Two giant pandas, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, arrived in Atlanta from Chengdu, China, aboard a special “FedEx Panda Express” Boeing 777 as part of a new 10-year agreement between Zoo Atlanta and the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
The pandas, both born in 2020, will spend about a month in quarantine inside a secure area of Zoo Atlanta’s new panda complex before visitors can see them. The zoo has not yet announced an opening date.
Atlanta’s previous pandas left in 2024, so the new arrivals mark the bears’ return to the city. The agreement makes Atlanta one of only three U.S. zoos currently housing giant pandas, along with the San Diego Zoo and Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the panda loan during his recent summit with President Donald Trump. China has historically used panda loans as a symbol of diplomatic goodwill and friendship between nations.
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A hungry black bear made an unexpected appearance at the Aspen Market in Colorado, where it was caught standing on its hind legs and eating fresh-baked bread from a bakery vendor's booth.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife received reports of the bear roaming downtown while vendors were setting up. Aspen police hazed the bear, causing it to climb a tree before eventually leaving the area.
Wildlife officials say Colorado is experiencing a record number of bear encounters and conflicts this year, partly because extreme drought has reduced the bears' natural food sources.
The timing is especially significant because bears are now entering hyperphagia, the period before winter when they eat enormous amounts of food—potentially up to 20,000 calories a day.
Wildlife officials warn people never to feed bears or leave food accessible to them. Feeding wildlife can make bears comfortable around people, increasing the chances of conflicts involving pets and humans.
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The FDA has issued a new rule clarifying that, when scientifically appropriate, drug developers can use non-animal methods to evaluate the safety of drugs and biological products before human clinical trials.
These New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) include human cell-based systems, organ-on-a-chip technology, computer models, and other laboratory tools designed to better represent human biology. The FDA is updating its terminology, replacing phrases such as “animal tests” and “animal studies” with “nonclinical tests” and “nonclinical studies.”
Importantly, the rule does not ban or eliminate animal testing. Developers can continue using animal studies when appropriate, and the FDA is not requiring companies to switch to non-animal methods. The agency has also created a database containing examples of NAMs that have already been used in FDA regulatory reviews.
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California regulators are considering new restrictions on fipronil, a pesticide commonly found in topical flea and tick treatments for dogs and cats, including products such as Frontline Plus and PetArmor Plus.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation says research indicates that fipronil can wash off treated pets and enter waterways when animals are bathed, swim, or when owners wash their hands after applying the products. The chemical can harm aquatic insects, which are an important food source for fish and birds. Regulators also found potential exposure concerns for pet groomers, owners and children who frequently come into contact with treated animals.
Possible changes include:
- Limiting spot-on treatments to three applications per year instead of 12.
- Requiring a seven-day waiting period before bathing after treatment.
- Increasing consumer education and changing product labels.
- Potentially classifying fipronil as a restricted material, which could limit sales to licensed professionals.
Veterinary representatives have noted that fipronil remains useful and affordable for some pet owners, particularly those who have difficulty paying for veterinary care, while also acknowledging concerns about its environmental effects. California is accepting public comments through November 16. Similar discussions about restricting topical flea and tick treatments are also taking place in the United Kingdom.
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Cat ownership in the United States reached 53 million households in 2025, representing 39% of all U.S. households and a 5% increase from the previous year, according to the American Pet Products Association's 2026 Cat Report.
Multi-cat households are also growing. Households with two cats increased 7%, while those with three or more cats increased 7% in one year and 45% since 2018.
Cat owners are spending more on nutrition, too. Average spending on cat food reached $337.53 in 2025, up 9% from the previous year. Owners increasingly view food and treats as ways to provide nutrition, variety, convenience and personalized care.
Younger owners are helping drive the trend. Gen Z accounted for 22% of cat owners, up 10% year over year, and reported particularly strong emotional connections with their cats.
Men now represent 43% of cat owners, with especially strong growth among younger male owners. Households with three or more cats among male owners have more than doubled since 2018.
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Astronomers from Harvard University and the University of Oregon say they have detected radio signals directly from an exoplanet for the first time, using the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa. The finding comes from a paper that has not yet been peer-reviewed.
The planet, Beta Pictoris b, is a massive gas giant located about 64 light-years from Earth. It has more than 11 times Jupiter's mass and takes more than 23 Earth years to orbit its star.
The radio signals are believed to come from natural auroras, produced when charged particles interact with the planet's magnetic field—not from intelligent extraterrestrial life.
The detection allowed researchers to estimate the planet's magnetic field, which appears to be more than 300 times stronger than Jupiter's. Scientists say this is the first direct measurement of an exoplanet's magnetic field strength.
Researchers isolated the planet's signal from its much brighter host star using distant quasars as astronomical reference points.
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Backpack, a 20-year-old brown bear known as Bear 89, has been crowned the 2026 Fat Bear Week champion at Alaska's Katmai National Park. Estimated at about 1,200 pounds, Backpack narrowly defeated Bear 910, nicknamed Dancing Queen, by roughly 5,000 votes in the final round. More than 2.3 million votes were cast throughout the tournament.
The annual competition features 16 of Katmai's largest bears and celebrates how much weight they gain while feeding heavily on salmon before winter hibernation. Backpack has been a favorite of viewers who have followed him on Katmai's live cameras since 2012. His mother, Holly, previously won the competition in 2019.
Rangers say the real measure of success isn't the trophy—it's the bears' ability to build enough fat reserves to survive another winter of hibernation. Backpack is officially the “lord of lard” for 2026, but his biggest accomplishment is preparing his massive body for another long Alaskan winter.
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Gresham, Oregon – On K9 Kylo’s final shift before retirement, he was killed in a deadly police shootout near a Portland, Oregon, hotel. Kylo had served with the Portland Police Bureau for six years before losing his life on Thursday, September 24.
According to a news release from the Portland Police Bureau, U.S. Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force working a case on behalf of the East County Major Crimes Team. The agency said: In the area of Southeast 97th Avenue and Southeast Oak Street, the Task Force, made up of members from numerous law enforcement agencies, encountered a wanted subject and shots were fired. Despite lifesaving efforts, an adult male was pronounced deceased at the scene. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
The shooting involved two Portland Police Officers and two officers from other agencies. The PPB officers are on paid administrative leave per policy.
The Gresham Police Department said: K9 Kylo was a true protector of the peace. We ask our community to keep the officers and professional staff of the Portland Police Bureau in your thoughts as they honor K9 Kylo’s legacy and sacrifice.
The Gresham Police Department and East County Major Crimes Team are leading the investigation into the homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call the GPD tip line at 503-618-2719. Rest easy K9 Kylo. Check out www.animalvictory.org for this story and more
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Minneapolis, Minnesota – A woman is calling her dog a hero after the dog stopped a hammer-wielding man who broke into her home on September 5 and repeatedly struck her in the head with the tool. As reported by Local 12 News, Maria Grant’s 80-pound pit bull, Athena, attacked Damonte Latrentece Richardson, 36, after he struck her in the head with a hammer and then attempted to run upstairs where her children were sleeping. Grant told WCCO News, “He’s just hitting me over the head with a hammer, and all I’m feeling is this. The hits and then the waves of blood coming down my face and he didn’t stop it.”
Grant tried to fight the man as he tried to go upstairs and that’s when she says Athena joined the fray, biting Richardson’s legs and stopping him from making his way to her kids. She tells the news agency, “I’m grateful she was there and I couldn’t. I don’t think I’d be here without her. I think I’ll be laying over there on the floor.”
Police arrested Richardson on a charge of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, but he was released from custody just 36 hours later. Grant tells the agency, “I feel like they failed me and I feel like they won’t find him and it’ll take months for them to find him and then by that time he probably would have did something else to somebody else.” Grant knew her attacker. The man had walked her dog in the past and she said on the day of the attack, he showed up at her door wearing a wig and carrying a hammer.
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A global celebration is underway this month as Winnie-the-Pooh officially marks 100 years of enchanting readers around the world. First introduced to the public in October 1926 by British author A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard, the "bear of very little brain" has grown from a father's bedtime story into a multi-generational cultural phenomenon. A century later, the gentle philosophy of the Hundred Acre Wood continues to offer a comforting sanctuary for fans of all ages.
The timeless tales were born from the real-life imagination of Milne’s young son, Christopher Robin Milne. The boy's collection of stuffed animals—including a black bear named Winnie, a timid piglet, a gloomy donkey, and a boisterous tiger—served as the direct inspiration for the iconic cast of characters. The debut collection of stories, simply titled Winnie-the-Pooh, was published on October 14, 1926, followed by The House at Pooh Corner in 1928.
To honor the milestone, a series of global events and exhibitions are capturing the public's imagination:
- The Original Toys Return to the Spotlight: The New York Public Library—the permanent home of Christopher Robin’s original, well-loved stuffed animals—is hosting massive centennial displays, family events, and commemorative book giveaways.
- Commemorative Releases: Disney and major global retailers have debuted limited-edition anniversary apparel, collectibles, and classic publishing sets to mark the century-long milestone.
- Enduring Philosophical Impact: Literary experts note that Pooh’s longevity stems from his simple, profound approach to life. Themes of slow living, profound friendship, and emotional intelligence have allowed the stories to remain deeply relevant in a fast-paced modern world.
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An exotic pet store owner in Wilkes-Barre was jailed Wednesday on allegations of cruelty to animals following a search of the business on South Main Street earlier this year.
Humane officers with the SPCA of Luzerne County charged Cameron Daniel English, 38, of Mountain Top, with 20 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 10 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals, 10 misdemeanor counts of neglect of animals, and two misdemeanor counts of suspension or revocation of license.
English, owner of CDC Exotics at 95 S. Main St., was arraigned by District Judge Kyle Halesey and jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $15,000 bail.
Humane officers executed a search warrant at English’s store in mid-April taking away exotic animals and birds that were malnourished.
Court records allege the interior of the store was found to be in deplorable conditions, including deceased and decomposing carcasses of exotic animals and birds, and animals living in cages filled with feces.
English opened the store in February 2016.
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Animal control officers in Mission Viejo, California, are using a high-tech drone to find lost dogs faster and more safely.
In one recent case, a small terrier was spotted running along a Southern California freeway. A drone operator used the aircraft to locate the dog and guide officers to it, completing the rescue in just minutes.
The drone is equipped with thermal imaging, allowing officers to detect animals even in heavy brush where they might be impossible to see with the naked eye. Officers previously relied on much slower, passive searches that could take days or even weeks.
The technology has already helped locate other missing dogs, including a frightened dog named Josie, who was safely reunited with her owner.
The drone cost nearly $17,000, funded through private donations. Mission Viejo animal control officials say the technology has transformed their approach to lost-pet searches and is already attracting interest from other agencies.
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Canine Companions gave a graduating class of service dogs an emotional surprise: reunions with the people who raised and trained them.
The puppies typically go to their volunteer puppy raisers at about 8 weeks old and remain with them until around 18 months, learning socialization, basic obedience and the skills needed for service work.
Before graduating, the dogs were reunited with their former raisers—including Maddox, Elrich, Reid, Peanut, Eva, Nugget and Normandy. The reunions featured excited dogs, wagging tails, kisses and plenty of tears from their proud human caregivers.
Seventy-five dogs graduated from the program on August 14. For the puppy raisers, it was an emotional opportunity to see the dogs they had cared for begin the next chapter of their lives helping people with disabilities.
Canine Companions says 1,241 puppies are currently being raised by volunteers who are preparing them for future service careers.
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San Antonio Animal Care Services is reporting an increase in canine distemper cases among dogs in its shelter and is urgently seeking emergency foster homes to help prevent the disease from spreading.
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease, particularly dangerous for unvaccinated or under-vaccinated dogs. Symptoms can include coughing, fever, eye and nasal discharge, loss of appetite and diarrhea. Some infected dogs may show few or no symptoms.
The shelter is consulting animal-health experts, including specialists from Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, while reviewing its procedures and adding safeguards.
SAACS says it needs foster homes immediately. Even two to three weeks of fostering can help reduce the number of dogs exposed while the shelter manages the outbreak. Homes without dogs are ideal, or homes with dogs that are at least one year old and fully vaccinated.
Fostering is provided at no cost, with the shelter supplying the necessary supplies.
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