Viral Tab Animals

This is the adorable moment a young rockhopper penguin snuggles up to its mum as she feeds it at their zoo enclosure. The youngster was part of several broods of northern rockhopper penguin chicks going on show to the public for the first time in Austria on Thursday, 1st June. The ten chicks were born recently at the Polarium in Schoenbrunn Zoo, Vienna, Austria, and are still young enough to pester mum for regurgitated feeds. One cute youngster was shown in zoo video footage sticking closer to its mother and then tapping her beak, a signal that it wanted feeding. Others - still in their baby-down feathers - lined up for their keepers while they were fed whole fish by hand after being weighed. The distinctive northern rockhopper penguins are listed 'endangered' on IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species due to climate change and overfishing. A study from 2009 provided evidence that their number had declined by 90 per cent since the 1950s on a global scale. Zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: "No other zoo breeds northern rockhopper penguin as successfully as we do. "Schoenbrunn Zoo also coordinates the EAZA Ex-situ Programme (EEP). Our expertise is also in constant demand around the world. "This year we also took over two chicks from the Munich Zoo, because the facility there is being renovated and we can support the chicks growing up here with us." Hering-Hagenbeck told how two northern rockhopper males became part of the zoo family when they were found close to death on the Australian coast in 2016. After being nursed back to health they were flown to Vienna and have now integrated fully into the flock. Hering-Hagenbeck said: "Both males have integrated very well into our group and have now found females. "One of the two has now provided for offspring for the first time this year and thus contributes to the preservation of its species in the zoo. "Their dramatic story thus found a happy ending with us."

These heartwarming images show how two adorable snow leopard cubs explored their surroundings eight weeks after being born at a zoo in Austria. Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: "First, they take only a cautious glance outside, but then curiosity quickly prevails, and the two little snow leopards embark on their first outing to the outdoor enclosure. "And soon they realise: playing in the grass is really fun. "Would you like to observe the now eight-week-old sisters during their explorations? You have a good chance of seeing them early in the morning." The images were an instant online hit, with one social media user commenting: "So cute, we must go to Salzburg soon." Another wrote: "Congratulations on your breeding success, and thank you for your tireless dedication to preserving the population of such wonderful animals and many others." Local media earlier reported that the female cubs were born on the night of 2nd April to mum Malou and dad Sayan. They are the first big cats to be born at Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn in four years. Sabine Grebner, the zoo's managing director, said shortly after the felines came into the world: "The cubs are developing splendidly, and Malou is an especially caring mother." The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) inhabits the mountains of central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, ranging from an elevation of about 6,000 feet in the winter to about 18,000 feet in the summer. The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. There are now only between 2,710 and 3,386 adult snow leopards left in their natural habitat due to poaching and illegal trade.

The oldest zoo in the world has celebrated the hatching of more than 1,000 adorable European pond turtles threatened with extinction. Overjoyed staff at the Schoenbrunn Zoo, in the city of Vienna, Austria, honoured the moment the young turtles hatched and left their nests at the Danube-Auen National Park. The happy announcement was made on the Endangered Species Day on Friday, 19th May, in order to emphasise the importance of protecting the country's only native turtle species. Head of the European pond turtle protection project Maria Schindler said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: "We have been to the Danube-Auen regularly since March to check the clutches that have hatched. "Using the remains of the eggshell and the undeveloped eggs, we estimate how many hatchlings hatched. "It was a great turtle season with over 1,000 hatchlings. But only a fraction of them make it to adulthood." The small reptile species - Emys orbicularis - are listed as near threatened on IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. Schoenbrunn Zoo has reportedly taken part in their conservation and protection from wild predators since 2007. Schindler said: "From May to July we observe the female turtles laying their eggs and provide each nest with a special protective grid. "That way, wild boar or foxes can’t dig up the eggs." This way - according to Schindler - a total of 164 turtle clutches were protected from animals of prey last year. She explained that after they hatch, many of the juvenile turtles may choose to leave the nest burrows over the autumn period. But Schindler added that female individuals are particularly nostalgic and usually return to their nesting areas through the years. She said: "It's always nice to see old friends. Female #42, for example, is 60 to 80 years old and has been returning to her nesting area for over 20 years." National Park Director Edith Klauser said: "In the past, we only saw adult terrapins, if at all. Turtles of all ages can now be observed. "We are therefore very grateful for the great cooperation between the Danube-Auen National Park and the Schoenbrunn Zoo." Klauser warned people staying near the national park to drive slowly and keep their distance from the petit turtles in order to avoid injuring them. The zoo added: "Under no circumstances should turtles from the trade be released into the wild - they are genetically different from the native ones and displace them!" They emphasised that sponsorships to save the clutches are highly valued, and reasoned it by saying: "Because every clutch counts!"

A wallaby on the loose that has troubled authorities in Austria for more than a week has again escaped fire department crews when they tried to catch it. The marsupial - a smaller cousin of the kangaroo - was spotted hopping around the town of Alberndorf, in Hollabrunn district in Lower Austria, for days after it fled its owner. Named 'Captain', the witty animal has reportedly evaded capture for more than a week, despite crews from the Jetzelsdorf Volunteer Fire Department getting really close to seizing it on Thursday, 13th April. Video footage shows the moment firemen block the main road near a railway track as they quietly approach the wallaby in order to catch it. A crew member meanwhile, rushes towards the rest of the team with a net for the capture of the small animal. But just seconds before he rejoins the team, the animal flees away and crosses the railway tracks, leaving the emptyhanded crews behind. A spokesperson from the Fire Department told Newsflash: "We got a call from a passer-by that this wallaby was walking along the train tracks in Jetzelsdorf in the direction of the main road. "In this regard, some comrades were called to a T1 animal rescue operation. "We blocked access to the main road as best we could without affecting traffic. "With the help of the owners, we tried to catch the wallaby, but unfortunately, we didn't succeed. "Due to the darkness, we had to stop the attempt. The next day it was sighted two towns away. "The wallaby [...] is currently still on the move and is sighted by several passers-by between Jetzelsdorf and Alberndorf." The wallaby's owner urged the public to contact authorities in case they spot the animal. He warned people not to try to capture it on their own, as the wallaby is skittish and likely to flee. This - according to the owner - is the wallaby's second escape attempt since 2021. The Fire Department added: "We hope that it will soon arrive safe and sound at its home."

The adorable video shows the moment Magellanic penguins prepare for the annual mating season by building nests between the cracks of the rocky outcrops in their enclosure. Resident penguins at Shedd Aquarium in the city of Chicago, Illinois State, USA, overjoyed visitors by giving them a glimpse of how they get ready for their yearly nesting season. Delightful footage - shared by aquarium officials on Tuesday, 11th April - shows an individual carrying straw into its beak before it climbs up the rocky structure and reaches its mate. Aquarium officials said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: "Ever wonder what it's like in the penguin habitat during nesting season? Let's pop in for a peek!" They continued: "As part of the birds' care, the daily light cycle in their habitat has been altered to signal the start of the weeks-long season, and nest-building materials, including rocks, pieces of hose and lavender, to mimic options available in their native habitats, have been provided. "Both species of penguins residing at Shedd – rockhopper and Magellanic – will have ample opportunities to participate in the nest building and pairing processes. "To attract a female mate or reinforce an existing bond, male penguins will typically build their own nests, although female penguins, once paired, also help with the construction process. "Rockhoppers, in particular, carefully select and carry rocks one by one in their beak to build their nests. "This does not mean the males are above stealing materials from other males' nests – sometimes, they will take stones from other nests to adorn their own."

A meow-meow mephedrone dealer who used a cat dressed in baby clothes as a disguise while she made her deliveries has been seized by police. Officers in Russia arrested the woman as she was dropping off packages of M-CAT to her customers in Nizhny Tagil. When they searched her and found nothing, they looked at the baby in her arms, and were astonished to see the cat's furry face peering out from under a baby's bobble hat. It was then that they discovered the confused cat dressed in baby-grow and fleecy papoose coat. And inside the papoose the officers found bundles of several packages of the cocaine-like drug. Police photographs of the arrest show the car dressed head to tail in smart baby clothes and the woman even wearing a hat with cat ears. A video shows the officers removing the puss from the papoose as they search for the drugs. Then they start to strip search the cat which is even wearing a nappy to make the disguise complete. A search of the woman's apartment found scales, plastic bags and a further 170 grammes of mephedrone. The stimulant is better known by its street name 'meow meow', apparently for its links to the East African khat plan. A spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Irina Volk, said: "The cat was wrapped in warm clothes for newborn babies, and she was carrying in her hands as the police approached. "On closer examination and realised it was a domestic cat. "After they removed the cap from the clothing, they discovered five bundles with a white powder inside which turned out to be N-methylephedron.” Local media reports that the dealer is in custody and her real-life daughter and the cat are staying with relatives.

An elk startled staff and patients at a hospital in the USA, after it entered the lobby and munched on the decorative plants. The hungry animal reportedly stormed right into the lobby of Providence Alaska Medical Centre in the city of Anchorage, Alaska, USA, after it spotted the potted plants on Thursday, 7th April. A video shows the moment the elk strolls through the front doors looking for some morning greens, leaving hospital employees and patients shocked by the unusual view. Medical centre spokesperson Mikal Canfield said in an interview with Newsflash: "The initial reaction was surprise. "Alaskans see moose in the community all of the time, but they rarely come inside of a building. "Once people became aware of the moose, everyone moved away from it to give the moose some space. "When the security team arrived, their focus was on ensuring the safety of everyone inside the lobby, including the moose. "And of course everyone was taking pictures and videos." Canfield suspected that the creature came inside to get to the plans, which he claimed that "unlike everything outside right now - are green and pretty inviting to a moose spending its days in snow". He added: "Many people joked about the hospital salad bar receiving moose approval." The Providence Alaska Medical Centre employee revealed that the automatic doors which the elk entered through, were propped open to help get the animal back outside. He said: "Members of the security team created a wall around the moose by moving some of the lobby furniture. "Thankfully, the moose became aware of the people and things around it and went back outside. "Once security arrived, it took about 15 minutes to encourage the moose to leave the building." Canfield said that the situation would have probably had a different turn of events if the elk had been an adult, and added: "The moose was young and more curious and confused than anything else. "Adult moose tend to be more aggressive. Nobody was injured. "To people who live in Alaska and see moose all the time, the whole incident was viewed with amusement and just another day in Alaska."

These images show how six fin whales, including a mother and her calf, were spotted off Spain's Mediterranean coast. The Association for the Study and Dissemination of the Aquatic Environment (EDMAKTUB) said that it was delighted at the sightings, which come at a time of higher temperatures and lack of rain, which means that there is likely to be less food around for the whales in the area. The footage shows the fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea off the Catalan coast. It is reportedly the first time that a calf has been spotted in the area since 2017. The touching images show the whales coming up for air and blowing water and air out of their blowholes. The footage also shows the calf swimming under the watchful gaze of its mother. Newsflash obtained a statement from EDMAKTUB dated Tuesday, 28th March and saying: "The EDMAKTUB association starts the 2023 season of the Fin Whale Project. The first sightings of Mediterranean whales include a female with a calf." The Barcelona-based association added: "This March, the EDMAKTUB association launched the campaigns for the 2023 Fin Whale Project. "The season begins with weather marked by high temperatures and lack of rain. Thus, there is an uncertain presence of individuals due to the possible lack of food this season." "However, among the six individuals already sighted, there is a mother and a calf. The last calf sighted was in 2017, and the scarce presence in recent years is concerning. Of the animals genetically analysed through skin samples, 50 per cent are females." Fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), also known as common rorquals, are listed as a vulnerable species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

This is the moment a sorry-looking husky is rescued from the frozen Baltic Sea adrift far from land on an ice floe. Witnesses could barely believe their eyes when they saw the pooch drifting out into the Gulf of Finland from Russia's western coast on Friday, 24th March. But they alerted the Search and Rescue Service in Saint Petersburg, who launched a lifeboat to save the terrified pup. A video of the rescue shows the crew pulling alongside the ice floe with the husky hunched over and clearly frightened and freezing. As crew members reach down to reassure it, they lift up the dog and haul it aboard their rescue launch. When they checked the husky's collar they discovered her name is Bonita and quickly phoned her owner from the name on her ID tag. Russian Emergency Situations Ministry officials said later in a statement obtained by Newsflash: "There it turned out that the name of the victim was Bonita, and the owner's phone number was also indicated on the collar. "Fortunately, very soon they were together again: happy, but pretty scared!" It was not established how the husky ended up on the ice flow, the ministry claimed. They added: "One thing is clear: she is definitely lucky. "And the Saint Petersburg rescuers once again urge all four-legged animals not to go out on the deadly ice reservoirs."

This is the moment a baby orangutan explores its enclosure in warm spring weather - but always keeps a tight grip on mum. The nine-month-old girl was being shown round the outdoor area of their zoo home by her watchful mother teaching her how to forage for food. The youngster hitched a lift on mum as they patrolled around the public part of their enclosure at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, the Austrian capital. Charming video footage of the pair released by the zoo on Thursday, 23rd March shows the baby first grabbing hold of mum's leg before being swung up onto her back. Then the pair pick their way through the climbing ropes and logs designed to mimic their natural environment in the Indonesian jungle. As they stop to graze, the mum shows her daughter where to find the sweetest snacks like rose petals, fresh bamboo and newly-sprouting grass. Enclosure head keeper Sandra Keiblinger said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: "Everything is new, our orangutan girl is still careful. "In the indoor area, the little one is already climbing around on her own. "In a few weeks she will also dare to do this in the outdoor enclosure." Orangutans are native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia, and can nowadays only be found only in parts of Borneo and Sumatra. Keiblinger said: "Orangutans have really big muscles. Their arms are extremely long and strong, their thumbs shortened. "Despite their weight, they can shimmy from branch to branch. "Their feet work like hands – perfect for climbing trees and balancing on ropes." Orangutans are considered highly intelligent and share 96.4 per cent of human genes. But their numbers have significantly decreased due to deforestation and habitat loss in the last decade. Current records say there are less than 105,000 Bornean orangutans in the wild. Projections claim this number is expected to decline further to 47,000 individuals by 2025.

This is the moment a baby orangutan explores its enclosure in warm spring weather - but always keeps a tight grip on mum. The nine-month-old girl was being shown round the outdoor area of their zoo home by her watchful mother teaching her how to forage for food. The youngster hitched a lift on mum as they patrolled around the public part of their enclosure at Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna, the Austrian capital. Charming video footage of the pair released by the zoo on Thursday, 23rd March shows the baby first grabbing hold of mum's leg before being swung up onto her back. Then the pair pick their way through the climbing ropes and logs designed to mimic their natural environment in the Indonesian jungle. As they stop to graze, the mum shows her daughter where to find the sweetest snacks like rose petals, fresh bamboo and newly-sprouting grass. Enclosure head keeper Sandra Keiblinger said in a statement obtained by Newsflash: "Everything is new, our orangutan girl is still careful. "In the indoor area, the little one is already climbing around on her own. "In a few weeks she will also dare to do this in the outdoor enclosure." Orangutans are native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia, and can nowadays only be found only in parts of Borneo and Sumatra. Keiblinger said: "Orangutans have really big muscles. Their arms are extremely long and strong, their thumbs shortened. "Despite their weight, they can shimmy from branch to branch. "Their feet work like hands – perfect for climbing trees and balancing on ropes." Orangutans are considered highly intelligent and share 96.4 per cent of human genes. But their numbers have significantly decreased due to deforestation and habitat loss in the last decade. Current records say there are less than 105,000 Bornean orangutans in the wild. Projections claim this number is expected to decline further to 47,000 individuals by 2025.