Giraffe Gets Braces, Coyote Goes Through Dog Door: CA Animal Stories

CALIFORNIA – Creatures great and small in California, we love them all. Animals from all over the Golden State recently made headlines, and Patch curated some of the most adorable and interesting stories.

A giraffe born with a disorder was thriving after being treated with leg braces at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. In other Safari Park news, a dog was rescued from the gorilla enclosure.

An orphaned mountain lion cub was being cared for at the Oakland Zoo. Three smuggled parrot chicks have a new home at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. Safari West welcomed four baby warthog piglets. The Los Angeles Wildlife Center was treating more than 200 sick California Brown Pelicans.

A coyote went through a dog door. A kitten was saved from a highway. Seven duckling were rescued from a drain.

Some of the stories below will make you laugh, while others may make you cry. More will make you cheer.

Dog Rescued From Gorilla Enclosure At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

"Mighty Joe Young" was placed on stray hold at the San Diego Humane Society's Escondido campus.

Giraffe Born With Disorder Treated With Leg Braces At Safari Park

Msituni was born with a disorder that caused her front legs to bend improperly, and made it difficult for her to stand and walk.

15 Rescued Wild Animals Released In San Diego County

Opossums, raccoons, squirrels and a skunk received care at San Diego Humane Society's Ramona Wildlife Center.

43 Horned Lizards, 9 Snakes Hidden In Man's Clothes At CA Border

Agents found 52 live reptiles tied up in small bags and hidden in the man's jacket, pants pockets and groin area, authorities said.

55 Animals Rescued From "Deplorable Conditions" In San Diego Home

An adult cat, eight kittens, 16 quail and 30 quail chicks were living in "deplorable conditions" and had been left without food or water.

Rescued Pilot Whale Dies At SeaWorld San Diego

The short-finned pilot whale named Ace was rescued in 2012.

SeaWorld San Diego Reopens Upgraded Sea Turtle Habitat

Turtle Reef was closed in October 2021 for enhancements and upgrades.

'Playful And Curious' Smuggled Parrot Chicks Land At San Francisco Zoo

When these chicks were confiscated, U.S. Fish and Wildlife sought out zoos with expertise in hand-rearing parrot species.

7 Ducklings Rescued From San Mateo Storm Drain, Reunited With Mother

A cuter rescue would be extremely hard to find. Seven baby ducklings were reunited with their mother after being trapped in a storm drain in San Mateo by rescue workers from the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA.

Cat Saved From Tree But Isn't Too Happy About It

A firefighter with the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Local 1974 helped get a cat down from a tree Sunday in Livermore. But the cat looked like it would have much rather been left alone.

Kittens Saved On I-580 In Livermore

Even though Tuesday was a busy day with the California primary election, it was a couple of sweet cats who won the night for California Highway Patrol Capt. Chris Sherry.

Tiny Orphaned Mountain Lion Rescued In The "Nick Of Time"

Named Rose by her caregivers at the Oakland Zoo, she should weigh 30 pounds but is just 8.8 pounds. She is getting around-the-clock care.

Mountain Lion Trapped In Classroom At CA High School

Students and staff were at school when the mountain lion entered the building, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies Recover Trailer Stolen From Petaluma, Release "Masked Bandit"

Detectives determined a baby raccoon riding shotgun was not involved in the theft.

Safari West Welcomes Four Baby Warthogs

Proud parents Njeri and Pig Newton gave birth in early April to four warthog piglets — or as the park likes to call them, warthoglets.

Baby Goat Stolen From Pinole Found Thanks To "True Hero": Report

After a security video showed a woman snatching the newborn kid, its owners took to social media and the news media to help bring it home.

"An Unwanted Foster": Coyote Climbs Through Woman's Dog Door

The coyote ran through Julie Levine's dog door and stuck around in the house for about three minutes. The whole conundrum freaked her dogs out.

Brown Pelican Crisis Worsens, Bird Rescue Calls For Donations

The Los Angeles Wildlife Center was treating more than 200 sick California brown pelicans, a hefty task with an expensive price tag.

Furry Friends And Families Reunited After Coastal Fire

Mission Viejo Animal Services Center rescued roughly 10 animals from at-risk homes in Laguna Niguel during the Coastal Fire Wednesday.

OC Residents Scramble To Save Ducklings And Their Mother

A mother duck and her ducklings were rescued by good Samaritans in Mission Viejo after they ended up on an Orange County freeway.

30 Abandoned Parakeets Rescued By Mission Viejo Animal Services Center

A bundle of birds are on route to better days after being rescued in Laguna Niguel by the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center.

Meet Francisco, The Maltipoo Mascot Of Woodbridge Terrace In Irvine

The dog has quickly become a vital part of the Irvine assisted living facility, attending staff meetings and checking in on residents.

Also see

Babies Born; B-Day Celebrated; Pets Rescued: CA Animal Stories