Animals

Donkeys, unfairly, get a bum rap. And global demand for their hides is growing. But a foremost donkey defender, who adopts abused and unwanted donkeys, says the smart, playful animals make great pets.

Massachusetts once offered a bounty for grey seals. After conservation efforts, the New England population bounced back, and Google Earth images show more seals than scientists had previously counted.

Beef and poultry get labels designating humane treatment; seafood doesn't. Two fishermen want to change that. Their state-of-the-art ship makes fishing safer for crew and minimizes pain for fish.

A businessman will charter some 60 Qatar Airlines flights for the bovines. He aims to jump-start a dairy industry in Qatar, which risks food shortages amid a blockade from its Gulf Arab neighbors.

The deaths were caused by a parasite that can also lead to swimmer's itch in humans. Risk to people is "extremely low" because you'd need to swim in the pool, which isn't allowed — but has been done.

In British Columbia, a pair of bald eagles are caring for a baby red-tailed hawk, in addition to their own three eaglets. The species have been known to fight to the death.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that the regulations – which have been subject to years of negotiation and controversy in Western states – are once again under review.