Latest FromAnimal Science
![Animal lovers' red-letter year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Animal lovers' red-letter year
Defenders of dogs, cats and rats are starting to feel that this could be their year. They've joined forces to make animal welfare an election issue for the first time.
![Scientist drills into sea riddle](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Scientist drills into sea riddle
A scientist is stepping back in time to solve the mystery behind a dramatic drop in the world's most threatened species of sea lion.
![Navy protect precious kiwi](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Navy protect precious kiwi
Members of New Zealand's navy were tasked with protecting nine very precious kiwi this week.
![Brian Rudman: Whales may be safe but let's not forget all the fish](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Brian Rudman: Whales may be safe but let's not forget all the fish
Murray McCully is warning against indulging in "triumphalism". He fears that if we denigrate the Japanese, this will hurt their national pride, writes Brian Rudman.
![Riches in snapper snapshot](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Riches in snapper snapshot
Scientists have used an underwater camera to count large snapper in Hauraki Gulf marine reserves.
![Ross Sea resounds to many happy feet](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Ross Sea resounds to many happy feet
The Adelie penguin population in Antarctica's Ross Sea has boomed to an estimated 30-year high, despite signs that climate change is driving population declines elsewhere on the continent.
![Dogs' sense of smell signals love for owners](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Dogs' sense of smell signals love for owners
The familiar scent of its owner lingers like perfume in a dog's brain, US scientists claim.
![Marine life better protected](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Marine life better protected
Kaikoura's world-renowned wild marine environment will be better protected by a new marine reserve.
![New marine reserves: Protecting paradise](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
New marine reserves: Protecting paradise
There's no signpost to say you're nearing New Zealand's subantarctic islands, but a welcome that's a little more dramatic.
![Pigging out proves profitable](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Pigging out proves profitable
How do you stop truckloads of unsaleable food from going to the dump - and turn it into something useful? Put a few thousand piggies in the middle.
![Secrets of a Trojan female](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Secrets of a Trojan female
Using advances in genetic science, a small research team are testing whether it is possible to make an evolutionary loophole work to the advantage of pest control.
![Agent 007 crow cracks his meaty problem](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Agent 007 crow cracks his meaty problem
They call him 007 because he gets the job done - and for this feathered little thinker, doing so was quite the task.
![Out of the office, off to work](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Out of the office, off to work
Mark Orams will research mammals on the Blake expedition to the Auckland Islands.
![Killer horse virus source likely to remain mystery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Killer horse virus source likely to remain mystery
The Ministry for Primary Industries says it may never know the origin of a neurological strain of equine herpes which has so far killed seven thoroughbred horses.
![Family pet poisoned by flea treatment](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Family pet poisoned by flea treatment
It was a routine flea treatment, his family thought. But it was nearly a case of kitty-cide for Dexter who had a bad reaction to the product - which was for dogs.
![Why we can't resist 'puppy dog eyes'](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Why we can't resist 'puppy dog eyes'
Many dog owners have found themselves unable to resist treating a pet that makes "puppy dog eyes" and now scientists have discovered the cute expression taps into our subconscious.
![Your dog does recognise you](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Your dog does recognise you
Good news for dog owners everywhere – your canine friend does recognise your face, according to new research.
![Do whales hear their dinner?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Do whales hear their dinner?
Auckland University team heads first research on giant mammals' ability to sense sound waves of prey.
![Green light for Parkinson's trial](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Green light for Parkinson's trial
Auckland biotechnology firm Living Cell Technologies has got the green light to continue human trials of its regenerative cell therapy for Parkinson's disease.
![Small everyday sounds sending cats into seizures](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Small everyday sounds sending cats into seizures
If you are ever irritated by the sound of your spouse crinkling a packet of chips or rustling a newspaper, then spare a thought for your cat.
![Pukeko's game of angry birds](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=792)
Pukeko's game of angry birds
New Zealand's cute pukeko, known for its colour both in plumage and personality, has been shown to have a power-hungry, aggressive streak - quite literally.