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Tag: Animals

  • Mexican Marine Biologist Attacked by a Shark Near Remote Island in Costa Rica

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    SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — A Mexican marine biologist was seriously injured after he was attacked by a shark while working off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast and transferred to a hospital in the country’s capital on Monday, authorities said.

    Costa Rica’s Fire Department said it had rescued 48-year-old Mauricio Hoyos from the attack Saturday and carried him on a 36-hour journey from Cocos Island, around 340 miles (550 kilometers) off the coast. Despite the serious injuries to his head, face and arms, Hoyos arrived to the hospital in stable condition.

    “He was tagging species for monitoring and when he tagged one of the island’s shark species, the shark turned,” said Luis Fernández, a physician with the Fire Department. “It was about 4 meters long with an enormous bite force — it turned and bit him on the head.”

    Hoyos was leading a scientific expedition as part of the One Ocean Worldwide Coalition, a collaborative initiative that includes the organizations Fins Attached, For the Oceans Foundation, Reserva Tortuga and the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation.

    “Incidents like this are extremely rare,” said Alex Antoniou, executive director of Fins Attached, on social media. “Dr. Hoyos is an extraordinary scientist who has dedicated his career to shark conservation, and we are deeply grateful for the support of the Cocos Island community in this very difficult time.”

    Cocos Island is a Costa Rican national park and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. It is renowned for its great diversity of species, particularly sharks.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Sept. 2025

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    Associated Press

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  • Endangered whooping crane dies of avian flu at Wisconsin wildlife refuge

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    MADISON, Wis. — Ducky is dead.

    The International Crane Foundation announced Monday that Ducky, an endangered female whooping crane the foundation planned to release into the wilds of Wisconsin this fall, died on Thursday after becoming infected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, a strain of avian flu.

    Foundation officials said in a news release that Ducky’s death marks the first time the strain has killed a whooping crane.

    Only about 700 wild whooping cranes are left in North America, according to the foundation. Ducky’s death translates to a 1% decline in the eastern migratory population, which stands at fewer than 70 birds.

    “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Ducky,” Kim Boardman, the foundation’s birds curator, said in the release. “Each Whooping Crane is invaluable — not only to our organization, but to the survival of the entire species.”

    Ducky hatched in May and was part of the Baraboo-based foundation’s breeding and reintroduction program. She was reared by foundation staff outfitted in crane costumes in an effort to prevent her from imprinting on humans, boosting her chances of survival in the wild. She was among a group of eight cranes set to be released into the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in October.

    Diana Boon, the foundation’s director of conservation medicine, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that Ducky’s group has been at the refuge since August acclimating to the area and learning survival behavior. Ducky became sick early last week, becoming lethargic and stumbling before she finally died.

    Boon speculated that Ducky may have come into contact with an infected bird or through environmental exposure to the HPAI virus as she explored the refuge. Wild birds, including waterfowl such as ducks, geese and swans, can carry the virus, often without showing symptoms, and shed it through feces, which in turn can contaminate water sources.

    Staff at the marsh have taken to wearing personal protective equipment beneath their crane costumes and are keeping their distance from the rest of Ducky’s group to avoid getting sick, but so far none of the other chicks have shown any symptoms, Boon said. Foundation staff planned to meet Monday afternoon to decide whether to go ahead with releasing them as planned.

    Avian flu killed several thousand sandhill cranes in Indiana earlier this year.

    The International Crane Foundation was founded in 1973. It works to protect whooping cranes around the globe through a network of experts in 50 countries.

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  • A raptor with no qualms about eating its opponents wins New Zealand’s annual bird election

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    WELLINGTON, New Zealand — WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand ’s annual bird election is contested by cheeky parrots, sweet songbirds and cute, puffball robins. This year’s winner was a mysterious falcon that wouldn’t think twice about eating them.

    Kārearea, the Indigenous Māori name for the New Zealand falcon, was crowned Bird of the Year on Monday. But the annual poll, run by conservation group Forest & Bird, is no ordinary online vote.

    The fiercely fought election sees volunteer (human) campaign managers apply to stump for their favorite bird. Feathers fly as avian enthusiasts seek to sway the public through meme battles, trash-talking poster campaigns and dance routines performed in bird costumes.

    “Bird of the Year has grown from a simple email poll in 2005 to a hotly contested cultural moment,” said Forest & Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki. “Behind the memes and mayhem is a serious message.”

    The contest draws attention to New Zealand’s native bird species, with 80% designated as being in trouble to some degree. But it attracts passionate fandom because New Zealanders are bird-obsessed.

    In a country with no native land mammals except for two species of bat, birds reign supreme. They appear in art, on jewelry, in schoolchildren’s songs, and in the name New Zealanders are known by abroad, “kiwis.”

    Beloved birds include alpine parrots that harass tourists and pigeons which get so drunk on berries that they sometimes fall out of trees.

    “This is not a land of lions, tigers and bears,” said Toki. “The birds here are weird and wonderful and not what you would expect to see perhaps in other countries.”

    The first contest two decades ago attracted fewer than 900 votes. More than 75,000 people in the country of 5 million cast ballots this year.

    It was the highest-ever voter turnout apart from an episode when Last Week Tonight host John Oliver volunteered as a campaign manager in 2023, prompting mostly joking accusations from New Zealanders of American interference. Perhaps inevitably, Oliver’s bird, the pūteketeke or Australasian crested grebe, won in a 290,000-vote landslide.

    Other controversies have struck the poll. In 2021, there was mild uproar when a bat won the title, despite not being a bird.

    The vote was ruffled by a foreign influence scandal in 2018 when self-styled comedians in Australia cast hundreds of fraudulent votes for a bird that shares its name with an Antipodean slang term for sex. Voters must now verify the email addresses used to cast their votes.

    Forest & Bird said 87% of the votes in this year’s poll came from New Zealand. The falcon’s more than 14,500 votes appeared to have been won fair and square.

    The majestic kārearea can fly at speeds of more than 200 km (124 miles) per hour and swoops to capture its prey, often smaller birds. The endemic species is threatened in New Zealand, vulnerable to electrocution on wires and loss of their forest habitats.

    “They’re a mysterious bird and that’s partly because they’re cryptic, they’re often well-hidden,” said Phil Bradfield, a trustee of Kārearea Falcon Trust in Marlborough, on New Zealand’s South Island.

    Official figures suggest between 5,000 and 8,000 New Zealand falcons remaining, although the true number is unknown. Bradfield said the “fast and sneaky and very special” raptor was a deserving Bird of the Year winner.

    Other campaigns knew victory on Monday would take a miracle. Birds that are ugly — but not ugly enough to be funny — unknown or perceived as boring face an uphill slog.

    That doesn’t deter bird lovers. The year 2025 was the first that all 73 bird competitors attracted campaign managers, with some electing to stump for contenders they knew would lose.

    One was Marc Daalder whose scrappy, grassroots campaign for the tākapu, or Australasian gannet, drew 962 votes — about a 15th of the falcon’s.

    “Running a campaign for one of the less popular birds is a more satisfying experience because you know the votes your bird received are a result of your hard work,” said Daalder, who is a (human) political journalist and three-time (bird) campaign manager.

    Despite the near-record voter turnout, Toki from Forest & Bird said she feared New Zealanders would give up on some of the most threatened species as they grew more costly to protect, particularly from predators such as cats, rats and stoats.

    “Successive governments in New Zealand have cumulatively reduced investment in conservation, which is the cornerstone of New Zealand’s economic prosperity,” she said, referring to tourism campaigns promoting the country’s scenic landscapes.

    “People come here to see our native birds and the places they live in,” she said. “They’re not coming here to see shopping malls.”

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  • A Raptor With No Qualms About Eating Its Opponents Wins New Zealand’s Annual Bird Election

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    WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand ’s annual bird election is contested by cheeky parrots, sweet songbirds and cute, puffball robins. This year’s winner was a mysterious falcon that wouldn’t think twice about eating them.

    Kārearea, the Indigenous Māori name for the New Zealand falcon, was crowned Bird of the Year on Monday. But the annual poll, run by conservation group Forest & Bird, is no ordinary online vote.

    The fiercely fought election sees volunteer (human) campaign managers apply to stump for their favorite bird. Feathers fly as avian enthusiasts seek to sway the public through meme battles, trash-talking poster campaigns and dance routines performed in bird costumes.

    “Bird of the Year has grown from a simple email poll in 2025 to a hotly contested cultural moment,” said Forest & Bird Chief Executive Nicola Toki. “Behind the memes and mayhem is a serious message.”


    Contest sparks joy in a land of birds

    The contest draws attention to New Zealand’s native bird species, with 80% designated as being in trouble to some degree. But it attracts passionate fandom because New Zealanders are bird-obsessed.

    In a country with no native land mammals except for two species of bat, birds reign supreme. They appear in art, on jewelry, in schoolchildren’s songs, and in the name New Zealanders are known by abroad, ‘kiwis.’

    Beloved birds include alpine parrots that harass tourists and pigeons which get so drunk on berries that they sometimes fall out of trees.

    “This is not a land of lions, tigers and bears,” said Toki. “The birds here are weird and wonderful and not what you would expect to see perhaps in other countries.”


    Result follows a scandal-free campaign

    The first contest two decades ago attracted fewer than 900 votes. More than 75,000 people in the country of 5 million cast ballots this year.

    It was the highest-ever voter turnout apart from an episode when Last Week Tonight host John Oliver volunteered as a campaign manager in 2023, prompting mostly joking accusations from New Zealanders of American interference. Perhaps inevitably, Oliver’s bird, the pūteketeke or Austalasian crested grebe, won in a 290,000-vote landslide.

    Other controversies have struck the poll. In 2021, there was mild uproar when a bat won the title, despite not being a bird.

    The vote was ruffled by a foreign influence scandal in 2018 when self-styled comedians in Australia cast hundreds of fraudulent votes for a bird that shares its name with an Antipodean slang term for sex. Voters must now verify the email addresses used to cast their votes.

    Forest & Bird said 87% of the votes in this year’s poll came from New Zealand. The falcon’s more than 14,500 votes appeared to have been won fair and square.


    A cryptic, mysterious winner

    The majestic kārearea can fly at speeds of more than 200 km (124 miles) per hour and swoops to capture its prey, often smaller birds. The endemic species is threatened in New Zealand, vulnerable to electrocution on wires and loss of their forest habitats.

    “They’re a mysterious bird and that’s partly because they’re cryptic, they’re often well-hidden,” said Phil Bradfield, a trustee of Kārearea Falcon Trust in Marlborough, on New Zealand’s South Island.

    Official figures suggest between 5,000 and 8,000 New Zealand falcons remaining, although the true number is unknown. Bradfield said the “fast and sneaky and very special” raptor was a deserving Bird of the Year winner.


    Some celebrate ‘underbird’ campaigns

    Other campaigns knew victory on Monday would take a miracle. Birds that are ugly — but not ugly enough to be funny — unknown or perceived as boring face an uphill slog.

    That doesn’t deter bird lovers. The year 2025 was the first that all 73 bird competitors attracted campaign managers, with some electing to stump for contenders they knew would lose.

    One was Marc Daalder whose scrappy, grassroots campaign for the tākapu, or Australasian gannet, drew 962 votes — about a 15th of the falcon’s.

    “Running a campaign for one of the less popular birds is a more satisfying experience because you know the votes your bird received are a result of your hard work,” said Daalder, who is a (human) political journalist and three-time (bird) campaign manager.


    Poll delivers a serious message

    Despite the near-record voter turnout, Toki from Forest & Bird said she feared New Zealanders would give up on some of the most threatened species as they grew more costly to protect, particularly from predators such as cats, rats and stoats.

    “Successive governments in New Zealand have cumulatively reduced investment in conservation, which is the cornerstone of New Zealand’s economic prosperity,” she said, referring to tourism campaigns promoting country’s scenic landscapes.

    “People come here to see our native birds and the places they live in,” she said. “They’re not coming here to see shopping malls.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Sept. 2025

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  • What to Do If It Truly Is Your First Rodeo

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    According to the internet (and everything I’ve ever been taught) your first rodeo will push you out of your comfort zone and is arguably life-changing. I’ve also learned through the grapevine that your second rodeo is vastly different than the first and incredibly more manageable.

    I decided to try to clarify a few things regarding said rodeos.

    Please enjoy these helpful tips and tricks for the next time you or a loved one plans on attending the rodeo.

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    Zach

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  • UNESCO designates 26 new biosphere reserves amid biodiversity challenges and climate change

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    An Indonesian archipelago that’s home to three-fourths of Earth’s coral species, a stretch of Icelandic coast with 70% of the country’s plant life and an area along Angola’s Atlantic coast featuring savannahs, forests and estuaries are among 26 new UNESCO-designated biosphere reserves.

    The United Nations cultural agency says the reserves — 785 sites in 142 countries, designated since 1971 — are home to some of the planet’s richest and most fragile ecosystems. But biosphere reserves encompass more than strictly protected nature reserves; they’re expanded to include areas where people live and work, and the designation requires that scientists, residents and government officials work together to balance conservation and research with local economic and cultural needs.

    “The concept of biosphere reserves is that biodiversity conservation is a pillar of socioeconomic development” and can contribute to the economy, said António Abreu, head of the program, adding that conflict and misunderstanding can result if local communities are left out of decision-making and planning.

    The new reserves, in 21 countries, were announced Saturday in Hangzhou, China, where the program adopted a 10-year strategic action plan that includes studying the effects of climate change, Abreu said.

    The new reserves include a 52,000-square-mile (135,000-square-kilometer) area in the Indonesian archipelago, Raja Ampat, home to over 75% of earth’s coral species as well as rainforests and rare endangered sea turtles. The economy depends on fishing, aquaculture, small-scale agriculture and tourism, UNESCO said.

    On Iceland’s west coast, the Snæfellsnes Biosphere Reserve’s landscape includes volcanic peaks, lava fields, wetlands, grasslands and the Snæfellsjökull glacier. The 1,460-square-kilometer (564 square-mile) reserve is an important sanctuary for seabirds, seals and over 70% of Iceland’s plant life — including 330 species of wildflowers and ferns. Its population of more than 4,000 people relies on fishing, sheep farming and tourism.

    And in Angola, the new Quiçama Biosphere Reserve, along 206 kilometers (128 miles) of Atlantic coast is a “sanctuary for biodiversity” within its savannahs, forests, flood plains, estuaries and islands, according to UNESCO. It’s home to elephants, manatees, sea turtles and more than 200 bird species. Residents’ livelihoods include livestock herding, farming, fishing, honey production.

    Residents are important partners in protecting biodiversity within the reserves, and even have helped identify new species, said Abreu, the program’s leader. Meanwhile, scientists also are helping to restore ecosystems to benefit the local economy, he said.

    For example, in the Philippines, the coral reefs around Pangatalan Island were severely damaged because local fishermen used dynamite to find depleted fish populations. Scientists helped design a structure to help coral reefs regrow and taught fishermen to raise fish through aquaculture so the reefs could recover.

    “They have food and they have also fish to sell in the markets,” said Abreu.

    In the African nation of São Tomé and Príncipe, a biosphere reserve on Príncipe Island led to restoration of mangroves, which help buffer against storm surges and provide important habitat, Abreu said.

    Ecotourism also has become an important industry, with biosphere trails and guided bird-watching tours. A new species of owl was identified there in recent years.

    This year, a biosphere reserve was added for the island of São Tomé, making the country the first entirely within a reserve.

    At least 60% of the UNESCO biosphere reserves have been affected by extreme weather tied to climate change, which is caused primarily by the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and gas, including extreme heat and drought and sea-level rise, Abreu said.

    The agency is using satellite imagery and computer modeling to monitor changes in coastal zones and other areas, and is digitizing its historical databases, Abreu said. The information will be used to help determine how best to preserve and manage the reserves.

    Some biosphere reserves also are under pressure from environmental degradation.

    In Nigeria, for example, habitat for a dwindling population of critically endangered African forest elephants is under threat as cocoa farmers expand into Omo Forest Reserve, a protected rainforest and one of Africa’s oldest and largest UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. The forest is also important to help combat climate change.

    The Trump administration in July announced that the U.S. would withdraw from UNESCO as of December 2026, just as it did during his first administration, saying U.S. involvement is not in the national interest. The U.S. has 47 biosphere reserves, most in federal protected areas.

    ___

    The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

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  • Golden lion tamarins and sloths become unlikely roommates at Palm Beach Zoo

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    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Golden lion tamarins and Hoffman’s two-toed sloths have become unlikely roommates in a brand new habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society in Florida.

    Both species are native to the forests of South America, which is why the new habitat features a thick canopy of trees. The golden tamarins, with their distinct orange mane, love frolicking in the treetops, while the sloths are perfectly happy hanging from the trees.

    “Maybe the golden tamarins think of the sloth as more furniture because they don’t really do too much. They’re more sedentary,” said Devin Clarke, a senior supervisor at the zoo. “They like to sleep during the day, a little bit more active at night. So just watching, you know, like their couch walking around at night isn’t too scary for them.”

    The habitat, which opened in late August, offers the sloths and tamarins a unique space to interact with one another — or mind their own business. The space features a network of vines, ropes and tunnels that encourages exploration, zoo officials said.

    “Just being able to see them up close and personal is really a way to inspire connection,” Clarke said. “And once people start really having that connection and harboring that connection with the wild animal, they’re able to look at their lives and say, ‘What can I do differently to help these animals’ wild counterparts down in Brazil and Central America thrive?’”

    He said that in the 1970s, there were less than 200 golden tamarinds in the wild. Some 40 zoos accredited through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums put together a plan to rerelease the species into the wild. Their numbers topped 5,000 as of last year, he said.

    The previous tamarin habitat at the zoo was a little smaller, Clarke said.

    “We wanted to be able to give them a better well-being, so enhancing their lives with enrichment, with space, so they can act a little bit more natural,” he added.

    Conservation is part of the Palm Beach Zoo’s identity, so native Florida plants are part of the new habitat.

    “Planting those Florida native plants within that habitat is a great way to highlight something we can do at our own homes ,” Clarke said. “Even if you have an apartment, just putting out a potted plant that’s a Florida native plant helps kind of revitalize the ecosystem that we have here in South Florida.”

    The new habitat provides an opportunity for visitors to have get a closer view of the two species, said Margo McKnight, the zoo’s president and CEO.

    “We hope to foster a love for wildlife in wild places, including our own backyards. We hope every person leaves inspired to be a wildlife hero in their own community,” she said.

    ___

    Frisaro reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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  • Hunt is on for two pythons on the loose in Queens’ Forest Park

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    The hunt is on for two of three pythons that were seen slithering through Forest Park in Queens. 

    On Thursday, parkgoers were in for quite a surprise when they came across one of the pythons sitting in the roadway near Myrtle Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard. 

    Catherine Laboy was on her way home from Puppy Kitty NYCity, the animal shelter where she works, when she saw a group of people trying to move something out of the road with a large tree branch. She didn’t know what the group was trying to move, but she figured it was animal of some kind. So, she decided to stop and help out. 

    “At first I was in like panic mode,” Laboy said. “I took out a shopping bag and we put the snake in there.” 

    The python, which was named Kevin by its rescuers, didn’t want to stay wrangled. Laboy said it was trying its best to work its way out of the shopping bag so, she went to her car and grabbed a box she had inside. 

    “I ripped it open and we managed to put the snake in there and secured it like that,” she explained. 

    Kevin the python did not like being in a shopping bag, so an animal shelter worker got a box from her car and moved the reptile into that instead.

    Two other ball pythons that were seen in area managed to get away, slithering back into the park. That raised the eyebrows of many people who were in the park on Friday working on the track and walking the trails. That includes Brian Rodriguez who said he was enjoying a walk in the park, not expecting to hear about pythons being on the loose. 

    “It makes me think something’s going on,” he said. “It’s crazy to think about pythons in New York City.” 

    It wasn’t a crazy thought for Patti Alvino, who told NBC New York she thought she encountered one of the snakes just a couple of days prior while she out on a walk in the park. 

    “I happen to look down and I saw this black and yellow thing rotating, moving, slithering,” Alvino said. “So I said ‘What the heck is that?’ I said ‘That’s a snake’ and it was huge. So I kind of leaped over it and took off.” 

    Experts said it’s likely that someone dumped the pythons in the park. They are illegal to have as pets in New York City and could be a danger to small animals. 

    We reached out to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, which said if New Yorkers see an abandoned animal they should leave it where it is and call 311 or find an urban park ranger in the park.

    “Parks are not suitable homes for animals not indigenous to those parks-domesticated or otherwise. In addition to the potential danger to park goers this could have caused, releasing non-indigenous animals or unwanted pets can lead to the elimination of native species and cause additional ecological stress,” the Parks Department added in a statement.

    Laboy said she and others notified the NYPD which helped search for the two pythons that remained on the loose. 

    As for the one that was captured, Laboy and her boss took it to Animal Care Centers of New York City so it could find a proper home out of state.  Her main concern now is finding the remaining pythons and getting them to a more suitable environment. 

    “They are conducting a search, but it’s no guarantee they’re going to find them,” Laboy said. “Hopefully, somebody does bump into [one] and makes a call.” 

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    Charles Watson

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  • Owners get lonely cat a kitten, plan hilariously backfires

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    Worried that their cat felt lonely, a couple decided to get a kitten to keep her company, but it didn’t exactly go as they planned. 

    In a viral TikTok video shared in August by @toothlessandfeather, the tabby tuxedo observes the new black kitten from a short distance away, with nothing but disdain in her eyes. “Thinking our cat was lonely and deciding to get a kitten. She hates him,” reads layover text in the clip.  

    The poster reassures their followers in the caption: “Jokes jokes. They get along great now. But yeah, Feather misses the days of being the baby of the family.” 

    While some cats love being only pets and aren’t very open to sharing their space, others thrive in the company of another feline. 

    But how do you know which one applies to your fur-baby? If your cat needs a companion, they will show signs, according to Pet MD experts. 

    These signs include excessive clinginess, changes in their eating and sleeping habits, unusually destructive behavior, litter-box issues, and a shift in overall energy. 

    If you do decide to ultimately get your cat a kitten, ensure that you introduce them the right way. Their introduction needs to be slow and gradual, starting with scent exposure before going on to supervised meetings. 

    Keep interactions short and positive, letting the older cat set the pace. Provide duplicate resources (litter boxes, beds, food bowls) throughout the home to reduce competition and territorial tension.  

    It is very important that you don’t force contact and you do allow the cats to approach or retreat as they wish. You can read more about introducing kittens to cats here.  

    Loading tiktok content…

    The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 707,000 views and more than 149,000 likes on the platform. 

    One user, Jes, commented: “We thought our cat was lonely, so we got another. she barely tolerated her, at best. the second cat was desperate for affection from the first cat and was definitely lonely. so, of course, we had to get a third cat for the second and now they’re best friends.” 

    Zenna said: “Even hate is enrichment. I swear some of these cats enjoy having beef, but it will probably get better!” 

    Allison wrote: “She might come around! It took my girl cat a minute but now they lovingly tolerate each other all these years later.” 

    Newsweek reached out to @toothlessandfeather for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.   

    Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup. 

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  • New program protecting eastern hellbenders from extinction

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    Eastern hellbenders, the giant salamanders that swim in western North Carolina’s waterways, also known as snot otters, devil dogs and lasagna lizards, are at risk of becoming endangered. But the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced a new program to try to change that.

    What You Need To Know

    • The United States Department of Agriculture started a new program to protect eastern hellbenders 

    • These salamanders are at risk of extinction because of human activities polluting the waterways in which they live 

    • Conservationists will be sent to counties in western North Carolina and work with landowners and agricultural producers to help repair hellbender habitat 


    The service identified 35 counties across three states — North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee — that it will send conservationists to. They will work with landowners and agricultural producers to help repair the hellbender’s aquatic habitat and protect against future damage created by fertilizer runoff and other water contaminants.


    The conservation service offers free technical and financial assistance to make these changes.

    Efforts to help hellbenders could also benefit other species that share their habitat, including the bog turtle, Appalachian elktoe and brook trout.

     

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    Caroline King

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  • Scientists find marine life thriving on World War II explosives in the Baltic Sea

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    NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — An undersea submersible has spotted crabs, worms and fish thriving on the surfaces of World War II explosives thought to be toxic to marine life.

    At a former weapons dump site in the Baltic Sea, scientists found more creatures living on top of warheads than in the surrounding seabed.

    “We were prepared to see significantly lower numbers of all kinds of animals,” said study author Andrey Vedenin with the Senckenberg Research Institute in Germany. “But it turned out the opposite.”

    Past conflicts have left their mark on the world’s oceans, Vedenin said. German waters alone contain about 1.6 million tons (1.5 million metric tonnes) of dumped weapons, mostly from the two world wars in the 20th century. Dumped relics can contain nuclear and chemical remnants as well as explosives like TNT.

    It’s the latest example of wildlife flourishing in polluted sites. Previous research has shown shipwrecks and former weapons complexes teeming with biodiversity.

    In the new study, researchers filmed networks of anemones, starfish and other underwater life in the Bay of Lübeck off the coast of Germany. They were lurking on pieces of V-1 flying bombs used by Nazi Germany.

    “Normally, one does not study the ecology of bombs,” said University of Georgia ecologist James Porter, who was not involved with the research.

    The research was published Thursday in the journal Communications Earth and Environment.

    Why would sea creatures make their home on contaminated weapons? They could be drawn to the hard surfaces, which are in short supply in the Baltic Sea. The seafloor is mainly a flat bed of mud and sand because stones and boulders were fished out of the water for construction in the 1800s and 1900s, Vedenin said.

    The area is also fairly isolated from human activity because of the chemicals, creating a somewhat protective bubble for the critters to thrive despite some toxic tradeoffs.

    Scientists hope to calculate how much contamination was absorbed by sea life. Another important next step is to see what happens after the critters settle and whether they’re capable of reproducing, Porter said.

    Studies like these are a testament to how nature takes advantage of human leftovers, flipping the script to survive, said marine conservation biologist David Johnston with Duke University. He recently mapped sunken World War I ships that have become habitats for wildlife along the Potomac River in Maryland.

    “I think it’s a really cool testimony to the strength of life,” Johnston said.

    ___

    The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

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  • Swampscott initiates pilot program to use rodent contraceptives over rodenticides

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    SWAMPSCOTT — The town of Swampscott launched a pilot program that utilizes rodent contraception instead of ecologically harmful rodenticides to curb rodent populations.

    The program was initiated following the work of North Shore-based wildlife nonprofit Speak Up For Animals Inc. that has pushed for the end of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARSs) that kill animals by preventing blood from clotting, and spreads directly from rodents to predators like coyotes, dogs, and birds of prey that control rodent populations.


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    Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202

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    By Michael McHugh | Staff Writer

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  • These Are Our 15 Favorite WIRED Gifts for Bird Lovers

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    Whether your giftee loves bird watching, bird feeding, or just putting a bird on it, these gifts are sure to be a hit.

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    Kat Merck

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  • Maine wardens rescue moose trapped for hours in abandoned well

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    PEMBROKE, Maine — A bull moose that fell into an abandoned well in Maine was pulled to safety during an elaborate five hour rescue.

    The operation happened Wednesday after Cole Brown, whose family owned the forested land in northern Maine, spotted a pair of antlers. He heard a noise and initially thought it was turkeys but, upon, closer inspect, realized it was something a lot bigger.

    “He walks over and, through the thick alders and bushes, he saw the antlers, just the antlers peeking out,” said Delaney Gardner, Brown’s stepsister who videotaped the rescue. “He knew that an animal of the size, he was going to need some back up just in case it was, you know, injured or just stuck there.”

    The family alerted the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife. They sent a biologist who sedated the moose and then wardens put straps on the animal. Using an excavator provided by the family, they gingerly lifted the moose out of the 9-foot deep well.

    “Once the sedation wore off, the moose took off running, no worse for wear other than perhaps his bruised ego,” the agency said on its Facebook page.

    Gardner said the successful rescue left her with a mix of “relief and happiness.”

    “This is a majestic giant animal in such a precarious situation,” she said. “So to be able to see everyone come together in all these different ways that they needed to was absolutely incredible. And then seeing it work out was just so satisfying and heartwarming.”

    Gardner said the family didn’t know the well — which is likely decades old — was on their 100 acres of land until the moose fell into it. Since then, they have capped the well and are considering their options, including digging it out and utilizing it since it there may a water source nearby.

    “For now it’s covered and no more animals or people will be falling into it,” she said.

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  • Caretaker killed by tiger at wildlife preserve in southeastern Oklahoma

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    HUGO, Okla. — An animal handler was killed by a tiger under his care at a preserve for big cats in southeastern Oklahoma, the organization said Sunday.

    What You Need To Know

    • An animal handler was killed by a tiger under his care at a preserve for big cats in southeastern Oklahoma

    • Growler Pines Tiger Preserve says in a statement that Ryan Easley died Saturday in “an accident” involving a tiger at the property near Hugo, not far from the Texas border

    • All tours have been canceled until further notice

    • The preserve’s website says it is a private facility where visitors can book tours to view tigers and see demonstrations on how the animals are trained and cared for

    Growler Pines Tiger Preserve said in a statement that Ryan Easley died Saturday in “an accident” involving a tiger at the property near Hugo, not far from the Texas border.

    “This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world,” the preserve said on its Facebook page. “Ryan understood those risks — not out of recklessness but out of love. The animals under his care were not just animals to him, but beings he formed a connection with — one rooted in respect, daily care and love.”

    All tours have been canceled until further notice, the statement said.

    The preserve is a private facility where visitors can book tours to view tigers and see demonstrations on how the animals are trained and cared for, according to its website.

    People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals claimed Easley received his tigers from Joe Exotic, the star of the reality TV series “Tiger King.” Exotic’s real name is Joseph Maldonado. 

    Maldonado said he only let Easley keep his tigers at a zoo for one winter. In a since-deleted social media post Maldonado said Easley “took great care of his animals” and “was an advocate for tigers as well as elephants.” 

    Maldonado is currently serving a 21-year prison sentence after being convicted in a murder-for-hire plot and of multiple wildlife violations.

    PETA issued a blunt statement in response to Easley’s death.

    “It’s never safe for humans to interact directly with apex predators, and it’s never a surprise when a human is attacked by a stressed big cat who has been caged, whipped, and denied everything natural and important to them,” the animal rights group said. “PETA is calling for the remaining wild animal exhibitors who aren’t dead or in federal prison to get out of the business now and send the animals to accredited sanctuaries where they can finally live in peace.”

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    Katie Streit, Associated Press

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  • ‘I was scared’: Animal communicator conducts session with cat. Then it tells her he’s evil. Here’s why the owner says its accurate

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    Have you ever looked lovingly into your pet’s eyes and thought, “I wonder what’s going on in that little head of yours?” For dog owners, we might envision our pups thinking about a tennis ball, the food that’s on our plate, or whether the mysterious monster that sucks up all the dirt on the rug will make its appearance again. If you’re a cat owner, you might jokingly bet they’re plotting your downfall. The latter may not be far from the truth, if this pet psychic is to be believed. 

    Lori Cowen (@loricowen_) is an animal communicator whose TikTok presence of 61,000 followers was earned from recounting her sessions with pets. She lets pet owners know their furry friends’ innermost thoughts—for a fee, of course. 

    Her viral videos are often of her sharing a dog or cat’s excited musings. Her latest video to hit 1.8 million views, however, was not the pawsitive (sorry) content many have come to expect. 

    “So this was the worst animal communication session that I’ve ever done,” Cowen begins her clip. She continues that she “hated” talking to this animal and is only sharing the story after getting permission from the owner. 

    Evil cat 

    Cowen says she “connected” with a cat named Dolly, whose session was cut short when Cowen couldn’t take any more of the cat’s sinister thoughts. She rebooked the session for the following day, but it wasn’t any better. 

    In the clip, she reads some of the things Dolly told her during their session. A lot  of the kitty’s thoughts were around the theme of being “evil.”

    “‘There’s a fire burning inside me,’” Dolly allegedly told Cowen. When prompted to elaborate, Dolly said, “I feel like a caged demon ready to be let out and pounce.” 

    Dolly then proceeded to reveal that she has “good and evil” in her and that she can be “sinister.”

    “‘I can be a bad cat sometimes, a very bad cat,’” Cowen relays. “‘And I can do bad things.’”

    Cowen recounts how Dolly shared that doing “bad things” makes her happy and listed ways she enjoys being bad. 

    When Cowen asked Dolly whether there’s anything her family can do to help her feelings, Dolly allegedly replied, “A lobotomy.” She then continued that that’s just who she is as a cat and that she’s fine with it. 

    Feelings about her family 

    At this point, Cowen asked Dolly how she feels about her mom. Dolly responded that her mom is “terrible” and that she’s disgusting. 

    “‘She needs to shower and take better care of herself,’” Dolly told Cowen. “She makes bad choices sometimes … I judge her for the choices she makes.”

    Dolly then said she judges “all humans.” 

    “‘You’re despicable people, all of you,’” Dolly told Cowen. Still fishing for something positive about the mom, Cowen finally gets Dolly to admit that her mom is “decent and kind” despite her terrible decisions. 

    Dolly then accused her mom of “hurting people” because she is unhappy. Eventually, Dolly reveals she loves her family but also hates them. In her hate tirade, Dolly insulted her grandparents and her cat siblings before sharing that she does love her family “despite how I may sound.”

    Dolly then ended the session early by giving Cowen the middle finger and walking away, not wanting to continue the conversation with Cowen any longer.

    What did her mom think of Dolly’s session?

    After receiving the recording of Dolly’s session, the pet owner said it made her “laugh out loud” and confirmed that Dolly’s nickname is “demon cat.” As a nurse who works night shifts, the mom said it made sense that Dolly said she needed to shower despite showering twice a day. This could also be the reason Dolly accused her of “hurting” people, the mom said. She then revealed some of the “bad choices” Dolly was referring to. 

    “I’m sorry you hated [the session], but it genuinely made sense to me,” the mom told Cowen, adding that even flipping her off at the end was a very “Australian way” to end the conversation. 

    In the end, Cowen reiterated that she hated the session and hopes never to do one like that again. 

    Viewers think this is typical of cats 

    In Cowen’s comments section, folks were tickled by Dolly and were certain this was just par for the course when it comes to cats. 

    “I’m sorry you’re so distressed by this I can’t stop laughing,” a top comment read. Another simply pointed out, “The concept of a cat knowing what a lobotomy is.”

    A third user said Dolly wasn’t evil but simply “hurting” while a fourth wrote, “she can’t have a little demonic feeling??”

    Still, many were intrigued by the concept of a pet psychic. Cowen currently has a waitlist for folks who must know what their pet is thinking–and yes, that goes for any pet. 

    @loricowen_ I got permission from this cats mom to share about this session!! But yes I hated talking to this cat, it was nothing I’ve experienced before when talking to an animal. #animalcommunicator #animalcommunication #petpsychic #telepathy #catsoftiktok #catlover #mycatisweird #demoncat #catdemon #goodandevil #evilcat #evilcatsoftiktok #animalcommunicationstories #mycatisweird #evilcats #loricowen ♬ original sound – Lori Cowen

    How does Cowen communicate with animals?

    On her website, Cowen writes that she’s always had a deep connection to animals. She fostered this connection into being able to communicate with them. Now, she can speak with your pets–living or dead. 

    If you email Cowen, you’ll receive a breakdown of what her services, which cost $200 per pet, entail. 

    She selects her clients from the waitlist on the first of every month. From there, Cowen “speaks” with the animal remotely through a photograph you provide. Then, the recording is sent to you. 

    “Your animal doesn’t need to be present while I do the session or even awake…all of that doesn’t matter,” her email reads. It also doesn’t need to know “English” as they are translated to her. 

    Cowen isn’t the first animal communicator to go viral on TikTok. Recently, there’s been a surge of viral videos from pet owners sharing their cats’ thoughts after they were read by an animal communicator. This has led pet parents to clamber over getting to know their furry children’s feelings, hence Cowen’s waitlist. 

    The Mary Sue has reached out to Cowen via email for more information. 

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

    Image of Gisselle Hernandez

    Gisselle Hernandez

    Gisselle Hernandez-Gomez is a contributing reporter to the Mary Sue. Her work has appeared in the Daily Dot, Business Insider, Fodor’s Travel and more. You can follow her on X at @GisselleHern. You can email her at [email protected].

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    Gisselle Hernandez

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  • What’s the Best Cat Litter for Your Home (and Your Cat)?

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    After testing dozens of automatic litter boxes, I can say it’s been difficult to determine which is the best cat litter (or rather, if there is one). Most people will want to look for a low-tracking, clumping cat litter that’s compatible with their litter box. But there are other factors to consider, like allergens, material, the litter box itself, and how you’ll deal with the waste.

    In recent years, there have been leaps and bounds in the pet tech sphere as a whole—including where our cats go potty and what litter they go potty in. In the past, the choices were an absorbent clay whose main compound was calcium bentonite, sawdust, or sand. Now, we have high-tech crystal litter, which aims to show health issues through changing color; eco-friendly tofu litter; and all types of clumping clay litter between. After a year of testing litter boxes and scooping tons of cat litter, let me sift through (get it?) the options so you can determine the best type of cat litter for you and your furry friend.

    Table of Contents

    Should You Change Up Your Litter?

    There are many reasons why you may want to change your litter. Your cat may be like mine, with sensitivities to strong odors or smells that can cause allergies or allergy-like symptoms like red eyes or itching. Or maybe your cat is long-haired, like mine, and you’re tired of litter sticking to their fur.

    If you want to be more eco- (and budget-) friendly, a biodegradable tofu or wood pellet litter may be better, but for these, you’ll need to introduce the change slowly and oftentimes, you’ll have to change the box you’re using. (More on that below.)

    As a helicopter pet parent who brushes their cats’ teeth and shaves their butts, I honestly just want to make sure I have a litter that keeps my cat (and me) comfortable, giving them a safe space to potty and an easier time to clean it for me.

    I look for, and recommend folks do trial-and-error to find, a litter that has all of these elements:

    • Clumping: Many brands claim to clump effectively, but you’ll need to monitor while scooping to see if they actually are, or if they’re leaving smaller bits that sneak through grates while cleaning.
    • Scent-free or low scent: Cats can smell 14 times better than humans, and strong odors can irritate their respiratory system and lead to itching, watery eyes, and other symptoms, including not wanting to use the litter box at all because the scent is too overwhelming.
    • Low–tracking: Same as clumping litters above, many litters claim to be low tracking, but I’ve found that the best way to lessen litter tracking around the house is to have a great clumping litter and add as much space between the box and the floor. This means that in addition to clumping litter, add accessories like stairs (if your cat is mobile enough), a ramp, or a litter-trapping mat to increase the distance between the box and your floor, to reduce litter tracking. Litters that aim to be low-tracking are generally better at dust control, which also help with general cleanliness and lower irritants.

    Boxiecat

    Extra Strength Multi-Cat Clumping Clay Litter

    Boxiecat

    Air Probiotic Cat Litter

    I’ve tested several types of cat litter from Boxiecat, and although pricey, they have all managed odor well, had low dust/tracking, and scooped easily in clumps (and worked well with my automatic litter box).

    Compare the Most Popular Types of Litter

    As said before, there used to be super-limited litter options, now there’s tofu, wood, silica crystals, recycled paper, and even nut shells. While something like wood pellets is more-eco friendly and cheaper, you’ll have to factor in your litter box and whether your cat takes to the new litter. (Although slow introduction is key.)

    • Clay cat litter: This is by far the most popular litter type, and most closely resembles what cats would be using in the wild. Clumping clay cat litter is what I recommend for most people, as it primarily uses a naturally absorbent bentonite clay. It expands when wet/soiled, making it “clump,” which is easier to scoop and generally more hygienic. However, it’s not as environmentally friendly because it’s not biodegradable and can contain carcinogenic silica dust.
    • Tofu cat litter: This relatively new litter is great because it’s environmentally friendly. It’s made out of soybean fiber, making it naturally biodegradable, nontoxic, and way less dusty than traditional choices. If bought in pellet form (the most popular option), they clump well and can even be flushed in the toilet, although it can be pricey and can grow mold if in humid conditions.
    • Crystal cat litter: This type of litter is made from silica mined from quartz sand and mixed with oxygen and water to make super absorbent pellets (akin to the absorbing powers of little silica gel packets found in many newly bought items). It’s lightweight and has great odor control. Crystal litter is pricey, not biodegradable or clumping (requires daily sifting), easily tracks, can be an uncomfortable texture for paws, and is difficult for some cats to get used to using. Popular brands like PrettyLitter actually use a special silica formula that aims to track health changes through changing colors based on urinary PH. Although I’m slightly cautious to use it because of reviews of the silica litter being ingested and harming cats and causing respiratory issues because of the particle dust.
    • Paper or Wood pellets: Paper and wood pellets are cheap, have low dust and tracking, and are eco-friendly because they’re biodegradable. (Paper pellets are also great for injured or post-operation pets because the litter is low-dust and there’s less chance for litter to get stuck in wounds.) However, this doesn’t control odor well, is non-clumping, and needs to be changed frequently (you’ll probably need a sifting litter box). Wood pellets are also often made of pine and can have an overwhelming scent.
    • Walnut shell cat litter: Made from crushed walnut shells, this is often used as a much lighter, more natural alternative to clay litter. It’s lightweight and has a similar texture to clay, and is biodegradable. Although it can track, spoil if in moist conditions, and requires frequent emptying/cleaning.
    • We don’t recommend corn cat litter, as corn is prone to a toxic mold called aflatoxin. This can cause health issues for cats and in humans who have asthma or COPD and are immunocompromised or elderly.

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    Molly Higgins

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  • Caretaker killed by tiger at wildlife preserve in southeastern Oklahoma

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    HUGO, Okla. — An animal handler was killed by a tiger under his care at a preserve for big cats in southeastern Oklahoma, the organization said Sunday.

    Growler Pines Tiger Preserve said in a statement that Ryan Easley died Saturday in “an accident” involving a tiger at the property near Hugo, not far from the Texas border.

    “This tragedy is a painful reminder of both the beauty and unpredictability of the natural world,” the preserve said on its Facebook page. “Ryan understood those risks — not out of recklessness but out of love. The animals under his care were not just animals to him, but beings he formed a connection with — one rooted in respect, daily care and love.”

    All tours have been canceled until further notice, the statement said.

    The preserve is a private facility where visitors can book tours to view tigers and see demonstrations on how the animals are trained and cared for, according to its website.

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  • VIDEO: Polar bear in Alaska gets root canal to repair a broken tooth

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    Polar bears cranberry and Kova have long been favorites at the Alaska Zoo. Best buddies, they share an enclosure filled with toys and treats and *** large pool where Kova in particular likes to take her morning swim, but it wasn’t so long ago this normally playful four year old was feeling under the weather. Kova is *** very interactive and busy bear, and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth *** little bit. Good girl. Curator Sam Lavins suspected an issue with *** tooth. Kova open, so she asked Kova to give her *** closer look. We could see that she had broken one of her canines, and there’s any number of ways she could have done that. Just to give you an idea of what we’re talking about, this is *** replica of *** polar bear skull, and the tooth in question is this one. It’s the lower left canine. This one is her broken tooth. X-ray confirmed the diagnosis and what needed to happen next. We did consult with *** uh specialist, *** veterinary specialist outside of Alaska, um, sent him the X-rays, got some good advice, and then we went with *** local doctor to do the work. And endedonist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed. Root canal on the fully sedated 450 pound bear. Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be, and it was, it was so well planned out and everybody worked so well together. The procedure, she says, went as smooth as butter, and Kova, she feels so much better, is clearly back to having fun.

    ‘She feels so much better’: Young polar bear gets a root canal

    Updated: 5:49 AM EDT Sep 20, 2025

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Polar bears Cranbeary and Kova have long been favorites at the Alaska Zoo. They share an enclosure filled with toys and treats and a large pool where Kova likes to take her morning swim.But it wasn’t so long ago that this normally playful 4-year-old was feeling under the weather.”Kova is a very interactive and busy bear, and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth a little bit,” Alaska Zoo curator Sam Lavin said.Lavin suspected an issue with a tooth, so she asked Kova to give her a closer look.”We could see that she had broken one of her canines, and there’s any number of ways that she could have done that.” An X-ray confirmed the diagnosis and what needed to happen next.”We did consult with a veterinary specialist outside of Alaska, sent him the X-rays, got some good advice, and then we went with a local doctor to do the work,” Lavin said.An endodontist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed the root canal on the fully sedated 450-pound bear.”Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be, and it was so well planned out. and everybody worked so well together,” Lavin said.The procedure, she says, went as smoothly as butter — and Kova is back to having fun.

    Polar bears Cranbeary and Kova have long been favorites at the Alaska Zoo. They share an enclosure filled with toys and treats and a large pool where Kova likes to take her morning swim.

    But it wasn’t so long ago that this normally playful 4-year-old was feeling under the weather.

    “Kova is a very interactive and busy bear, and she just seemed kind of off. She was pawing at her mouth a little bit,” Alaska Zoo curator Sam Lavin said.

    Lavin suspected an issue with a tooth, so she asked Kova to give her a closer look.

    “We could see that she had broken one of her canines, and there’s any number of ways that she could have done that.”

    An X-ray confirmed the diagnosis and what needed to happen next.

    “We did consult with a veterinary specialist outside of Alaska, sent him the X-rays, got some good advice, and then we went with a local doctor to do the work,” Lavin said.

    An endodontist who normally operates on humans was part of the large team that performed the root canal on the fully sedated 450-pound bear.

    “Everybody knew ahead of time what their role was and what to do and where to be, and it was so well planned out. and everybody worked so well together,” Lavin said.

    The procedure, she says, went as smoothly as butter — and Kova is back to having fun.

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  • Woman told adopted puppy is a corgi—orders DNA test as she’s not convinced

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    A rescue dog from Michigan has melted hearts online after his owners shared pictures of the pup they describe as the “silliest” mix of breeds they’ve ever seen.

    Gina Dufftt, from southeast Michigan, introduced the world to Bowie, a 30-pound, low-to-the-ground rescue with mismatched eyes and a calm, quirky charm, in the Facebook group Dogspotting Society.

    Despite being told he’s a corgi mix and just four months old, Bowie displays none of the typical high-energy puppy behavior. Instead, he has quickly become a laid-back, lovable companion.

    “We named him Bowie because of his awesome heterochromia,” Dufftt told Newsweek. “We know David Bowie didn’t actually have two different colored eyes, but the effect is there. His name when we adopted him was Mr. Pants, which we loved too—so his full name is officially Mr. Bowie Pants.”

    Pictures of Bowie the dog enjoying the backyard at his new home.

    Gina Dufftt

    Bowie was adopted through Bottle Babies Rescue, a local foster shelter. The group recently held an adoption event where 18 dogs found their forever homes. “They were wonderful,” Dufftt said.

    Although Bowie’s exact breed mix remains a mystery, the family has submitted a DNA test through Embark and hopes to receive results in the coming weeks. “Honestly, we have no idea what his breed is. We were told he was a corgi mix and that’s it,” Dufftt said. “I truly only shared his picture online to get feedback. I had no idea so many people would offer so many great opinions.”

    The post has drawn hundreds of comments from dog lovers. Tiffany-Renee Bradner wrote: “A corgi mixed with anything is 1000% adorable.” Others speculated that Bowie could have Old English Sheepdog in his genes, while many simply focused on his cuteness. “I don’t know what else he is besides cute!!!!” said Amber Dezelle.

    Bowie the dog
    Pictures of Bowie the dog who has captured hearts online for his unusual looks.

    Gina Dufftt

    This isn’t the first time a dog with an unusual breed mix has melted hearts online. Like Kiki, a Belgian Malinois-Aspin mix who was affectionately dubbed by her owner as a “Wish.com corgi,” or Scooby, a 3-year-old golden mountain dog—the name given to a mix of golden retriever and Bernese mountain dog.

    For the Dufftt family, Bowie’s arrival came at an especially meaningful time. “He has brought us a lot of joy since we brought him home, having just lost our longtime dog, Dale, a few weeks ago,” Dufftt said. “We are super glad he seems to have touched hearts all over the place.”

    Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

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