Community Corner
24 Most Memorable CA Animal Stories Of 2024
Patch has curated some of this year's most adorable and interesting animal stories.
CALIFORNIA — Creatures, great and small, in California, we love them all. Animals from all over the Golden State made headlines in 2024. Patch has curated some of the year's most adorable and interesting stories.
A missing dog was found safe 2,000 miles across the country. First responders rescued animals throughout the state. Rescued and rehabilitated animals were released back into the wild. A tiger cub was born and California condor chicks hatched. And, of course, pandas returned to California.
As we look back on 2024, here are some of our favorite animal stories of the year.
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Across Californiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. 8 Puppies Saved From Underneath Burning Car In LA County
Rescued by firefighters last week, the eight puppies are now getting medical care before they're ready to be adopted.
3. 23 Brown Pelicans Released After Massive OC Beach 'Stranding' Event
The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center staff released nearly two dozen rehabilitated pelicans who arrived in "starvation mode."
4. Coyote With Head Stuck In Bucket Rescued From San Diego Flood
The coyote was rescued from the flooded Tijuana River Valley during this week's storm.
5. Displaced Cats And Dogs From Airport Fire Find New Home In NorCal
The SF Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals just rescued over 50 cats and dogs who were displaced by the Airport Fire.
6. Dog Tied To Tree Finds Forever Home With Deserving Family
Angel, the Siberian husky-German shepherd mix found tied to a tree with her pups in Aliso Viejo, has found a new forever home.
7. Entangled Sea Lion Found In Redondo Beach Returns To Ocean
Rescuers spent several weeks trying to rescue one-year-old Baxter after she was discovered on the Redondo Beach barge.
8. Great Bee Mystery: Rare San Clemente Digger Bee Spotted In San Diego
After a few years of no sightings, a rare bee was recently spotted at Cabrillo National Monument.
9. Injured Golden Eagle Rehabilitated At San Diego Humane Society
The eagle was unable to fly when it arrived at San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center.
10. Miniature Horse Recovering After Falling Into Well Near Lake Elsinore
The little horse is back with her owner following the dramatic rescue.
11. Orphaned Black Bear Brothers Released Into Wild In SoCal
The siblings are ready to survive on their own after being raised at San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center.
12. Orphan Mountain Lion Cub Rescued In NorCal
The cub, named Briar, was found alone on a road. At four or five months old, he is among Oakland Zoo's youngest-ever mountain lion rescues.
13. Panda-monium Returns To The San Diego Zoo With Pair's Public Debut
Yun Chuan and Xin Bao are the first pandas to enter the U.S. in 21 years.
14. Rare Bald Eagle Nest With Chicks Spotted In Cleveland National Forest
A pair of bald eagles and their eaglets have taken up residence along the Indian Truck Trail in the eastern Santa Ana Mountains.
15. Rare Deep-Sea 'Doomsday Fish' Found In Southern California
Although no correlation has been proven, oarfish have a mythical reputation as predictors of natural disasters such as earthquakes.
The LA Zoo's California condor breeding program is part of a statewide conservation effort to support the endangered bird.
17. Rottweiler Puppies, Mother Saved From NorCal Wildfire
A search and rescue member flew into the forest and sprinted over a mile to reach five dogs stranded by the Park Fire burning near Chico.
18. San Diego Dog Missing For 8 Months Found In Michigan
A stray dog picked up last week outside Detroit was reported missing in San Diego last summer.
19. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Performs C-Section For Porcupine
The procedure saved both the mother, Maizey, and her baby boy, zoo officials said.
20. Something 'Unprecedented' Is Happening With Orcas Off The CA Coast
A pod of Eastern Tropical Pacific orcas has been spotted in the coastal waters from San Diego to Ventura.
"We are thrilled at the birth of this very special tiger cub at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park."
22. Watch Glowing Dolphins Frolic: How To See SoCal's Bioluminescent Waves
Glowing dolphins were caught on camera as they swam through the bioluminescent red tide off the coast of La Jolla.
23. West Coast's First Little Blue Penguin Hatches At Birch Aquarium
"The hatching of our first little blue penguin chick is a major milestone for how ... aquariums can make a difference in a changing planet."
24. Whooo Needs Help? Great Horned Owl Rescued From Barbed Wire
Members of the police department came to the owl's rescue.
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