A dead beluga whale was found on the mud flats near downtown Anchorage, Alaska on Friday. The exact cause of the whale's death has not been determined, but animal experts said the endangered whale was pregnant.
Al Grillo, AP
Boomer, a 3-year-old Landseer Newfoundland in Casselton, N.D., may be the world's tallest dog. His owner, Caryn Weber, said Oct. 7 that Boomer measures 3 feet tall at the shoulders, 7 feet long from nose to tail, and weighs 180 pounds. Weber sent Boomer's measuresments to Guinness World Records.
Dave Wallis, The Forum / AP
A 27-year-old Canadian man was mauled Oct. 5 by a Siberian tiger after he and a friend broke into the Calgary Zoo and scaled a fence around the animal's exhibit. Here, the tiger, 2-year-old Vitali, looks out from his enclosure.
Jeff McIntosh, The Canadian Press / AP
Officials rescued a lone llama, pictured, from the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado on Oct. 3. Members of the Southwest Llama Rescue group coordinated efforts to capture the llama, dubbed Homer, before he fell prey to mountain lions, coyotes or the coming winter. Llamas are domesticated animals, not fit to survive in the wild, according to the group.
Rachel Javorsek, Southwest Llama Rescue / AP
Mountain gorillas, like this one seen in Virunga National Park near the Ugandan border in 2008, are an endangered species. A program launched Sept. 26 promotes the gorillas on sites like Facebook and MySpace. Organizers hope that "friends" will donate to protection efforts.
Jerome Delay, AP
A study released Sept. 25 indicates that Monarch butterflies, seen here in their annual migration, use a mini-GPS in their antennas to steer a correct course.
Chip Taylor, Monarch Watch / AP
This little kitty was found in the Philadelphia area covered in duct tape. The Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported on Sept. 23 that she was doing well after vets sedated the cat and removed the tape. A $1,000 reward was offered for information leading to the conviction of whoever is responsible for this.
Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals / AP
Numerous large squid have been washing up dead on the central Oregon coast near Heceta Head. An Oregon State Parks and Recreation spokesman said Wednesday the creatures are probably Humboldt squid, which can grow up to 6 feet long. He said the carnivorous invertebrates could be at the end of their life cycle, or could be dying because of disease or lack of food.
Lori Tobias, The Oregonian
A bear attacked and injured nine people -- four of them seriously -- at a highway rest stop in central Japan on Sept. 19, an official said. The 4-foot animal was later trapped inside a souvenir shop, where panic ensued. A hunter eventually shot it dead. Reports said the attack lasted about an hour and all of the victims were expected to survive. Watch Video
AP
At the 2009 Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon at Del Mar beach in San Diego Sept. 17, 4,000 people cheered on the talented pups in a competition organized by the Helen Woodward Animal Center.
Sean Callahan, SoCal Beaches Magazine & Media
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