Top animal-related stories of 2016

(WTOP collage)
WASHINGTON — From D.C.’s iconic pandas to Cincinnati’s storied gorilla, here are the top animal stories of 2016. (WTOP collage)
Harambe  On May 28, a lowland gorilla known as Harambe was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo after a 3-year-old boy had fallen into its enclosure. Zoo workers made the decision to kill the 17-year-old gorilla in order to protect the boy. The internet soon latched onto Harambe’s death with calls for justice that were either earnest — calling for the parents, or some party, to be held responsible in a petition — or derisive, attempting to mock social justice movements, as The New York Times wrote. The memes soon spiraled out of control, spreading into the summer and rolling right into Election Day. (Jeff McCurry/Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden via The Cincinatti Enquirer via AP, File)
One of five kittens that will be available for adoption in about 4 weeks. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
28 cats and kittens abandoned at Maryland shelter find homes Boxes of cats and kittens were abandoned in front of a Greenbelt, Maryland, animal shelter in early June; some of the kittens were just days old and still had their umbilical cords attached. After few weeks, most of the cats and kittens were able to find new homes and the shelter saw an increase in donations. Follow the saga: Md. shelter finds dozens of abandoned kittens and cats on doorstep Md. shelter focuses on next step for 28 abandoned cats, kittens Md. animal shelter holds ‘kitten shower,’ hopes to attract more foster families Happy ending for dozens of cats, kittens abandoned at Md. shelter  (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
As a puppy, Yogi was the official “greeter” at Jones’ practice, Capital Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness. But as he grew and progressed through obedience training, he spent more time in sessions with patients. (Courtesy Gregory Jones)
Dogs working in mental health sector WTOP introduced Yogi, a then-4-month-old corgi who lived and worked with Gregory Jones, a psychologist in D.C., to readers on Aug. 2. Through training, Yogi has helped out in sessions with patients. “Oftentimes, he is very grounding for people that need to talk about things that are traumatic, difficult, anxiety provoking,” Jones told WTOP in August. (Courtesy Gregory Jones)
May is a friendly lab mix about 2 1/2 years old. She recently had puppies, and has tested positive for heartworms. After she gets treated for it, she'll need a permanent home. In the meantime, at the time of WTOP's visit, Last Chance Animal Rescue was still looking for a home to temporarily foster May and make sure she gets her medicine. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Animals up for adoption after several natural disasters This year saw a slew of natural disasters with major flooding in Louisiana, Hurricane Matthew and Hermine — a weather event that had become a hurricane at one point — that brought hardship to people as well as animals. Volunteers from a Maryland animal rescue group drove to Tennessee to pick up about 80 animals from the Louisiana flood zone, holding adoption events in the D.C. area in August. Animals evacuated from a South Carolina animal shelter before Hurricane Matthew were up for adoption in the D.C. area in October. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
The beaver walked in through the front door of the Dollar General store in Charlotte Hall and started rummaging through the aisles, said a sheriff’s department spokesman. (Courtesy St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department)
Beaver caught in aisles of Maryland dollar store St. Mary’s County Sheriff Office got a call about a destructive customer, rummaging through the Christmas aisle of a Dollar General. Turns out, it was a beaver. There wasn’t serious damage — just a few items knocked off. The beaver was safely captured and released to a wildlife rehabilitation. (Courtesy St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department)
Earlier this month the eagle was fitted with a GPS transmitter. The equipment will allow biologists to monitor its movements and learn more about things like how high bald eagles fly, and how far they migrate in winter. (Courtesy Barb Melton)
Eagles galore For the D.C. area, it was certainly the year of the eagle. Eagle cams around the area gave avid birdwatchers a chance to watch eaglets hatch — and the U.S. National Arboretum is bringing back their eagle cam in January of bald eagle pair Mr. President and First Lady. Read more bald eagle stories: National Arboretum eagle cam returns in January Rehabilitated eagle flies its way to freedom in Va. (Photos) Camera captures another set of soon-to-hatch bald eagle eggs (Video) (Courtesy Barb Melton)
(1/12)
(WTOP collage)
One of five kittens that will be available for adoption in about 4 weeks. (WTOP/Kate Ryan)
As a puppy, Yogi was the official “greeter” at Jones’ practice, Capital Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness. But as he grew and progressed through obedience training, he spent more time in sessions with patients. (Courtesy Gregory Jones)
May is a friendly lab mix about 2 1/2 years old. She recently had puppies, and has tested positive for heartworms. After she gets treated for it, she'll need a permanent home. In the meantime, at the time of WTOP's visit, Last Chance Animal Rescue was still looking for a home to temporarily foster May and make sure she gets her medicine. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
The beaver walked in through the front door of the Dollar General store in Charlotte Hall and started rummaging through the aisles, said a sheriff’s department spokesman. (Courtesy St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department)
Earlier this month the eagle was fitted with a GPS transmitter. The equipment will allow biologists to monitor its movements and learn more about things like how high bald eagles fly, and how far they migrate in winter. (Courtesy Barb Melton)

From a lost baby beaver to a legendary gorilla, here are the top animal-related stories of 2016.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up