The Columbian

Pets & Wildlife

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society CEO Ashley Jeffrey Bouck plays with Kaine, a dog awaiting adoption, in the office where he is housed because of overcrowding at the shelter, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Menands, N.Y. Animal shelters around the nation are bursting at the seams, often with larger dogs. Adoptions haven’t been keeping pace with the number of animals coming in, creating bottlenecks.

Animal shelters filling amid rising cost of living

December 29, 2023, 6:20am Life

Kaine is a big, buoyant dog looking for a home. But lately, he’s spending a lot of time at the office. Read story

Zoo Atlanta welcomed a newborn southern white rhinoceros calf on Christmas Eve. The largest of five rhino species, southern white rhino calves are born weighing 100-150 pounds.

Rare southern white rhino born at Zoo Atlanta

December 29, 2023, 6:19am Life

Zoo Atlanta received a rather large delivery on Christmas Eve: a southern white rhinoceros calf. Read story

Sumatran orangutan Eirina and her baby Siska nap at the Denver Zoo.

Maury Povich reveals paternity results to zoo orangutan

December 29, 2023, 6:00am Life

Initially unsure of which orangutan was the father of a new baby primate, the Denver Zoo decided to have a little fun with the results and turned to the paternity announcement guru himself: former daytime talk show host Maury Povich. Read story

From left, Brian Alfrey, Caleb Thomas and Jackson Wolfe bird-watch Dec. 16 at Vancouver Lake.

Sky is the limit for Vancouver Audubon’s Young Birder’s Club

December 28, 2023, 6:08am Clark County News

Retired folks aren’t the only people who enjoy observing birds as a hobby. Teenagers Jackson Wolfe and Katie Warner lead Vancouver Audubon’s Young Birder’s Club. Read story

Newborn southern resident orca spotted in Puget Sound

December 27, 2023, 5:35pm Life

The J pod of endangered southern resident orcas has a new baby. Read story

A female Spotted Owl sits perched on a branch of a tree among old growth near Mount Rainier forest land in Washington, June 27, 2008.

Endangered Species Act’s 50th anniversary: What 6 Northwest animals can tell us

December 25, 2023, 5:00pm Latest News

No matter how humble or obscure, all plant, animal and insect life in America is eligible for protection under the Endangered Species Act, one of the most far-reaching and important conservation statutes in the world. Read story

Sadie’s puppies resting together at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.

Humane Society for Southwest Washington steps in to help after stray Labrador gives birth to 11 puppies

December 25, 2023, 3:29pm Clark County Life

In late November, a Vancouver family stumbled upon Sadie, a 3-year-old pregnant stray dog, rummaging through trash in their neighborhood. Initially, the family intended to nurse her back to health, but when Sadie, a Labrador mix, gave birth to 11 puppies around Thanksgiving, they realized they didn’t have the space… Read story

Owning a dog has been linked to better mental health and a lower perception of social isolation, which can reduce the risk of heart attacks and cognitive issues.

Why dogs are good for your health: A pooch can boost physical, social, mental well-being

December 22, 2023, 6:56am Life

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: We’re thinking about getting a dog. We know they’re great companions, but how are they good for your health? Read story

Raja, the popular Asian elephant at the St. Louis Zoo in St. Louis, is being moved for breeding purposes to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio. (St.

Elephant will leave St. Louis Zoo to be part of breeding program

December 22, 2023, 6:56am Life

Raja the elephant has been one of the biggest attractions — literally and figuratively — at the St. Louis Zoo for decades. Now, he’s moving away. Read story