The owners of a dog which died on Friday are wondering if their pooch has fallen victim to an unknown illness that killed another dog and affected three others last month.

National Geographic has started an ambitious project to document all 12,000 species in captivity - many of which are endangered.

Just metres away, a giraffe spreads its front legs wide and lowers its long neck for a drink.

Most dogs love water but some love it more than others (and are better swimmers). Here's our list of pooches that love a splash:

Westport residents are outraged a local fisherman allegedly dumped a sizeable dead stingray at North Beach earlier this week.

Source: Sky 1

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE - Mohawk the lion, one of Kenya's most famous big cats, was fatally shot by wildlife rangers after they ran out of tranquilisers.

Mohawk the lion, one of Kenya's most famous big cats, was fatally shot yesterday by wildlife rangers.

We have all heard how rescuers have to come to the aid of cats stuck up trees and birds with broken wings, but this operation was a little more complicated.

The idea of unicorns roaming alongside humans sounds like something from a fairy tale, but a "Siberian unicorn" may in fact have lived alongside our ancestors.

Researchers in Australia are administering an online cat personality test, and they've found something interesting: Cats are not too different from us.

Photographers from 54 countries captured stunning moments for this year's UPY London Underwater Photographer of the Year competition. Here are our some of our favourites.

Puppy love was alive and well in Auckland on Saturday, with homeless pooches being united with new owners.

Auckland Zoo's 28-year-old hippopotamus "Fudge" has died.

Located about 45 minutes outside Tasmania's capital of Hobart, Bonorong is the anti-zoo.

The massive campaign to find a missing pooch.

A kitten who survived a trip from Papamoa to Auckland after stowing away under the bonnet of a car, has been re-homed.

Dog owners are happier, more sociable and earn bigger salaries than cat owners, according to a new study.

A cocker spaniel cross was rescued from a construction site in Clover Park, South Auckland, after it fell in a hole.

A humpback whale missing most of its tail has been spotted off Kaikoura.

That's right. You can now create a 3D printed suit of armour for your cat.

Green sea turtles and a black sea turtle have been set free as part of a turtle rehabilitation programme which has been run by Kelly Tarlton's for 20 years.

A central Auckland cafe staffed by five humans and 12 cats is on the look-out for three new feline staff members willing to be paid in love, cuddles and snacks.

A central Auckland cafe staffed by five humans and 12 cats is on the look-out for three new feline staff members willing to be paid in love, cuddles and snacks.