Doggy Medal Auctioned For Record Sum

Dog Magazine:

A PDSA Dickin Medal – the animals’ Victoria Cross – awarded to a World War II search dog during the London Blitz, has today (24 April 2009) sold at auction for the record sum of £24,250.

The medal was awarded to Rip in July 1945 for “Locating many air raid victims during the Blitz of 1940”…

Dozens Of Zoo Animals Die In Fire

The Tribune:

Dozens of animals killed in Zoo to You fire in Paso Robles [California]. Among the nearly 40 animals that died are monkeys, sloths and birds; the fire may have started with electrical mishap.

Japanese Fleet To Hunt Minke Whales

AFP:

Japan launched a whaling mission on Wednesday with the target of killing 60 minke whales for what the government calls research, drawing immediate protests from environmentalists.

Four whaling ships and one designated research vessel set sail from Ayukawa port in northern Miyagi prefecture to hunt the giant sea mammals within 80 kilometres (50 miles) of its coast until late May, the fisheries agency said…

Animal Rights Activists Arrested

The Great Beyond:

Alleged members of the Animal Liberation Front have been charged with conspiracy, stalking and other crimes related to a campaign against researchers in California…

How Did Seals Get Flippers?

Times Online:

A fossil skeleton that helps to explain how seals and walruses developed flippers has been discovered in the Canadian Arctic, shedding light on the mammals’ transition from land to water.

RSPCA Needs Young Artists

The RSPCA’s South East Region is on the lookout again for talented young artists to design murals to decorate Southridge Animal Centre, its high profile animal centre in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire.

 More info here: RSPCA

Dog Breeder Banned From Keeping Dogs

Daily Post:

A breeder was yesterday banned from keeping dogs for two years after he let animals live in “inches of muck”…

Rabbit Starved To Death

BBC News:

A woman has admitted starving her pet rabbit after its maggot-ridden remains were discovered in a hutch in her garden..

OAP Trains Foxes To Beg For Food

Times:

An 80-year-old man has trained foxes to stand up on their hind legs and beg for food, amazing animal behaviourists. Up to seven animals wait every night in the garden of Richard Lavelle, in Derby…

Russell Crowe Fights For Steve Irwin’s Wildlife Reserve

Contact Music:

Russell Crowe has turned gladiator again in a bid to stop Australian officials from strip mining in late pal Steve Irwin’s wildlife reserve in Queensland.
Over 130,000 hectares of wilderness was handed over to conservationists by politicians after Crocodile Hunter Irwin’s death in 2006 as a tribute.
But the new Aussie government now plans to allow a local aluminium company to mine a portion of the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve – and Crowe is doing everything he can to make officials think again.