Animals

The pumi, a high-energy Hungarian herding dog, is the latest new breed headed to the Westminster Kennel Club and many other U.S. dog shows.

National

'Intelligent' And 'Whimsical': The Pumi Dog Breed Gains Full U.S. Recognition

8:19pm June 22, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The American Kennel Club says it is officially granting full status to the pumi, a herding breed originally from Hungary. It opens the door for the breed to compete at the Westminster Dog Show.

Brazilian physiotherapist Igor Simoes Andrade poses for a picture next to jaguar Juma as he takes part in the Olympic torch relay in Manaus, Brazil, on Monday.

World News

Jaguar Used In Olympic Torch Ceremony Escapes, Is Shot Dead

12:31pm June 22, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The Brazilian army says a soldier fatally shot the jaguar, which had slipped out of its leash shortly after it was displayed as part of an Olympic torch relay event in the Amazonian city of Manaus.

Cover detail of What a Fish Knows, by Jonathan Balcombe

Fish Have Feelings, Too: The Inner Lives Of Our 'Underwater Cousins'

5:57pm June 20, 2016

Jonathan Balcombe, author of What A Fish Knows, says that fish have a conscious awareness — or "sentience" — that allows them to experience pain, recognize individual humans and have memory.

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The Colorado boy was attacked by a mountain lion (though not this particular animal, photographed by the National Park Service in California's Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area).

National

Colorado Mother Fights Off Mountain Lion To Save Her Son

2:40pm June 19, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

A Colorado woman managed to fight off a mountain lion that was attacking her 5-year-old son. During the harrowing rescue, she reportedly reached into the cat's jaws to free her child's head.

A horse makes his way through the pre-dawn fog at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans in 2010. The Fair Grounds barn area opened earlier than normal this season to accommodate horses traveling from recently concluded meets at Arlington Park and Ev

#NPRreads: Make A Wager On These 3 Stories This Weekend

8:58am June 18, 2016

Correspondents, editors and producers from our newsroom share the pieces that have kept them reading, using the #NPRreads hashtag. Each weekend, we highlight some of the best stories.

National

Police Find Body Of 2-Year-Old Grabbed By Alligator At Disney Resort

4:39pm June 15, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The animal attacked the child after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, pulling him into the water. Authorities said his body was found intact.

National

National Aquarium Announces Plans For North America's First Dolphin Sanctuary

4:21pm June 15, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The aquarium says its decision is driven by new understanding of the needs of these highly intelligent mammals. It says a seawater habitat will better allow the dolphins to form social groups.

SeaWorld's new Mako is a hypercoaster, a type of coaster which is built to lift riders from their seats.

National

To Fight Floundering Attendance, SeaWorld Turns To Roller Coasters

7:45am June 12, 2016

by Greg Allen

SeaWorld Orlando's new Mako rollercoaster is the area's fastest, longest and tallest coaster. It's a hypercoaster, designed for "airtime."

Herring swim up the Wynants Kill two weeks after an old industrial dam was removed to allow ocean-going fish access to the Hudson River tributary for spawning and habitat in Troy, N.Y.

For The First Time In Decades, Herring Are Spawning In A Hudson River Tributary

1:44pm June 11, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

The herring are spawning in New York's Wynants Kill tributary after a dam was removed. It's seen as an environmental success and is aimed at restoring the river's health.

Is Yellowstone National Park In Danger Of Being 'Loved To Death'?

1:26pm June 10, 2016

The park attracts millions of visitors each year, but journalist David Quammen warns that balancing tourism and preservation in Yellowstone can be tricky. Originally broadcast April 18, 2016.

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