The viral marine mammal at Pier 39 is Chonkers, a roughly 2,000-pound Steller sea lion who has been hauling out on the floating docks and dwarfing the smaller California sea lions around him. He has become a social media sensation, with crowds of tourists gathering daily to watch him bark, lounge and hold court at the front of the platforms.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Chonkers was first spotted at Pier 39 in March. Reddit users started posting videos of him that same month, showing him perched at the front of one of the wooden floats while the considerably smaller sea lions kept their distance.

“I wonder what the little guys were thinking. They’re all so cute though,” one Reddit commenter wrote. “That’s one big water dog,” said another.

Life

The World’s Oldest ‘Octopus‘ Fossil Isn’t Actually an Octopus After All

For 25 years, a hand-sized sea creature embedded in Illinois rock held the title of the world’s oldest octopus. Now, thanks to a machine that shoots extremely powerful beams of light through stone, scientists have discovered the fossil is something else entirely — a relative of the nautilus. The fossil, known as Pohlsepia mazonensis, was […]

Chonkers has become a TikTok sensation

A TikTok video posted this week showed Chonkers — also affectionately nicknamed Chonkers — barking with a crowd of onlookers gathered around him. The comments quickly piled up.

“An absolute unit,” one viewer wrote. “Everybody loves a chonker!” said another. A third person added, “Saw him a few days ago, people were calling him the king .” A fourth commenter chimed in: “He’s doing a great job .”

Pier 39’s floating docks have long been a popular haul-out spot for marine mammals, hosting as many as 2,000 sea lions at a time depending on the season. But Chonkers stands out — quite literally — because he is roughly three times the size of the California sea lions that typically inhabit San Francisco Bay. That sheer size difference is exactly why he is drawing a crowd, and why locals and tourists keep posting fresh photos and videos of the viral pinniped to TikTok, Reddit and Instagram.

How big is a Steller sea lion compared to a California sea lion?

An adult male Steller sea lion like Chonkers can weigh up to 2,500 pounds and stretch up to 11 feet long, according to NOAA Fisheries — making the species roughly one and a half to three times heavier than the California sea lions most San Francisco Bay visitors are used to seeing.

Adult male Stellers show the biggest size gap. They can weigh well over twice as much as adult male California sea lions and look noticeably longer and bulkier. Steller sea lions also have thicker necks and more massive bodies, giving them what’s often described as a “bear-like” appearance compared with the sleeker, more streamlined California sea lion.

That difference is on full display at Pier 39, where Chonkers towers over his neighbors on the docks. Photos and videos circulating on Reddit and TikTok show the roughly 2,000-pound Steller commanding an entire float by himself while smaller sea lions cluster on adjacent platforms, keeping a respectful distance.

Stellers are well suited to spending long periods in the open ocean. Their diving ability increases with age, with some dives recorded at depths of around 1,400 feet. When they come ashore, they rely on calm, undisturbed areas to rest and shed their fur, and these locations also function as centers for social interaction, breeding, birthing, and rearing pups. They are highly social, often forming tightly packed groups on land, while at sea they may move alone, in small groups, or in larger clusters known as rafts near areas rich in food.

They sometimes lift their flippers out of the water to help manage body temperature. Because flippers lose heat quickly, exposing them to the air allows them to absorb warmth and distribute it throughout the body—one of several adaptations that supports survival in cold marine environments.

This species is also capable of traveling long distances. Steller sea lions, especially males, may migrate widely over a season, which helps explain how a massive individual—like a 2,000-pound sea lion nicknamed Chonkers—could end up taking over a busy tourist pier in San Francisco.

Why is the Chonkers at Pier 39 right now?

The simple answer is food. Laura Gill, public programs manager at the Marine Mammal Center, said Chonkers likely had one priority in mind when he showed up. “There’s just a lot of food right now,” Gill said.

Steller sea lions are powerful hunters with a broad and diverse diet. They often feed at night, preying on more than 100 kinds of fish—including Atka mackerel, pollock, salmon and cod—as well as cephalopods like squid and octopus. Their diet shifts with the seasons and varies by location, depending on what prey is available.

They forage both in coastal waters and farther offshore, diving in bottom (benthic) and open-water (pelagic) habitats. Different individuals may adopt very different feeding strategies. Outside the breeding season, some adult females range far beyond the continental shelf in search of food, while others remain closer to shore. During breeding, however, females must stay within reach of their rookery so they can return often to nurse their pups, even as their foraging trips gradually lengthen as the pups grow.

To sustain themselves, grow, and reproduce, Steller sea lions depend on dependable, abundant food sources throughout the year and across all stages of life. Females in particular face especially high energy demands, especially in winter, when they may be supporting themselves, nursing a pup, and carrying another at the same time.

For a 2,000-pound male like Chonkers, maintaining that size requires a huge caloric intake—and right now, San Francisco Bay seems to be providing plenty. That abundance likely explains why this Steller sea lion has settled onto Pier 39’s floating docks instead of continuing on his journey.

How long will Chonkers the sea lion stay at Pier 39?

Probably not long. Pier 39 harbormaster Sheila Chandor told WSJ that the famous floating docks are not designed to be a permanent home for a 2,000-pound visitor like Chonkers.

“We’re a pit stop, that’s how we saw ourselves,” Chandor said. “We didn’t build those floats for 2,000-pound animals.”

Pier 39’s docks can host as many as 2,000 sea lions at a time, depending on the season — but the floats were built with the smaller, sleeker California sea lions in mind, not bulky Steller males who can tip the scales at up to 2,500 pounds. That structural reality, combined with the species’ tendency to migrate long distances chasing food, means Chonkers’ viral run at the pier is likely temporary.

Steller sea lions, especially males, are known to travel significant distances over a season as they follow available prey. Once the food supply that drew Chonkers to San Francisco Bay shifts or thins out, biologists expect him to move along with it. On land, the species also needs safe, undisturbed areas to rest, socialize and care for pups—and a tourist-packed pier is unlikely to remain his preferred stop for long.

For now, though, the Steller is making the most of his temporary stage. Tourists continue to crowd the pier hoping to catch a glimpse of the bear-like chonker who has been crowned “the king” by online fans. As one TikTok commenter put it, “He’s doing a great job.”

If you’re hoping to see Chonkers in person, the advice from his own behavior — and from Chandor’s “pit stop” comment — is straightforward: don’t wait too long.

Doogan was first diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at age 39 after experiencing a dull pain and discovering a lump under her arm. Doctors told her the cancer had spread. She underwent chemotherapy, surgery and radiation before being told she was cancer free.

“I was the fittest and healthiest I’d ever been, and I was really looking forward to turning 40,” Doogan recalled to SWNS.

Vickie received a 2nd breast cancer diagnosis and carried BRCA2 mutation

Doogan’s world flipped upside down when she was diagnosed with cancer a second time at age 44 and began treatment. She ultimately underwent a double mastectomy after finding out she was a carrier of the BRCA2 gene mutation.

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, BRCA2 is a gene that, when mutated, can increase a person’s lifetime risk of breast and other cancers, including ovarian, prostate and pancreatic. Most breast cancers arising from a BRCA2 gene mutation are estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/HER2-negative.

Life

Man's Battle with Cancer Leads to Heartwarming Reunion with His Dog

“Come on, girl, go with Sommer,” Mike Nayler said, trying to coax his English Mastiff mix, Minnie, to go outside with his wife. But the 90-pound pup lay sprawled on the bed beside him, refusing to budge. “I’ll have to get up,” Mike sighed, and the instant his feet touched the ground, Minnie was right […]

Dolly became Vickie’s constant companion

Amid her recovery, Doogan got Dolly — a poochon — in 2018. The two have been connected ever since.

“She’s like my shadow,” Doogan said. “She’s the most perfect little dog.”

Then, in February 2026, Doogan noticed Dolly had an upset stomach and took her to the vet to make sure everything was OK. During the exam, the doctor found a lump under one of Dolly’s nipples and said she needed a mastectomy. Doogan was rather shocked to hear the news.

“I was so shocked, I didn’t even know dogs could have mastectomies,” Doogan said.

Doctors said Dolly had a “low-grade” cancer. She underwent the surgery and recovered.

Both Vickie and Dolly are cancer-free now

Now, both Doogan and her dog are cancer-free.

“She bounced back just as well as I did. People said it’s like she’s mirroring how I dealt with it,” Doogan said.

“Now I’m living my best life again. It’s all in my past,” she added. “I want people to know that although breast cancer is scary, you can still live a really full life.”

What to know about mammary tumors in dogs

Mammary tumors in dogs develop from abnormal cell replication in breast tissue and can be benign or malignant, according to Atlantic Coast New York Veterinary Specialists. The condition affects approximately 25 percent of unspayed female dogs. Females spayed before their first heat cycle reduce that risk to 0.05 percent. Those spayed after the first heat but before the second face a risk of approximately 8 percent.

Half of mammary tumors found in dogs are benign. Of those that are malignant, most can be treated successfully with surgery when caught early, the outlet notes. Breast cancer in dogs is relatively common but rare in males, and when male dogs do develop it, the cancer tends to metastasize aggressively.

Forest is set to move to 101 Paws and Claws, a nonprofit sanctuary in Volusia County, once staff finish building a new enclosure designed specifically for him. The organization is racing to complete the habitat — and raise the money to pay for it — on a tight timeline.

Why Forest can’t go back to the wild

Forest was orphaned as a fawn and suffered multiple injuries, including a broken leg. During his recovery, he was bottle-fed and cared for closely by humans. That hands-on care saved his life, but it came with a permanent consequence: he imprinted on people.

According to Meagan Farley, CEO of 101 Paws and Claws, that imprinting means Forest now associates humans with food and safety. For a wild deer, that’s a dangerous combination. A deer that approaches people instead of fleeing is vulnerable to vehicles, hunters and other threats it would normally avoid.

Life

Wolf Spotted for First Time 5 Days After Escaping South Korean Zoo

A young wolf that escaped from a zoo in South Korea last week has finally been seen—but the animal remains on the loose, evading an intensive capture effort involving drones, traps and police officers. The wolf, named Neukgu, was spotted at 10:43 p.m. Monday on a small mountain near the Daejeon O-World theme park, according […]

Releasing him is no longer an option. Instead, the sanctuary is preparing to give him a permanent home.

“We’re going to try to make it as natural as possible for him. He’s going to live his life out here,” Farley told The Daytona Beach News-Journal.

A fast turnaround for the sanctuary

The path to Forest’s new home began when an animal rehabber in Volusia County reached out to Farley about taking him in. The request came quickly, and the sanctuary had to move fast to be ready for his arrival.

“It was kind of a rush thing, so we have a month to pull this all together,” Farley told The Daytona Beach News-Journal on April 17.

That compressed window is shaping every decision the nonprofit makes — from construction priorities to fundraising. Staff and volunteers are working to design a space that meets Forest’s needs as a deer that can no longer roam freely but still deserves a habitat that feels close to natural.

What Forest’s new home will look like

The planned enclosure includes fencing and a barn, along with a wooded area where Forest can choose to hide or stay out of sight when he wants privacy. The design reflects a key principle of the sanctuary’s approach: giving animals control over their own interactions.

Visitors will not be brought into Forest’s enclosure. Instead, he’ll have the option — but never the obligation — to come close to the fence line during tours.

“It’s entirely up to him whether he wants to come out and interact with people on the tour. We won’t bring people into the enclosure,” Farley said.

The sanctuary also offers private tours as part of its fundraising efforts to support animal care. For Forest, that means his daily life can stay as quiet or as social as he chooses.

Life

Remember Little Joe? The Gorilla Who Escaped a Boston Zoo Is Leaving

If the name Little Joe rings a bell, you’re probably thinking of the gorilla that broke out of his enclosure at Franklin Park Zoo in 2003 and ran loose through Boston. That story made national headlines after the escape resulted in injury to a 2-year-old girl and forced the zoo to make major safety upgrades. […]

Fundraising falls short of goal

Building Forest’s new home isn’t cheap, and the sanctuary is still well short of what it needs.

The fencing alone is the largest expense, estimated at about $5,600. As of April 17, the nonprofit had raised approximately $500 — a small fraction of the total needed to complete the project on schedule.

The gap between funds raised and funds needed underscores how dependent small sanctuaries are on community support. Every dollar contributed goes toward the materials, labor and ongoing care that allow animals like Forest to live out their lives safely.

The Davidson family adopted Dodger as a kitten in 2016 from the Miss Winkles Pet Adoption Center in Clovis, California. According to Fresno TNR, he was named after the family’s favorite baseball team, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over the next two years, Dodger became a cherished member of the household.

Then in 2018, following the death of the children’s father, the family decided to move across the country to Florida. The plan was to have a friend transport their possessions — including Dodger — to their new home. But somewhere along the way, Dodger ran away. The family never saw him again.

A microchipped cat finally reunites with his family

The Davidsons spent years with no information about what had become of Dodger — from December 2018 to February 2026, according to a Facebook post by Fresno TNR.

Life

Rescued Dwarf Calf and Dying Horse Form Unlikely Friendship

When Elliot, a baby Angus calf born with dwarfism, arrived at The Little Red Barn sanctuary in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in early 2025, he had already endured rejection. Half the size of a normal calf at birth, his mother sensed something was wrong and refused him. The dwarf calf had to be bottle fed, which […]

Then Fresno Trap and Release, a nonprofit focused on reducing the number of free-roaming cats in Fresno, California, discovered a stray cat in Madera, California — about 31 miles from Clovis. During the intake process, staff noticed the cat had already been neutered and had a microchip.

Scanning it revealed Dodger’s ownership, though the registered phone number was from outside the local area code.

“It was like 11 o’clock at night, and I get this email saying Dodger has been scanned into Fresno TNR,” Amber Davidson told Your Central Valley.

Sydney Sherman, who runs Fresno TNR with her mom, was surprised by the out-of-area number. “I was like, oh my gosh, where do these people live, this isn’t a 559 area code,” Sherman told the outlet.

A 7-hour drive for a 5 a.m. reunion

By that point, the Davidsons had relocated again to Georgia. But Sherman had a plan.

“I was like, well, I’m going to a wedding in Florida on March 24, I can try to bring him to you guys if you can meet me in Florida,” Sherman added.

As any family who misses their cat would, the Davidsons drove seven hours from Georgia to Florida. They met Sherman at 5 a.m. It was an emotional scene — a cat reunited with owner after more than seven years. Dodger had made a 2,500-mile trip of his own.

“That moment, of ‘He’s finally home, he gets to be with his people again,’” Sherman said through tears, per KSEE24. “Sorry – it’s very special.”

Life

Hero Dog Saves Sleeping Family From Raging Garage Fire

When Fillmore’s family told him to be quiet in the middle of the night, the German shorthaired pointer refused to listen. Thank goodness he didn’t. Fillmore is now being hailed a hero after his persistent barking woke his family and alerted them to a garage fire at their home on Skyway Drive in Unincorporated Tustin, […]

“When we were walking away, Schylar was like, ‘Mom, you did so good, you didn’t cry,’” Davidson said, referring to her son.

“We were all very happy to finally have him home where he belongs with his boys,” Sherman said in the Facebook post.

“However, it was bittersweet as me, and many other kennel staff, had grown to love the handsome, talkative, and overly sweet little Dodger during the month he stayed with us,” Sherman added on Facebook.

Dodger’s homecoming is proof that a microchip reunites cat with owner — even after more than seven years and 2,500 miles. For anyone still searching for a lost pet, his story is a reminder to never give up hope.

In a clip posted by ESPN, the goldendoodle was sitting in the stands when she became fascinated with the person in front of her eating french fries. Rather than bark or make a scene, the dog took her paw and tapped the woman on the shoulder to get her attention.

“What? What do you want?” the woman said, smiling as she turned around with a fry in her hand. She bit off a small piece of the fry and blew on it to cool it down before giving it to the dog to enjoy.

Why TikTok is obsessed with viral goldendoodle video

That move — blowing on the fry before handing it over — is the detail that sent the comments section over the edge.

“She even cooled it down first ,” one person wrote, while another said, “I love how she cooled it first.”

Life

What Is a Pudu Deer? SD Zoo‘s Newest Baby Looks Like a Piglet

The world’s smallest deer species grows no bigger than a house cat — and the San Diego Zoo just welcomed one more into the world. A baby pudu was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park over the past weekend. The newborn is female and currently stands just a few inches tall. Pudus hold […]

“She did the right thing, bless her heart and the dog asked so nicely,” said another.

“That’s so kind that she considered how hot the food was and blew on it. you know how you just immediately know someone’s a good person? the dog litmas test,” another wrote.

“That dog has the potential to be the best wingman,” joked another.

“Cooling down the fry? The greenest flag,” said another.

“That’s so cute how he tapped her shoulder,” another said.

“ The puppy was so gentle in her request… and the young lady was so kind to blow on the fry,” said another.

Goldendoodles are extremely friendly and intelligent

This kind of behavior is not uncommon for goldendoodles.

“Goldendoodles are known for their friendly and outgoing nature,” per Best Friends Pet Care. “They are typically very social dogs, thriving on interaction with people and other pets. Their affectionate demeanor makes them excellent companions for families, singles and seniors alike.”

Goldendoodles benefit from their poodle ancestry, which gives them notable intelligence. As a result, they tend to be easier to train than many other breeds. They pick up new skills quickly and thrive on mental stimulation, making them well-suited for a variety of activities and dog sports.

They are also very active and playful. Goldendoodles need consistent exercise and enjoy activities like fetch, running, and agility work. Because of their high energy, they require plenty of physical activity to maintain their overall well-being.

“One of the Goldendoodle’s greatest traits is its adaptability,” Best Friends Pet Care adds. “They are generally well-suited for different living environments, whether it’s a large house with a yard or a smaller apartment. Their versatile nature makes them a good fit for various lifestyles.”

That trainability is a big part of what makes moments like this viral clip possible. According to Much Ado About Doodles, “The trainability of Goldendoodles is excellent. Though many top breeders offer trained Goldendoodles for adoption, these pups can also continue their training at home. Goldendoodles are very smart dogs and willing to learn new behaviors and commands with the help of positive reinforcement.”

A baby pudu was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park over the past weekend. The newborn is female and currently stands just a few inches tall.

Pudus hold the title of smallest deer species in the world. Fully grown adults reach only 13 to 17 inches in height, roughly 45 centimeters. Some have compared their size to a house cat. At that stature, they barely come up to a person’s knees.

For comparison, elk and larger deer species can reach over two meters tall. Pudus are also recognized for their wide eyes, slender legs and shy temperament.

Life

Detroit Zoo Welcomes 3 Adorable Otter Pups Ahead of Summer Debut

The Detroit Zoo has some adorable new residents. Three North American river otter pups were recently born at the zoo, and while visitors can’t see them just yet, the little ones are growing fast behind the scenes. The pups were born to Kalee, their mother, and Gus, their father, according to a Detroit Zoo news […]

Their native range covers parts of South America, specifically Chile and Argentina.

The new fawn shares her habitat with her mother, Posey, and has already been spotted trotting alongside her. Zoo staff describe the little one as adventurous with a confident demeanor. 

Keepers have also noted her curious nature, and according to the zoo, she is adapting well to her new surroundings. Guests interested in seeing the baby pudu can find her at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Only about 10,000 southern pudus remain in the wild

While the fawn settles into her new home, her wild counterparts in South America face a far more precarious situation.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature most recently assessed the southern pudu (Pudu puda) in 2016. The species currently carries a “Near Threatened” designation on the IUCN Red List. 

No official census of southern pudus exists, but total population estimates hover around 10,000 animals.

A significant portion of that population lives on Chile’s Chiloe Island, which sits off the southern Chilean coast and features dense forests and small rural communities. 

Life

Meet Linh Mai, the First Baby Elephant Born at the National Zoo in Decades

A tiny—well, 308-pound—addition has arrived at one of the nation’s most beloved zoos, and she already has a reputation for being sassy. A critically endangered Asian elephant calf named Linh Mai was born at Smithsonian’s National Zoo on Feb. 2, marking the zoo’s first elephant birth in nearly 25 years, according to zoo officials. The […]

But populations on Chile’s southern Chiloe archipelago are approaching endangered status. Dozens of pudus are reported killed or injured on the main island each year, per Reuters.

The two biggest dangers facing the species are vehicle strikes and attacks by dogs. Pregnant females face heightened risk during winter and spring months. Javier Cabello, a veterinarian who founded the Chiloe Silvestre NGO, emphasized that the pudu’s small stature leaves it especially defenseless against fast cars and aggressive dogs.

A wildlife center sees the toll firsthand

On Chiloe Island, the Chiloe Silvestre wildlife center has cared for 18 injured pudus this year. Roughly half of those animals arrived with injuries from dog attacks. About one-third had been struck by vehicles.

Javiera Lopez, the center’s head veterinarian, reports that roughly 50 injured pudus come in each year. She warned that reclassification to “endangered” and eventually “critically endangered” seems inevitable.

The San Diego Zoo’s newest fawn is just one deer. But for a species whose estimated global population hovers around 10,000 — and whose biggest threats are as ordinary as passing cars and household dogs — every new arrival adds up.

The zoo announced the winning name after a donation-based voting contest that gave supporters three options to choose from. Rina—named in honor of Rina PA, a ranger with the Sumatran Ranger Project who protects endangered wildlife in Sumatra—beat out the other two contenders.

But the name wasn’t the only news. On the same day the result was revealed, Rina and her brother Serasi stepped onto their habitat for the very first time, giving the zoo a double milestone to share in one announcement.

The winning name—and the ones that lost

The three options Dallas Zoo put to a public vote each had ties to Sumatra and the conservation work happening there:

• Rina—in honor of Rina PA, a ranger with the Sumatran Ranger Project
• Alya—meaning “sky” or “heaven” in Arabic
• Merapi—the name of the most active volcano in Sumatra

Rina took the vote. The contest used donation-based voting, meaning supporters cast their votes through donations. Proceeds from the contest go toward conservation efforts for the critically endangered species—so picking a favorite name also meant directly supporting the work to protect Sumatran tigers.

Life

Remember Little Joe? The Gorilla Who Escaped a Boston Zoo Is Leaving

If the name Little Joe rings a bell, you’re probably thinking of the gorilla that broke out of his enclosure at Franklin Park Zoo in 2003 and ran loose through Boston. That story made national headlines after the escape resulted in injury to a 2-year-old girl and forced the zoo to make major safety upgrades. […]

Her brother’s name honors a fallen ranger

The male cub was not part of the public vote. Dallas Zoo’s animal care team chose his name—Serasi—in tribute to a ranger from the same organization who dedicated his life to protecting wildlife in Sumatra before his passing. The zoo said the ranger’s courage and commitment now live on in the cub.

Both names were chosen to honor rangers who protect Sumatran tigers in the wild. One was selected by the public. The other was selected by the zoo’s animal care team.

The two cubs were born on Feb. 22, 2026, to mother Sukacita, known as “Suki.” Each weighed approximately 2.5 pounds at birth.

Why these cubs matter

Sumatran tigers are critically endangered. Fewer than 600 remain in the wild, according to Dallas Zoo.

“The birth of these cubs represents an important contribution to the long-term survival of the species and global conservation efforts,” the zoo said.

The donation-based naming contest was designed to raise funds for conservation while giving the public a direct way to participate in the cubs’ story. The proceeds from the vote support efforts to protect the species.

Then they stepped outside for the first time

The name reveal came with a bonus. Rina and Serasi also made their first-ever habitat debut on the same day.

The zoo shared the full announcement on Instagram:

“Thanks to your incredible support, the votes are in and our female cub’s name is Rina. Her name honors Rina PA, a ranger with the @sumatranrangerproject. Her brother, Serasi, was named by our animal care team in tribute to a ranger from the same organization who dedicated his life to protecting wildlife in Sumatra before his passing. His courage and commitment now live on in this little cub,” the zoo wrote. “And there’s more exciting news… today, for the very first time, Rina and Serasi stepped onto their habitat!”

Life

Detroit Zoo Welcomes 3 Adorable Otter Pups Ahead of Summer Debut

The Detroit Zoo has some adorable new residents. Three North American river otter pups were recently born at the zoo, and while visitors can’t see them just yet, the little ones are growing fast behind the scenes. The pups were born to Kalee, their mother, and Gus, their father, according to a Detroit Zoo news […]

Bold sister, cautious brother

The personality gap between the two cubs was clear from the moment they stepped outside.

Rina wasted no time. The zoo said she ventured right into the habitat, exploring independently and moving away from Suki to take in the space. She was described as “already showing off her confidence” from the start.

Serasi took a completely different approach. He stayed close to his mother, easing into the new environment at his own pace. The zoo noted he was “taking things a bit slower”—building comfort gradually while his sister charged ahead.

Two very different temperaments, visible from the very first habitat appearance.

When visitors might spot them

If you’re hoping to see Rina and Serasi at Dallas Zoo, don’t plan around a set schedule. The zoo said there is no fixed timetable for when the cubs will be on their habitat.

Rina and Serasi will rotate time with the zoo’s adult tigers, and Suki will lead the way. The cubs will explore when they feel comfortable and the weather allows.

Visitors may catch playful glimpses of the pair as they continue to grow, but the zoo noted that sightings are not guaranteed on any particular day. The naming contest results were also reported by NBC DFW.

Camy, a Thoroughbred mare, and a newborn colt named Arlo both experienced deep loss before they ever met. But what happened when they were brought together is proof that even in the animal kingdom, some sad stories have happy endings.

Camy was born in 2017. Her future seemed set for the racetrack, but a trailering accident in 2021 ended her racing career before it ever began. The accident left her with a battle scar on her right leg.

When one door closed, another opened. In 2023, Camy arrived at Never Dull Farm, a small breeding operation run by Jessica and Stefan Houweling near Rimbey, Alberta, in Canada. She joined the farm as a broodmare prospect.

Life

Rescued Dwarf Calf and Dying Horse Form Unlikely Friendship

When Elliot, a baby Angus calf born with dwarfism, arrived at The Little Red Barn sanctuary in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in early 2025, he had already endured rejection. Half the size of a normal calf at birth, his mother sensed something was wrong and refused him. The dwarf calf had to be bottle fed, which […]

A broodmare is a mare kept specifically for breeding and producing foals rather than for riding or competition — and for Camy, it was the start of a new chapter.

Camy was in foal to Thatcher, an Irish Draught also known as In Shining Armor, and was due in April 2026. On April 17, she gave birth to what the farm described as “the most perfect filly.” But the filly was stillborn.

A grieving mare with love left to give

The loss was devastating for everyone at Never Dull Farm. Yet even in grief, Camy had something left to give.

Despite what she had just been through, she was cleared to become a nurse mare—a mother who could care for and nurse a foal that was not biologically her own.

What happened next came together remarkably fast. In less than 48 hours, Never Dull Farm received a message from a complete stranger. The stranger had a local colt who had lost his mom to birth complications. The colt’s name was Arlo.

“They rushed out, grabbed Camy, and she was immediately smitten with baby Arlo,” they wrote in a video shared on TikTok.

The connection between mare and colt was immediate. On Instagram, Never Dull Farm shared that Camy “instantly accepted him” and that it was “the easiest grafting that vet had done.”

Comfort

A Surprising Friendship Inspired a Haven of Love and Renewed Hope

Learn how animal-loving Susan Klingenberg was inspired by her dog and rescued calf's surprising friendship to start an animal sanctuary!

According to the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, grafting “involves getting a mare that is not related to the motherless foal to accept and nurse it as her own.”

For Camy and Arlo, the process could not have gone more smoothly.

Camy and Arlo aren’t alone in their healing process

In the TikTok video, Camy and Arlo were enjoying some of their first moments together.

In the clip, a woman joked in the background, “He looks just like you, Camy,” a lighthearted moment, since Camy is a brown horse and Arlo is black.

But it was the farm’s written words that captured what this bond truly meant.

“They are learning this together, and I am so blessed that she gets this opportunity to heal. It’s been a devastating time for everyone, but this absolutely helps mend our broken hearts,” they wrote.

Camy might’ve lost her filly. Arlo might’ve lost his dam. But these two precious horses found each other—and in caring for one another, they began to heal.

The fossil, known as Pohlsepia mazonensis, was originally identified as an octopus in 2000. That classification was a bombshell. It pushed the origin of eight-armed cephalopods back far earlier than scientists had believed, to roughly 300 million years ago — a time before dinosaurs walked the Earth. The next oldest known octopus fossil is roughly 90 million years old.

“It’s a huge gap,” said lead researcher Thomas Clements, per The Associated Press. “And so that big gap got researchers sort of questioning, ‘Is this thing actually an octopus?’”

Hidden teeth told the real story of the fossil

Clements’ team examined the fossil using a synchrotron, a machine that produces extremely powerful beams of light by accelerating electrons to very high speeds. This allowed them to see inside the rock without breaking it open.

Life

Scientists Discovered Multiple New Species in 6 Days—5 Disguise as Poop!

A single week in late October 2025 produced a wave of new species discoveries across five countries, all connected by camouflage strategies so effective that the animals evaded scientific detection until now. Researchers described animals from Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Borneo and Peru during a six-day window. The work was led by Dr. Jérôme Constant […]

What they found changed everything. Inside the fossil, the researchers discovered a tooth-bearing ribbon called a radula, a feature shared by all mollusks such as nautiluses and octopuses. But the arrangement of the teeth stood out: each row contained 11 teeth, while modern octopuses typically have either seven or nine per row.

“This has too many teeth, so it can’t be an octopus,” Clements said. “And that’s how we realize that the world’s oldest octopus is actually a fossil nautilus, not an octopus.”

The teeth were consistent with those of a fossil nautiloid named Paleocadmus pohli, which had been discovered in the same region. Clements suggested that the original misidentification likely occurred because the animal’s shell broke down before fossilization, removing a key feature that would have made it easier to recognize.

A ‘white mush’ that fooled experts

Clements was candid about just how tricky this fossil is to read.

“It’s a very difficult fossil to interpret,” he said, per AP. “To look at it, it kind of just looks like a white mush.”

“If you look at it and you are a cephalopod researcher and you’re interested in everything octopus, it does superficially look a lot like a deep-water octopus,” he added.

The fossil was found in the Mazon Creek area of Illinois, about 50 miles southwest of Chicago, a region rich in fossils from a period before dinosaurs walked the Earth. It was named after its discoverer, James Pohl, and is housed in the Field Museum in Chicago.

Guinness pulls the fossil record

Following the results, which were published this week in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Guinness World Records announced that it would remove Pohlsepia mazonensis from its listing as the oldest known octopus.

Managing Editor Adam Millward described the researchers’ work as an “intriguing discovery.” He added that the organization would temporarily retire the title of “oldest octopus fossil” while it reviews the new findings.

Not everyone was shocked about the findings

Paul Mayer, who oversees the Field Museum’s fossil invertebrate collection, said he was somewhat surprised by the reclassification as a nautiloid. However, he also noted that the fossil’s identity as an octopus had been questioned repeatedly since the original study was published in 2000.

The skepticism had good reason. When paleontologists first identified it as an octopus, the classification challenged earlier views about how eight-armed cephalopods evolved, indicating they appeared far earlier than scientists had believed. That 200-million-year gap between this fossil and the next oldest octopus specimen was always difficult for researchers to explain.

What this means for octopus origins

The reclassification doesn’t erase what scientists know about octopus ancestry. Cephalopods — the broader group that includes octopuses, squids and nautiluses — first appeared in the oceans roughly 500 million years ago. The specific lineage leading to modern octopuses is thought to be at least 300 million years old, though direct fossil evidence is limited because these animals have soft bodies that rarely preserve well. The earliest known octopus-like fossils date to around 160–200 million years ago.

But without Pohlsepia mazonensis in the record book, the timeline of confirmed octopus fossils just got significantly shorter. And the title of world’s oldest octopus? For now, it belongs to no one.

An endangered kea parrot missing the entire upper half of his beak has done something no animal in the scientific record has ever pulled off: He clawed his way to the top of his social group, becoming the undisputed alpha male—not through alliances, not through size, but through sheer ingenuity and a fighting style his fully-abled peers can’t even replicate.

A report published on Monday, April 20, in Current Biology details how Bruce, a resident of Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, rose to dominance despite a disability that should have left him at the bottom of the pecking order. And yes, the pun is absolutely deserved here.

Bruce the parrot is a hooligan among hooligans

To understand why Bruce’s story is so remarkable, you need to understand what kea parrots are like in the first place.

“They’re often called hooligans and rightly so,” says Ximena Nelson, a professor of animal behavior at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and a coauthor of the study. The birds make snowballs, sled on their backs, joyfully deface tourists’ cars and use their beak to fling rocks at passing people, she says.

Life

Plato the Dog Helped Reunite 66 Pets with Their Families

Find the puppies!” Michael Fradin instructed his pup, Plato, and with his tail wagging, the Shiba Inu mix lit off into the rugged Santa Cruz mountainside. Michael and his friend Jessie followed behind, scanning the thick forest for any sign of the missing dogs, Lily and Lola.  Michael had adopted Plato from an abusive home. […]

So picture the most chaotic bird you can imagine. Now take away the top half of its most important tool. That’s Bruce. And he still runs the show.

It is not clear how Bruce lost part of his beak. He was found in 2013 by bird expert Raoul Schwing in mountainous Arthur’s Pass, New Zealand. Schwing ended up bringing him to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, where researchers eventually began tracking his social interactions, aggressive encounters, feeding access, grooming behavior and stress hormone levels.

What they found defied everything scientists expected.

The jousting technique from Bruce that nobody saw coming

Without a full beak, Bruce couldn’t rely on the typical biting strategy other kea use to settle disputes. So he invented his own move.

“Bruce deployed his exposed lower beak in jousting thrusts, both at close range, with an extension of his neck, and from afar, with a run or jump that left him overbalanced forward with the force of motion,” the report says. “During further behavioral observations, this jousting targeted opponents using motions intact kea do not replicate.”

Read that again: He developed a combat style that healthy parrots don’t even attempt. He essentially turned himself into a tiny feathered knight, charging at rivals with a pointed lance no one else carries.

“Because of his disability, he has had to innovate behaviors. He’s found a way to make himself more dangerous,” says Nelson.

Bruce is the king of the feeders

Bruce’s dominance wasn’t just about winning fights. The study found his alpha position came with measurable perks across every aspect of his social life.

Despite four central feeders being deliberately distributed to prevent any one bird from hogging the food, Bruce was first to arrive on any feeder on 83 percent of recorded days. He was never challenged while feeding. On four days, he maintained sole access to all four feeders for at least 15 minutes before subordinates visited stations he had vacated.

He was also the only individual to receive allopreening—grooming—from a non-mate, directed at the inside of his lower beak to remove debris, his head and neck, or all three areas. Other birds were literally cleaning up after him, a privilege reserved for the guy in charge.

Researchers also found Bruce had lower stress hormone levels than other birds in his group, a physiological marker consistent with his top-ranked status.

Bruce is the 1st of his kind in science

The study’s authors note that Bruce is the first documented case of a physically disabled animal of any species individually achieving and maintaining alpha male status through behavioral innovation alone. Previous cases in scientific literature—an alpha male chimpanzee named Faben who lost the use of his arm to polio and an aging Japanese macaque whose ability to walk deteriorated—both required alliances with other high-ranking individuals to maintain their positions. Bruce did it completely on his own.

“This bird is using behavioral flexibility to compensate for a disability, which is really cool,” says Christina Riehl, an evolutionary biologist at Princeton University who wasn’t involved in the new work.

Riehl also offered a note of healthy scientific skepticism. “Maybe Bruce would be even better off if he had his upper beak intact,” she says. “Who knows?”

What Bruce means beyond the aviary

The researchers say Bruce’s story challenges traditional assumptions about dominance hierarchies and suggests that disability can sometimes drive adaptive strategies that enhance social success. Their results support the emerging view that disability provides a powerful natural lens on behavioral flexibility and resilience in animals.