Endangered African penguins go through a molting phase during late December and early January, which sees them losing their old feathers and getting new ones. During this process, the penguins also lose an oily residue which places them at risk if they enter the ocean. Forced interaction by tourists during the peak summer season is accelerating the endangerment of these penguins as they flee for cover in the ocean, local conservationists say.

We take a look at wild animals reclaiming deserted cities and anger in the Spanish press as the death toll from coronavirus rises.

Selling and eating endangered animals is common in Nigeria. Though there are laws prohibiting such markets, they are not being enforced. Now wildlife activists are trying to save the animals from being butchered.

Monkeys, camels and penguins are put on scales at ZSL London Zoo, as zookeepers register the weight and height of all the animals, an annual exercise that helps them monitor their health and well-being.

On the wall of a residential street in London’s neighbourhood of Charlton, Louis Masai puts the finishing touches to a striking large-scale mural of an orangutan. The British artist, known for his signature patchwork style, travels around the United Kingdom to paint colourful murals of animal species in decline or on the brink of extinction, to issue a warning about the devastating effects of climate change and biodiversity collapse.

Even the animals of Berlin zoo are getting in on the festive fun, with staff giving them tasty treats like meat or vegetable Christmas trees.

In South Africa, blockchain pioneers developed a crypto platform that allows users to trade unique electronic artworks. Part of the price is donated to conservation projects, which help save endangered animals.

Russia says it has registered what it says is the world's first coronavirus vaccine for animals, describing the step as important to disrupting mutations. Russia says mass production of the vaccine could begin in April.

The number of groups engaging in direct action for animal welfare and animal rights is on the rise in France. Many of them don't approve of violent tactics and instead focus on "freeing" animals such as pigs and cows from factory farms, blocking slaughterhouses and filming the conditions in which animals are kept – whether they're raised for food or any other form of exploitation. In doing so, these activists risk prison sentences and hefty fines, but that isn't stopping them. FRANCE 24's Karina Chabour and James Vasina report on their strategy and motivations.

A koala leads the way as a number of Australian animals play among Easter eggs ahead of this Easter weekend. The images are released by the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, New South Wales.

The World Health Organization has recommended halting sales of live wild animals to avoid transmitting diseases. Australia will not buy J&J vaccine. England starts Moderna rollout. Follow DW for the latest.

Armed with giant testing swabs, a group researchers are testing camels in the Kapiti natural reserve, in southern Kenya, in a bid to better understand Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. MERS is a far deadlier cousin of Covid-19 which has long circulated in camels, that scientists fear could cause the next global pandemic if it mutates into a form which is more contagious to humans.