News about Animals

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.…

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…

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…

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.

Saving the Asian Unicorn – If It Still Exists

The saola, an antelope-like bovine, is one of the world’s rarest and most endangered mammals. In fact, it hasn’t been observed in over 10 years. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with…

Saving the Asian Unicorn – If It Still Exists

The saola, an antelope-like bovine, is one of the world’s rarest and most endangered mammals. In fact, it hasn’t been observed in over 10 years. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen, in collaboration with…

Ethicists’ commentary on Euthanasia on demand

Ethical question of the month, February 2025 You are a mixed-animal practitioner and are facing a recurring problem. When the initial appointment request is to euthanize an old failing animal or a very sick animal, you…

Ethicists’ commentary on increasing corporatization in veterinary practices

Ethical question of the month, January 2025 You are a seasoned veterinarian employed by a companion animal practice. The practice has a reputation of providing excellent care at a reasonable cost. The practice owner is…

Interdisciplinary research team wins NNF award for their teaching

Professor Liza Rosenbaum Nielsen and Associate Professor Nathalia Brichet from the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences have been awarded the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Prize for Interdisciplinary Educators for…

Major bird study could help us fight the next pandemic

New study uncovers the intricate factors that drive the evolution of genomes.

Major bird study could help us fight the next pandemic

New study uncovers the intricate factors that drive the evolution of genomes.

Major bird study could help us fight the next pandemic

New study uncovers the intricate factors that drive the evolution of genomes.

Behavioral genetic analysis on dogs

The aim of this study is to describe personality traits in eight dog breeds using the Behaviour and Personality Description in Dogs (BPH) test, and subsequently to assess their heritability.

How much do people really care about animal welfare?

Professor Peter Sandøe participated in the Animal Welfare Seminar 2025 - 'Animal ethics and animal welfare - values informing outcomes' organized by RSPCA Australia. Peter gave a talk on people's attitudes to animals an…

Ethicists' commentary on balancing religious tolerance and animal welfare

Ethical question of the month, December 2024 As a veterinarian contemplating a position at a federal meat processing plant, I am extremely uncomfortable with the recent federal injunction to forgo the requirement to…

Changes in management of owned cats in the countryside

This study investigates changes in the management of owned domestic cats (Felis catus) in a rural area of Denmark, at two points in time separated by 24 years.

Ethicists' commentary on disagreements in course of treatment

Ethical question of the month, November 2024 You and a colleague are disagreeing on a policy matter in your practice regarding a senior horse treatment. Many senior horses suffer from a pituitary disorder, pituitary par…

A consensus on the definition of positive animal welfare

The paper presents a proposed definition of positive animal welfare: ‘PAW can be defined as the animal flourishing through the experience of predominantly positive mental states and the development of competence and…