An albatross has died as heat stress and fly strike hit the protected population of northern royal albatross at Taiaroa Head on Otago Peninsula.

In Australia, companion animal controls are much stronger than ours, writes Brian Rudman. It seems a good first step in dissuading cat - and dog - ownership.

Dr Morgan has his facts right, and his modest proposals are in line with international trends and New Zealand law, writes Charles Daugherty.

The SPCA has rejected claims it releases cats into the wild after Gareth Morgan offered $5 for every unwanted cat it euthanised.

The BBC car show Top Gear is coming to New Zealand to film our world-famous driving dogs.

Environmentalist Gareth Morgan has offered to donate $5 to the SPCA for every homeless cat they put down.

Gem the sea lion was yesterday roaming Dunedin's Chisholm Park Golf Course and nearby coastal areas, apparently in search of her pup.

More than 80 per cent of those who live with cats consider them to be a member of the family, writes Bob Kerridge.

Gareth Morgan's campaign to control cats and save native birds could increase animal abuse and the economist should be held accountable, says the SPCA executive president.

The rich and the famous will be breaking out the cucumber sandwiches and champagne this week when they attend the National Yearling Sales at Karaka.

Auckland's top-end hotels and restaurants are being kept busy as horse buyers from around the world descend on Karaka for the National Yearling sales.

Ann Huston took her sons on a voyage to Borneo’s Tanjung Puting National Park to meet their orange relatives.

American biologist Kelly Swing thwacks a bush with his butterfly net and a dozen or so bugs and insects drop in. One is a harvester, or daddy-long-legs, another a jumping spider that leaps on to a leaf where two beetles are mating.

Logan Joel Dawson pleaded guilty to charges laid under the Animal Welfare Act by the SPCA and will face his sentence in Hamilton District Court.

After two days of frantic debate on cats in New Zealand it is worth paw-sing for a moment of reflection, writes Gareth Morgan.

A hospitalised woman who needed surgery after a savage attack by two dogs in Christchurch is questioning why authorities haven't impounded the animals.

A Tokoroa dog on death row for more than two years with a bill nearing $80,000 in upkeep and legal costs has been sentenced to death.

Up to 900 dolphins have been killed by villagers in the Solomon Islands, who claim it was an act of retaliation for not being paid money they were promised.

Cat-lovers have reacted with scorn and bewilderment to a campaign to rid the country of their pets - although conservationists say it highlights a serious problem.

In the still of the night, a sudden anguished screech shatters the still air. But there's no point investigating - there's a bird clamped tight in the jaws of a killer.