Latest fromPets & Animals

'Swat team' to rescue whales
A "swat team" of whale rescue experts has undertaken an intensive three-day course in freeing whales that have become tangled in ropes and nets.

White kiwi wins hearts
The third white kiwi chick to hatch at Pukaha Mt Bruce may not be making international headlines, but was gathering its own fans at a public feeding this week.

Antarctic hero's 'ill fated' calls
For the past century, since heading the first Australian-led Antarctic expedition, Sir Douglas Mawson has been considered a national hero.

Catriona MacLennan: NZ can drive ending of animal testing
"Why doesn't NZ take a bold step and complement its clean, green image by becoming the first country in the world to ban testing on animals?" asks Catriona MacLennan.

Dogs can drive: here's proof
Three SPCA dogs are learning how to drive in a bid to change public perception on the intelligence of rescue dogs.

Teaching dogs to drive
Auckland SPCA dogs Monty, Porter and Ginny are learning to drive. Video courtesy of SPCA/Driving Dogs

Editorial: Endangering animals for recreational gain repellent
Editorial: The use of animals in such a context should not win the approval of the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee.

Party pills tested on animals
Party pills will be tested on animals before they are allowed to be sold because "human safety is ... paramount", Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne says.

Pro-surfer's epic paddle
Pro-surfer Dave Rastovich was here to help save the threatened Maui's dolphin, but in the end it was them who helped him.

No charges laid for 'handog'
No charges will be laid against a man who horrified dozens of drivers by carrying his dog like a huge handbag while walking on a main road.

Zoo celebrates 90 years
Auckland Zoo is celebrating its 90th birthday with an invitation to others over the age of 90.

Swimmers delighted by dolphins
The antics of dolphins off the beach at Thorne Bay put smiles on faces but when a couple of swimmers ducked below the surface a big surprise awaited.

Shark takes long way home
A shark that swam from New Zealand to Fiji has returned home for Christmas, rounding off an 11,000km odyssey and amazing the scientists who tracked her journey.

Man gored by longhorn cattle beast
A man who was gored by a longhorn cattle beast, which lifted him into the air several times with its horn lodged in his stomach, is in a stable condition.

Poachers kill park wildlife
Wild birds including ducks, geese and pheasants are being poached from public parks in Auckland and being turned into dinner.

Man attacked by cow
A man attacked by a longhorn cattle beast has been flown to hospital by the Palmerston North Rescue helicopter with serious stomach and chest injuries.

Animal stress not in Hobbit script
The volcanoes of Mordor are erupting right on cue for the Hobbit premiere, but animals have been the problem.

NZ legally challenges Japanese whaling
New Zealand has joined Australia in questioning the validity of Japan's whaling for scientific purposes in the Southern Ocean, says MP Murray McCully.

Rare bird eggs found on beach
Two rare birds have laid eggs at Wairarapa's Riversdale Beach and a temporary fence has been built to protect them.

Charlie goes to the dentist
Visit to dentist proves labour-intensive operation for Auckland Zoo's oldest male orang-utan.