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25 Most Memorable CA Animal Stories Of 2025

Patch has curated some of this year's most adorable and interesting animal stories.

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Kristina Houck, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Patch has curated some of this year's most adorable and interesting animal stories.
Patch has curated some of this year's most adorable and interesting animal stories. (Credits: San Diego Humane Society; Carl Myers/LA Zoo; Ken Bohn/San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance; and San Francisco Fire Department Media.)

Creatures, great and small, in California, we love them all. Animals from all over the Golden State made headlines in 2025. Patch has curated some of the year's most adorable and interesting stories.

A dog was adopted after being at a shelter for more than a year. A pygmy hippo marked a major milestone. A stolen dog was reunited with its owner after two years. Plus, plenty of baby animals were born, including bald eagles, giraffes, a koala and an orangutan.

As we look back on 2025, here are some of our favorite animal stories of the year.

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1. 2 Endangered Przewalski's Horses Born At Safari Park

They are the first foals born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park since 2023.

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2. 3 Bald Eagle Babies Hatch To Big Bear's Jackie And Shadow: Photos

Jackie and Shadow— Big Bear's bonded pair of bald eagles—feed their hatchlings and keep the three eaglets warm between March snowstorms.

3. Beloved IE K-9 Receives National Honors For Life-Saving Work

Keva the bloodhound, aka "The Fastest Nose in the West," is the Inland Empire's "Hooch" as the star of her sheriff's department.

4. Black Bear Cubs Found Wandering In Neighborhood Brought To Ramona Wildlife Center

Ramona Wildlife Center is currently the only facility in California that accepts black bear cubs for rehabilitation.

5. Blue Whale Pod Sighted Off South Orange County Shores

Seeing blue whales in August is a rare sight, says this local whale watching captain.

6. Bunny Rescue On Bay Bridge Results In 'Hoppy Ending': CHP

A "hare-raising" chase ensued as an adventurous rabbit recently attempted to hop across the Bay Bridge.

7. Dog Adopted After Being In Long Beach Shelter For More Than A Year: Report

The dog was in the shelter for 400 days, the second-longest stay of any canine there, according to a report by NBC Los Angeles.

8. Dog Who Fought Off Coyote Pack Now Up For Adoption In OC

A dog who made national headlines after fighting off a pack of coyotes in the front yard of a Brea home is looking for his own forever home.

9. Elephant Valley To Open In March 2026 At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Officials said the new habitat is the largest and most transformative project in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's 109-year history.

10. Fridge-Raiding Bear Won't Leave This Monrovia Woman Alone

A bear and her cub raided a woman's fridge for snacks. Despite the resident's best efforts, they keep coming back.

11. Golden Retriever Rescued From Cliff By San Francisco Firefighters

The golden retriever was not injured.

12. How A Long Beach Aquarium Helped Save A Threatened Frog Species

The CA red-legged frog is considered a federally threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and a state Species of Special Concern.

13. Injured Mama Duck And Babies Rescued By Concord Police, Local Veterinarian

Police described the incident as "a quack-tical rescue," coming to the bird's aid after she was hit by a vehicle.

14. Koala Born As San Diego Zoo Celebrates A Century Of Koala Conservation

The female koala joey is the first koala born at the zoo in two years.

15. LA Zoo Celebrates First Baby Orangutan in Nearly 15 Years

The baby boy Bornean orangutan was born to 43-year-old mother Kamlim, whose last baby was born 15 years ago.

16. Large Bear And Coyote Sidekick Stake Out Valley Neighborhood

A large black bear has been spotted over the course of several nights in a Burbank neighborhood.

17. Masai Giraffe Calf Born At San Diego Safari Park

The calf is bonding with his mom in the zoo's South Africa habitat.

18. OC Deputies Save Ducklings In Storm Drain While Mother Duck Watches

Seven baby ducklings and a mother duck were in need of a helping hand Sunday morning.

19. Pygmy Hippo Marks Milestone In Managed Care At Ramona Wildlife Center

Hannah Shirley was crowned the world's oldest living pygmy hippo ever in managed care.

20. Silverback Gorilla Joins Troop At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Paul Donn is the troop's first silverback since beloved Winston's death last year.

21. Stolen French Bulldog Reunited With Owner After 2 Years

"His mom never gave up searching for him."

22. Turkey Cuddle Therapy, Fowl Acupuncture: CA Sanctuary Offers Gentle Living For Rescued Animals

Feeling fried this holiday season? An hourlong turkey cuddle session could be the reset you didn't know you needed.

23. Video: Orcas Hunt Great White Sharks, Teach Their Young To Eat The Livers

The specialized shark-hunting pod can be seen targeting juveniles, flipping them upside down, and feasting on their energy-rich livers.

24. Watch: Elephants In San Diego Form 'Alert Circle' During Earthquake

Elephants at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park protected their young during the powerful earthquake that stuck Monday morning near Julian.

25. Zip-Tied Kittens To Make Full Recovery At San Diego Shelter

The kittens were found zip-tied together, along with three other kittens, in a shopping cart. The other three kittens did not survive.

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