Nigerian customs nab smugglers of dangerous 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.

Rome's zoo distributes frozen fruit to animals to help them cope with high temperatures and to ensure they get enough sugar in their diet.

Tortoise callipers and camel scales are put to good use at ZSL London Zoo, which is holding its annual animal weigh-in. While keepers put on a show for the cameras, it is important that the zoo keeps up-to-date size and weight information on its animals to compare them with animals in the wild and in other zoos, as well as to have an indication of which animals are pregnant.

The European Union should intensify efforts to phase out the use of animals in scientific research, lawmakers have said in a resolution.

ZooTampa in Florida vaccinates a skunk with a specific vaccine developed exclusively for animals. The zoo in Tampa has begun to vaccinate animals who have been identified as most susceptible to Covid-19. The use of the special vaccine, which was developed exclusively for animals by the Michigan-based veterinary pharmaceutical company Zoetis, has been used for vaccinating those species that are known to be more vulnerable to contracting the virus in other zoological organizations throughout the United States. ZooTampa says it has received a shipment of approximately 220 doses – enough to vaccinate roughly 19 species which includes 93 animals such as Florida panthers, skunks, otters and primates.

Advances in genetic engineering are reviving the idea of de-extinction, or whether to bring back extinct animals to try to save endangered ecosystems. But is it really a good idea? What would be the unforeseen consequences of such an act? We speak to Ben Lamm, CEO of the American startup Colossal, which has just raised $15 million to revive the woolly mammoth.

Lawmakers in France have approved new animal rights legislation making it illegal to purchase, breed or sell wild animals for traveling circuses.

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.

Libyan sisters Ibtisam and Rabia Bin Omran drive their car everyday to reach more than 150 dogs and cats which they feed and shelter in Benghazi.