A Labrador named Sgiath from the Scottish Highlands has been named animal of the year by a charity for sniffing out the invasive carpet sea squirt. Trained by her owner, marine ecologist Dr Texa Sim, the dog helps locate colonies that can smother native species. The dog is thought to be the first in the UK trained for this work.
Shepreth Wildlife Park in Cambridgeshire welcomed four newborn capybara pups, born overnight on 15 October to mother Pepita. The park plans to invite the public to help choose their names once their genders are known.
Dexter Mathurine, known as Dexter the Pigeon Guy, from Southampton, helps pigeons that have become tangled in hair, thread or twine. He answers messages about injured birds, frees them carefully and teaches others to do the same safely. He hopes people will treat pigeons with more kindness and respect.
Progress has been made on roof works at a cat shelter in Alva, thanks to a fundraiser.
