Washington, DC – Bao Bao The Adorable Giant Panda Is Enjoying Having Her Own Place

She’s not so little anymore. In fact she’s got her own place and isn’t afraid to do, well, what we all secretly do when we’re alone: Run around like she just doesn’t care.

The National Zoo released a video Monday of Bao Bao tumbling around the yard of her enclosure, being the silly young panda that she is.

The zoo says she likes to eat next to the lower viewing glass where bamboo can simply drop from overhead — making it convenient for her keepers.

Check out her antics in the video below.

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."

Stunned Shoppers Watch as Wild Hog Crashes Through Ceiling of Children’s Clothing Store in Hong Kong

This is the dramatic moment a wild boar crashed through the ceiling of a children’s clothes shop.

The incredible footage was captured at a shopping centre in Hong Kong and shows the 55lb animal emerging legs first from the showroom’s false ceiling.

Amazed shoppers looked on as first one, then two legs emerged through the ceiling, before the boar, which had apparently climbed up a ladder in the shop's back room, crashed through completely.

After landing on top of a display case, the wild hog looks down at the crowd of excited onlookers and sets about making an escape.

It walks from left to right before deciding to jump to the ground and make a run for it.

A line of police stand by the door as the frightened animal begins parading the shop frantically looking for an exit.

In its haste it knocks a number of children’s mannequins to the ground as well as an advertising sign as the police close in on it.

The boar even manages to show off its incredible athleticism and effortlessly jumps over a large display fence before it is cornered.

According to the South China Morning Post the boar was eventually tranquilized by a vet and taken to an animal rehab centre.

Local news reports said the animal was a three-foot-long juvenile female.

Wild boars are common in Hong Kong's rural, forested areas.

The Heart-Wrenching Moment Firefighters Resuscitate Dying Labrador Using Oxygen Mask

This is the heart-wrenching moment firefighters carried an injured dog away from a house blaze in New Jersey after risking their lives to rescue two pet canines - but only managing to save one.

Fire crews were called to the multi-family home on Frances Street in Totowa on Sunday afternoon following reports of a three-alarm fire. They quickly determined no people were at the residence.

However, two dogs were inside the property - a Labrador retriever belonging to the unidentified family on the second floor, and a Shih Tzu owned by Carmen and Julio Valencia on the first floor.

Firefighters set about tackling the blaze and initially appeared to have it under control. But before long, flames were flaring up through the house's roof, sending black smoke billowing into the sky.

In an effort to save the pet dogs, officials wearing masks pulled up a ladder to the side of the building and climbed up to a second-floor window, which at one point, flames were spotted shooting out of.

They managed to pull the yellow Labrador through the window, before carrying the panting dog to safety in bedding. They then laid the terrified animal on the ground and gave it oxygen and water.

The Labrador was treated at a veterinarian following the fire, which occurred at around 2.30 p.m., according to NorthJersey.com. Its current condition is unknown and its owners remain unnamed.

But despite the dog's escape, the Valencias' pet Shih Tzu, Luke, was not so fortunate. Firefighters asked the couple where their six-month-old puppy might be hiding, before entering the first floor.

However, when they found Luke, he was already dead.

The Valencias, who have two sons, apparently broke down when they were told their beloved pet had been killed in the blaze. They were handed the deceased puppy in a white bag by officials.

Speaking to the news site, Mr. Valencia, 49, said his wife was 'freaking out' about the death of the Luke, whom she had been worrying about during their frantic drive back to their burning home.

She was also reportedly so shocked about the fire that she had to be given oxygen at the scene.

Firefighters from Totowa, Little Falls, Woodland Park and Wayne spent several hours battling the blaze on Sunday afternoon. The property was left severely damaged, with huge holes in its roof.

No injuries to officials were reported, and the cause and origin of the fire remain unknown.

Police were also at the scene. An investigation is ongoing. 

Saved: This is the heart-wrenching moment firefighters carried an injured dog away from a house blaze in Totowa, New Jersey, after risking their lives to rescue two pet canines - but only managing to save one.

Assistance: Firefighters managed to pull the yellow Labrador retriever through a second-floor window of the burning property. After rescuing the animal, they laid on the ground and gave it oxygen and water (above).

Street Emergency crews were called to the multi-family house on Frances Street (pictured) in Totowa on Sunday afternoon following reports of a three-alarm fire. No family members were at home at the time.

Veteran Breaks Car Window To Save Dog, Owner Has Him Arrested: What Are Your Thoughts?

Athens, Georgia – A man who saved a dog from a hot car wasn't rewarded for his action. Instead, the move landed him behind bars.

"I heard someone say there was a dog in distress in a hot car," said Michael Hammons, a Desert Storm veteran.

Diane Byard said she and a group of shoppers noticed the dog in the Mustang and were waiting on police before Hammons came.

"He says we can't let this dog die, and he starts smashing the windows."

Hammons used his wife's wheelchair leg to smash the window, freeing the dog.

"I've got PTSD, and I've seen enough death and destruction," Hammons said. "And I didn't want anything else to happen if I could prevent it."

Witnesses say when the owner of the car came out of the store, she was furious, and demanded deputies take action.

"We would not have made those charges on our own," said Oconee County Chief Deputy Lee Weems. "The deputies on scene say the owner of the car and of the dog was very insistent that he be charged with criminal trespassing."

The dog's owner told police she had only been gone five minutes.

"It wasn't just five minutes like the lady stated, it was a lot longer," Byard said. "I personally felt the heat in the car; I saw the dog panting. This dog was in distress."

The dog's owner could not be reached for comment Monday.

"If it is 80 degrees outside, within 30 minutes, it will be 114 degrees inside a vehicle, even with the windows cracked," Byard said.

The owner was cited for leaving the dog in the hot car. But without surveillance video, deputies say it is hard to tell how long the dog was actually left in the car.

Georgia state law does allow an individual to break a window to save a child in a hot or cold car, but not a pet. That is something that animal advocates say they are working to change.

Zoonotic Diseases: A Disease That Can Be Passed Between Animals and Humans

A zoonotic disease is a disease that can be passed between animals and humans. Zoonotic diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. These diseases are very common. Scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases in humans are spread from animals.

Many people interact with animals in their daily lives. We raise animals for food and keep them in our homes as pets. We might come into close contact with animals at a county fair or petting zoo or encounter wildlife when we clear wooded land for new construction.

Because of these interactions, it’s important to be aware of the different ways people can get zoonotic diseases. These can include:

• Coming into contact with the saliva, blood, urine, or feces of an infected animal
• Being bitten by a tick or mosquito (often called a “vector”)
• Eating or drinking something unsafe (such as unpasteurized milk, undercooked meat, or unwashed fruits and vegetables that are contaminated with feces from an infected animal)

Luckily, there are many ways you can protect yourself and your family from zoonotic diseases. You can:

• Always wash hands and follow proper hygiene
• Handle food safely
• Prevent bites from mosquitoes and ticks
• Know the simple things you can do to stay safe around your pets
• Be aware of zoonotic diseases both at home and when you travel

How Can I Tell If My Dog Has Ear Mites?

There are several types of mites that can invade the ear canals of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. The same mite can affect both dogs and cats. In the puppy and kitten, the most common ear mite is Otodectes cynotis. It is not important in the diagnosis and treatment of ear mites to identify the species of mite. Regardless of the mite species involved, we usually refer to mites of the ear canal simply as ear mites. Contrary to popular belief, however, is the fact that ear mites can live anywhere on the animal's body.

How are the mites transmitted?

Ear mites are extremely contagious. They can be passed from the mother animal to her offspring. Additionally, the mites are easily spread to other pets within the household including cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, mice, ferrets, etc. Humans are not affected.

What are the symptoms?

Puppies and kittens with ear mites will scratch around their ears and/or shake their heads. The amount of scratching and shaking depends on the severity of the mite infestation. With more advanced infestations, the ear canals will bleed and either fresh or dried blood will appear inside the canal. Dried blood resembles coffee grounds. If you peer into your pet's ears and notice a build-up of a material that looks like coffee grounds, then your pet probably has ear mites, although a bacterial and/or yeast infection is also a possibility.

Ear mites are very common, but still serious. Left untreated, they severely damage the ear canals and eardrum and can cause permanent hearing loss.

If mites spread out of the ears to other areas of the body, the animal may or may not scratch the area.

What is the management?

Various commercial ear preparations are available to kill the mites. These products contain an insecticide, usually pyrethrin. Ear products without an insecticide will not kill the mites. Ivermectin, fipronil (Frontline), and selamectin (Revolution) have also been used by some veterinarians. Milbemycin (Milbemite) and Acarexx, a form of ivermectin are approved for the treatment of ear mites in cats. Depending upon the medication used, the ears may need to be treated two to four weeks until all mites are killed. As previously mentioned, many ear mites live all over the body, including the feet and tail. These areas should also be treated. Most products designed for fleas and ticks such as sprays, dips, and shampoos, which contain one of the above ingredients will be effective. Be sure to use products approved for use on dogs, and to treat the tail. This is because while sleeping, the tail is curled around the puppy's body where it lies in close contact with the ear. Because mites are very easily transferred between pets, it is best if all pets in the household receive simultaneous treatment. Most types of mites do not survive long off the pets, so the treatment of the house and yard is usually not necessary.

Can I get ear mites from my pet?

Ear mites are not considered to be a zoonotic disease (disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans).

Frightened Stray Dog Gets Rescued…Then Gets a Kiss from Betty White

When Eldad Hagar of Hope For Paws went to rescue this dog, the poor pooch was so scared he hid his head. Eldad and Lisa Arturo had to use a soccer net to coral him into a small area so they could get a leash on him.

They named him Einstein. After treatment and a cleanup he looked like a different dog. Happy, loving and playful!

Einstein got adopted by Actor/Director Emanuele Secci; the two of them are now inseparable. He has a Facebook page too.