Animal and Pets News Headlines - Yahoo! News

India Declares Open Season on Tiger Poachers

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:24:36 -0400

The world's "most dangerous game" is on. A state in western India has given its forest rangers permission to shoot poachers on sight in an effort to curb poaching of tigers and other endangered wildlife.

'Sleeping Dogs' trailer offers 101 in triad infiltration

Fri, 25 May 2012 08:16:50 -0400

Cars, money, fashion and kung-fu about in the latest trailer for Sleeping Dogs, Square Enix's August release for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC.

A Brief History of Popular Culture's Bad Idea Pets

Thu, 24 May 2012 12:15:04 -0400

A story going this week about hundreds of Harry Potter fans abandoning the pet owls they foolishly adopted provides us with opportunity to revisit an important lesson: Stop adopting animals because they looked cute in a movie! Just don't do it. Owls, as it turns out, are just the latest animals to be victim to over-eager fans of a pop culture craze. We've assembled a brief history of the pet-flings that went wrong over the years, leading to mass pet abandonment. ...

Device May Let Humans Communicate With Dolphins

Thu, 24 May 2012 11:45:10 -0400

A new dolphin speaker device could one day help us talk with these remarkably intelligent life forms, scientists say.

Scientists find new sensory organ in whales

Wed, 23 May 2012 13:03:46 -0400

Biologists on Wednesday reported they had discovered a new sensory organ on blue, humpback, minke and fin whales that helps explain why these mammals are so huge.

Doggy couch surfing? Website has lodging for dogs

Wed, 23 May 2012 08:50:47 -0400

When you travel and have to leave your dog behind, you can call a kennel, hire a pet sitter — or find him a new friend online.

Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd Win Dancing With The Stars

Wed, 23 May 2012 02:12:45 -0400

They called it "the most competitive season" ever on "Dancing with the Stars," but on Tuesday night, just one pair was good enough for Season 14 mirrorball glory.

Donald Driver & Peta Murgatroyd Win Dancing With The Stars

Wed, 23 May 2012 02:12:45 -0400

They called it "the most competitive season" ever on "Dancing with the Stars," but on Tuesday night, just one pair was good enough for Season 14 mirrorball glory.

Rights group aims to stop killing of Canada GMO pigs

Tue, 22 May 2012 15:23:17 -0400

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - A U.S. animal rights group hopes to save a herd of genetically modified pigs from early deaths after funding dried up for a Canadian research project that has stoked controversy about altering animal genes to produce food. Possible euthanization of the nine so-called Enviropigs, descendants of swine first bred 13 years ago by the University of Guelph in Ontario to lessen the environmental impact of pig waste, has drawn opposition from Farm Sanctuary, a New York state-based group that places abused animals in new homes. ...

Why Dogs' Origins Are Still Mysterious

Tue, 22 May 2012 07:39:02 -0400

Humans' close relationship to dogs has so far obscured their history so much that it's not yet possible to use genetic data to tease out the details of their domestication, new research indicates.

'Grandpa' fights for Bulgarian zoo's survival

Tue, 22 May 2012 03:03:26 -0400

"Come babe, come to grandpa. Don't be afraid," Behcet Ali coos as he handfeeds two eight-month-old lion cubs at his tiny zoo in the sleepy northeastern Bulgarian town of Razgrad.

Unmanned Aircraft Could Help Solve Sea Lion Decline Mystery

Mon, 21 May 2012 11:27:13 -0400

Since the 1970s, populations of Steller sea lions have dramatically declined in the western Aleutian Islands of Alaska, where they are protected under the Endangered Species Act. What exactly is responsible for the downturn is unknown, and is especially confounding given that sea lion populations to the southeast and in Russia are on the rise.

Gorilla patriarch of Columbus Zoo surrogacy program dies

Sat, 19 May 2012 17:53:36 -0400

CLEVELAND (Reuters) - A gorilla known for being the patriarch of a renowned gorilla surrogacy program at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio died on Friday at an estimated age of 47, the zoo said. The popular gorilla, Mumbah, was eating breakfast with his family when he collapsed, the zoo said in a statement. The animal care team was unable to resuscitate him. Mumbah was born in equatorial Africa around 1965 and brought to the Columbus zoo from England in 1984. He was well past a male gorilla's average life expectancy of 31 years. ...

Cannes photo of the day: Wildlife on the Croisette

Sat, 19 May 2012 02:16:17 -0400

Friday afternoon, some of the cast of Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, the animated family film presented out of competition, were present for a photocall on the Croisette. David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jessica Chastain as well as Chris Rock and Ben Stiller tried to hold their own and not be overshadowed by the movie's 'star,' Alex the lion.

California chefs in stew over foie gras ban

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:36:19 -0400

A simmering row between animal rights campaigners and a handful of California's top chefs is coming to the boil, ahead of a looming ban on foie gras in the western US state.

Deceptive Chimp Hides Ammo, Blasts Unsuspecting Zoo Visitors

Fri, 18 May 2012 12:16:40 -0400

A chimp that creates hiding places for rocks he throws at zoo visitors reveals for the first time that humanity's closest living relatives can plan to deceive, researchers say.

California chefs in a stew over foie gras ban

Fri, 18 May 2012 07:12:49 -0400

A simmering row between animal rights campaigners and a handful of California's top chefs is coming to the boil, ahead of a looming ban on foie gras in the western US state.

Oklahoma park accused of letting kids play with tigers

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:37:39 -0400

OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - The Humane Society of the United States is accusing an Oklahoma exotic animal park of allowing children to handle and pose for photographs with juvenile tigers in what they called "a petting zoo for carnivores." Joe Schreibvogel, owner of the G.W. Exotic Animal Park, 65 miles south of Oklahoma City, denies the allegations, and he said on Thursday that the humane society simply wants to bankrupt him. Wayne Pacelle, head of the animal rights organization, contends that allowing visitors to handle the unpredictable felines placed the visitors at risk. ...

Startling Birth Control Ad for Pets

Wed, 16 May 2012 16:11:43 -0400

Parents of teens know that at that certain age they can’t avoid having the dreaded “sex talk” with their kids, but what about with their pets? What if pet owners started thinking of their pets as their teens when it comes to avoiding pregnancy?...

Zoo-like Cannes opens with Anderson's 'Moonrise'

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:43:03 -0400

The sunbaked Cannes Film Festival got under way with Wes Anderson's "Moonrise Kingdom," whose carefully composed whimsy stood in stark contrast to the zoo-like atmosphere at the annual French Riviera extravaganza.

Whales Adjust Their Hearing Sensitivity

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:05:08 -0400

When warned of a loud noise, a false killer whale reduced its hearing sensitivity in anticipation of the sound. Sophie Bushwick reports

Senior living centers across US accept more pets

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:03:04 -0400

Shirlee and Nathan "Nick" Horowitz faced one serious health crisis after another before their doctor said they had to move into an assisted living center. They had only one condition — they weren't going anywhere without their dog.

Giraffes die from stress as vandals terrorise Polish zoo

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:09:37 -0400

Two giraffes at a zoo in central Poland's Lodz died of stress after unidentified vandals went on a night-time rampage, the zoo's management said Monday.

Paradise for Manchester City, England's new top dogs

Mon, 14 May 2012 05:30:25 -0400

LONDON (Reuters) - England woke up to a new name on the Premier League trophy on Monday, while thousands of Manchester City fans rose with sore heads and smiles on their faces, after the most gripping title race for more than 20 years ended in almost surreal fashion. City's remarkable comeback in stoppage time to beat Queens Park Rangers 3-2 amid scenes of delirium at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday meant they edged out Manchester United on goal difference to win their first title for 44 years. ...

Eastern rattlesnake slithers closer to U.S. endangered list

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:16:27 -0400

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters) - The eastern diamondback rattlesnake, North America's largest venomous snake, may need its own antidote. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering adding the reptile to the Endangered Species List to restrict its hunting, killing and sale. "We are going to do our best to keep these beautiful animals on the planet with us," said Dan Everson, Deputy Field Supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service in Alabama. The service on Wednesday approved further study on the declining numbers of the snake species. ...

Kenyan ranches relocating rhinos in fear of poachers

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:01:21 -0400

Claus Mortensen is a private Kenyan rancher with a passion -- endangered rhinos -- and now a mission: to save his herd from slaughter by ruthless poachers who sell their horns to Asia, where they are prized as a miracle drug.

Peru says 5,000 birds, nearly 900 dolphins dead

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:16:14 -0400

The Peruvian government said Wednesday that 5,000 birds, mostly pelicans, and nearly 900 dolphins have died off the country's northern coast, possibly due to rising temperatures in Pacific waters.

Robin Roberts, Death Stars, and Carp Dogs

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:22:00 -0400

We respect and value the social media editors who share the links that make our job easier. But sometimes, we have no idea what they are talking about. So after a long day spent staring at Twitter, we're sharing our favorites.

Al Qaeda Bombmaker Designs Bombs to Hide in Cameras, Hard Drives and Pets

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:54:18 -0400

Ibrahim al-Asiri Is Expert at Getting Bombs Past Security Screening, Say Officials

Iceland tax ruling could spare giant whales

Wed, 09 May 2012 12:56:08 -0400

A dispute over an abolished tax rebate for whalers means there will likely be no fin whale hunt off Iceland this year, the head of the only company that catches the giant whales said Wednesday.

Kidney disease a leading killer in cats

Tue, 08 May 2012 17:41:31 -0400

It's one of the leading causes of death for cats, but there is no cure and no known cause: kidney disease.

Mysterious Mass Deaths Claim Dolphins & Pelicans

Tue, 08 May 2012 15:41:39 -0400

Nearly 900 dead dolphins have washed up on the beaches of northern Peru since February. Autopsies have revealed air bubbles and blood in their sinuses, indicating they suffered from "the bends," or decompression sickness, after a panicked, rapid ascent to the ocean's surface. If this is the case, what is spooking so many dolphins, and is that why they died?

Endangered wolves at NY preserve produce 8 pups

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:35:40 -0400

Eight rare Mexican wolf pups have been born at a preserve in the New York City suburbs, a development that could aid the federal program that has reintroduced the endangered species to the wild.

Croatia wildlife centre gets by on love and a pittance

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:00:33 -0400

ZAGREB (Reuters) - From afar, the rare visitor can see only the big cages covered with green nets that blend in with the lush local vegetation of hilly northwest Croatia. It is only when you come closer that you hear the flapping of wings, the screams of hawks and buzzards and the yelping and growling of 11 dogs that watch over the Centre for Protection of Wild Animals. The centre, one of only two in Croatia that cater for both birds and mammals, is run by a single man on meager government funding -- a feat that regularly impresses his wealthier colleagues from the European Union. ...

Stress of war prompts soldiers to take Afghan dogs home

Fri, 04 May 2012 07:34:21 -0400

KABUL (Reuters) - Spot made the clandestine journey from the Afghan Taliban stronghold of Helmand to the capital Kabul, where he is undergoing medical treatment before moving to the United States to live with the family of the Marine who rescued him. His ears clipped and tail severed from his days as a fighting dog, the surprisingly docile ginger and white mutt is one of hundreds being adopted in increasing numbers by foreign soldiers, who pay vast sums to take their new pets home. ...

Valuable art recovered in Alaska wildlife trafficking case

Fri, 04 May 2012 01:04:40 -0400

(Reuters) - Federal prosecutors are seeking to take control of five paintings - one valued at up to $50,000 - seized in one of Alaska's biggest wildlife-trafficking cases in recent years. Prosecutors said they hope to ultimately return the paintings to their rightful owners. The paintings were found during last year's prosecution of two Alaskans, Jesse Leboeuf and Loretta Sternbach, who pleaded guilty in July to wildlife trafficking and weapons charges. ...

Bob Barker opens new area at Chimp Haven

Thu, 03 May 2012 11:42:10 -0400

Retired game-show host and animal rights advocate Bob Barker is opening a new area for five HIV-infected chimpanzees at a sanctuary in northwestern Louisiana.

Bunking with cats, inmates learn value of teamwork

Thu, 03 May 2012 10:36:16 -0400

When Princess Natalie was still a kitten, before she was prison royalty, she was left in a cage with another cat for months. They were fed, given water and not much else.

Norway whalers take first whales of hunting season: official

Wed, 02 May 2012 12:13:33 -0400

Norwegian whale hunters have harpooned the first three whales of the year, nearly a month after the controversial hunting season began, the country's Fishermen's Sales Organisation said Wednesday.

Dolphins Help Fishermen Catch Fish

Tue, 01 May 2012 19:11:58 -0400

A visitor might stumble upon a strange sight in Laguna, Brazil, if they went down to the shore. Here, the local fishermen rely on dolphins to help them with their yearly fish catch.