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For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CDhaka Zoo in Bangladesh is welcoming new arrivals, to increase visitor attractions. Added to their collection are rhinos, lions and hyenas—the first of the flood of new animals to be introduced, with many more to come.Bangladesh's main zoo, the Dhaka Zoo, recently welcomed four new species to its collection as part of its attempt to attract more visitors.A pair of white lions, white rhinoceros, and hyenas joined the zoo from South Africa.The curator of the zoo, says more animals are coming to Dhaka.[ABM Shahidullah, Curator of Zoo]:"At the moment, we have about 1,600 animals and 160 species of birds in Dhaka Zoo. Now we are importing new animals. Recently we brought 2 rhinoceros, 2 white lions, 2 striped hyenas and a spotted hyena from South Africa. Very soon, 12 more animals will arrive from South Africa, like zebras, giraffes and a Greater Kudu. From Ivory Coast, we are going to get chimpanzees, and from other countries, we will get more animals and about 270 birds."40 new species of animals will be added to the zoo by June 2013, according to the government.Visitors say they're excited by the new species on offer.[Abdul Matin, Zoo Visitor]:"Since I found out that a few new animals had arrived at the zoo, I came here with my family to see the white rhino and the white lion."The zoo is located on a sprawling 75 hectares of land in Mirpur, on the outskirts of the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CAs thoroughbred dogs become increasingly popular among Hong Kong's trend-obsessed population, loopholes in breeding laws spell misery for thousands of dogs raised on puppy farms or by unregulated 'hobby breeders'.The dog market in Hong Kong is big, but not necessarily legal. Frankie Leung, Chairman of Judges Committee of Hong Kong's Kennel Club's dog show, estimates that thousands of dogs are smuggled from China every month.[Frankie Leung, Chairman of Judges Committee]:"They don't care, they just breed, and then they don't get their injections, and then when the dog, when the puppy comes over, they'll also bring diseases and viruses. These puppies also tend to be bad-tempered. So you know that is really worrisome to a breeder like us, you know. We don't want any dogs smuggled from China."These dogs are also typically mistreated.[Vivian Chiu, SPCA Education Officer]:"In Lau Fau Shan there is an illegal breeder, and it was found that around 100 dogs had been put in very small cages, all in very critical condition.Currently, no legislation exists to ensure pet care or the size of space for animals kept in shops for sale. However, Fiona Woodhouse, a veterinarian at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Hong Kong, says that might be changing.[Fiona Woodhouse, SPCA Vet]:"The Hong Kong government has done its research and realized the state of the situation and the scale of the issue. And in real terms it means about 10,000-12,000 puppies each year are going through the regulated pet trade, i.e. the pet shops and 75 percent of those are coming from an unregulated trade source. So the government now is looking to improve regulations. It's actually discussing new measures coming in to regulate all dog breeding, which has to be a good thing."

For more news and videos visit ➡ http://english.ntdtv.com‬Follow us on Twitter ➡ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision‬Add us on Facebook ➡ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CUK's giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo are ready to mate. It's a special occasion as female pandas ovulate just once a year.The only pandas in the UK have now been brought together for the first time as the female has been judged ready to mate.[Darren McGary, Head of Animals at Edinburgh Zoo]:"I think the signs are very good, the female wasn't showing any aggression towards the male, she was standing for him, she was showing off her back end, so she was quite excited, she was lying down in position, he came in he wasn't aggressive towards her at all he has very gentle with her, he has been muzzling around her neck, in the right position, so everything was looking really good there certainly wasn't any negative signs there at all which is really positive for us."[...]Female pandas ovulate just once a year, giving a window of 36 hours in which they can get pregnant.The panda conception process is complicated.[Darren McGary, Head of Animals at Edinburgh Zoo]:"They can have single babies or they can have twins. We wouldn't know that she was pregnant probably until later on in the summer, maybe about May/June we'll get signs then that she might be pregnant and then we wouldn't expect a baby panda until later in the year, maybe August/September. Pandas have a really bizarre thing called 'delayed implantation' which means they can stop the production of the egg and so they can hold onto it a bit longer so you wouldn't know for definite if she's pregnant until later on in the summer."The panda enclosure has a camera already installed, allowing people to watch the animals every day.Earlier this month the zoo said it might stream any birth live on the Internet.[...]Tian Tian and Yang Guang are the first giant pandas to live in the UK for 17 years.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CJust when we thought spring was in the air, a cold snap has hit the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, causing snow and frost. Some areas have fallen to a chilly seven degrees Fahrenheit.Large parts of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwest China are facing another cold snap, causing temperatures to plummet to the single digits. Snow and frost covers many parts of the region.Fuyun County in Xinjiang's northwest has witnessed snowfall and temperature drops since Tuesday. According to the local meteorological department, it dropped to seven degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday. They also forecast snowfall in the county on Thursday and moderate snow in mountainous areas.The big concern for people there is transporting livestock and to take the necessary precautions to protect the animals.Meanwhile low temperatures also gripped the Tacheng region on Wednesday.Kuytun County, in northwest Xinjiang, is also suffering from the cold snap that has brought snow, strong winds and frost. The lowest temperatures there are at 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CAn endangered, wild lynx has been rehabilitated back to health by an animal center in Poland. Poland passed a law back in 1995 protecting the animals from hunting.A wildlife rehabilitation center in southeastern Poland has successfully rehabilitated an endangered lynx back to health. It was discovered by locals in December last year.When the six-month-old wild cat, named Benek, (Benny in English), arrived at the center, it was in such bad condition that the conservationists thought that they would be unable to save the animal.But after treating him for an intestinal disease and malnutrition, they've nurtured the rare lynx back to health and are planning to release him back into the wild in the spring.[Andrzej Fedaczynski, Founder, Fedaczynski Rehabilitation Center]:"The lynx arrived in a serious condition. Its body temperature was at about 34 degrees Celsius, so we thought that there would be no conceivable way to save it. But, we made a great effort, because this is such a rare species in Poland, Europe and in the World. It can be said that every lynx is worth more than its weight in gold."The Eurasian lynx's population in Poland is estimated to be at around 200, with the bulk of the population living in the Carpathian Mountains that straddle Ukraine and Romania.When humans and lynx do come into contact, it's not usually a positive encounter.[Radoslaw Fedaczynski, Director, Fedaczynski Rehabilitation Center]:"Over the last few years we have had one or two lynx come through our center, but we are aware that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Unfortunately Lynx die alone, be it after a poacher's shot, being hit by a car or some other accident. Lynx hide themselves in the thicket and it's very hard to spot them, but when they are in that condition they need quick emergency treatment.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CRussian protesters set up toys carrying banners against Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. They're taking this unconventional approach because demonstrations have been banned ahead of the March 4 presidential election.They were denied an official permit by officials in the Russian city of Barnaul, but stuffed animals and other toys seemed to hold a protest anyway.The protesters are calling for a rerun of the disputed December State Duma elections and an end to the rule of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.The absurd protest, made even more so by city authorities' rejection on the basis of toys not being legal citizens, was the latest of several in the southern Siberian city.[Sergei Mamayev, Toy Protest Organizer]:"We used to hold the nano rally, and each citizen came with his own toy and wrote whatever he thought was necessary. And now, I still have these toys, so I've put them there. We wanted to hold another officially-sanctioned rally, but the authorities are apparently afraid of the toys and they don't allow it."Though the execution is humorous, the organiser says this and other "nano rallies", carry a big message.[Sergei Mamayev, Toy Protest Organizer]:"This meeting is expressing the opinion of not only toys, but the population of our whole Russia, a huge country. Now, (the rally is) against the current authorities, the people who in fact have seized power in Russia."The protest highlights the restrictions faced by Russians wanting to protest the December 4 parliamentary elections.People are allowed to protest by themselves, but need permission to rally in bigger groups.A tiny banner reading "President - Don't confuse your interests with the interests of the people" was perched next to a stuffed cow, while a toy policewoman held a sign...

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CGerman Princess Maja von Hohenzollern visits Ukraine to encourage humane treatment of stray animals in the run-up to the Euro 2012 football tournament. Activists say stray animals are being killed as cities prepare for the summer Euro 2012 matches.Ambassador for the European Association of Defense of Animals, Princess Maja von Hohenzollern, visited Ukraine on Tuesday to help improve the fate of stray animals.Activists say the animals are being euthanized in cities set to host Euro 2012 matches this summer.Four Ukrainian and four Polish cities will host Euro 2012 matches starting in June.Animal rights activists say in those Ukrainian cities, animals are being killed as the authorities attempt to beautify their cities.They became concerned about the animals' welfare when images of stray dogs being poisoned, buried alive, and even burned in mobile crematoria were published on the Internet.During her visit, the princess assisted in several dog sterilization surgeries at an animal centre in Kiev.[Princess Maja von Hohenzollern, European Association of Defense of Animals]:"I am pleased that we are on the right path, that people have realized that is the only legal and the most effective way and that the killing must be stopped."She also met with the Union of European Footbal Associations' (UEFA) representative in Kiev to enlist his help in protecting strays.[Markiyan Lubkivsky, UEFA Office Director]:" ... we addressed other letters and request(ed) to Ukrainian government then to Ukrainian cities to improve the situation with the stray dogs and cats to construct new shelters. And now we are getting a lot of good signals."Von Hohenzollern said she was pleased with UEFA's interest and hoped the organization will continue to help.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CIt's a harsh winter this year for northern China, as temperatures hit record lows. Average temperatures for January are at its coldest in 27 years.Over the weekend, the lowest temperatures in decades have hit areas of northern China, as the cold wave continues. Some places were as cold as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.Blizzards have left over 3 feet of snowfall in parts of Inner Mongolia, and winds have reached as high as 30 miles per hour. The freezing weather has already caused the death of numerous livestock.[Sogdoi, Head of Kequ Town]:"So far 2616 livestock have died, including 304 sheep and 11 horses."Animals aren't the only ones who can't withstand the low temperatures. Many residents have left the area to escape the cold.[Resident]:"My family have all left, and I will leave soon."According to forecasts from China's National Meteorological Center, the cold is expected to persist for at least another week.

For more news and videos visit ➡ http://english.ntdtv.com‬Follow us on Twitter ➡ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision‬Add us on Facebook ➡ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C‬And on a lighter note... performances by some adorable animals have been putting smiles on faces across China. In Chongqing, a seemingly disabled dog drags its way forward strenuously as people watch on. In reality, it isn't begging for sympathy from the crowds, its 'miserable' condition is just a trick. It is perfectly healthy. Perhaps, this lonely dog just enjoys the attention. And look at this...in broad daylight, one mouse repeatedly attempts to slip unseen to its home, but unfortunately, it's too near the cat to simply walk away. The cat, however, seems more interested in playing with the mouse as a toy than eating it. After some time, it seems the mouse has found a way out.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CUkrainian animal rights activists call on their government to protect stray animals they claim are being euthanised as Euro 2012 cities try to beautify ahead of the tournament. The activists seem to have plenty of video and photographic evidence of the slaughter. Here's more.Dozens of animal rights activists protest at a government building in the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Wednesday.They're demanding authorities protect stray dogs and cats, which they say are being maltreated and killed as cities try to beautify for the upcoming Euro 2012 tournament this summer.Protesters distributed amateur video of animals they say have been killed.[Zoryan Kis, Activist from "We Are Europeans"]:"We are protesting today against the killing of stray animals which takes place in Euro 2012 host cities, that's why we have brought these symbolic blood-covered balls, symbolizing these inhumane killings."Kis and other activists say killing stray animals has recently gained momentum, and that dogs and cats have been poisoned and shot.[Kim Veremiychuk, Activist from "We Are Europeans"]:"There are two aspects of this problem. First, stray animals attack adults and children, and can hurt people in some way. But another problem is that in response to that local authorities and some 'activists' are physically exterminating animals in horrible ways - cremating them, shooting them, etc."The activists are asking the government to provide funding for shelters and sterilization instead of killing animals.[Tetyana Motylyova, Protester]:"Today's action is aimed at pushing authorities to find a humane, civilized solution of this problem."Ukraine shares hosting duties with Poland for Euro 2012, which begins in June.Four Ukrainian cities and four Polish cities will host matches between Europe's top national football teams.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2COn Tuesday Catholic faithful and animal lovers flock to church in Mexico City to receive blessings for their beloved pets. January 17 marks the anniversary of the death of Saint Anthony the Abbott, a fourth-century Christian. Saint Anthony gave his inheritance to the poor and led a monastic life in the desert with only animals for company.January 17 marks the anniversary of the death of Saint Anthony the Abbott.The old-age Catholic tradition was brought to Mexico during Spanish colonial rule by Franciscan monks and has been heartily embraced by animal lovers ever since.[Father Felipe Vega, Catholic Priest]:"There are other animals that we use to get food, such as hens with eggs and more, cows with milk. The faithful come and bless them with belief and faith so that they be more prolific and productive."[Armando Flores, Catholic Pet Owner]:"For as long as I remember my siblings have brought all their animals, cows, calves, dogs, all the animals we had at home to bless them. As Catholics we consider that all things we have should be blessed, thanks be to God."However, traditional supporters say there's a lack of animal diversity in the blessing.[Amalia Salas, Catholic Parishioner]:"I was at the parish and there were just dogs, no other animals. We are losing our belief in the priests because we used to take our horses, lambs, cows which still exist. But now the priest doesn't come out to farms."St Anthony the Abbott was born in Egypt on the banks of the river Nile to a Christian family, and is believed to have lost both his parents, who were very wealthy, at an early age.He then chose to reject the life of luxury his heritage afforded him, giving his riches away to the poor in order to pursue a solitary life of spiritual enlightenment in the company of animals.

For more news and videos visit ➡ http://english.ntdtv.com‬Follow us on Twitter ➡ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision‬Add us on Facebook ➡ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CBullfighting takes place in Janurary and Feburary and there are 86 bullrings in Colombia. But in the capital Bogota, the mayor proposes banning bullfights as he joins a protest outside a bullring. Here's more.Bogota's mayor wants to ban bullfighting in Colombia's capital, calling it a dated practice that glorifies animal mistreatment and death.He was taking part in a protest outside a bullring in Bogota to protest fights traditionally held in January and February.This bullring in Bogota seats some 14,500 and is among 86 arenas throughout the country.Bogota's Mayor says he wants to turn it into an arts center.[Gustavo Petro, Bogota's Mayor]: "It's a public place, a bullfighting arena, and it should be used for the city's numerous cultural events. But it should be closed to any possibility of shows revolving around death. All shows, culture, and art revolving around life are welcome."Protesters smeared blood on their faces to protest the violent shows.[Javier Esteban Forero, Protestor]:"With what we are doing, putting blood on ourselves, we want to show people that the suffering of the animals, as I said before, is not a kind of cultural activity."But inside, the show went on.One fan says the bullfights should be allowed to continue.[Hernando Alsate, Bullfighting Fan]:"Talking in the first person, I don't like soccer, but that is no reason for me to go and stand in front of the door of a stadium and insult people so that they don't enter."

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://me.lt/9P8MUn Mount Emei in Sichuan Province is home to countless animals... but none are more famous than the monkeys of the mountain. Usually in the winter months they keep to themselves... but one group of tourists got a pleasant surprise.Mount Emei is a popular tourist destination in China's Sichuan province, with spectacular views and abundant wildlife. This holiday season, visitors were delighted to see a group of monkeys playing in the snow.The famous monkeys of Mount Emei are rarely seen during the cold of winter. However, the weather became clear and sunny for this New Year, and the monkeys came out to play and find some food.[Pei Huanyun, Visitor]: "Monkeys are very agile when they are jumping. I feel happy to see monkeys on the first day of this year. They are cute and jumping around. Someone fed them and took pictures with them just now."The monkeys were unafraid of their human visitors. They walked among them with ease, and even seemed to pose for the camera.[Chen Jianrong, Visitor]: "I am very happy and comfortable. I feel so close to these little monkeys, because my year of birth is also Monkey. I was ill before I came, now I feel recovered from my illness. I feel like I am going back to my childhood."Mount Emei's visitors were very happy to have a memorable encounter with some monkeys for the New Year.

For more news visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionFollow us on Facebook ☛ http://me.lt/9P8MUnScientists say only a few dozen snow leopards are left. A team of Russian scientists are learning more about the snow leopard in order to protect and save them from extinction. Here’s more from our correspondents.These unique images were caught on camera, set up in the mountains to the south of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. The images show a female snow leopard with three cubs.Today in Russia, experts believe that only a few dozen snow leopards are left.It's necessary to provide protected areas to save them from poachers. And for this purpose, it's important to find the migration routes and habitat of these cats.To learn more about the snow leopard, scientists of the Russian Geographic Society have developed an innovative method for monitoring it. It is called “Irbis”.[Sergey Istomov, Scientist]:"First and foremost, it is to save the animal. As you know, when it dwells on the reserve, it's more or less protected."The scientists film animals with a hidden camera, study their tracks, explore DNA and observe them from a helicopter or by satellite. Previously only one of these methods was used because of the lack of resources. As a result, the study was incomplete.Today snow leopards dwell in three reserves. They are Sayano-Shushensky, Khakas and Uvs Nuur Basin. According to researchers, the snow leopards are now doing well in their protected habitats.Another reserve will open. “Pozarym”, located in the republic of Khakassia, will serve to link all the snow leopard habitats in Russia.[Victor Nepomniaschy, Director of Reserve "Khakas"]:"We'll be able to secure the migration corridor and retained Irbises."In addition to creating protected areas, the researchers plan to educate locals on snow leopards and why it's so important to save them.NTD News, Moscow, Russia

For more news visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://me.lt/9P8MUnEveryone loves pandas. And that's why a pair of Chinese pandas being loaned to the UK has raised so much media attention. But for our own NTD reporter--who was blocked from attending a panda press conference in Edinburgh --the pandas seemed to come with political baggage.There was a chill in the air as two giant pandas arrived in the UK from China on Sunday. The giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, are being sent as a "gift" from the Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center in Sichuan Province. They're on a 10-year loan at the cost of $9.4 million to the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.But while other international media joined the press conference—which included Chinese delegates—our own NTD crew was denied access. The PR company responsible for the pandas' arrival, Weber Shandwick, had earlier welcomed NTD. But after showing the press attendance list to the Chinese consulate, they told NTD that our invitation was being revoked—with no further explanation.The Chinese Communist Party dislikes NTD, in part because of our strong stance on human rights and press freedom in China.We discussed the issue with a reporter from ITV News—whose team was allowed into the conference.[Angus Walker, ITV News Reporter]:"There's still meant to be a free press in this country, and if the pandas are going to mean that our politicians can't raise issues of press freedom, freedom of expression and human rights in China, then they will be pandering to the Chinese government."This pandering is part of what some call "Panda Diplomacy." While animal loans are usually an issue of conservation, for decades Chinese authorities have made them a political one.In 2006, they loaned two pandas to Taiwan. Those pandas—whose names, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, when combined, mean "unify"—were a clear signal of Beijing's political intentions.