Animals

UPDATEDAnimals
, , An exuberant gorilla at Werribee Open Range Zoo is challenging the common belief that this species avoids the rain – and he’s making quite a splash doing it., , , The 25-year-old silverback, Ganyeka, has been filmed on discreet keeper cameras enthusiastically enjoying the rain, putting a cheeky spin on the classic phrase ‘singing in the rain’. Picture: Zoos Victoria

Gorilla caught playing in the rain

Discreetly placed cameras have captured the wonderful moment a gorilla decided to let loose and play in the rain after his brother took shelter from the wet weather. Watch the funny footage here

Animals
Valerie the Dachshund turns three! Picture: The Paws Room

Happy Birthday! Valerie turns three

She’s the mischievous pup who captured the world’s attention after spending 529 days missing on a Kangaroo Island – now Valerie is celebrating back home with her big 3rd birthday bash

Animals
Artist impression of Diamantinasaurus matildae (Judy). Picture: Travis Tischler

Dino’s dinner studied from fossils

The last meal of a sauropod that roamed the earth 95 million years ago has been identified from fossilised remains using advanced geothermal analysis. So what did the giant dinosaur eat?

VIDEOAnimals
LION CUBS DEBUT AT DUBBO ZOO, , Three lion cubs have officially made their public debut at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo., , The cubs, the third litter born to mum Marion and dad Lwazi, have been gradually introduced to their father and siblings over the past couple of months., , They have now had a chance to explore the Lion Pride Lands habitat, which Keeper Bridget Kaitler said had been a real treat for those guests lucky enough to get a glimpse of them in the last week., , “It’s been really nice to see all three cubs out with their family, and it has been especially nice to see that our visitors love watching them just as much as we do,” Bridget said., , “Guests can now see our lions playing with each other and the cubs learning lots of stalking behaviours. You’ll see the older sisters stalking the cubs, and they stalk their older sisters as well., , “It’s also great to see their interactions with their dad Lwazi. They are so obsessed with him, wherever he goes they follow him and want to jump all over him and get in his tail and his mane.”, , The cubs’ birth brought the lion population at Taronga Western Plains Zoo to 11, with 9 in the main pride including the newest cubs, their parents and their big sisters Amali, Imani, Mara and Zawadi., , Sub-adult males Bahati and Jabari, born as part of Marion and Lwazi’s second litter in October 2023, have now moved away from the pride to form their own bachelor coalition., , In the wild, male lions leave their pride as they reach sexual maturity, a natural safeguard to maintain genetic diversity. The young males form coalitions, and then either form their own pride or live out their lives as bachelors., , “We took our cues from the lions themselves,” Bridget said., , “When we were doing those cub introductions, we saw some signs from Marion and the oldest sisters that it was time for the boys to make their own way., , “We made the decision to separate the boys so they’re now a bachelor group.”, , The best time to see the cubs is between 10:30am and 3pm daily on the smaller of the Zoo’s two Lion Pride Lands habitats., , Brothers Bahati and Jabari can be seen on the largest Lion Pride Lands habitat, where guests can enter the lions’ den on board the Zoo’s purpose-built Pride Lands Patrol truck.

Cute cubs surprise zoo visitors

Three fiery furballs have put on quite a show during their public debut at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo. See what the lion pride’s newest additions got up to in front of delighted visitors

VIDEOAnimals
In this photo provided by San Diego Humane Society, a bear cub, which was found alone in Los Padres National Forest, lays on top of a teddy bear at the San Diego Human Society Ramona Wildlife Center on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, in Ramona, Calif. (San Diego Humane Society via AP)

Bear cub’s carers wear costumes

One wildlife team has a novel approach: wearing bear suits to help build trust and familiarity while mimicking maternal behaviours but could the cub get too attached? TAKE THE POLL

Kids news HP promo
POLLAnimals
Sydney Zoo is deeply saddened to confirm the recent loss of two bull sharks in their aquarium. Picture: Sydney Zoo

Two sharks die at Australian zoo

Animal lovers have reacted with sadness after two bull sharks died at Sydney Zoo as some questioned whether such large fish species should even be confined to tanks – what do you think?

Animals
Tim Faulkner managing director Aussie Ark rescuing a Tasmanian devil from flood waters that have inundated Aussie Ark home to the largest mainland breeding program of Tasmanian devils located at Barrington Tops New South Wales.  Picture: Aussie Ark

Tassie devils safe in NSW floods

Aussie Ark wildlife sanctuary was struck by floodwaters in the NSW crisis but its population of 200 endangered Tasmanian devils is safe and well after heroic efforts by staff and first responders

Environment
Algal bloom along Kangaroo Island’s north coast. Picture: RAD KI

Algal bloom causing ocean crisis

Rising sea temperatures and unseasonably dry weather have created a ‘bushfire in the ocean’ of toxic algae suffocating sea dragons, fish and even sharks. But how can it be stopped?

VIDEOJust for Fun
Kids News only, do not use. These two dogs cleaned the house while their owner was away. They picked up cushions from the floor and placed them back on the bed, closed open drawers, shut toilet seats, cleaned the bathtub and windows, put garbage into a bag, swept the floor, arranged crockery in the kitchen, and even hung socks out to dry in the backyard. Copyright: This asset – including all text, audio and imagery – is provided by Jukin Media. Reuters Connect has not verified or endorsed the material, which is being made available to professional media customers to facilitate the free flow of global news and information.Picture: screengrab/Jukin Media via Reuters Connect

Adorable dogs on clean up duty

‘Many hands make light work’ but in the case of these two household helpers, it’s the paws taking care of all the chores – do you think these doggies deserve a tasty treat? TAKE OUR POLL

VIDEOAnimals
The veterinary and zookeeping teams at Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo are currently hand-rearing a Cheetah cub delivered via c-section at the Zoo’s Wildlife Hospital in February. These pictures are at 7 weeks old. Picture: Taronga Western Plains Zoo,

Meet a miracle cheetah cub cutie

This tiny cheetah cub survived a traumatic premature birth thanks to an emergency caesarean section. Watch the adorable video of her drinking from a bottle at just two weeks of age

Animals
Baby saltwater crocodile found in Zuccoli pool. Picture: Facebook

Crocs in swimming pool surprise

Two crocodiles in 48 hours were plucked from separate suburbs in Australia’s Top End as the roving young reptiles decided to cool off in a couple of backyard pools – would you take the plunge?

VIDEOAnimals
What do you think of this kitten-in-a-cup - is it cute or cruel? Picture: screengrab/Newsflare via Reuters Connect. Copyright: This asset – including all text, audio and imagery – is provided by Newsflare. Reuters Connect has not verified or endorsed the material, which is being made available to professional media customers to facilitate the free flow of global news and information.

Cat carried inside cup in Vietnam

Footage of a sweet little kitten in Vietnam sitting squashed in a see-through cup seems funny at first glance – but is it cute or cruel? SEE THE VIDEO AND TAKE OUR KIDS NEWS POLL

Animals
Valerie the missing sausage dog on KI. Picture: Supplied

Lost for 529 days, dog is reunited

Alone and lost on Kangaroo Island for 529 days, Valerie the miniature dachshund has finally been reunited with her overjoyed owners after winning her rescuers’ hearts 

Animals
DAILY TELEGRAPH. APRIL 30, 2025. 
Pictured are the next litter of puppies destined to become assistance dogs and transform peoplesÕ lives has arrived. Now in training at the Assistance Dogs Australia puppy kindergarten in Waterfall, the seven black labradors have been dubbed the ÒE-litterÓ.
They are: Echo,  Everly,  Elroy, Emerald,  Euan, Else, and Eleanor, Picture: Tim Hunter.

‘E-litter’ puppies to change lives

Not only are they adorable, these puppies have a special ability to improve the lives of whoever takes them home. Find out what sets them apart and how you can help them help others

VIDEOAnimals
Taronga Zoo Sydney’s Asian Elephants Tang Mo and Pak Boon have officially embarked on their great migration this morning and are enroute to their new home at Monarto Safari Park in South Australia. Picture: Taronga Zoo

Mammoth move for Oz elephants

In an epic interstate migration, Taronga Zoo’s last elephants made the 22-hour journey across borders, making Australian zoo history set to include creating a new herd – find out where to see them

VIDEOAnimals
The new lion cubs born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Picture: Rick Stevens

Australia’s big cats’ cub bonanza

Two Australian zoos have celebrated some roarsome new arrivals, with the rare birth of a single lion cub at one wildlife park coming after a trio of cubs was born at another one month prior

Animals
Artist impressions of the new Cage of Death expansion display at Darwin International Airport.

Airport crocs for game travellers

Brave passengers will soon be able to banish boredom while in transit by taking a saltwater crocodile dive in the departures lounge, thanks a new experience coming to one Australian airport

Environment
Shark and dart, by-catch that should be removed in the shallows before nets are brought ashore. Mr Dines said he has never seen that happen.

Shark net removal sparks debate

The early withdrawal of shark nets across 51 Australian beaches has some residents concerned about swimmer safety but conservationists say they don’t want the nets to be used at all