is an over abundance of horses and that 70 to 80 per cent of all horses that go through auction are purchased by what are called Kill Buyers. 12/22/2009 9:01:19 AM

Sea lion entanglement case prompts warning B.C. marine mammal experts on Monday urged the public not to discard debris into the ocean after a sea lion got entangled in rope for several days last week. The rope had wrapped around one of the sea lion's flippers and was digging into its flesh. 12/21/2009 5:33:14 PM

Savona: How Tigger came in from the cold When we moved into our home, homeless Tigger spent much of his time on our porch. Over the month, my husband Jordan and I realized that no one was feeding Tigger, as we had originally assumed. Soon we were buying cat food and putting it out on the porch. 12/21/2009 4:58:19 AM

Flying Chihuahuas! Dogs head east due to glut Chihuahuas have been flying out of California since other states learned about the glut of little dogs in the Golden State. A group of 25 dogs has already arrived at the Humane Society in New Hampshire, thanks to "Grey's Anatomy" actress Katherine Heigl, Kinder4Rescue in Studio City and American Airlines. 12/20/2009 5:40:32 AM

Orangutan takes her own photos (Video) An orangutan who has learned how to take photographs with a simple camera now has around 70,000 fans on the social networking website Facebook. The camera dispenses a raisin every time Nonja or one of her fellow orangutans at Schonbrunn Zoo in Vienna takes a picture. 12/20/2009 5:22:25 AM

Animal rescue overwhelmed with orphaned kittens The holidays are a time of year when many people give to the less fortunate, and one group is hoping that generosity will extend to animals in need. The Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue is in dire straits this year after receiving an unprecedented number of homeless cats. 12/20/2009 4:55:18 AM

Donkeys the unsung heros of history and the Nativity Among the many puzzling questions about donkeys, one needs to be faced early and upfront. Did a donkey convey the Virgin Mary to Bethlehem? There are a great many Biblical references to asses, to use their original name. 12/19/2009 7:43:42 AM

Two-legged dog Faith inspires after learning to walk A two-legged dog named Faith is inspiring disabled veterans across the United States after learning how to walk upright, despite missing her two front legs. She was rescued from a junkyard in January 2003. Faith was nursed back to health and taught how to walk by Reuben Stringfellow and his mother, Jude. 12/19/2009 5:31:21 AM

Kelowna: Council to open piggy bank for bunnies A relatively small amount of money now could prevent big bunny troubles in the future, Kelowna councillors say. Council decided Thursday to spend another $12,000 on a rabbit control scheme, even though staff had not included the money in the provisional 2010 budget. 12/19/2009 5:24:11 AM

Neglected dogs recovering at Nanaimo SPCA An emaciated pit bull and her eight neglected puppies, whose teenage owners had advertised them for sale online were recovering Friday at the Nanaimo SPCA. Some of the underweight, dirty and dehydrated six-week-old pups were only hours from death when they were surrendered. 12/19/2009 4:43:14 AM

13 more join abuse complaint against private zoo Thirteen more former employees have joined an animal abuse complaint against a world-class conservation centre in Langley. Twenty-one people, including four current employees, have lobbed an arsenal of allegations against the Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre. 12/18/2009 4:52:18 AM

An American coot throttling a chick. An adult coot can recognize its own chicks and will attack a parasitic chick that hatches in its nest. Coots are drab little marsh birds, but they have an uncanny ability to thwart nest invaders and impostors. Biologists who have been snatching coot eggs and mixing up chicks in experimental lakes in British Columbia report the birds use "a remarkable set of cognitive abilities." 12/17/2009 5:00:38 PM

Sweden to resume hunting wolves after 45 years The Swedish parliament has voted to allow 27 of the animals to be killed with special permits during a limited hunting season in January, after the authorities decided to limit the country's wolf population to about 210. 12/17/2009 1:09:13 PM

Efforts grow to transport loyal dog from Vancouver Island to late master's Montreal family Fred the dog might not make it home for Christmas, but he has already given his late master's grieving family a present. Fred ended up at the Parksville, B.C., pound Nov. 30 after police found him at Cyril Roy's side three days after the 58-year-old died alone of heart failure. 12/17/2009 6:09:55 AM

Necropsy to probe whether giraffe at Fort Langley zoo froze to death Hypothermia may have killed a Masai giraffe that died recently at a Fort Langley zoo, says the veterinarian who tried to save it. The Province first reported on Sunday that the B.C. SPCA is investigating allegations, including animal cruelty and neglect. 12/17/2009 5:14:48 AM

Dog license increases annoy Kelowna’s mayor Modest increases in dog licensing fees raised the ire of Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd at Monday night’s Central Okanagan Regional District board meeting. Shepherd prefaced her opposition to the increases, stating that she herself is a dog owner who takes responsibility to license her pets. 12/16/2009 1:02:08 PM

Chihuahua frozen to death in domestic dispute A Southern Alberta man who allegedly left the family dog to freeze to death during a domestic dispute has been charged with two criminal offences. Temperatures in the Brooks area dipped to –31 C on Monday, as a deep freeze gripped most of Alberta. 12/16/2009 5:57:40 AM

20,000 exotic animals seized in Texas raid Starving snakes, dead rodents and hundreds of reptiles packed in shipping crates were discovered Tuesday when animal welfare groups in Texas raided an exotic animal delivery company, officials said. 12/16/2009 5:06:22 AM

Clever octopus builds a mobile home An octopus that uses coconut shells as portable armor is the latest addition to a growing list of animals that use tools. The veined octopus apparently can stack discarded coconut shell halves just as one might pile bowls, sits atop them, makes its eight arms rigid like stilts, and then moves the entire heap across the seafloor. 12/15/2009 6:43:09 AM

Boundary country: Deer plague Grand Forks The British Columbia community of Grand Forks has been overrun by hundreds of deer, and just what to do about the out-of-control population is dividing residents of the Kootenay town. A recent newsletter from city staff asked residents to stop feeding the deer. 12/15/2009 5:44:59 AM

Canadian species among most threatened by climate change Canada is home to five of the 10 new "hit list" species identified Monday as the likeliest victims of climate change by a leading global nature organization. The Canadian animals listed in the report cover all three coastal regions of the country. 12/15/2009 5:16:13 AM

Clever crow creates a new tool (Video) Betty, a New Caledonian crow, astounded scientists with her tool-crafting abilities. The aim was to see whether the crows would select the bent wire to retrieve the treat-laden bucket. But Betty astonished researchers. 12/14/2009 7:25:31 PM

Dogs are better pets than cats, study finds The New Scientist is resorting to science to try to find the truth about cats and dogs. Using a wealth of recent research to measure pets in 11 categories, the magazine has come to the reluctant conclusion that dogs are better pets than cats, by a whisker. 12/14/2009 2:11:12 PM

SPCA cited wildlife centre for animal concerns A world-renowned conservation centre being investigated for animal abuse in Langley, B.C., was issued a care order by SPCA cruelty investigators several weeks ago, an agency spokesperson says. The agency did not seize any animals during its visit, but did interview several employees. 12/14/2009 1:37:45 PM

Funds dry up in mammoth B.C. veterinary war B.C. veterinarians want to raise $400,000 to carry on an epic human-rights battle against Indo-Canadians who claim discrimination. Ken Gummeson of the B.C. Veterinary Medical Association said members are willing to pay a $400 voluntary levy. 12/14/2009 9:12:13 AM

Willowbrook: Art aims to pique interest in horsebreeding Driving along the Fairview - White Lake Road at Willowbrook, a huge mural can be seen to the east, gracing the side of a barn along Willowbrook Drive. Nicholas Harasymow is the owner of the mural, which was originally part of his farm in Langley. 12/14/2009 6:38:18 AM

Win an autographed guitar donated by Kelly Clarkson to benefit SPCA Pop star Kelly Clarkson and a Burnaby guitar company are music to the ears of B.C.'s homeless animals. Clarkson has penned her signature to a Prestige Heritage Standard guitar, which the Burnaby manufacturer is auctioning on eBay between Dec. 11 and 21, with all proceeds to the B.C. SPCA. 12/14/2009 6:29:52 AM

Non-food donations needed at BC SPCA branches BC SPCA branches around the province welcome donations of pet supplies and materials, but thanks to a new partnership with Hill's Science Diet to provide food free of charge, they no longer require donated dog, puppy, cat and kitten food for animals in their care. 12/14/2009 6:24:43 AM

Zoo industry must review operations, observers say after incidents Although a recession and several controversial animal deaths this year weren’t enough to stop Canadians from visiting zoos in increasing numbers, some observers say the industry needs to learn how to stay relevant in a society growing more skeptical about keeping animals in captivity. 12/14/2009 5:57:51 AM

Summerland: Dogs provide therapy Murphy is a four- year-old Bernese Mountain Dog From Summerland. He and Karen Christensen have been part of the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program since May 2009. They visit the residential care facility at Summerland Seniors’ Village weekly. 12/14/2009 4:16:34 AM

Cool kitty curls up in car's engine compartment It was so cold in Calgary Saturday that even animals were scurrying to get in from the cold, with one kitten finding a warm, albeit unusual, spot to curl up in. When the feline wandered onto a major Calgary highway Saturday afternoon, drivers had to slam on the brakes to avoid it and each other. 12/13/2009 9:23:10 PM

'World-class' Langley animal conservation centre under SPCA probe The SPCA is investigating allegations of abuse involving the Mountain View Conservation & Breeding Centre, a “world-class” zoo in Fort Langley. The allegations include case files on about 50 deaths. According to the employee allegations, animals are neglected, abused and dying. 12/13/2009 10:26:12 AM

Why old dogs are the best dogs They can be eccentric, slow afoot, even grouchy. But dogs live out their final days, says The Washington Post’s Gene Weingarten, with a humility and grace we all could learn from....Not long before his death, Harry and I headed out for a walk that proved eventful. 12/12/2009 1:55:33 PM

Animal's death puts Calgary zoo under microscope A knife was accidentally left in the gorilla enclosure. A goat hanged itself on a toy. “Human error” was blamed in the deaths of 41 cownose stingrays. Two baby elephants have died, as have several gorillas. “The incidences are unrelated,” said Cathy Gaviller, the zoo's director. 12/12/2009 12:25:51 PM

Endangered gorillas threatened by charcoal trade Wisps of smoke rise from the dense forest between Rumangabo and the distant crater of the Nyiragongo volcano. The beautiful vapour trails are not a natural phenomenon; they are evidence of Man’s destruction of the forests to manufacture charcoal. 12/12/2009 5:45:10 AM

Cold can be harmful to animals If pets are allowed outdoors, owners should consider the temperature. Dr. Karen Harasen, a veterinarian at the Animal Clinic of Regina, says that when animals are left out in the cold, they first experience problems with their extremities -- their ears and their feet. 12/11/2009 3:54:21 PM

Whitehorse dog spared from death row needs a home Months after a Yukon court spared Trevor the dog from euthanization at the city pound, the Humane Society Yukon is still unable to find a suitable home for the troubled canine. (Ed: That's because the court order came with some pretty stupid conditions, like Trevor has to stay in Whitehorse. Why?) 12/11/2009 10:16:51 AM

Calgary Zoo investigating death of giant rodent Another animal has died at the Calgary Zoo, prompting an investigation into whether human error may have caused the creature's death. A tipster also said the animal was crushed to death in a gate. However, zoo officials would not confirm how Adali died. 12/11/2009 9:58:53 AM

Vernon woman faces animal-cruelty charges over ill-treated horses, dogs A menagerie of 28 horses, 39 dogs, a pig and a llama are all in the "protective custody" of the SPCA, but their original owner — who's facing criminal charges related to their care — wants them all back. Carla Christman of Vernon was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty. 12/10/2009 5:02:01 PM

Kelowna: Exotic animal safe haven faces closure A Kelowna tourist attraction that provides safe haven to neglected exotic pets may have to close its doors this winter. Doug Illman, owner of the CrocTalk facility in east Kelowna, is finding it difficult to fund the cost of providing an indoor tropical-like environment for the animals. 12/10/2009 6:21:00 AM

U.S. considers killing owls that migrated from Canada Scientists want to determine if killing the aggressive barred owl that has invaded old growth forests of the Northwest would help the protected spotted owl. Federal biologists are doing a formal study to decide whether to do the experiment, and laying out the terms if they go ahead. 12/10/2009 6:15:54 AM

Vernon woman facing numerous animal cruelty charges A Vernon woman is facing multiple charges after more than two dozen sickly horses and 39 dogs were rescued from her North Okanagan property. Crown Counsel has approved multiple charges of animal cruelty against Carla Christman. 12/9/2009 9:11:11 PM

Super cute kitty video the latest Internet sensation Stuck at home and bored because of the storm? Tired of worrying about the HST? Overwhelmed by the dire predictions from the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen? Then “Surprised Kitty” is for you. A 17-second YouTube video, billed as the “cutest kitten ever.” 12/9/2009 8:18:15 PM

Yo quiero una casa! - Chihuahuas fill shelters In what appears to be strictly a California phenomenon, Golden State animal shelters have been deluged with Chihuahuas. The trembling, pop-eyed canines have replaced pit bulls as the dogs most likely to turn up at the pound. "Everyone's juggling Chihuahuas. It's nuts," said Deb Campbell. 12/9/2009 6:43:59 PM

Small horses a big attraction in Texas When the horses you're herding are about the size of chunky golden retrievers, roundup time is no big deal in this part of south-central Texas. Sister Angela certainly had few problems corralling her frisky purebred miniature horses in time for the early-morning arrival of tourists. 12/9/2009 4:51:05 PM

Holy cow? White cross on forehead of calf A holy cow in Connecticut, perhaps? Or maybe a divine bovine? A calf with a white marking on its forehead in the approximate shape of a cross was born last week at a dairy farm. Neighborhood children have named it Moses. 12/9/2009 5:31:06 AM

Trout Creek Elementary: Friendly felines ulia Cerutti, Emma Jones and Mya Bradford cuddle some newly arrived kittens at the SPCA. The three Grade 3 students from Trout Creek Elementary came up with the idea of running a jelly bean guessing contest to raise money for the SPCA. (Story below pic) 12/9/2009 4:52:21 AM

Jet-setting swan takes off for blind date An injured swan from Alberta will soon be flying across the Rocky Mountains to Vancouver to hook up with a potential new mate, but it's not clear what sort of matchup could come from the unusual avian blind date. Fortunately for the injured swan it will be flying Air Canada 12/9/2009 4:37:14 AM

Dog found in storm drain more than 3 weeks after disappearing A dog missing for three weeks was found skinny but alive after getting stuck in a storm drain in a Salt Lake City suburb. Susan Garr's 4-year-old Australian shepherd mix, Millie, had dropped from 35 pounds (16 kilograms) to 22 pounds (10 kilograms) when she was found. 12/8/2009 9:08:27 PM

The Jungle Book predators who have forged a lifelong friendship They make an unlikely trio, but Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger have forged an unusually strong bond. Considering that they would be mortal enemies if they ever were to meet in the wild, it is stunning to see their unique and genuine friendship in these intimate pictures. 12/8/2009 5:06:51 PM

Saboteur cutting brake cables is revealed... to be a fox Naturally enough, sinister motives were suspected when a series of drivers found their brake cables had been cut in the night. But for months police were baffled as no fingerprints could be found and CCTV failed to reveal any repeat night-time visitor. 12/8/2009 4:27:21 PM

Smuggled kangaroos rescued; man arrested Indonesian police arrested a man accused of smuggling 10 rare kangaroos by boat from New Guinea island, an official said Saturday. The Indonesian suspect was caught Friday as he offloaded the exotic marsupials at the East Java provincial capital of Surabaya. 12/8/2009 8:49:01 AM

Australian 'I'm A Celebrity' pair face rat charges I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! winner Gino D'Acampo and Stuart Manning face charges of animal cruelty after cooking and eating a rat in the show. The RSPCA in New South Wales, Australia, said it was "not acceptable" that a rat had been killed by the pair as part of a performance. 12/6/2009 8:18:53 AM

Polar bear sculpture shapes climate change concern A British sculptor carving a polar bear out of ice, with a bronze skeleton inside, hopes to make a powerful environmental message when the Arctic animal art piece melts. Coreth doesn't know how long it will take for the ice bear to melt into a pool of water. 12/6/2009 5:11:11 AM

Alta. lawyer fined for abandoning horses in snow An Edmonton lawyer has been fined $1,000 and sentenced to 12 months probation for abandoning two horses in deep snow in central British Columbia last year. Frank McKay pleaded guilty to causing distress to an animal under provincial law, and two other charges of cruelty to animals were stayed. 12/6/2009 4:29:23 AM

B.C. vet banned for debarking dog without consent A Vancouver veterinarian known for helping low-income pet owners is being banned from practicing in B.C. after an inquiry by the B.C. Veterinary Medical Association found him guilty of multiple counts of unprofessional conduct -- including de-barking a dog without the owner's consent. 12/5/2009 5:31:48 AM

Australian aims to breed 'green' sheep that burp less Australian scientists have said they are hoping to breed sheep that burp less as part of efforts to tackle climate change. The scientists have been trying to identify a genetic link that causes some sheep to belch less than others. Burping is a far greater cause of emissions in sheep than flatulence, they say. 12/4/2009 8:27:58 PM

Crew works to free whale trapped in Hawaii Marine sanctuary officials planned to return to Hawaii waters with modified equipment Friday to try to cut loose a young humpback whale entangled in several hundred metres of heavy plastic rope. The rope runs through the animal's mouth, around its head and behind its blowhole, and is twisted in a knot. 12/4/2009 6:04:02 PM

8 horses seized in SPCA cruelty investigation The SPCA is looking to send eight horses "home for the holidays" after a raid on a Langley, B.C., farm. The animals were discovered underweight and suffering from various ailments during a seizure on a Walnut Grove property last week. The SPCA is recommending cruelty charges. 12/4/2009 5:13:37 AM

Hungry polar bears turn to cannibalism Faced with a shrinking habitat in Canada's Arctic, polar bears are increasingly turning on their own kind. According to Manitoba Conservation, at least four cases of polar bear cannibalism have been confirmed. In the past, Manitoba has only received one report annually. 12/4/2009 4:36:06 AM

Afghanistan’s dogs of war sniff out mines On the heels of President Barack Obama's announcement that 30,000 more U.S. troops will be heading to Afghanistan, it's important to remember one thing that makes the fight there so difficult and unique: Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. 12/3/2009 11:02:20 AM

Tattooed animals more likely to be returned to their owners A tattoo for a human often represents status, spiritual beliefs or makes a fashion statement, but for animals it’s all about finding your way home. For Willis, a two-year-old house cat, his tattoo made the difference between being lost on the streets of Kelowna and being returned to his family. 12/3/2009 7:35:46 AM

Toronto Humane Society 'discouraged' adoptions When Diane Katz visited the Toronto Humane Society hoping to adopt a dog two years ago, it was with excited anticipation. She brought along a friend who volunteered at the society, and expected the process would be simple. "Every single one, they just discouraged us." 12/3/2009 6:08:48 AM

Prairie-chicken wiped out in Canada The Greater Prairie-Chicken, a bird that once numbered in the millions on the grasslands, is now considered wiped out in Canada. New DNA evidence has also concluded that the prairie-chicken is a species native to North America and has been around for about 9,000 years. 12/3/2009 5:11:38 AM

Burnaby family wins beluga calf naming contest Vancouver Aquarium members have determined the winner of a Canada-wide contest to name the baby beluga born at the facility in June. Out of 3,000 submissions, five names were shortlisted, including Nala, Sila, Kuvi, Nalli and Uumamarik. 12/2/2009 2:55:42 PM

Monkey still traumatized after sister's abduction The trauma of a younger sister being stolen seems to have left lasting effects on a monkey at the Cherry Brook Zoo. After a change of heart, the monkey thieves left April in a small storage box behind a building in Saint John and an anonymous call led police to the location. 12/2/2009 10:37:29 AM

Cat's tunes turn Spokane man into fat cat (Video) Years ago, people dreamed of striking it rich by sending their funny - and sometimes terribly embarrassing - home videos in to "America's Home Video." Today, Charlie Schmidt is striking it rich thanks to his dearly departed cat, Fatso, who known to the rest of the world as "the Keyboard Cat." 11/29/2009 10:36:08 AM

Woman sought over animal cruelty Police are looking for a woman who faces animal-cruelty charges after allegedly abandoning two chinchillas and a cat in her apartment for 17 days. The animals were found without food or water in the woman's Victoria apartment a few weeks after she moved out on July 31. 11/29/2009 7:16:22 AM

Australia aims for 'green' sheep Australian scientists have said they are hoping to breed sheep that burp less as part of efforts to tackle climate change. The scientists have been trying to identify a genetic link that causes some sheep to belch less than others. 11/29/2009 5:42:53 AM

California: Chihuahua Lovers, Start Your Pencils Officials are holding an essay contest to determine the next owner of a Chihuahua who survived being thrown for dead in a canal in Riverside. The dog, now being called Nemo, was found by a public works employee Monday. 11/27/2009 5:58:29 PM

Canadian researcher says Arctic ice is thinning University of Manitoba Arctic researcher David Barber said experts around the world believed the ice was recovering because satellite images showed it expanding, but the thick, multiyear frozen sheets have been replaced by thin ice that cannot support the weight of a polar bear. 11/27/2009 5:17:05 PM

Man given $150 ticket for dog he says isn't his A Delta man is howling mad after he was issued a $150 ticket for a dog that was at his house with no municipal dog licence -- even though he says it wasn't his dog. "They said it was all right to double-bill," he said. "They can say that I'm a partial owner and I need a Delta licence...that's crazy." 11/27/2009 4:39:12 PM

4 Toronto Humane Society animals euthanized, 5 charged Four animals inside the Toronto Humane Society's shelter in the east end of the city had to be euthanized after animal cruelty charges were laid against the president and the board of directors at the facility. The Ontario SPCA alleges dozens of animals were neglected at the Toronto shelter. 11/27/2009 4:24:32 PM

Toronto Humane Society officials arrested, face animal-cruelty charges The Toronto Humane Society’s president and chief veterinarian are facing criminal charges of animal cruelty for running a dysfunctional shelter where animals were allegedly denied food and water and left to die suffering in their cages. The charges follow a Globe and Mail investigation. 11/27/2009 5:06:36 AM

Vladimir Putin's endangered tiger is missing, despite satellite collar Vladimir Putin’s tigress is missing. The rare Siberian tiger that Russia’s Prime Minister shot with a tranquiliser dart and fitted with a satellite-tracking collar has disappeared, according to environmentalists. 11/25/2009 11:51:27 AM

Isobel, the Blind sled dog set to retire Isobel the sled dog is hanging up her harness in Churchill, Man. The nine-year-old Siberian husky-malamute cross is set to retire in January. What makes her well-deserved rest remarkable is that she has been running for the past five years completely blind. 11/25/2009 10:39:54 AM

Kamloops: Living a dog’s life has its benefits It’s a dog-eat-dog world, but two university students are getting some extra cash for their work with the four-legged. Animal health technology students Kristen Younie and Kelsey Eaton will receive $500 each from the Kamloops and District Kennel Club. 11/25/2009 7:19:00 AM

Furry felons rob SAfrican tourists; officials fear worse baboon behaviour Visitors to South Africa's premier holiday destination who are worried about becoming victims of the country's high crime rate could find themselves instead robbed by a more furry kind of felon: baboons. The cheeky primates have learned how to open car doors and jump through windows in pursuit of tasty sandwiches and snacks. 11/24/2009 5:28:28 PM

Deer drugged, tasered after downtown Toronto stroll (Video) Police and animal control officers used a tranquilizer, taser and a net to capture a deer that strayed into downtown Toronto early Tuesday. The animal was first spotted near Union Station, before it wandered through city streets. 11/24/2009 2:55:55 PM

200,000 animals to be sacrificed at Hindu festival Hundreds of thousands of Hindus gathered at a temple in southern Nepal on Tuesday for a ceremony involving the slaughter of more than 200,000 animals, a festival that has drawn the ire of animal-welfare protesters. A Nepalese minister said it was the largest sacrificial slaughter of animals in the world. 11/24/2009 6:42:01 AM

Malaysia implants Borneo orangutans with transmitters Veterinarians have been tracking three orangutans they implanted with tiny transmitters as part of efforts to protect the endangered primates once they reintroduce them to the wild, a Malaysian official said Monday. The orangutans' jungle habitat in Sabah has shrunk over the decades and their numbers have plummeted. 11/24/2009 6:28:08 AM

Dogs trust too much to know you’re lying to them Can you con Fido? Can he really tell which hand is holding that dog biscuit? Or whether your calls for treats are really a ruse to get him back on the leash? That’s what Dalhousie University PhD student Mark Petter set out to find out with his research that was just published. 11/23/2009 8:17:14 AM

Baby alpaca’s arrival an early Christmas present The unexpected birth of a baby alpaca is both exciting and concerning for Sierra Vista Alpaca owners Robbie Westgard and Ken Clow. Those already in on the news nick-named the baby alpaca, or cria, the “Christmas alpaca,” although Westgard and Clow called the newborn “Dante.” 11/23/2009 5:48:40 AM

Kangaroo tries to drown dog, attacks owner A kangaroo startled by a man walking his dog attacked the pair, pinning the pet underwater and slashing the owner in the abdomen with its hind legs. He said he was walking his blue heeler, Rocky, on Sunday morning when they surprised a sleeping kangaroo. 11/23/2009 4:40:43 AM

Pooch owners doggone upset about vigilante group Vigilante animal lovers are stealing pet dogs out of Lower Mainland yards, leaving broken-hearted owners in their wake. But the founder of a dog-rescue group denies that her organization steals dogs reported to be mistreated. "I defy that you have any proof that we've taken any of the dogs," says Janet Olson 11/22/2009 8:37:35 PM

Lost dog survives in woods for 100 days Kathy Dunbar believes some miracles come in three-pound bundles. Yet she still has a hard time believing that her Maltese-poodle mix named Mindy is sitting in her lap. Mindy survived more than three months in the woods of Massachusetts, which is also home to owls, foxes, coyotes and bears. 11/21/2009 10:47:33 AM

Highway 97 Wildlife fence shortfall could be deadly Reports of herds of deer along the newly constructed section of Highway 97 south of Peachland and of dead animals on the roadway may not be resolved until next summer. The wildlife exclusion fencing constructed in 1998 has a large gap in it where the widening project is underway. 11/20/2009 7:45:58 AM

Czech zoo lions kill rare tiger Two lions at a zoo in the northern Czech Republic have killed a rare white tigress after entering her enclosure. The incident happened at Liberec Zoo - the only one in the country which has white tigers. Zoo workers were alerted by the cries of the tigress. 11/20/2009 5:18:45 AM

IBM computer simulates cat’s cerebral cortex Scientists say they've made a breakthrough in their pursuit of computers that "think" like a living thing's brain — an effort that tests the limits of technology. Even the world's most powerful supercomputers can't replicate basic aspects of the human mind. 11/19/2009 5:07:41 PM

Woolly Mammoth dung unravels extinction The study sheds light on the ecological consequences of the extinction and the role that humans may have played. Many very large mammals including mammoths, mastodons, ground sloths and giant kangaroos inhabited forests in this area of North America about 20,000 years ago. 11/19/2009 12:24:59 PM

Affectionate cat distracts policeman (Video) A police department in Texas in the US has released footage of an over-affectionate cat distracting a policeman trying to issue a ticket to a motorist. The video, filmed by a camera in officer Keith Urban's patrol car, shows the cat crawling up his leg and then onto his head. 11/18/2009 4:36:23 PM

Surrey Pet Cemetary more valuable as housing development When her beloved cat Brittany died in early November, Gillian Eggert figured she would bury her beside her five other late animals at the site of the old B.C. Pet Cemetery in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey. Eggert, however, was shocked and saddened to see the site being prepared for development. 11/18/2009 9:52:58 AM

West Kelowna: Restless bear irritating There’s a bear in West Kelowna who won’t go to sleep. Although bears at higher elevations have likely already gone into hibernation for the winter, as long as they have ample food supplies, often they’re reluctant, says Conservation Officer Greg Kruger. 11/18/2009 9:21:46 AM

What laws? Owner of neglected sled dogs will not be charged The rescue of 97 sled dogs, living in filth and neglect and chained to the ground near Mont Tremblant, was carried out with the mutual agreement of the owner. The deal was that he gives up the animals, mostly huskies, and his name and location would not be revealed. (Ed: Why the hell do we have laws protecting animals if they are not enforced.) 11/17/2009 7:36:01 PM

Malnourished sled dogs rescued in rural Quebec Nearly 100 malnourished and tied-up sled dogs were rescued from a wooded rural area in Quebec on Tuesday. Officials with the Quebec SPCA received a tip about the dogs a week ago, and have been negotiating with the owner to gain access to the property ever since. 11/17/2009 1:34:57 PM

Australia: 'Clowns' clamber on to Crocodile trap TWO tourists have been photographed tempting fate as they pretend to ride a crocodile trap like cowboys at a popular tourist spot in the Territory. Park ranger and crocodile expert Garry Lindner said the behaviour of the men was absurd. 11/16/2009 6:28:59 PM

SPCA: Pictures with Santa and new website The Penticton and area SPCA presents Photos with Santa, November 28, from 11:00 till 2:00 p.m. at the Osoyoos Home Hardware, 8501 Main St, Osoyoos B.C. Come out, to this fun family event, to get your pet’s photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Santa. And check out the new website. See the pet pics. 11/16/2009 5:29:17 PM

Canadian's world-record buck could come up short For nearly 20 years, it's been a source of national pride among Canada's hunters. But the majestic animal, a white-tailed deer with the biggest antlers of their kind ever recorded in the world, may finally be dethroned. A Wisconsin bow hunter killed a "monster" deer earlier this month. 11/16/2009 3:25:15 PM

Idaho boy kills bear that wouldn’t leave porch An 11-year-old Idaho boy fatally shot a black bear on his family's front porch after he said it wouldn't leave. The boy was at his home near Driggs, just west of the Idaho-Wyoming border, with his younger sisters last Wednesday when the bear showed up. 11/16/2009 5:00:38 AM

Dog swims dangerous waters to leave new lighthouse home The wide open spaces of Trial Island might be paradise for most dogs, but one canine apparently found life at a lighthouse a little too quiet for his taste. the 10-year-old Labrador-shepherd cross, called Malcolm, dog-paddled his way back to Victoria through dangerous waters. 11/15/2009 6:49:25 PM

Permits needed for exotic pets If you have an exotic pet such as a bat-eared fox, grey-bellied night monkey or side-stripped jackal, you may want to take note: The permit phase for the province’s new regulations governing exotic animals is now underway. It’s unclear how many of these animals are currently in B.C. 11/15/2009 6:39:25 PM

BC Moose is first victim of Border Guards with guns Canada's newly armed border guards have claimed their first victim: a hapless moose. The incident in August — marking the first time a border-guard sidearm has been discharged on duty — occurred about 25 kilometres west of Creston, B.C. 11/15/2009 5:03:43 PM

Langley couple hires psychics to help find their missing dog A Langley couple has hired two American animal psychics to help find a missing four-legged mom. Nisga’a, a prized Coton de Tulear pooch, disappeared Nov. 9 while being walked by an international student staying with the couple. 11/15/2009 4:56:12 AM

Winnie the Pooh profits subject of legal battle The fictional offspring of the most famous animal in Canadian history -- a certain black bear named Winnipeg -- has landed at the centre of a renewed legal battle over profits from Winnie the Pooh merchandise sold in Canada and the U.S. since the 1960s. 11/13/2009 7:06:28 PM

Austalian woman leaves $3 million to stray cats IT WAS stray cats and dogs she loved, so in the end Daina Silins gave them her $3 million estate. The first sign she had died was when a neighbour's dog, which she used to feed, was found scratching at her door. She never married and never owned any animals, but animals were always on her mind. 11/13/2009 6:34:54 PM

Lucy, Edmonton's zoo elephant, to receive treatment The Edmonton elephant at the centre of a tug of war between the city and animal rights activists is getting some help. The Edmonton Valley Zoo says it has developed a treatment program for Lucy that focuses on improving her breathing capacity and addressing her arthritis. 11/13/2009 3:16:45 PM

BC Men accused of starving, hanging horse Two Vancouver Island men have been charged with animal cruelty after what the SPCA alleges was a horrific death for a horse. SPCA special constable Lynsay Bailey says the incident happened on a property in Brentwood Bay, northwest of Victoria, B.C. 11/13/2009 10:31:05 AM

Prize Canadian cow sells for $1.2M A three-year-old cow bred on P.E.I. has sold at auction for $1.2 million. The cow eventually ended up in Ponoka, Alta., at Morsan Farms Ltd. "She's the most valuable young cow in the world right now," said Bloyce Thompson. 11/13/2009 5:02:29 AM