Animals

Bat found in downtown Minneapolis tests positive for rabies
The bat was found on Sept. 15, on the sidewalk along Hennepin Avenue between Washington Avenue and Third Street, not far from the Minneapolis Central Library.
After rough skies, monarch butterfly population on the rise
In recent years there have been concerns about whether the monarch butterfly was a threatened species. Thanks to good weather, and an increase in their food, the pollinator’s numbers increased in 2026.
Girl Scouts' first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January
Man’s best friend is getting some love from the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of the USA says its first cookies for dogs will go on sale in January. The blueberry muffin-flavored cookies were developed with Bark, a New York-based seller of dog treats and toys.
For these goats in Minnesota parks, invasive plants are on the menu
As you may have seen — and heard — in your neighborhood, goats have been hired by cities or private landowners across Minnesota for years now, to help control invasive species such as buckthorn. Research shows they can bring added benefits to the landscape.
Paul Yoon's novel 'Etna' is told from a dog's point of view, thanks to Oscar
Paul Yoon didn’t know it on the day he and his wife adopted Oscar, a yellow lab puppy, that his world would never be the same. His new novel, “Etna,” grew out of his love affair with his dog.
As county fairs wrap up, 4-H kids prepare to show their animals at the State Fair
Thousands of kids from across the state who did well in their county 4-H competitions are looking forward to bringing their award-winning animals to the Minnesota State Fair later this month.
New partnership helps people seeking addiction treatment find pet care
The Bond Between, a local animal rescue organization, and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, an addiction treatment center, partnered up to help people seeking addiction treatment find pet care.
Naturalist Robert Macfarlane on the wonder — and warning — of birds
Birds are found on every continent on the planet. But their commonness betrays their miraculousness. In his beautiful new book, naturalist Robert Macfarlane, together with artist Jackie Morris, extols the wonder of birds, and laments their loss.