The day the ducks fought back: Chick-eating seagull goes back for a second helping - but gets chased away by the furious mother

-The dramatic defence took place in Herbert Park, DublinBy Ted ThornhillFoiled: The seagull scoops the chick out of the water, but drops it when the mother swoops inA murderous seagull that gobbled up a duckling got more than it bargained for when it returned for another helping.It swooped on the ducklings as they swam with their parents in Herbert Park, Dublin, last week.But the mother duck, who initially had eleven ducklings in tow, finally forced the gull away by aggressively flapping her wings.Brave: The fearless mother is not deterred by the seagull's size advantageIn a flap: The angry mother proved she was no sitting duck and chased the...

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Introducing Disney's leading lions: Intimate photographs show the stars of hit-film African Cats at work, rest and play

By Daily Mail ReporterSoggy moggies: Some of the stars of Disney's new African Cats movieMove over Wills and Kate - it's time to meet the real stars behind Disney's African Cats movie.The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge may have been the star attraction last week when the film's premiere rolled into town - but Paul Goldstein's pictures of the cute kitten-like Kenyan lions and cheetahs show the four-pawed princes and princess now want their turn in the limelight.The wildlife photographer and Exodus tour guide worked alongside the Disney team in pinpointing the position of the animals on the Masai Mara.Cute: Tour guide Paul Goldstein worked alongside...

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Best of friends... or the worst of enemies: Fox strikes up unlikely friendship with cockatoo (or is he just planning his next meal?)

By Daily Mail ReporterDespite claims this adorable baby fox and cockatoo are the best of friends, these photos seem like they are anything but. In fact Smokey, the silver crested cockatoo, looks more like he is about to become a light snack for the recovering fox, called Sadie, who is being nurtured back to health at an animal home in Lincolnshire.But staff at the Exotic Pet Refuge, in Deeping St James, say the pair have a struck up an unlikely friendship. My what big teeth you've got: The eight-month-old fox cub eyes up Smokey the cockatoo Pam Mansfield, owner of the centre, said: 'Smokey is really friendly. She started standing on the top of...

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That's some welcome home! Adorable video shows the gleeful reunion of a lovesick dog and his soldier owner after he returns from combat in Afghanistan

By Daily Mail ReporterJust another day in the yard: Ranger and a man play fetch with his favourite toyThis heartwarming video shows the moment a dog is reunited with his military master, having returned from service in Afghanistan.The footage captures Ranger, a German Shepherd, and a man playing fetch with the pooch's favourite toy, Green Monster.He happily bounds around the yard after the toy but gets an unexpected surprise when he chases a particularly far throw and returns to find his owner back from deployment.Go fetch! Ranger bounds off after his Green Monster toy which is thrown beyond the treeRanger immediately switches his course, originally...

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Now that's emusing! Hungry bird on the lookout for a snack photobombs couple on farm visit

By Jane BunceSloths do it, seals do it – and now the worldwide craze of animal photobombing has spread all the way to giant Australian native birds.A hungry emu has photobombed a holidaying couple after they stopped feeding it to pay attention to other animals on the farm they were visiting.The emu, a flightless bird, was not ready to give up on its meal when the man and his wife instead moved on to pat a llama.Photobombed: The smiling couple pose for the camera, but the hungry emu has his eye on more treatsThe emu popped its head into the photo in an apparent bid to seek out another snack.The emu is the second largest bird in the world, after...

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Meet Georgie, the puppy found whimpering in a dog waste bin after being callously dumped on St George's Day

By Gareth DorrianA tiny puppy with huge saucer eyes was found dumped in a bin meant for dog waste. The little Labrador cross, named Georgie by her RSPCA carers, was discovered by a family who were passing by and were startled by rustling and whimpering sounds coming from the bin.She was rescued on St George’s Day in Nottingham and took her name from England's patron saint.Georgie (pictured) was heard crying in a bin (pictured right) meant for dog waste in Nottingham The shocked family took the six-week-old pup to their nearby home and warmed her with blankets before contacting the RSPCA.Georgie was shivering and extremely shaken by her ordeal....

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Water way to monkey around: While we grumble about the rain, primates party in the puddles at Longleat Safari Park

By Phil VinterThe recent heavy downpours may have left many of us once again bemoaning the British weather, but for these inquisitive characters it was cause for a party.The monkeys at Longleat Safari and Adventure Park made the most of large puddles which formed following the bad weather to get down to some serious monkey business.Far from heading for cover, the huge pools of water became a temporary play area for the rhesus monkeys as some were delighted by their own reflections.Making waves: A rhesus monkey plays in a huge puddle of water that has been created by the recent heavy rainfall at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire Longleat's deputy...

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Look out below! Incredible video shows black bear falling 15 feet from tree after being TRANQUILISED at crowded university campus

By Beth StebnerRaining cats and bears: A tranquilised black bear fell from a tree on the University of Colorado - Boulder's campus ThursdayA large black bear who wandered up into a tree at the University of Colorado - Boulder, is again safe after wildlife department officials managed to get him out of a sticky situation.The 200-pound male was seen ambling around a residence hall area before he attempted to scale a tree.The wildlife officers tranquilised the bear while he was up in the branches and, after a short wait, the bear safely landed on his back.Scroll down for videoAt ease: A wildlife official runs to secure the male black bear after...

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Quackers! The man who takes his pet duck Boris everywhere... even on holiday (and carries the bird over his head when it rains)

By Lyle Brennan Sun cream, beach towel, toothbrush... duck?When Wayne O'Donnell jets off to Spain's Costa Brava each summer, his feathered friend Boris is the one thing he wouldn't leave home without.Back in Romsey, Hampshire, the pair are inseparable, and Boris, an Aylesbury duck, wanders loyally down the street with his owner, like a dog being taken for a walk.Best friends: Wayne O'Donnell and his Aylesbury duck Boris are inseparableHe even enjoys sipping beer in bars, taking a ride in the passenger seat of Mr O'Donnell's car and perching on the top his owner’s head.In fact, there’s only one thing the pet duck doesn’t like - and that’s swimming...

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'He wakes up happy every day': Meet Roosevelt the collie who uses a wheelchair after being born with deformed front legs

By Daily Mail ReporterEnergetic: Roosevelt the collie relies on a custom-built wheelchair after he was born with deformed front legs. He was named after one of the most famous wheelchair users, President Franklin D. RooseveltHe may have been forced to rely upon a wheelchair after contracting polio, yet President Franklin D. Roosevelt remained famously upbeat, using 'Happy Days Are Here Again' as his campaign song.And, as well as his name, this positive outlook is something Roosevelt the collie dog has adopted - after he was born with deformed legs and also needs a wheelchair to get around.His owner Stephanie Fox, from Portland, Maine, bought...

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