Animals
Long Read: The Teenage Animal
By Kate Evans: Just like humans, animals go through ‘wildhood’—a time of experimentation, creativity, danger and learning. Audio
What effects did Cyclone Gabrielle have on native species?
Silt is clogging the rivers, birds are in the wrong place, and trout are in the drains. The effects of Cyclone Gabrielle have been devastating to native species.
Fire-proof frogs emerge from the Australian bush fires of 2019
A surprisingly 'fire-proof frog' has emerged from 2019's Black Summer fires. Lead researcher, University of Newcastle's Dr Chad Berankek talks to Jesse. Audio
Wild pigs roaming in St Bathans
Wild pigs in St Bathans in Central Otago are unnerving residents and putting them constantly on alert.
In March, a wild boar charged a man, knocked him out, dislocated his shoulder - and narrowly… Audio
Critter of the Week: southern blue fin tuna
May 2 was World Tuna Day so this week we're talking about the endangered southern bluefin tuna, Thunnus maccoyii. Tuna have been dubbed the Ferraris of the ocean because they're sleek, powerful and… Audio
Heatwaves impact NZ oceans, mountains - study
Salmon farms, seaweed life and snowless ski-fields are all bearing the brunt of recent heatwaves, according to a new study out today. The research, which will be published in the academic journal… Audio
The Pre-Panel with Sue Kedgley and David Farrar
Today on the Panel, Wallace Chapman and panellists Sue Kedgley and David Farrar discuss why vet bills are so pricey. Plus, our panellists tell us what has been on their mind this week. Audio
Tuatara keeper retiring after caring for Henry for 52 years!
The main handler of Invercargill's celebrity tuatara Henry is retiring this month, after a relationship dating back more than five decades. Lindsay Hazley met Henry back in 1970, then a schoolboy… Audio
Pet rats picking up in popularity
"Smelly, dirty and diseased." Just some of the words associated with rats.
But an Auckland assistant vet is hoping to turn all that around.
Belinda Clarke breeds pet rats and loves them so much, she… Audio
Stock trading: Why NZ farmers import and export animals
New Zealand livestock has a top-class reputation internationally. Exports by sea are banned, so how else do we send animals offshore? Audio
Scientists find 26 new species of worm in Porirua
Scientists have discovered 26 new worm species, and evidence the creatures exist in stunning numbers.
Sleeping elephant seals fall deep into the ocean
Researchers have found elephant seals falling asleep at sea and tumbling hundreds of metres deep in uncontrolled spirals.
The Detail's Long Read: This Little Piggy Went to Europe
By Gregor Thompson: the rags-to-riches story of the kunekune pig, New Zealand’s cutest ambassador. Audio
Swarbrick responds to govt delay on greyhound racing decision
A decision on the future of greyhound racing has been pushed back until after the election. A move animal rights advocates say is a betrayal.
The government put greyhound racing on notice at the end… Video, Audio
National Party proposes reversing the ban on live exports
The National Party is promising to reverse a ban on live animal exports if it's elected to government.
The ban has only just come into effect, with the last shipment of animals leaving Napier this… Audio
Sanctuary hit by cyclone working to restore predator free zone
The aftermath of cyclone Gabrielle is still being felt across many places on the North Island. In the wake of the cyclone many kiwi conservation project workers are still out there assessing any… Audio
Cat hunting competition backtracks on controversial category
Organisers of a hunting contest in the South Island have made a U-turn after receiving what they describe as "vile emails and messages".
The North Canterbury Hunting Competition planned to give $250… Audio
New research: bees are sentient, self aware, are emotional
A growing body of research suggests that bees are sentient, self aware and have emotional lives. It raises questions about how bees are used in the agricultural sector or in laboratory experiments… Audio
Matt Baker: beat bopping rats and feathered dinosaurs
Sydney-based New Zealander Dr Matt Baker returns for a chat about some of the latest science news. This week: can rats 'bop their heads' to a beat, why pedestrians crossing the road naturally form… Audio
'Feisty' but relaxed snow leopards welcomed at Wellington Zoo
Wellington Zoo is now home to a pair of snow leopard sisters. Asha and Manju have come from Melbourne Zoo and are the only snow leopards in New Zealand.
Our visual journalist Samuel Rillstone went to… Video, Audio