https://www.scmp.com/rss/323789/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A wolf that escaped from a zoo in South Korea remained at large on Thursday, authorities said, prompting a local school to close over safety concerns as the search continued. The male wolf – born in 2024 and weighing about 30kg (66lbs) – escaped from O-World, a zoo at a theme park in Daejeon, about 150km (90 miles) south of Seoul, on Wednesday, triggering a wide search in surrounding areas. It remained at large on Thursday, authorities said, with a nearby school closing for safety. “Daejeon... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3349451/activists-howl-rage-escaped-wolf-faces-death-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3349451/activists-howl-rage-escaped-wolf-faces-death-south-korea?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2026 03:06:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A pet ostrich went for a speedy jaunt down a busy Thai highway on Tuesday, before being returned safe and sound to its enclosure at an animal-themed cafe. The six-month-old male ostrich raced along a three-lane highway in Thailand’s coastal Chonburi province as cars and trucks sped by the flightless bird, according to a video posted by a man who was driving directly behind it. “Who lost an ostrich on the road? Come get him. He runs so fast,” the motorist, Chairat Sompong, is heard saying in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3349303/ostrich-escapes-animal-cafe-sprints-down-thai-highway?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3349303/ostrich-escapes-animal-cafe-sprints-down-thai-highway?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:43:20 +0000 Fiona Sun,Theodora Yu Fiona Sun,Theodora Yu Shortly before the evening rush hour recently, chaos erupted at Hong Kong’s Wu Kai Sha MTR station when a wild boar stormed through the concourse. The animal, about 1.2 metres long and weighing around 40kg, knocked down an elderly man. The charging boar left a trail of blood on the station floor, injuring three other residents in a frenzied dash towards a nearby bus terminus and housing estates. “I saw it rampaging at the bus terminus while residents followed, snapping photos,” a woman working... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348718/it-time-call-end-hong-kongs-boar-war?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348718/it-time-call-end-hong-kongs-boar-war?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:30:10 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press When a hiker fell from a 55-metre (180-foot) waterfall in wild New Zealand bush, rescuers were forced to evacuate the badly hurt woman without her dog, which could not be found. After strangers raised thousands of dollars for a search, border collie Molly was flown to safety by a helicopter pilot who was determined to reunite pet and owner. A week earlier, an emergency rescue helicopter found Jessica Johnston with bruises and lacerations after a fall at a rocky spot at the waterfall on the South... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3348639/dog-lost-week-new-zealand-bush-found-after-strangers-fund-us6300-air-search?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3348639/dog-lost-week-new-zealand-bush-found-after-strangers-fund-us6300-air-search?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:14:46 +0000 Ambrose Li,Danny Mok Ambrose Li,Danny Mok The parent company of Hong Kong online retailer HKTVmall has defended its life science project involving testing the viability of detached animal heads and limbs, responding to animal ethics concerns by saying no pets were experimented on. The Hong Kong Technology Venture Company, which revealed the project in its annual results on Monday, said it believed the research to be a world first that could be applied to organ transplants, potentially extending human lifespan. “The related experiments... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348638/hktvmall-parent-firm-under-fire-testing-how-long-detached-animal-heads-can-survive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3348638/hktvmall-parent-firm-under-fire-testing-how-long-detached-animal-heads-can-survive?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:14:21 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A woman was bitten by a wolf in a shopping centre in the German city of Hamburg, the city’s deputy mayor said Tuesday, in the first such attack in modern times. The wolf entered the complex in the northern city’s Altona area on Monday evening after being repeatedly spotted in different parts of Hamburg over several days, Katharina Fegebank told journalists. The incident is the first of its kind since the species began returning to Germany almost 30 years ago, according to the Federal Agency for... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348542/wolf-bites-woman-german-city-shopping-area?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3348542/wolf-bites-woman-german-city-shopping-area?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:39:27 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong is still finding its balance between urban development and its wildlife. Tragic encounters on consecutive days earlier this month were a reminder of that. First, the authorities euthanised eight wild boars – two adults and six juveniles – after they wandered into a residential area near Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin. The next day, a car struck a buffalo on a highway in Yuen Long, disrupting traffic for hours before the animal was euthanised because of severe injuries. The... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348120/balance-vital-urban-hong-kong-coexist-wild-animals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3348120/balance-vital-urban-hong-kong-coexist-wild-animals?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall The sacred deer that have been a fixture of the ancient Japanese capital of Nara for centuries are beginning to wander far from the city’s famous park, where they have been fed and adored by millions of tourists and locals over the years. A male deer was recently spotted in the Zengenji district of Osaka, around 40km (25 miles) from its normal habitat and 3km from the city’s bustling main station. The appearance of wild deer in one of the most urban areas in Japan has attracted crowds of curious... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3347736/oh-deer-famous-hoofed-residents-japans-nara-wander-far-osaka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3347736/oh-deer-famous-hoofed-residents-japans-nara-wander-far-osaka?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:30:15 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Two years ago, Vina Arazas found her dog’s lifeless body in a sack. The man responsible for beating her golden retriever Killua to death was made to pay a fine of just 1,000 pesos (US$17) – despite his crime being caught on camera and widely shared on social media. Now, a coalition of animal welfare groups in the Philippines is rallying behind two new bills that would place dedicated animal protection officers in every police station and create a national oversight body for such cruelty... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3347667/viral-dog-killings-pet-loving-philippines-spur-push-new-laws?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3347667/viral-dog-killings-pet-loving-philippines-spur-push-new-laws?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:50:43 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A recent development in this story has revealed that, following a further investigation, the dogs did not escape captivity. For a detailed account, please read “Plot twists in the viral ‘great escape’ and homecoming video of 7 dogs from China”. Seven stolen village dogs in northeastern China captured the hearts of millions online after breaking free from thieves working for a dog meat shop and embarking on a journey home together, igniting calls for stronger animal protection laws. On March 16,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347595/heartwarming-tale-7-china-dogs-escape-captivity-garners-230-million-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3347595/heartwarming-tale-7-china-dogs-escape-captivity-garners-230-million-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:09:28 +0000 Emily Hung Emily Hung A hamster was caught hitching a ride on a bus from Central to Sha Tin on Sunday morning, ending up in the custody of a Hong Kong animal welfare group. The golden brown Syrian hamster was spotted by a passenger and is now being looked after by the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Photos and videos circulating online show the tiny passenger tucked into a corner on the KMB bus, seemingly overwhelmed by its surroundings. It was later placed in a translucent plastic... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347478/rodent-trip-swinging-time-hamster-hitching-ride-bus-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3347478/rodent-trip-swinging-time-hamster-hitching-ride-bus-sha-tin?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 22 Mar 2026 09:43:34 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong customs officers have seized 986 smuggled live turtles worth about HK$1 million (US$127,620) from a private car attempting to leave the city, arresting the driver and a passenger. Officers discovered the turtles hidden in seven black plastic bags in the vehicle’s boot at the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge control point on Tuesday. A 42-year-old driver and a 50-year-old passenger were arrested, a spokesman of Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday. Both men were... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3347060/hong-kong-customs-seizes-nearly-1000-smuggled-turtles-worth-hk1-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3347060/hong-kong-customs-seizes-nearly-1000-smuggled-turtles-worth-hk1-million?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:45:22 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A game centre in China has come under fire after it used real hamsters as prizes in its claw machines to attract customers. The venue, in a shopping centre in Shenzhen in southern China’s Guangdong province, was reported to have filled a machine with hamsters, instead of the normal plush toys. Its actions triggered an online backlash, with many people accusing the outlet of animal abuse. According to online footage, the hamsters cowered in the corner of the machine. Clips also reportedly showed... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346084/china-game-shop-slammed-using-live-hamsters-claw-machine-now-utilising-fish-turtles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3346084/china-game-shop-slammed-using-live-hamsters-claw-machine-now-utilising-fish-turtles?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma Hong Kong authorities arrested a man after the discovery of 14 endangered reptiles, including a crocodile and two pythons, at an industrial site in Kwai Chung. A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Wednesday evening that officers arrested the man in a blitz operation the previous night. “The AFCD will remain vigilant and continue to monitor and collect intelligence through various channels and proactively take enforcement action to combat offences... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3345472/man-arrested-after-14-endangered-reptiles-found-kwai-chung-industrial-site?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3345472/man-arrested-after-14-endangered-reptiles-found-kwai-chung-industrial-site?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:58:16 +0000 dpa dpa Bangkok, nine o’clock in the morning. The tropical heat is slowly settling over Thailand’s capital like a damp towel. The last sweaty joggers and tai chi practitioners are just leaving Lumphini Park – the green lungs of the metropolis. Suddenly, a tourist’s scream slices through the calm atmosphere. With eyes widened in fear, he stares at a creature that looks as if it has stepped straight out of prehistoric times. A two-metre-long (6½ foot) lizard known as an Asian water monitor is slowly... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345213/how-see-bangkoks-famous-monitor-lizards-close-and-why-you-shouldnt-be-scared?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3345213/how-see-bangkoks-famous-monitor-lizards-close-and-why-you-shouldnt-be-scared?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 09:15:07 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong’s Ocean Park will transform its North Pole Encounter zone into a marine mammal conservation centre featuring the skeleton of a whale that washed ashore in Sai Kung in 2023. The new exhibit, scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2027, will highlight the park’s marine mammal research and rescue efforts. Visitors can explore other exhibits and animals, such as seals and sea lions, at Pacific Pier, an attraction in the Marine World section, the theme park said. The new centre will... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345348/hong-kongs-ocean-park-open-new-conservation-centre-featuring-whale-skeleton?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3345348/hong-kongs-ocean-park-open-new-conservation-centre-featuring-whale-skeleton?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 03:28:11 +0000 Ying Xia Ying Xia Public awareness of animal welfare on the Chinese mainland is at an all-time high. The country now has the world’s second-largest pet population, estimated at 430 million in 2024 and growing strongly. The cultural shift was on full display last year when the justice ministry solicited public feedback on its legislative plans. In a massive show of support, an online survey pushing for anti-cruelty legislation attracted over 4.2 million votes, with 96 per cent voting in favour. Yet despite rising... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3344884/quiet-revolution-animal-rights-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3344884/quiet-revolution-animal-rights-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:30:09 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu A Chinese zoo has been accused of using old videos of a tiger cub to attract donations after she died, triggering public controversy. The Puyang Central Zoo, a privately run zoo in Puyang city in central China’s Henan province, was reported to have been using old videos of a dead tiger cub to keep tricking “sponsorship fees” from live-stream viewers. On February 10, local authorities confirmed the case and announced its decision to suspend the zoo’s operations and place its director under a... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344423/china-zoo-uses-old-videos-dead-tiger-cub-seek-donations-prompting-demands-apologies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344423/china-zoo-uses-old-videos-dead-tiger-cub-seek-donations-prompting-demands-apologies?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Feb 2026 01:00:08 +0000 The Star The Star A Malaysian resort offering pangolin soup and meat for an “exquisite” experience for tourists is going to pay dearly after authorities swooped in on their illegal activities. In an integrated crackdown dubbed “Ops Khazanah” on Monday, Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) officials, together with the police, raided a resort in Semporna district after getting information that the operators were storing and serving the protected species. “During the raid, a live pangolin as well as several pots... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3344503/malaysian-resort-owners-face-huge-fines-jail-over-exotic-pangolin-menu-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3344503/malaysian-resort-owners-face-huge-fines-jail-over-exotic-pangolin-menu-tourists?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 23:30:19 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones The deaths of 72 captive tigers at a private park popular with tourists in northern Thailand have renewed scrutiny of a lucrative industry that campaigners warn treats wild animals as “entertainment”. The outbreak at Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai began in early February, with authorities initially attributing the deaths to canine distemper – a virus carried by dogs but often fatal to big cats. A deeper investigation is under way, with some medical experts suspecting contaminated food may have been... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3344470/why-did-72-tigers-die-thailand-tourist-park-under-2-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3344470/why-did-72-tigers-die-thailand-tourist-park-under-2-weeks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 09:58:22 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A scenic spot in northern China has ignited controversy by featuring live horses in a carousel ride, where six horses are secured to a rotating iron frame, raising significant concerns regarding animal welfare and public safety. The tourist attraction, located in the Shijingli Scenic Area of Xian, Shaanxi province, has stirred heated online debates since introducing the “Rotating Real Horses” attraction. Videos circulating on social media depict the six horses fastened to a metal carousel frame,... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344348/china-scenic-spot-faces-outcry-over-real-horse-carousel-ride-raising-animal-welfare-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3344348/china-scenic-spot-faces-outcry-over-real-horse-carousel-ride-raising-animal-welfare-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 08:00:10 +0000 Theodora Yu Theodora Yu Hong Kong police are investigating the suspected poisoning of four dogs on farms in the northern New Territories, with an animal welfare group saying another canine was missing and describing the cases as “heartbreaking”. The Sai Kung Stray Friends Foundation said on Friday that the incidents were among at least 19 cases documented by the group and linked to poisonings in the local area since last year. The group added that lethal poison baits had been placed on farms in areas such as Kwu Tung... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344167/police-probe-suspected-poisoning-4-dogs-2-more-canines-missing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344167/police-probe-suspected-poisoning-4-dogs-2-more-canines-missing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 20 Feb 2026 11:53:45 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A Sydney man who tried to post native lizards, dragons and other reptiles out of Australia in bags of popcorn and biscuit tins has been sentenced to eight years in jail, authorities said on Tuesday. The eight-year term handed down on Friday was a record for wildlife smuggling, federal environment officials said. A district court in Sydney gave the man, 61-year-old Neil Simpson, a non-parole period of five years and four months. Investigators recovered 101 Australian reptiles from seized parcels... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3343823/australian-smuggler-jailed-record-8-years-mailing-lizards-popcorn-bags?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3343823/australian-smuggler-jailed-record-8-years-mailing-lizards-popcorn-bags?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Feb 2026 08:53:29 +0000 dpa dpa Larry the cat is marking 15 years as the UK’s chief mouse catcher at the prime minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street, having served six prime ministers there. During his tenure, the 19-year-old tabby, officially known as the chief mouser to the Cabinet Office, has captured the hearts of the British public because of his frequent appearances outside the prime minister’s front door in central London. Larry was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in February 2011, and was originally... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343642/uks-larry-cat-19-marks-15-years-6-pms-chief-mouser?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3343642/uks-larry-cat-19-marks-15-years-6-pms-chief-mouser?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:29:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Thailand has begun using a birth control vaccine on elephants in the wild to try and curb a growing problem where human and animal populations encroach on each other – an issue in areas where farms spread into forests and elephants are squeezed out of their natural habitat. The initiative is part of efforts to address confrontations that can turn deadly. As farmers cut down forests to make more farmland, elephants are forced to venture out of their shrinking habitats in search of food. Last... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3343552/thailand-launches-wild-elephant-birth-control-stop-deadly-farm-raids?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3343552/thailand-launches-wild-elephant-birth-control-stop-deadly-farm-raids?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Feb 2026 01:53:08 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The old saying “it’s a dog’s life” has come to mean pampering and luxury rather than misery. In those terms, the coming Year of the Horse is shaping up to be a memorable one for Hong Kong dogs and their owners. On March 1, for the first time, up to 1,200 dogs will be able to travel on most trains and some buses with their owners as part of a fundraising drive organised by the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a breakthrough that should lead to further lifting of... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3342622/furry-friends-restaurants-big-step-towards-pet-friendly-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3342622/furry-friends-restaurants-big-step-towards-pet-friendly-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 22:45:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press This year, America’s Puppy Bowl is not just about puppies. Older dogs are getting some attention, too. There will be a halftime showdown between Team Oldies and Team Goldies, offering a showcase for senior dogs as a reminder that they also need adoption and love. “Everyone wants the puppy and, unfortunately, the reality of puppyhood is it’s tough,” says Victoria Schade, the event’s lead dog trainer and wrangler. “I think people don’t realise that until they’re deep in the thick of it. That’s the... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3342490/puppy-bowl-xxii-aims-help-old-dogs-find-new-families-too?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3342490/puppy-bowl-xxii-aims-help-old-dogs-find-new-families-too?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Feb 2026 07:15:08 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang More than a decade ago, Chinese wildlife artist Li Weiyi rescued a dying wolf cub in the grasslands of southwestern China. Recently, the 2017 documentary Return to the Wolves, which chronicles her time with her wolf son, regained attention thanks to a commentary video by film influencer @bizhanfenghua. The topic has attracted an astonishing 2.8 billion views on mainland social media. In April 2010, while sketching in the Zoige Prairie in Sichuan province, Li came across a little wolf, only five... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3341708/story-china-woman-and-adopted-wolf-son-gains-renewed-fame-garners-28-billion-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3341708/story-china-woman-and-adopted-wolf-son-gains-renewed-fame-garners-28-billion-views-online?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:00:37 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press People use music to set moods and evoke positive memories. The right song at the right time can have similar effects on dogs. Pet owners, trainers and animal shelter workers sometimes use music as a training tool, a distraction from triggers, and to create a relaxing environment for dogs kept in kennels or left alone at home. But researchers say the effects vary based on dogs’ temperament, the setting, the type of tune and the volume at which it is played. Social media videos show dogs howling... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3342088/do-dogs-music-experts-weigh-how-it-affects-furry-friends-and-what-avoid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3342088/do-dogs-music-experts-weigh-how-it-affects-furry-friends-and-what-avoid?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:15:08 +0000 Chloe Loung Chloe Loung As Hong Kong’s equestrian events scene grows – the city’s team scored a record seven medals at the 2025 FEI Asian Championships – a new generation of local riders is cantering onto the international stage. Among them is Fu Ka-ching, who, at 17, has already notched up much overseas competition experience while navigating her academic studies. Daughter of actor Alex Fong Chung-sun and former actress Hoyan Mok, Ka-ching has made a name for herself on the show jumping circuit. In the last year... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3341789/17-year-old-hong-kong-show-jumper-making-name-home-and-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/article/3341789/17-year-old-hong-kong-show-jumper-making-name-home-and-abroad?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 23:15:09 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Singapore’s southern holiday island of Sentosa has halted all water activities after a crocodile sighting on Saturday night. The island’s main coastal recreational stretches – Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong Beach – remain open, but the Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has banned all water activities, including swimming and kayaking, as wildlife officials continue to search for the reptile that was spotted off Sentosa Cove. The SDC said on social media it has ramped up patrols and was... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3341972/singapores-sentosa-halts-water-fun-after-crocodile-sighting?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3341972/singapores-sentosa-halts-water-fun-after-crocodile-sighting?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 02:46:51 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The recent incident that saw a routine pond-cleaning operation go horribly wrong and kill more than 110 fish at a public housing estate in Tseung Kwan O was more than a misadventure. To many animal lovers and rights activists, it amounts to a tragic case of unlawful killing that highlights the troubling gaps in respect for living beings in our advanced society. The sorry episode came to light after images of dozens of colourful koi and other species lying dead on a wet brick pavement at King Lam... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3341812/hong-kong-should-see-animal-protection-shared-civic-duty?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3341812/hong-kong-should-see-animal-protection-shared-civic-duty?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 22:45:08 +0000 Tribune News Service Tribune News Service The man who dumped a five-year-old girl in the Everglades – leaving her to be killed by alligators – had his life spared by a jury on Friday afternoon in a Miami-Dade courtroom. Harrel Braddy, 76, sat quietly when the verdict was read, briefly putting down his head before looking up at the ceiling. His eyes appeared to water. Braddy hugged his lawyers as the jury walked out of the courtroom. The girl’s mother, who testified about the horrific details of Braddy’s attack, was not in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3341912/us-man-escapes-execution-dumping-girl-5-be-killed-alligators?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3341912/us-man-escapes-execution-dumping-girl-5-be-killed-alligators?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 23:18:01 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok Hong Kong authorities are investigating the discovery of a severely decomposed whale carcass discovered on a beach in Sai Kung. Authorities were alerted to the decomposed carcass, measuring 11 metres (36.1 feet) in length, on Thursday after villagers found it on the beach at Ham Tin Wan, in Sai Kung East Country Park. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) deployed officers to the scene, with preliminary findings suggesting that the animal was a baleen whale. Based on the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3341738/discovery-badly-decomposed-whale-carcass-sai-kung-beach-triggers-probe?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3341738/discovery-badly-decomposed-whale-carcass-sai-kung-beach-triggers-probe?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:56:09 +0000 Letters Letters Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words On New Year’s Eve, Hong Kong released its updated Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP), outlining the city’s conservation directions for the next decade. Two foundational priorities stand out: amending conservation policies and protecting endangered wildlife. These are not... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3341343/time-update-hong-kongs-wildlife-protection-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/letters/article/3341343/time-update-hong-kongs-wildlife-protection-law?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 03:30:10 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A 10-day-old animal nicknamed the “drama queen lamb” has gone viral online for its hilarious ability to play dead, which has attracted so much attention that someone even offered 130,000 yuan (US$19,000) to buy it. On January 13, the lamb from Zhongfang Village, Baofeng Town, Pingluo County, Shizuishan in Ningxia, northwestern China, went viral online for its unique ability. According to the lamb’s owner, farmer Jin Xiaolin, he had taken four lambs to a local market to sell. Three were sold at... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339987/china-drama-queen-lamb-goes-viral-pretending-be-dead-when-potential-buyers-approach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339987/china-drama-queen-lamb-goes-viral-pretending-be-dead-when-potential-buyers-approach?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:00:09 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Bali’s elephant-riding attractions have begun shutting down after Indonesia’s forestry authorities ordered conservation centres to end the practice, as local officials threaten to revoke the relevant permits for non-compliance. The directive calls for the centres to stop elephant-riding “performances” and shift towards wildlife tourism that is more educational and ethical, according to a circular by the Ministry of Forestry’s Directorate General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3341419/elephant-rides-indonesias-bali-attractions-banned-over-animal-welfare-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3341419/elephant-rides-indonesias-bali-attractions-banned-over-animal-welfare-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:49:37 +0000 Oscar Liu Oscar Liu Hong Kong police have launched an investigation into animal cruelty after more than 100 fish, including large koi, died while a pond was being cleaned at a public housing estate in Tseung Kwan O. The incident occurred on Monday morning when a cleaning contractor removed the fish to facilitate maintenance, but allegedly failed to provide a temporary space with adequate aeration, according to the animal rights group Hong Kong Pigeon and Dove Rescue. “Someone has called for help. A cleaning company... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3341331/hong-kong-police-probe-pond-cleaning-operation-killed-more-100-fish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3341331/hong-kong-police-probe-pond-cleaning-operation-killed-more-100-fish?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 03:37:25 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim At Seah Im Food Centre in southern Singapore, Nur’Ain Zainuddin is constantly on the lookout. Other than serving customers, the owner of hawker chain Aspirasi Chicken Rice has to make sure no uninvited visitors enter the stall. “The birds like to pick up leftovers on tables and at the tray returning station, and even enter our stall sometimes. It’s concerning because we don’t know if they carry any viruses,” Nur’Ain said. This concern is not hers alone. Singapore received more than 24,000... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3341305/singapore-aims-be-city-nature-can-residents-and-wildlife-coexist-harmony?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3341305/singapore-aims-be-city-nature-can-residents-and-wildlife-coexist-harmony?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 01:30:12 +0000 Reuters Reuters After a brief countdown by conservationists, a young Indo-Pacific leopard shark glided into the blue waters off Maiton Island in southern Thailand, released in the country’s first efforts to “rewild” the endangered species. Once a familiar sight for snorkellers and divers, the spotted sharks have sharply declined in the wild over the past decade due to overfishing and habitat loss, even as they flourished in private aquariums. “Why not take the breeding population that is doing well in the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3341200/thailand-releases-first-aquarium-bred-leopard-sharks-rewild-endangered-species?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3341200/thailand-releases-first-aquarium-bred-leopard-sharks-rewild-endangered-species?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 26 Jan 2026 03:04:16 +0000 Kyodo Kyodo Fans gathered at a Tokyo zoo on Sunday to bid farewell to the last two giant pandas in the country, long a symbol of Sino-Japanese friendship, two days before they leave for China. The departure of Xiao Xiao and his sister, Lei Lei, will leave Japan without any pandas for the first time since 1972, when China gifted a pair to Japan following the normalisation of bilateral ties. Prospects for a new panda loan by China remain uncertain amid soured ties following remarks last year by Prime Minister... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3341153/fans-japan-jostle-final-glimpse-china-bound-twin-pandas?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3341153/fans-japan-jostle-final-glimpse-china-bound-twin-pandas?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Jan 2026 07:41:18 +0000 Reuters Reuters An Australian boy had died in hospital after being bitten by a shark in Sydney Harbour, his family said on Saturday after a series of shark attacks along the country’s east coast. Nico Antic, 12, was attacked on Sunday as he and friends were jumping off rocks in Vaucluse, around 9km (5.5 miles) from Sydney’s central business district. He was pulled from the water by friends and taken to hospital with severe injuries to both legs. “We are heartbroken to share that our son, Nico, has passed away,”... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3341094/australian-boy-12-dies-week-after-shark-attack-sydney-harbour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3341094/australian-boy-12-dies-week-after-shark-attack-sydney-harbour?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 Jan 2026 06:00:37 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press After back-to-back fatal train crashes sent shock waves through Spain, some good news arrived on Thursday: Boro, the missing dog, was found. Days earlier, Boro’s owner Ana Garcia issued a desperate plea to help find him after the dog bolted on Sunday in the aftermath of the high-speed train crash in southern Spain that killed at least 43 people. Garcia, 26, and her pregnant sister were travelling with Boro on the train that derailed. On Thursday, forest firefighters in southern Spain found the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340906/after-fatal-rail-accident-missing-dog-captivated-spain-found?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340906/after-fatal-rail-accident-missing-dog-captivated-spain-found?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:40:13 +0000 The Korea Times The Korea Times A declining number of dog meat farms in South Korea, driven by government efforts to root out the centuries-old practice of dog meat consumption, has raised questions about what will happen to the dogs currently in the system between now and when the ban takes effect in February 2027. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has confirmed that at least 468,000 dogs are currently kept on farms in cages nationwide, or at some 5,900 related businesses, including slaughterhouses,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3340854/south-koreas-dog-meat-ban-leaves-half-million-lives-limbo?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3340854/south-koreas-dog-meat-ban-leaves-half-million-lives-limbo?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:18:07 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Blanket draped over her shoulders and a bandage on her cheek, Ana Garcia issued a desperate plea: she needed help finding her dog, Boro. Hours earlier, 26-year-old Garcia and her pregnant sister had been travelling with Boro by high-speed train from Malaga, their hometown in southern Spain, to capital Madrid. The tail of their train car jumped the rails for reasons that remain unclear, then was smashed into by a train coming in the opposite direction that tumbled down an adjacent slope. At least... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340720/after-spanish-rail-disaster-search-missing-dog-grips-nation-he-family?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3340720/after-spanish-rail-disaster-search-missing-dog-grips-nation-he-family?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:46:21 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A 12-year-old boy was fighting for his life in hospital after being mauled by a large shark in Sydney Harbour, police in Australia said on Monday. The boy had been jumping off rocks with friends late on Sunday afternoon at Shark Beach in Vaucluse, around 9km (5.5 miles) from the central business district, when he was attacked by the shark. He ‍was pulled from the water by friends and emergency services with ‍severe injuries to both legs, and remains in a critical condition. “It was a horrendous... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3340356/boy-12-fighting-life-after-sydney-harbour-shark-attack?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3340356/boy-12-fighting-life-after-sydney-harbour-shark-attack?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:43:54 +0000 Aidan Jones Aidan Jones Somewhere on the cavernous loft floor, cooing softly from inside a stack of crates, a feathered fortune waits for its moment to shine. It’s “basketing day” for Asia’s richest pigeon race, held in Pattaya, eastern Thailand. In 24 hours’ time, a US$2 million prize pot will be shared among the lucky owners of the birds that find their way home. For now, those hopes are packed tightly, wing to wing, into crates: more than 5,000 perfectly conditioned racers waiting to be scanned, logged and stamped... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3340203/feathered-fortunes-inside-asias-richest-pigeon-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3340203/feathered-fortunes-inside-asias-richest-pigeon-race?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 18 Jan 2026 05:30:10 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial Hong Kong dog lovers are looking forward to a special day out when, for the first time, they will be able to travel on most trains and some buses with their beloved pets. The move, applying to as many as 1,200 dogs, will only last for a day – March 1. It is part of Dogathon, a fundraising drive organised by the Hong Kong Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). But the rare opportunity to take pooches on public transport is a breakthrough which should lead to the further lifting... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3340115/walk-pet-friendly-path-hong-kong-needs-comprehensive-policy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3340115/walk-pet-friendly-path-hong-kong-needs-comprehensive-policy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 23:15:11 +0000 Yating Yang Yating Yang A woman in southern China who did not know how to slaughter a pig turned to the internet for help, unexpectedly sparking a heartwarming viral reaction that attracted over 1,000 enthusiastic volunteers and transformed the event into a festive gathering. The story began on January 9, when a woman nicknamed Daidai from Hechuan, Chongqing, posted a short video on social media inviting netizens to assist in holding down two pigs for slaughter, while also extending an invitation to enjoy a traditional... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339732/chinese-woman-seeks-online-help-slaughter-pigs-attracting-over-1000-volunteers-her-farm?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3339732/chinese-woman-seeks-online-help-slaughter-pigs-attracting-over-1000-volunteers-her-farm?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 17 Jan 2026 06:00:09 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The global trade in shark fin has been more strictly regulated in recent years, an essential step in the battle to save endangered species from extinction. However, this has not prevented the highly lucrative illegal trade from flourishing. Despite some eye-catching seizures, Hong Kong remains a major hub. A comprehensive study published in Science Advances highlighted the alarming level of shark fin from protected species reaching the city’s markets. The research was led by Mote Marine... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3340008/study-shows-hong-kong-must-do-better-end-illegal-shark-fin-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3340008/study-shows-hong-kong-must-do-better-end-illegal-shark-fin-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jan 2026 22:45:07 +0000