Mara The Ex-Circus Elephant Retires To Brazil

Brasília (AFP) - Mara, an Indian elephant rescued from an Argentine circus, arrived at an animal sanctuary in Brazil Wednesday to start a new life at 50-something -- beginning with a celebratory frolic in the dirt.

Mara, who weighs around 5,500 kilograms (more than 12,000 pounds), spent much of her life as a circus attraction, then was brought to the Buenos Aires Zoo in 1995.

To read more on this story, click here: Mara The Ex-Circus Elephant Retires To Brazil

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Koko, The Famous Gorilla Who Learned Sign Language, to Be Laid to Rest at Animal Sanctuary

Koko, the gorilla who mastered sign language and became a pop-culture phenomenon, will be laid to rest Saturday in a ceremony at an animal sanctuary in Northern California where she lived for decades.

The western lowland gorilla died in her sleep Tuesday morning at the age of 46, according to the Gorilla Foundation, which is headed by animal psychologist Francine "Penny" Patterson, who worked with and cared for Koko since the primate was a year old.

Koko was renowned as one of the most intellectual apes in history, beloved by millions of people around the world. Under Patterson's tutelage, she learned more than 1,000 words in sign language and came to understand over 2,000 words spoken to her in English.

"She taught me more than I taught her, for sure," Patterson, 71, told ABC News in a telephone interview Thursday. "She had opportunities to show her brilliance and that’s what we saw. We saw a person, really. She had all the attributes of a person and then some."

To read more on this story, click here: Koko, The Famous Gorilla Who Learned Sign Language, to Be Laid to Rest at Animal Sanctuary



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Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner Captures the Magic of Animal Rescue

The photo that won Jo-Anne McArthur the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award, speaks to anyone who has rescued an animal, whether it be a cat, dog or baby gorilla.

The winning shot, which beat out more than 50,000 others photos submitted to the National History Museum or London, shows a rescuer moving a orphaned baby gorilla named Pikin from her old animal sanctuary to a new, larger one full of fellow ape friends.

McArthur took the black-and-white photo in Cameroon while volunteering with the rescue group Ape Action Africa. According to the National History Museum of London, the photo was chosen by the public from a shortlist of 24 photos curated by the museum from over 50,000 entries submitted for the competition, now in its 53rd year.

To read more on this story, click here: Wildlife Photographer of the Year Winner Captures the Magic of Animal Rescue

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Animal Activist: Pedals the Walking Bear Has Been Killed During a Bear Hunt in New Jersey

New Jersey - A bear seen walking on its hind legs in New Jersey over the past several years was killed during a bear hunt on Monday, according to the Facebook page devoted to 'Pedals.'

The announcement on Friday read in part: "For the hundreds and thousands of animals lovers who were following his story, I am sorry that we have this sad news to bring to you... The hunter who has wanted him dead for nearly 3 years had the satisfaction of putting an arrow through him, bragging at the station."

The bear believed to be 'Pedals' was brought to the weigh station in Rockaway.  State Wildlife officials have not confirmed its death.

Photos and videos of 'Pedals' were often posted on social media. In one of its most recent sightings, witnesses including residents of Oak Ridge said the bear appeared to be severely underweight and injured.

A nonprofit group called Orphaned Wildlife Center in Otisville, New York, offered to take in 'Pedals.'

Wildlife experts said the black hear had some sort of leg or paw injury that didn't allow it to spend much time on all fours.

Last November, activists dropped off petitions supporting relocation of the bear, and staged a small rally to raise awareness of 'Pedals' status. More than 290,000 people signed the petition at the time.

You may be interested in reading: Pedals, the Walking Bear Spotted in West Milford, New Jersey on December 21

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Pedals, the Walking Bear Spotted in West Milford, New Jersey on December 21

New Jersey wildlife officials say there's been a sighting of a bear that walks upright on its two hind legs, and has become a social media darling.

Fans of the bipedal bear nicknamed Pedals had grown concerned when the animal had not been seen for several weeks.

Pedals apparently has an injured leg or paw that doesn't allow it to walk comfortably on all fours, experts say.

But officials tell NJ.com a resident saw Pedals in West Milford on Dec. 21 and said the bear appeared to be in good health. The caller estimated Pedals weighs roughly 350 pounds.

The bear first gained fame after it was spotted last year ambling around neighborhoods and was caught on videos that were posted on social media and played on national television. Since then, animal activists voiced concern that the bear's health has declined and they fear it might not survive a harsh winter. They also doubt the bear can run, climb or defend itself, or even eat properly.

Supporters hope Pedals can be moved to a sanctuary in New York State, but New Jersey officials have said they won't allow the bear to be transported out of state. They have said they want to examine the bear before making any decisions about it, and they don't plan to try to capture the animal.

"As we've been saying all along, the bear seems to be doing fine on its own," Department of Environmental Protection spokesman Larry Hajna said. "This is really good news for the bear and all the people following his travels.

"This sighting is really encouraging," Hajna added. "By virtue of the fact that the bear hasn't been seen for some time indicates to us that he has been out in the woods foraging. There are plenty of tree nuts available. We now have a basis to determine the bear is OK. He may be heading into his denning period now."

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Two Families of Endangered Monkeys Were Stolen from a Zoo in Central France Over the Weekend

Saint-Aignan (France) - Two families of endangered monkeys were stolen from a zoo in central France over the weekend, the sanctuary's director told AFP late on Monday.

Rodolphe Delord said the thieves broke in to the zoo in Beauval on Saturday night, avoiding security cameras and patrols, and took seven golden lion tamarins and 10 silver marmosets.

"These are extremely rare, extremely fragile monkeys that are part of an international breeding programme," he told AFP, adding that the golden lion tamarins belong to the Brazilian government.

"We have absolutely no idea how such a thing could have happened," he said. "The thieves were experts. They knew exactly which to take."

The zoo is currently looking through CCTV footage and the French police and veterinary services have been informed, Delord said.

Concerns are now mounting for the health of the monkeys, which require a strict diet and are only allowed to be owned and sold by specialists. One of the golden lion tamarins also has an injury on its tail which needs daily attention.

"It is essential that we find these animals very quickly," said the zoo director. "They are very difficult to feed and should be looked after by specialists. We hope to find them very soon."

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