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Animals
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Animals. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The pet shop is located in a commercial building in North Point. Photo: Jelly Tse
Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Animal welfare groups slam Hong Kong pet shop for offering cat rental service

Pet shop gave clients the chance to rent a cat for a week for HK$800 with a refundable deposit of HK$6,500 before buying.

Japan

As the crow flies: how Tokyo’s 25-year pest purge ended in triumph

Japan

Japan’s ‘genius’ chimpanzee, who learned Chinese characters, dies at 49

Japan

Meow arriving: Japan railway’s newest cat stationmaster clocks in

Yontama is the third cat to become stationmaster on the Kishigawa Line in Wakayama prefecture after the death of her predecessor last year.

Newly appointed cat stationmaster Yontama is held by Wakayama Electric Railway President Mitsunobu Kojima on Wednesday, in Kinokawa, Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Photo: Kyodo
Pets

Rare genius dogs learn vocabulary by eavesdropping, study shows

Some gifted canines pick up words simply by overhearing people speak to each other without needing to be taught.

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Animal welfare in Hong Kong

Hong Kong group saves 351 animals in 6 months as trapping, smuggling cases surge

Paws Guardian Rescue Shelter reports that animal cruelty cases are ‘alarmingly common’ as it calls for stronger action to be taken.

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Chinese culture

3 Hong Kong events to celebrate the Year of the Horse 2026

From a horse show to a run in nature to a special character’s appearance at Hong Kong Disneyland, ring in the Lunar New Year at these events.

The Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show will return to the AsiaWorld-Expo from January 30 to February 1. The 2026 event will feature competitions and entertainment as well as the chance to see impressive equine action. Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club
Singapore

‘Deeply distressing’: Singapore’s animal shelters struggle with costs

Cases of animal cruelty and poor welfare have also surged, with the SPCA reporting 961 confirmed cases last year.

South Korea

South Korea ends bear bile industry, but 200 moon bears in limbo

As the ban takes effect January 1, disputes over farmer compensation and limited shelter space leave hundreds of captive bears with nowhere to go.

Tourism

Expedition to Chile’s Cape Horn reveals awesome nature at the world’s end

A 5-day cruise to South America’s southern tip stuns with fiords, penguins and wind-blasted cliffs reached via the world’s deadliest waters.

Expedition crew members walk in Chile’s Cape Horn National Park, one of the southernmost points of South America. A five-day expedition there presents spectacular nature – and danger. Photo: dpa-tmn
Thailand

Thailand rediscovers ‘extinct’ flat-headed cat after three decades

Elusive feline spotted with cub, offering hope for endangered species’ survival.

A picture taken with a camera trap shows a recently rediscovered flat-headed cat in southern Thailand. Photo: Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation/AFP
2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict

Thai marines rescue starving lions, bears from Cambodian border casino

Officials say the two lions, two Asiatic black bears and one sun bear suffered from underfeeding and prolonged neglect at Thmor Dar Casino.

Japan

‘Juicy, delicious’ and sold out: culled bear meat sparks Japan feeding frenzy

‘With news about bears growing, the number of customers who want to eat their meat has increased a lot,’ an eatery owner says.

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Beauty

Explainer | What is horse oil and why is it a popular skin treatment in East Asia?

Horse oil is said to intensely hydrate skin, fortify hair, and diminish the appearance of wrinkles, but research is lacking on such claims.

Horse oil has been used for centuries to treat burned and chapped skin, and later as a beauty product. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Bear aware: Japanese drone school develops AI system to track animals

The new system being developed in Akita prefecture can detect bears and share their locations via smartphones.

D-Academy Tohoku tests a bear-detection drone at a zoo in Kitaakita, Akita prefecture, in April. Photo: D-Academy Tohoku/Kyodo
Chinese culture

‘I have witnessed magic’: how horses help Hong Kong people with disabilities

Riding for the Disabled Association instructor Joelle Scott reveals some of the amazing ways equine therapy can help those with disabilities.

Indonesia

Indonesian elephants tasked to help in flood recovery spur conservation debate

The four elephants deployed to lift debris in Aceh last week after flooding were also involved in the 2004 post-tsunami recovery efforts.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Editorial | Tai Po pet rescues put Hong Kong’s compassion on show

Hong Kong’s efforts to save pets at a time of such heartbreak are a sign of the city’s care and compassion.

Pets are rescued by firefighters as four buildings are still engulfed in flames at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 27, a day after the fire broke out. Photo: Eugene Lee
France

French farmers spray manure, block roads over cow ‘mass slaughter’ policy

Farmers in southern France are incensed by the government’s mandatory slaughter of herds to contain ‘lumpy skin disease’.

Chinese culture

5 of the best-known horses in Chinese legend, from the Red Hare to qilin

Horses play a fascinating role in Chinese folklore, ranging from the downright disturbing – one kidnaps a girl – to the gently auspicious.

Art

Famous horse-related works of art as the Year of the Horse 2026 approaches

To celebrate the nearing Year of the Fire Horse, we look at paintings, books and plays that show how the use of horses in art has evolved.

A scene from War Horse, performed at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2019. The award-winning British play is one of many artworks made over the centuries with a strong equine focus. Photo: Winson Wong
Trending in China

Chinese woman with social anxiety feeds 120 stray cats with banquet leftovers

Woman has participated in wedding banquets about every 10 days in past 3 years, sometimes bringing home 30kg of untouched leftover food.

A young woman with social anxiety moved many by “crashing” 100 weddings to collect leftovers for 120 stray cats, inspiring a following of 1.5 million as she shared her journey. Photo: Douyin
The Philippines

Brutal dog killing in Philippines sparks outrage, calls for tougher protections

Viral footage of Axle the dog’s shocking death has galvanised the country’s animal activists to demand harsh legal repercussions.

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Indonesia

‘Could go extinct here’: orangutans at risk as Indonesia floods devastate habitat

Orangutans have disappeared since landslides struck Sipirok in North Sumatra province.

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Indonesia

Meet ‘Rio’, the first giant panda cub born in Indonesia

The newborn is stable and showing healthy early signs such as strong vocalisation, effective nursing and steady weight gain.

Hu Chun holding her newborn cub. Photo: Taman Safari Indonesia via AP
Conservation

Florida kicks off first black bear hunt in a decade, despite outcry

The rifles and crossbows are out, after a limited 172 permits drew over 160,000 applications.

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Members of the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida protest against the proposed black bear hunt in Orlando in May. Photo: TNS
Brazil

Teen mauled to death after climbing into lion enclosure at Brazil zoo

Authorities say 19-year-old Gerson de Melo Machado, who had mental health struggles, scaled a six-metre wall to enter the enclosure.

Science

United we stand: why mammals that band together may face lower cancer risks

In cooperative societies – like elephants or whales – natural selection seems to favour genetic mechanisms that suppress cancer, study says.

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