Animals

Egg shortage prompts more backyard chickens, but bird rescuer cautions prospective owners
There is a rush to begin raising backyard chickens as grocery store egg prices continue to skyrocket amid shortages blamed on bird flu. However, raising chickens and getting eggs isn’t as easy or speedy as people may think.
Raccoon survives encounter with electrical transformer in Rochester
Nearly seven years after the MPR raccoon survived its high-wire adventure on the side of a St. Paul skyscraper — another Minnesota raccoon has beaten the odds to escape a life-threatening predicament.
What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders
While most wild birds are susceptible to the disease, some species like mallards are more likely to carry the virus without symptoms. Others like geese tend to die in large numbers. 
A U.S. influencer outrages Australians by snatching a baby wombat from its mom
Outdoor enthusiast Sam Jones left Australia after posting a video of herself separating a baby wombat from its mom on a dark road. Australians are cheering her departure and worrying about the animal.
Minnesota’s 2025 moose population stable, but they’re not out of the woods yet
The DNR estimates there are 4,040 moose in northeastern Minnesota, up from 3,470 in 2024. Their numbers have remained stable for more than a decade after crashing from 2009 to 2013, but climate change, predators and parasites still put them at risk, officials say.
A stray inspired a Minnesota family to build a heated ‘cat condo’ — and livestream it
At any given time, dozens of people watch the 24/7 livestream showing the northern Minnesota cats in their heated home as they sleep, eat and play alongside the birds and other wildlife that move on and off the screen.