Meet Benjamin Button, Taylor Swift’s cat and star of her Harris endorsement
Benjamin Button, one of Swift’s three cats, grabs the spotlight in the social media post signed “Childless Cat Lady.” Her felines are cult figures to Swifties.
By Frances Vinall
A city fires an officer charged with animal abuse after his K-9 died
The Savannah, Mo., Board of Aldermen voted to terminate Police Lt. Daniel Zeigler, whose K-9 Horus died in June of overheating inside Zeigler’s police SUV.
By Jonathan Edwards
Shark biologists stumble into a deep-sea murder mystery
Porbeagle sharks aren’t known to have predators, but a new study says it recorded the first instance of the species being preyed upon by another massive shark.
By Kyle Melnick
Beloved whale suspected of spying for Russia was shot to death, activists say
Hvaldimir the beluga won hearts in Norway’s coastal communities after showing up wearing a harness that read “Equipment St. Petersburg.”
By Jonathan Edwards
Water buffalo escapes slaughter, evades police, becomes local celebrity
“Let him be free! He’s cheated death at least twice! He’s earned it!” wrote a business owner in a Facebook group dedicated to PHill’s whereabouts.
By Sydney Page
Hvaldimir, beloved beluga whale and alleged Russian spy, found dead
The beluga whale was found in Norway wearing a St. Petersburg-marked harness, prompting speculation that he was a Russian intelligence asset.
By Leo Sands
Abandoned walrus calf is ‘ginormous puppy,’ getting 24/7 care in Alaska
“It’s overwhelming how cute she is,” said zoological specialist Denise Higginbotham. “She warmed up immediately to anyone who cozied up next to her.”
By Cathy Free
Two elephants at Ohio zoo will welcome calves by the same father
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is thrilled that two baby elephants will arrive in 2025.
By Amber Ferguson
Bat dog has disastrous minor league baseball debut (but is still a good girl)
“We were mortified,” said Andrew Davis, Lucy May’s owner. “It was chaotic. …We were worried we were going to be escorted out of the ballpark that night.”
By Sydney Page
Marmoset monkeys call each other by name, study suggests
Marmoset monkeys use a high-pitched “phee call” to name other monkeys, one of a short list of animals known to deploy names.
By Carolyn Y. Johnson
Namibia to cull elephants, zebras for their meat during major drought
The southern African country plans to distribute the meat of hundreds of animals, including hippos and antelopes, to support relief efforts.
By Victoria Bisset
After dog breeder’s suspicious death, officials search for missing litter
A Colorado sheriff’s office said finding the expensive European Dobermans bred by Paul Peavey could “solve his homicide.”
By Kyle Melnick
‘Worst nightmare’ venomous sea worms washing up on Texas shores, scientists say
Heading to the beach? Pack duct tape and vinegar for the bristle worm that, if touched, makes people feel like they’re on fire.
By Ben Brasch
Dog charms construction worker, is adopted after years of neglect
“Seeing him that day, it was just meant to be,” said Richard Smith, who adopted King after seeing the dog amble by the construction site.
By Cathy Free
Endangered lynx makes its first appearance in Vermont in years
A rare and endangered wild cat, the Canada lynx, was spotted in Vermont for the first time since 2018.
By Amber Ferguson
A same-sex penguin pair captured hearts. After one died, the other sang.
Sphen and Magic raised two chicks at an Australian aquarium, increased awareness about rainbow families and inspired a float at the Sydney Mardi Gras Pride parade.
By Rachel Pannett
A popular nature park was trampled by overuse. Dogs came to the rescue.
“People were loving our urban nature reserve to death,” said Dylan Walker, manager of an English the restoration project that used dogs to seed the ground.
By Cathy Free
Parrot is ‘attention hog’ and smart as human toddler, owners say
Apollo, a Guinness World Record holder, identifies objects, colors and some numbers. He can distinguish among glass, metal and paper.
By Sydney Page
Why do so many pelicans keep dropping dead in California?
A significant die-off of brown pelicans in California has scientists searching for answers.
By Dino Grandoni
Rare ‘doomsday’ oarfish emerges off San Diego coast, exciting scientists
Oarfish live in the deep sea and can grow to more than 30 feet long. The silvery fish are rarely seen by humans, and thought to be a source of sea monster legends.
By Adela Suliman