Animals
Pet owners fed up with woman feeding their cats questionable food
Residents in three Christchurch suburbs want the police, the SPCA and the local MP to help stop a woman they say is harming their pets. Cat owners in Papanui, Bryndwr and Bishopdale are tracking a… Video, Audio
Critter of the Week: New Zealand earthworm
This week's critter is a bioluminescent member of our underground network of soil engineers. We're talking about the New Zealand earthworm, Octochaetus multiporus. Audio
The charismatic kākāpō is booming, but its friends need help
Having kākāpō in the North Island wilderness again is an historic win for our native manu, but conservationists say other species are at risk of falling through the cracks. Audio
Auckland Zoo's last elephant may have found forever home
Auckland Zoo's last remaining elephant 40 year old Burma may have finally found a forever home to live out her twilight years in South Australia. Last year, Australia Zoo pulled the pin on plans to… Video, Audio
New frog detection dog ready to start work
What began as a conservation dream several years ago has finally been realised. Aotearoa New Zealand now has its first certified native frog detection dog - Holly, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling… Audio
Could increased wild bird feeding be hurting them?
Interest in birds surged through COVID-19 lockdowns around the world as people found themselves stuck at home.
Using the Google search index, researchers recorded a surge of interest in bird feeding… Audio
The petrel patrol
Every year, tens to hundreds of seabirds fall out of the sky across Auckland city. Disoriented by the bright lights, Cook's petrels crash-land and collide with buildings – but a dedicated group of… Video, Audio
Our Changing World - Patrolling for petrels
Every autumn, tens to hundreds of young Cook's petrels crash-land across Auckland city, disoriented by the bright city lights. Assistant producer Ellen Rykers joins a volunteer Petrel Patrol searching… Audio
Bird of the century
The Bird of the Year contest is cancelled for 2023.
The annual poll run by Forest and Bird has had some tumultuous moments: voting scandals, a bat (a mammal!) winning, and a competition favourite… Audio
Lucy Scott: Puppies and sibling recognition
Experts are claiming dogs separated at eight to 12 weeks won't forget about their siblings for up to two years, and these same dogs often recognise their mothers beyond the two-year mark. Dr. Lucy… Audio
How pain affects our pets' behaviour
How do we know when our cats and dogs are in pain? And how does pain affect their behaviour? These are among the topics being explored by Dr Sarah Heath, keynote speaker at next weekend's Kiwi Vet… Audio
Dingoes and their link to dogs
New genetic analysis reveals dingo populations have less dog ancestry than previously thought. Although considered to be an Australian native - dingoes are thought to be descendants of South Asian… Audio
Whale spotted in Wellington harbour
There's been whale-spotting excitement around Wellington Harbour again with a tohorā or southern right whale appearance.
Facebook groups dedicated to dolphin and whale sightings lit up with photos… Audio
Weta motels - how they get made!
If you were listening to the show last Friday you'll know our critter of the week was the Banks Peninsula tree weta. This fascinating creature has been able to thrive largely due to the work of the… Audio
The fine art of camel racing in outback Australia
Boulia in Queensland, Australia is a remote outback town with just 300 people. But recently, its population swelled to about 3-thousand - for what's called the Melbourne Cup of camel races Camel… Audio
Special cat show in Palmerston North
Cat lovers will be having a great time in Palmerston North this weekend where there's a dedicated show for felines with a special category for the very popular Burmese breed. Audio
Australia: Games gone, girl governor, dingo attack, space junk
Australia correspondent Karen Middleton joins Kathryn to dissect the death of Victoria's Commonwealth Games dream, after Premier Daniel Andrews decided it was just too expensive for the state to host… Audio
Fay Clark: Do animals feel joy?
We've spoken before on Sunday morning about cats, dogs and cows, and how they reveal their affection for us. Research is making great strides in analysing animals we're familiar with and ascertaining… Audio
Dogs help get workers back in the office
A new poll has found that 60 percent of workers would be more likely to work in the office if a dog was there to entice them.
Nearly 2000 Kiwi workers took part in the poll by Frog Recruitment, which… Audio
Long Read: Bone Hunters
By George Driver: An ancient lake bed in St Bathans is revealing New Zealand's mysterious past. Audio