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Animals

Animals
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Animals. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
An employee force-feeds a duck at a farm in New York state in the US. A German-Danish research team has presented a method to produce a foie-gras-like pâté without the painful force-feeding but which tastes the same as if the ducks and geese had been force-fed, they say. Photo: AFP
Food and Drinks

Foie gras without cruel force-feeding but tastes the same? Scientists do it

A research team says its alternative foie-gras-like pâté made without painful force-feeding is indistinguishable from the regular product.

Trending in China

Ex-China athlete raises buffalo in China rental home, keeps it secret from landlord

Hong Kong society

Stiffer Hong Kong penalties helping to fight illegal wildlife trade: authorities

Indonesia

Rats and rubbish mar Indonesia’s vision of a futuristic new capital

Indonesia’s US$32 billion dream of a green new capital at Nusantara is facing an early challenge: a surge in rats fuelled by tourist trash.

Videos of rodents darting through crowds in Nusantara have been making the rounds on Indonesian social media in recent days. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Viral dashcam footage captures roadside panther attack in Malaysia

‘I keep having nightmares’, said the 54-year-old father of two who warded off the big cat using a water bottle.

Trending in China

China court auctions 100 tonnes of live crocodiles for US$550,000, no delivery

Enormous reptile sale sparks much amusement on social media after China’s ‘Crocodile God’ defaults, court liquidates ‘scary’ assets.

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Cambodia

‘Hardworking’ rat sniffs out world record for detecting landmines in Cambodia

Ronin, an African pouched rat, set a world by detecting 109 landmines in Cambodia.

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A landmine-hunting rat in Cambodia has set a new world record by sniffing out more than 100 mines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. Photo: AFP/Apopo
Music

How ‘cheap trick’ helps monkeys yodel better than humans

Human yodellers can switch up and down an octave, but monkeys have a 3½-octave range. Researchers have just discovered why that is.

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Thailand

Amid tragedy, rescue dogs offer hope to Bangkok earthquake victims’ families

Rescuers have brought in 11 dogs to search for signs of life and to provide emotional support for victims’ loved ones.

Wellness

Meet the Irish farmer using alpacas for animal therapy for the elderly

With their ‘huge brown eyes’, camelid therapy animals ease anxiety among nursing home residents and those with special needs, farmer says.

Joe Phelan feeds some of his herd on his alpaca farm near Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Reuters
Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong police suspect cruelty after 2 cats allegedly fall from height, 1 dead

Force says it received report early on Friday from security guard at Tin Heng Estate in Tin Shui Wai.

A blurred picture of one of the cats suspected to have been dropped from height at an estate in Tin Shui Wai. Photo: Handout
Crime in Hong Kong

Snakes in the mail: Hong Kong police probe parcel with 10 reptiles for Australia

Logistics company alerted police after discovering lizards and snakes inside package during X-ray.

Japan

There’s a rat in my soup! Dead rodent hurts Japan restaurant chain’s stock price

Zensho Holdings, which operates the Sukiya chain, saw its shares fall as much as 7.1 per cent after it revealed the grisly discovery.

Pets

US woman drowned dog in airport bathroom after being denied boarding: police

Tywinn the miniature schnauzer’s body was found in the trash, while cameras showed the owner leaving the toilet before getting on her plane.

Surveillance footage shows the woman and her nine-year-old schnauzer, Tywinn, at Orlando International Airport. Photo: Orlando Police Department
New Zealand

Fin-tastic: world’s ugliest animal wins New Zealand’s fish of the year

The quirky deep-sea blobfish beat the orange roughy to claim the honour.

Photo: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Indonesia

Can Jakarta’s ‘cat island’ boost tourism and solve its stray cat problem?

Jakarta’s innovative “cat island” plan aims to solve its stray cat crisis, promote tourism and establish a safe feline haven.

Trending in China

Chinese pet cloning charges up to US$52,000, raises ethical and health concerns

As people’s attachment to pets grows in China more people are forking out large amounts of cash to replicate dead ‘fur babies’.

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France

Hunter on trial in France for killing endangered bear

Boar hunter Andre Rives says he acted in self-defence when a mother bear attacked him in the Pyrenees in 2021.

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A brown bear in a wood near Melles, in the French Pyrenees mountains. File photo: Pays de l’Ours via AFP
Mexico

Mexico City bans violent bullfighting, sparking outrage and celebration

Mexico City, home to the world’s biggest bullring, prohibits the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects that could injure animals.

Pacific nations

Scientists think they’ve finally figured out how iguanas got to Fiji

Most modern-day iguanas live in the Americas – thousands of miles and one giant ocean away from the collection of remote Pacific islands.

Hong Kong transport

MTR Corp notes ‘worries about odour, health issues on pet-friendly rides’

Meeting attendees suggested limiting pet sizes to 20kg and designating train compartments as solutions to concerns.

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The rail giant last week said it was considering allowing passengers to bring small animals on trains. Photo: Sam Tsang
Indonesia

‘What else can we do?’ Indonesia has more crocodile attacks than anywhere else

Indonesia recorded nearly 180 crocodile attacks last year, with 92 fatalities. Some say palm-oil plantations are making the problem worse.

Crocodiles in Budong-Budong, Indonesia’s West Sulawesi Island. Photo: AP
United States

US jails Chinese man for smuggling ‘status symbol’ turtles to Hong Kong

Tin Sai-keung was sentenced to nearly three years in jail for smuggling the protected species, coveted by China’s middle class, out of the US.

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Australia

US influencer who snatched baby wombat in Australia apologises

Sam Jones, who sparked outrage with a video showing her running from the mother wombat with a joey in her hands, has left the country.

Trending in China

Man in China tortures cat to death, only gets a fine, detention, sparks outrage

‘Mentally ill’ man stamps on helpless feline, breaks animal’s legs and gouges its eyes out, sparks wave of anger on social media.

A man in China who tortured a cat to death has been detained after his actions sparked a wave of social media anger. Photo: SCMP composite/RedNote/Douyin
Fame and celebrity

Gene Hackman’s dog probably died of dehydration and starvation, report says

The actor, wife Betsy Arakawa and their kelpie mix, Zinna, were found dead in the couple’s home in Santa Fe.

US actor Gene Hackman holds the Cecile B. DeMille Award at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills in January 2003. Photo: AFP
India

Man’s best friend celebrates Holi, the festival of colours

Holi is celebrated by smearing each other with brightly coloured powder, dancing and feasting on traditional confectionery.

Fame and celebrity

Who is ex-NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw’s second daughter, Erin Bradshaw?

Born to the sports commentator and third wife Charla Hopkins, Erin has an elder sister, Rachel and a stepsister, Lacey – her Texas ranch was recently hit by a lethal tornado.

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