Inmates at Rolleston Prison have been showing their softer side, knitting blankets for abandoned and homeless animals rescued by the SPCA.

Researchers find that cats, unlike dogs, do not need humans to feel protected, preferring to look after themselves.

Two seals have come ashore in Auckland this morning, one for a lazy day in the sand, the other for a trip to the hospital.

Warning: Contains graphic content. The stomach-churning footage of a large python expelling five whole birds.

The BirdLife Marine Programme’s work to reduce seabird bycatch in high seas fisheries will be familiar to followers of our efforts to save several albatross species from extinction. Source: Birdlife International/YouTube www.birdlife.org/marine

Ancient DNA analysis has revealed the safe havens where New Zealand seabirds found sanctuary from early human hunting.

Auckland Zoo has welcomed its first kiwi chick of the season just as the zoo said goodbye to winter.

Wellington Zoo ape to have ground-breaking procedure in a last-ditch effort to save her remaining ear.

Over the weekend a nice lady in a small white car ran over my dog Colin. It was horrible for the little guy but he wasn't the only victim, writes Matt Heath.

Orang-utans are semi-socialised, semi-wild. They can be spooked easily. We shouldn't be surprised one attacked a Kiwi tourist.

Gone are the huia and the moa. Are we going to let kiwi go the same way? We can all do our bit, writes Peter Cullinane.

Following the appointment of the new station master cat Nitama at Kishi train station in Wakayama, Japan, it's all aboard for a cat-lover's tour of fancy.

An Aussie couple have shared photos of the newest member of their family on social media with one adorable difference - he's a puppy.

A minke whale that beached itself on an Auckland beach yesterday does not appear to have re-stranded today.

The whale that stranded itself at Pt Chevalier in Auckland is now heading into the channel past Kauri Point and out to sea.

He was 2011 Rugby World Cup lucky charm, but the unofficial mascot's luck has run out after being sold to the meatworks last year.

A Queenstown couple have asked for a second chance for their pet schnauzer dogs after they were found responsible for killing three lambs on a neighbouring farm.

Since 2009 DoC staffing has been slashed by 323. Funding cuts continue, writes Brian Rudman. In the last Budget, operational funding was cut by $8.7 million and natural heritage management by $7 million.

A paralysed rabbit is hopping for joy after being given the chance to walk again - with a bunny wheelchair.

Bubba the cat has attended high school for the last six years - so it's fitting that this learned feline has received his own ID card.

"It was like hooking a hook on an angus bull and slapping it on the backside."

After a long 15 months of waiting, Auckland Zoo staff were pipped at the post when they missed the birth of the latest addition to the giraffe herd.

A seal has been spotted sunning itself on rocks along Auckland's Tamaki Drive today.

An animal advocacy group says it had previously investigated the Waikato farm where 400 pigs burnt to death over the weekend.

We're a nation of dog-lovers - and a new book pays tribute to the canines who are our loyal companions.

Alan Perrott spends the day with Coers and his 1600kg new charge, Anjalee, and discovers what makes our zoo different from any other in the world.

Volunteers who spent decades restoring Motutapu are devastated and angry that hunters mistakenly shot four of their takahe "friends" on the island.

The people involved in the shooting of four critically endangered takahe are "very, very upset", the president of the Deerstalkers' Association says.

"The baby seal arrived sometime earlier this morning, and has been sunning itself on our pontoon ever since."- Museum worker