A feathery find in the rubble of central Christchurch has become a small symbol of hope for an earthquake-ravaged city.

The Canterbury SPCA has taken in more than 150 pets from people displaced by the earthquake and has promised to care for them until they can be taken back.

The Soil and Health Association is backing calls by the Green Party for a parliamentary inquiry into failed genetic experiments on animals.

Hihi - otherwise known as stitchbirds - may well be New Zealand's most interesting birds.

The Japanese whaling fleet appears to have called an early end to its whaling season in Antarctica, a move which conservationists tentatively say could spell an end to whaling in the Southern Ocean.

A baby seal which was attacked in West Auckland on Monday night has been put down.

The mysterious and totally unauthorised neutering of pedigree cat Buddy has infuriated his Tauranga owner, who can no longer lease him out as a stud cat.

A baby fur seal found brutally beaten in a west Auckland stream is now recovering at Auckland Zoo. DOC is prosecuting two men over the attack. Photos / Auckland Zoo

The Department of Conservation has confirmed it will lay charges over a brutal attack on a baby seal in a west Auckland stream. Two men were allegedly seen bashing the mammal with a boat oar last night.

Department of Conservation officers say they are "saddened" by what appears to be a brutal attack on a baby seal.

A Rotorua woman had to put down her 2-month-old kitten after finding it injured in an apparent hanging outside her home.