Animals

Weekend Edition Saturday

Opinion: Hugging is common and meaningful in the animal kingdom

NPR's Scott Simon reflects on hugs - and other comforting behavior - that occur in the animal world.

Controversial spring bear hunt up for debate in Washington

Conservation groups would like to stop Washington's spring 2022 black bear hunt.

Weekend Edition Saturday

Opinion: A gorilla's life and death, in 2 viral photos

NPR's Scott Simon remarks on the death of Ndakasi, the gorilla who went viral for a photobomb a few years ago. A picture taken of her last moments in her caretaker's arms also went viral this week.

KUOW Newsroom

More dogs dead from exposure to toxic algae in the Columbia River

Pets dead or sick after coming in contact with Columbia River water near the Tri-Cities, Wash. Likely culprit? Toxic algae.

KUOW Newsroom

The 2021 wildfire season is keeping veterinarians in the PNW busy

Wildfires burning in eastern and central Washington are not only keeping firefighters busy — they're keeping wildlife specialists on their toes. Dr. Nicki Rosenhagen says they've learned on the fly this summer, as wild animals they've never cared for before have turned up badly burned.

Retired lab chimps move to a sanctuary near Seattle — but it's not easy

In 2015, the U.S. outlawed using chimpanzees in biomedical research except in very rare circumstances, because the species is endangered. Since then, all government-owned labs, and some that are privately owned, have been trying to transfer the chimps in their care to sanctuaries.