The Herald's science writer Jamie Morton on this week's scientific breakthroughs.

If AgResearch were to disappear from the face of the earth, there would hardly be a ripple in New Zealand agriculture, writes Dick Wilkins. This is a tragedy, and the only solution is to disband AgResearch as we know it.

An experienced big cat keeper who had worked with the woman killed in a tiger attack at Hamilton Zoo thinks the animal should be moved overseas.

From Tongariro, the chick's dad is called "Little Moa", and its sibling is still in the incubation room and getting close to hatching as well.

An invasive species of ants has been discovered to carry a virus linked to the deaths of honey bees.

With Herald science writer Jamie Morton @jamienzherald.

Experts believe a sharp rise in seals coming ashore around New Zealand's coastline is a sign of their gradual recovery from human hunting in the past.

Being neurotic can mean constant worry - but amid all of that gloom lies some pretty powerful bursts of creativity.

Orang-utans are semi-socialised, semi-wild. They can be spooked easily. We shouldn't be surprised one attacked a Kiwi tourist.

History tells us how Bavarians innovated what now makes up 94 per cent of the world's beer market after noticing how beer stored in caves over the winter continued to ferment, creating a lighter and smoother drop.

We know Darwinian selection has shaped the evolution of humans and all other natural species - but could it apply to robots?

Watching tropical fish swim around a tank, it can seem like they don't have a care in the world.

Rising sea levels are likely to prove a "turtle disaster" and people power may be required to ensure their survival, Queensland scientists have found.

Not only is our quirky national bird flightless - it's also colour blind.

New research suggests you have little hope of keeping mosquitos at bay, with scientists describing their hunting strategy as "annoyingly robust."

This year’s Cook Strait Whale Survey counted 137 humpback whales, its highest tally in its 12 years and an encouraging indication their numbers are increasing in New Zealand. The annual four-week Department of Conservation survey, which ended on July 11, also broke its record for the highest number of humpbacks seen in a day with 27 spotted on Sunday June 21.

Scientists have discovered at least two species of sharks living in an underwater volcano near the Solomon Islands.

Scientists have uncovered fascinating new insights about the commuting habits of Antarctic killer whales.

Earth has entered its sixth mass extinction with animals dying out at 100 times the normal rate, scientists have warned.

A study led by the Zoological Society of London has pinpointed an unlikely saviour for the stitchbird species - nest-hopping Casanovas.

A stroppy little penguin was glad to waddle back to his home among the shoreline rocks at Mt Maunganui this morning.

The incredible travels of a hefty great white shark named Pip are helping scientists rewrite the book on everything we thought we knew about the feared species.

Dancing, singing, and, er, peeing on yourself - it's all part of the playbook if you're a native short-tailed bat looking to get lucky with the ladies.

Conservationists say they'll probably never know what caused barracuda to maul dozens of endangered yellow-eyed penguins this year.

Last year, 9838 possums were killed throughout New Zealand and checked for tuberculosis, all turning up clean.

They have already shown that they enjoy tea parties, so it should perhaps come as no surprise they are also intelligent enough to understand cooking.

A Wellington Zoo staff member has travelled to Colombia to help a local conservation group care for endangered primates.

A new warning has sounded for the world’s smallest dolphin, with a New Zealand researcher now reporting there are less than 50 Maui’s dolphins left.

What happens when you lock one of New Zealand's most hated predators up with two other notorious killers?

Forget The Bachelor - it's a tiny crab that takes the cake for the ultimate act of courtship.