The Columbian

Pets & Wildlife

President-elect Joe Biden with his new dog Major on Nov. 17, 2018, at Delaware Humane Association in Wilmington, Del. The Bidens two dogs -- Major and Champ -- will join the prestigious list of White House pets.

Biden’s dogs back at White House after ruff start

March 24, 2021, 7:49pm Life

President Joe Biden’s dogs — Champ and Major — are roaming the White House again, after having been sent to Delaware when Major, the younger dog, injured a Secret Service agent. Read story

This Feb. 9 2021, photo provided by Cassidy Timm shows her kitten Spot in Sequim, Wash,, before going missing. Spot returned home by plane after getting lost on the ferry from Washington to Alaska. KTOO Public Media reported Thursday, March 11, 2021 that Cassidy Timm and Blake Ward lost their kitten Spot after she slipped through the sunroof of their car, which was parked on the ferry. When they got home to Haines, Timm posted on Facebook about the incident. Spot was later found in Juneau about 6 miles from the ferry dock.

Kitten lost on ferry sent home in Alaska

March 19, 2021, 6:05am Life

A couple have been reunited with their 4-month-old kitten after it slipped out of their car on a ferry ride to Alaska. Read story

A male regent honeyeater bird in Capertee Valley in New South Wales, Australia. The distinctive black and yellow birds were once common across Australia, but habitat loss since the 1950s has shrunk their population to only about 300 wild birds today.

Birdsong key to wooing a mate

March 19, 2021, 6:00am Life

Male songbirds usually learn their tunes from adult mentors. But when aspiring crooners lack proper role models, they hit all the wrong notes — and have less success attracting mates. Read story

Dusty, the wild horse, which roamed North Carolina's Outer Banks, has died.

Wild horse Dusty dies at 25

March 19, 2021, 5:27am Life

A wild horse that roamed North Carolina’s Outer Banks has died, a group that manages her herd says. Read story

Studies: Noise from Navy’s Growler jets could impact wildlife

March 18, 2021, 8:20am Northwest

A battle continues over jets at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, with the most recent fight being over how the noise generated by a growing number of EA-18G Growler jets stationed at the military base impacts wildlife. Read story

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden with their grandchildren Natalie Biden and Hunter Biden, walk on the South Lawn upon arrival at the White House in Washington from a weekend trip to Wilmington, Del., Sunday, March 14, 2021.

A good boy again: Biden’s dog will return to the White House

March 17, 2021, 8:32am Pets & Wildlife

There is Major breaking news: President Joe Biden’s wayward pup is no longer in the doghouse. Read story

A monarch butterfly sits on a cone flower at Millennium Park in Chicago in 2019. (Jose M.

Monarch garden a small step toward saving butterflies

March 16, 2021, 6:05am Life

First, the bleak butterfly news: The population of monarchs passing the winter in Mexico appears to have fallen. Now, the good news for Illinois’ state insect: The Field Museum in Chicago is trying to figure out what makes a successful urban monarch garden, and it’s not too early to start… Read story

Wildlife managers ban invasive reptiles

March 12, 2021, 6:07am Pets & Wildlife

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Thursday signed off on banning the sale, ownership and breeding of tegus, iguanas and other invasive reptiles that have overrun native wildlife populations. Read story

Manatees gather Dec. 27 in the warm waters of a canal off the Intracoastal Waterway near the Indian River Lagoon in Satellite Beach, Fla.

Florida manatee deaths surging

March 12, 2021, 6:07am Pets & Wildlife

Florida manatees are dying at an alarming rate in the first two months of 2021, more than tripling the normal amount of fatalities seen during the same period over the last five years. Read story