Poor conditions may prevent the rescue of a second whale entangled in rope today.

DOC staff are investigating reports of another 12-15 metre humpback whale caught in rope and plastic in the Far North.

A large humpback whale which was tangled in rope off the Far North coast has been freed this afternoon.

Auckland Zoo is sending one of its female red pandas, Khosuva, to India in exchange for a male red panda at Darjeeling Zoo in India.

Fierce monkeys and snake charmers have been deployed at several Commonwealth Games venues to try to protect athletes.

Department of Conservation staff attempting to free a humpback whale tangled in ropes in Doubtless Bay in the Far North have called off the operation for the night.

A man is defending accusations that he held a rabbit by its ears and thrust it at passers-by in Auckland's Queen Street.

Cape Kidnappers is a rugged, chaotic and whiffy bird-lovers' paradise, writes Paul Rush.

Some British consumers say they won't buy New Zealand lamb because of concerns over the halal method of killing animals.

More than half of the 24 whales being refloated in the Far North this evening have made it into the water, but three have died.

Volunteers last night comforted stranded whales that had been moved from a Far North beach to a nearby stream.

The recent severe weather may have played a part in the birth of a zebra at Auckland Zoo.