More than 170 sharks have been caught and 50 destroyed as part of Australia's controversial culling policy, government figures have revealed.

Defenders of dogs, cats and rats are starting to feel that this could be their year. They've joined forces to make animal welfare an election issue for the first time.

Animal expert Sally Hibbard spends the day with our very clever sniffer dogs, protecting New Zealand from anything that could put our agriculture at risk.

Prime Minister John Key has ruled out any animal testing on legal high products.

A Whitianga woman is considering taking the fight for her beloved dog to the High Court after it was sentenced to death.

The little blue penguin that washed up on the streets of a landlocked upmarket Auckland suburb last weekend has died from starvation.

These stunning photos capture the moment in nature when a warthog stepped into the path of a hungry LION- and became its prey. As the warthog steps into the lions den, the lion leaps with brute force and captures the wild pig. The lion then proceeds to devour the animal- proving his status as top of the animal food chain. These incredible images were caught on camera by photographer Dr Trix Jonker, at the Addo Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

If the research produces essential results of value to humanity that cannot be produced in any other way, despite its cruelty, it should be permissible, writes Alexander Gillespie.

Three suspects will appear in court in Kenya today after six elephants, including four juveniles, were found shot dead in a private reserve, in one of the worst poaching incidents for several years.

The owner of two rottweilers which mauled an 8-year-old Christchurch boy has pleaded guilty.

A disoriented little blue penguin which was taken to safety after being found wandering along the road in suburban Auckland is recovering well at a bird rescue centre.

Jerry Starr thought he was taking the safe approach when a twister was reported heading towards his suburban neighbourhood outside Oklahoma City last May.

What is it about these little ankle biters that we love so much? I say 'we' as I have gone to the small side myself with two pomeranian X Japanese spitz balls of fluff.

These are the top ten small breed dogs in the US.

Remnants of human habitation on New Zealand's remote Campbell Island are at risk of being wiped out.

"Mummy the yucky dog tried to eat me," are words etched in Hayley Taylor's mind.

One of eight young brown kiwi added to a North Auckland farm sanctuary yesterday has been named after Prince George.

Two young kea have died after suspected car surfing at Deaths Corner in the Otira Gorge.

People all across the globe erupted into fawning fits of hyperbole when the latest family photograph of the Cambridges (William, Kate, baby George and dog Lupo) at their Kensington Palace apartment was released.

These cute puppies figured out a clever way to raise money for dogs in need. Now all you need to do is watch. For more information visit http://www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.co.nz Courtesy of YouTube/PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive

A horse that had to be destroyed after being hit by a car in Christchurch belonged to a local man who frequently travelled around the city centre with two horses, police say.

Deadly piranhas were the unlikely cause of a badly backed-up English sewer, according to water company inspectors.

'I just bolted.' A swarm of wasps nesting under a fire hydrant gave firefighters more than they bargained for over the weekend.