UTV Animals

Two men have been arrested following a report of animal cruelty in Lurgan on Monday.

Police received a report that an 11-week-old puppy, Sparky, had been killed in the Ailsbury Park area of the town on Monday evening.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.

Police are appealing for anyone who has any information to contact officers in Lurgan on 101.

Two little seal pups found injured a few months ago have been nursed back to health and released back into the wild off the North Antrim coast.

Hans and Albert needed feeding up to help give them the thick layer of blubber they need to survive the winter in the chilly Atlantic.

The orphans were looked after by staff at the Exploris sanctuary in Portaferry, Co Down.

But, as Gareth Wilkinson reports, they were taken to Ballintoy to be released.

Tina the Asian elephant has passed away at Belfast Zoo.

Tina was 54 and one of the oldest elephants at the zoo, arriving in 1966.

Staff are extremely saddened by the death of the much-loved animal, a statement said.

“Tina collapsed in the early hours of this morning and the very difficult decision was made by zoo staff and veterinary staff to put her to sleep,” a statement from the Belfast City Council said.

The zoo will remain open as normal but the elephant house will be closed until further notice.