News about Animals

Scientists shed new light on mysterious deaths among African elephants

Scientists from Statens Serum Institut and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark have investigated the bacteria that killed 35 elephants in Zimbabwe in 2020.

Price increases from January 2026

A simplified service catalogue and a new pricing structure will take effect in January 2026

Calling a trade-off a trade-off in arguments for cat confinement

The debate around keeping pet cats indoors is often framed as a win‑win for both wildlife and the animals themselves – but that narrative doesn’t hold up.

Researchers revive yoghurt made from... ants

An old traditional recipe for yoghurt made from ants has been recreated by researchers at the University of Copenhagen. In a new study, they show how ants and the bacteria that live on them can transform milk into…

Researchers revive yoghurt made from... ants

An old traditional recipe for yoghurt made from ants has been recreated by researchers at the University of Copenhagen. In a new study, they show how ants and the bacteria that live on them can transform milk into…

Nordfugl October 2025

The Avian Influenza Epidemiology group hosted the annual Nordfugl online seminar on 1 October 2025.

Ethicists' commentary on decision-making in response to vaccination reactions and veterinarians taking leave

Ethical question of the month, July 2025. You are a solo practitioner and have a show horse patient that experienced a severe and ongoing reaction to a routine vaccination.

Stored for 130 years: Bottles reveal evidence of Danish butter production and hygiene practices of the past

Two forgotten bottles in a basement in Frederiksberg containing bacterial cultures from the 1890s have provided researchers at the University of Copenhagen with unique insight into Denmark's butter production history.…

The development of a brief version of the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale

The aim of this paper is to develop a brief version of an existing human-animal attachment scale, namely the Lexington Attachment to Pets Scale (LAPS)

Ethicists' commentary on dilemma of treating a horse that has already been treated

Ethical question of the month, June 2025 You are the only practitioner on the backstretch of a racecourse. One of your long-time patients has just been claimed (change of ownership and trainer) and the new trainer, on…

Increased use of caesarean sections in pedigree dogs

Study based on data from the Danish Kennel Club showing the prevalence of caesarean section increased from 12.7 to 15.5 % between 2013 and 2022.

Cannabidiol treatment for refractory idiopathic epilepsy in dogs

Systematic literature review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the use of cannabidiol (CBD) as a supplementary treatment for refractory idiopathic epilepsy in dogs.

Ethicists' commentary on drug use in barrel racing

Ethical question of the month, May 2025 The sport of Barrel racing horses is increasingly popular. You have heard several complaints from both competitors and non-competitors about the completely unregulated use of…

Preserving predation

New journal article out July 2025: 'Preserving predation' by Jordan O Hampton, Thomas M Newsome Amy Dickman and Peter Sandøe.

Laura Vang Rasmussen among this year’s recipients of the Frontiers Planet Prize

The Frontiers Planet Prize has just been awarded to three scientific papers, one of which has Associate Professor Laura Vang Rasmussen as the co-first author.

Notification of noisy work

Date Time Type of construction work Where Other From July 21, 2025 Refurbishment of Unit At specific periods during the summer, noise disturbances may occur, with some expected to begin from calendar…

New study points to Skagerrak as nursery area for the enigmatic Greenland shark

The Greenland shark – the world's longest-living vertebrate – is most often associated with cold Arctic waters. However, a new international study led by researchers from the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources and…

Ethicists’ commentary on euthanasia for a healthy companion dog

Ethical question of the month, April 2025 You are presented with a 5-year-old Labrador retriever by owners who are requesting euthanasia because the dog has bitten their granddaughter twice without warning. The owners…

Dangerous Variant of Salmonella Still Not Eradicated

The infectious and multi-resistant cattle disease Salmonella Dublin can be fatal to both humans and animals and causes significant losses for farmers. Although Denmark has attempted to eradicate the disease since 2008,…

Here are the flowers that both bees and humans like best

Botanists from the University of Copenhagen and the UK set out to find the best flower combinations for bees and hoverflies. The results make it easier for garden owners and municipalities, among others, to plant the…

The Genomic Organization of Superorganismal Ant Colonies

Worker ants increase their reproductive success by caring for their siblings instead of producing their own offspring. A new international study, initiated and co-directed by researchers at the University of Copenhagen…

Veterinarians to comment on veterinary issues outside their area of expertise

Ethical question of the month, March 2025 Is it ethical for veterinarians to use their credentials to act as an “expert” despite having limited or no knowledge of the issues in another aspect of veterinary medicine? Thi…

Ox-eye daisy, bellis and yarrow: Flower strips with at least two sown species provide 70 percent more natural enemies of pests

Planting flower strips in a field with at least two species can increase the number of natural enemies of pests by 70 percent. The more flower species, the better the effect, according to a new meta-analysis from the…

Annual bird trip to South Zealand

In late April 2025, the Avian Influenza Epidemiology Group went on a trip to South Zealand to improve our understanding of the real world.