SYDNEY, May 20 — An Australian animal welfare group is seeking a heroic dog with an appetite for adventure for a full-time position as a koala rescuer.

The successful pooch will replace the world-famous Bear, credited with saving over 100 koalas from bushfires during a decade of service.

“Bear set the gold standard for koala detection dogs,” the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) Oceania head of programmes Josey Sharrad said.

“He’s leaving very big boots to fill, but now it’s time to find his successor to follow in his pawprints and keep protecting koalas.”

The ideal candidate will be a rescue pup with a lot of energy and an “obsessive” personality — attributes that might make it hard to find a home but which make it perfect for saving koalas, IFAW said.

“By only recruiting a rescue dog, it’s a win-win — giving a dog the chance of a new life while helping our iconic koalas,” Innovation for Conservation director and handler Russell Miller said.

Other key attributes are a love of play, confidence and a gentle temperament towards fellow animals is crucial.

They must also be medium sized — “not too small that they struggle in the bush, not too big that the handlers can’t carry them when needed”, according to the IFAW job ad.

Interviews were being held in eastern Australia’s Sunshine Coast but applications by video are also welcome.

Bear’s skills saved over 100 koalas as the Black Summer bushfires raged across Australia’s eastern seaboard from late 2019 to early 2020, razing millions of hectares, destroying thousands of homes and blanketing cities in noxious smoke.

The tail-wagging detective with a “joyful and goofy” personality retired with an extensive list of accolades — including an Animal of the Year award and Puppy Tales Photos Australian Dog of the Year award. — AFP

 

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SHANGHAI, May 18 — Police in southern China have detained a man accused of trying to poison a dog that gained online fame for collecting plastic bottles.

The French Bulldog, named Xiaobai, became a social media sensation last year after videos showed it diligently gathering bottles for its owner, identified only by his surname Zhang. The account has more than half a million followers, with some clips viewed up to 10 million times, according to the South China Morning Post.

Zhang told local media that on May 7, a “good‑hearted” internet user alerted him with screenshots from an animal abuse group discussing plans to poison Xiaobai.

He said members of the group had circulated his home address and discussed using isoniazid, a drug prescribed for tuberculosis, to kill the dog. Later that day, a man dressed in white was spotted outside Zhang’s courtyard taking photographs.

Zhang reported the matter to police, handing over chat records and surveillance footage. Authorities informed him that a suspect was taken into custody on May 8. The case remains under investigation.

Before the arrest, Zhang said he had kept Xiaobai indoors. He noted the dog appeared listless during that period but became lively again once allowed outside to resume collecting bottles.

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