Animals

June 26 (UPI) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday increased its response level to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

In an update to reporters, Satish Pillai, the Ebola response incidence manager at the CDC, said public health officials were concerned about the rapid increase in and geographic spread of cases of the deadly virus. She said the CDC has upgraded its response to Level 1, making it a top priority.

“Elevating the response level reflects the urgency, scale and complexity of the outbreak, and allows [the] CDC to bring additional resources to support the coordination and operational needs of our response,” Pillai said.

The World Health Organization has confirmed more than 1,000 cases of Ebola and more than 260 deaths from the disease since the outbreak, which began in May. Most of the cases have been reported in eastern DRC, with a smaller number of cases spreading across the border into Uganda.

This Ebola outbreak has been linked to the Bundibugyo virus, making it particularly challenging to treat. Unlike the Ebola-zaire strains of the virus, there are no approved approved therapeutics or vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain, the WHO said.

Ebola was first identified in central Africa in 1976. The virus, which has a two- to 21-day incubation period, causes fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, and, in some cases, internal and external bleeding. It can be transmitted from animals to humans and in human-to-human contact, including sexual intercourse.

While there’s no proven treatment specifically for the virus, people can survive through treatment of the symptoms, including oral and intravenous fluids, and immune and drug therapies.

As the destructive Bobcat fire sent plumes of smoke billowing from the Angeles National Forest in 2020, Ryan Huling recalled that at the time news reports claimed the blaze caused “no injuries” and that no homes had been destroyed.

That irked the Sierra Madre writer, who watched from his cabin as flames incinerated the home of bears, coyotes, pumas and squirrels. He believes countless critters were killed or maimed by flames, and points to accounts of mountain lions emerging with singed paws and bears scrambling into communities.

“Anonymity has done them no favors, in the sense that people don’t know where they live, they don’t know what landmarks are important to them, they don’t know what areas carry special significance to bears and other animals,” Huling said.

Yet through his research he discovered that rapidly advancing technology — including artificial intelligence, GPS tracking and crowdsourcing — is revealing more about animal “societies” than ever before. The revelation launched him on a worldwide tour of non-human communities, culminating in his debut book, “The Hidden Nations of Animals.”

The cover of Ryan Huling’s first book, published in June.

(Penguin Random House)

Published this month, the book’s first chapter takes readers to North America’s “beaver belt,” roughly 1,100 miles in northern Canada that are jam-packed with beaver dams. According to Huling, the sheer density of those dams only became apparent thanks to technology that allows researchers to analyze high-resolution satellite imagery and identify them from space. One analysis found 2,700 dams surrounding a town of only about 1,000 people.

Another stop took him to Zambia, where African mole-rats dig complex tunnel systems that include designated nurseries, pantries and bathrooms. Just before Huling arrived, a researcher had used radio trackers to determine that the subterranean animals operate on a biological clock that has them alternate between a few hours of activity and a few hours of napping — not a bad work schedule!

Some of Huling’s other adventures include exploring a tornado of Mexican free-tailed bats outside of San Antonio and red-crowned cranes that have found refuge in the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

But uncovering these hidden worlds isn’t just left to the experts anymore. While the expense or difficulty of tracking wild animals has resulted in knowledge voids in the past, crowdsourcing is helping to fill in the gaps.

Today, any smartphone-toting nature lover can snap a photo of a great horned owl or a ground squirrel and upload it to a citizen science app such as iNaturalist. Some platforms are specialized, for example Merlin for birds and Happywhale for marine mammals. All that data is a rich playground for scientists. According to an article published last year in BioScience, iNaturalist data in peer-reviewed research grew tenfold in the previous five years.

Now, AI is making it so humans don’t have to necessarily look at the raw material. Instead, AI can mine images, videos or sound clips for the appearance of an animal of interest — or even catalogue individual critters. Happywhale has an AI feature that identifies particular humpbacks by unique patterns and shapes on their tails.

Technology is advancing so fast that Huling said it was hard to stay current. In his prologue, he mentions a researcher showing him a prototype of a teeny solar-powered radio tag for monarch butterflies. By the time the book hit the shelves, the concept was already live — harnessed, in one instance, to study how the brilliant orange insects use overwintering groves along the California coast. Just this week on Instagram, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife highlighted a study in which rare bumblebees are tagged with minute QR codes that can be read by remote cameras.

After about a half-year of travel, Huling returned home with a heightened awareness of what he calls “inconspicuous abundance” — that the world is teeming with more life than meets the eye. He puts this new lens to the test by venturing to the storm-battered shores of San Miguel Island off the coast of Santa Barbara. Considered “uninhabited” in the traditional sense, he finds that the rarely visited corner of Channel Islands National Park is a haven for lumpy seals, glimmering fish and squawking seabirds. Sharks lurk beneath the waves.

“For them, as now for me, this distinctive island remains anything but deserted,” he writes.

On San Miguel Island, Huling saw and heard hundreds of sunbathing seals and sea lions.

(Oliver Uberti / Penguin Random House)

In other animal news

• Earlier this month, in Big Bear Lake, a memorial service was held for Sandy Steers, the late conservationist who was best known for turning two bald eagles into an international phenomenon by livestreaming their nest. It was a touching gathering, where Steers’ friends and colleagues got personal about a woman who they said was willing to go to the mat for her beloved raptors.

An illustration for “Hidden Nations” depicts author Huling at home, surrounded by the natural environment — including a black bear.

(Oliver Uberti / Penguin Random House)

• For decades, Steers battled a planned development near the nest of famed eagle couple Jackie and Shadow, and helped to negotiate an agreement in which a land trust could buy the site for $10 million. The nonprofit she led is now racing to raise the money by July 31 so it can be bought and conserved.
• In the desperately needed good-news department, endangered steelhead trout that scientists feared had perished in last year’s Palisades fire unexpectedly survived — and even had babies. It’s a big deal: they represent the last known population of steelhead in the Santa Monica Mountains.
• A civil grand jury has found that the L.A. Zoo needs new leadership, citing deterioration of its facilities and rapidly declining membership. In less than a year, membership dropped 23% and exhibits for lions, bears, sea lions and pelicans have closed because they need major renovations.
• Last summer, researchers made an astonishing discovery off the Sonoma County coast — 18 sunflower sea stars, a species decimated by disease and all but gone from California waters. SF Gate writes that the finding was only just announced, with scientists now racing to learn all they can about the survivors. As previously reported, the stars with up to 24 arms could hold the key to restoring the state’s ravaged kelp forests.

And news about the environment

This is the latest edition of Boiling Point, a newsletter about climate change and the environment in the American West. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. And listen to our Boiling Point podcast here.

For more wildlife and outdoors news, follow Lila Seidman at @lila_seidman on X and @lilaseidman.bsky.social on Bluesky.

Certain animals keep disappearing under suspicious circumstances in the UK’s ‘Bermuda Triangle’

A moorland in North Wales has earned the grim nickname “Wales’ Bermuda Triangle” after gaining notoriety for a string of mysterious bird disappearances. Ruabon Moor, located to the west of Wrexham, is regarded as one of the most notorious bird of prey persecution hotspots in the UK, according to the RSPB.

In late August 2025, a satellite-tagged female Hen Harrier vanished without trace on the moor. Data from late August revealed that the young bird had departed the Peak District National Park, coming to rest on Ruabon Moor on August 28.

By the night of August 31, satellite tag data confirmed that the bird was no longer alive.

A search was subsequently carried out and the tag was recovered, but the bird’s body was nowhere to be found. North Wales Police sent the tag away for forensic examination.

Results confirmed that the satellite tag’s harness had been deliberately severed using a sharp instrument, such as a knife. Despite extensive searches, the body has never been recovered.

The Hen Harrier is a rare and vulnerable, red-listed species in Wales and across the UK, with its recovery being directly undermined by illegal persecution.

Mark Thomas, RSPB’s UK Head of Investigations, said: “Sadly, this incident is a textbook example of Hen Harrier persecution and really shows the massive impact these crimes are having on this species. In this case a healthy young bird fledged from a safe area in the Peak District National Park and sadly chose to settle in ‘Wales’ Bermuda Triangle’ – the most notorious bird of prey persecution hotspot in the country.

“This three-month-old bird survived for just three days in the area before it vanished in highly suspicious circumstances. Based on years of evidence and intelligence, we suspect the criminal shot the harrier, cut the harness off the Hen Harrier’s body, discarded the tag and disposed of the body.”

Craig Best, General Manager for the National Trust in the Peak District, said: “We are devastated to learn of the fate of this magnificent bird that started its life on moorland in our care in the Peak District. Hen Harriers are an important species in the ecosystem of moorland habitats.

“We work hard to make sure these birds have good nesting and feeding grounds. Funding from our supporters helps us to restore the landscapes they need to give them the best chance of survival. If persecution is allowed to continue, we stand to lose a very important species that is crucial to the health of these landscapes and it can’t continue.”

Sgt Peter Evans, of North Wales Police Rural Crime Team, said: “In September 2025, North Wales Police received a report concerning the disappearance of a Hen Harrier on Ruabon Moor. Working in partnership with the RSPB and the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the harness was recovered and the investigation to date is inconclusive. Despite this, we can confirm that the harness had been intentionally severed, and the circumstances surrounding the bird’s disappearance are being treated as suspicious.

“Hen Harriers are a rare and protected species in Wales, making incidents of this nature particularly concerning. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant. If you witness any suspicious activity involving birds of prey, please report it to North Wales Police or the RSPB.”

Members of the public are encouraged to flag any suspected bird of prey persecution by ringing the police on 101 and submitting a report to the RSPB. This can be done through the RSPB’s online reporting form at www.rspb.org.uk/report-crimes or by phoning the RSPB’s confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.

Reports made via the RSPB’s reporting form and Raptor Crime Hotline can be submitted anonymously.

June 24 (UPI) — Global aquaculture production reached a record high, while Chile maintained its position as the leading supplier of salmon to the United States and one of the sector’s top exporting powers, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

According to the report The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, global fisheries and aquaculture production reached 235 million tons in 2024. For the first time, aquaculture production surpassed 100 million tons of aquatic animals, 89% of which is destined for human consumption and provides at least one-fifth of the animal protein consumed by 3.1 billion people.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations said Latin America and the Caribbean account for 15% of global aquatic product exports despite representing 9% of worldwide production, with a total of 13 million tons.

The region exported $27 billion worth of aquatic products, driven mainly by Chilean salmon, anchoveta from Peru and Chile, and Ecuadorian shrimp.

In this context, Chile ranks first in aquaculture production in Latin America, is the largest supplier of salmon to the United States and the world’s fifth-largest exporter of aquatic animal products.

Together with Norway, Chile accounts for nearly half of the value of global salmon and trout exports.

“The growth aquaculture has experienced in recent decades has not been accidental. Behind this progress lies significant work in research, innovation and technological development,” Valeska San Martín, an academic at the Coastal Research Center of the University of Atacama and a researcher at the Millennium Institute in Coastal Socio-Ecology, told UPI.

She said these advances have enabled the development of better feed for farmed species, more efficient genetic selection programs, increasingly precise environmental monitoring systems and automated tools that optimize feeding and health management.

“All of this has helped increase productivity and improve the efficient use of resources while at the same time reducing part of the costs associated with production,” she said.

San Martín added that Chile has been one of the most important players in global aquaculture development and is recognized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations as one of the world’s 10 leading aquaculture producers.

“In 2024, it led global exports of frozen salmon and trout fillets, processed mussels, fishmeal and various algae-derived products, reaching more than 100 international markets, particularly the United States, Japan, Brazil, China and Europe,” she said.

Growth prospects remain positive, according to SalmonChile, the industry association representing salmon producers.

“Chilean salmon exports maintained a positive trend in 2026. During the first quarter, they reached $1.991 billion, representing growth of 8% in value and 19% in volume compared with the same period a year earlier,” the organization told UPI.

SalmonChile added that the record achieved by global aquaculture in 2024 confirms the growing prominence of aquaculture products in international trade and consolidates Chile’s position as one of the world’s leading salmon-producing powers.

Football fever is sweeping the nation, but one TV vet says the excitement of World Cup matches could be having an unexpected impact on pets

As football fans soak up every goal, near miss and dramatic result, many may be overlooking one beloved member of the household. According to one TV vet, the noise and excitement surrounding World Cup matches could be causing hidden stress for dogs.

Dr Scott Miller issued the warning during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning over the weekend. He explained that while humans may enjoy the thrills and spills of tournament football, dogs can find the experience far more overwhelming.

“It’s so exciting having the World Cup and people get excited, overexcited, and there’s a lot of high-pitched shrill noises that emanate from our beings,” he said. “They’re the sounds that our dogs are particularly sensitive to.”

The vet explained that dogs have far more sensitive hearing than humans. According to Dr Miller, a dog can hear sounds from around four times further away than a person.

“So if you can hear something from 20 metres away, they can hear it from 80 metres away,” he said. “You can imagine when you have your family, who are normally calm and lovely, suddenly screaming away beside them.”

Dr Miller compared the sudden outbursts during matches to the effect fireworks can have on pets. He said unexpected cheers, shouting and celebrations can be frightening because animals receive no warning before the noise occurs.

“It’s just these high-pitched sounds that happen out of nowhere,” he explained. “They don’t get any warning for them.”

The warning comes as millions of football fans prepare to watch matches throughout the tournament. Research from Dogs Trust suggests many dogs can experience anxiety when exposed to loud or unfamiliar noises, with fireworks, thunderstorms and shouting among the most common triggers.

Animal welfare charity Blue Cross claims signs of stress in dogs can include trembling, panting, pacing, hiding, excessive barking and attempts to escape from noisy environments. Some dogs may also become withdrawn or unusually clingy when feeling anxious.

Fortunately, Dr Miller says there are several steps owners can take to help. One of the most important is ensuring pets have access to a quiet space away from the excitement.

“Have somewhere that your dog can slink away to, or your cat as well, away from the noise and the hubbub of the game,” he advised. He also suggested tiring pets out before kick-off. A walk, interactive play session or mentally stimulating activity can help encourage relaxation later in the day.

“Making sure they’re nicely tuckered out, maybe play an interactive game with them, stimulate their minds as well as their body, and then feed them as well,” he said. “So they’ve got that sort of Sunday afternoon feeling. They are a bit sleepy and a little bit relaxed.”

For households expecting particularly loud celebrations, Dr Miller recommended drawing the curtains and playing low-level background music. These measures can help mask sudden noises from both inside and outside the home.

While football fans may be focused on the action on screen, experts say it’s worth keeping an eye on pets too. A little preparation could help ensure that both owners and their dogs enjoy a more comfortable tournament.

More than 360 people abducted by Boko Haram have been rescued in northeastern Nigeria. Former captives recount months of hardship, while families of those still missing say they are running out of answers for children waiting for their parents to return.

June 13 (UPI) — A woman is in critical condition after a shark attack at a popular Sydney beach Saturday, and she was saved by a nearby lifeguard.

The 35-year-old woman hasn’t been identified. She had serious bite injuries on a leg and an arm from the morning attack at Coogee Beach, a police statement said. She and two friends were swimming about 100 feet from the shore, when she was bitten, ambulance official Michael Corlis said. Lifeguard Tony Waller said the shark was about 11 feet long.

Lifeguard Charlie Verco told The Sunday Telegraph in Sydney that he saw the shark while he was on his paddleboard.

“I saw the shark come out of the water and just the size of it shocked me,” Verco said. “I kept paddling towards her and the shark took her underwater and I was going, ‘What do I do now?’ A couple of seconds later, she popped up again.”

Verco said the victim was too weak to get onto the paddleboard, so he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the beach. Other people helped them get to shore.

Ian Ferguson, an off-duty doctor at the beach with his family, said there was a “big cloud of blood in the water.”

Ferguson and other bystanders applied tourniquets and gave first aid to the woman on the beach. Her leg bite was about a foot wide, and her bone was exposed, he told The Telegraph. The wound on her arm was similar.

They got her to a nearby rugby field where she was flown by helicopter to a hospital.

This is the fourth shark attack in Australia in the past five weeks. Three men have been killed by sharks while spearfishing.

On June 6, a man, 35, died after he was bitten while spearfishing near Michaelmas Island on the western coast. A 38-year-old man died after he was bitten by a 13-foot shark on May 16, then a 39-year-old man was killed in Queensland, in the northeast part of the country, on May 24.

In January, a 12-year-old boy died in the hospital after being attacked by a bull shark in Sydney Harbor.

Since 1791, when records began, there have been nearly 1,300 shark attacks in Australia, with 260 of them fatal. Australia has averaged two to three fatal shark attacks per year since 2000, according to the Australian Shark Incident Database. There were five last year.

Shark attacks have become more common as water sports like surfing and scuba diving have become more popular.

Animal lovers in Gaza are resorting to desperate measures to keep their pets alive and healthy. Only two pet clinics are still operating, and critical veterinary supplies and animal food are running low. Vets are warning animal deaths will rise unless supplies arrive soon.

June 12 (UPI) — Multiple tornadoes caused severe damage across several midwestern states Thursday evening.

A 54-year-old man was killed in a homeless encampment in a park Wednesday in Des Moines, Iowa, after he was hit by a tree that “broke apart and fell during strong storms,” police said in a statement. They found the man injured, and he died on the scene, CBS News reported.

There have been no other official reports of injuries.

As of Friday morning, nearly 500,000 customers were without power in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Some of the hardest-hit areas are just south of Chicago in Kouts and Merrillville, Ind., and Bartlett, Naperville, Streator and Dwight, Ill.

A tornado hit Streator at 5:52 p.m. CDT Thursday, and another was reported in Dwight just after 6:15 p.m. The system had traveled east to Lake and Porter counties in Indiana around 7 p.m.

Streator Mayor Tara Bedei said there have been no deaths reported in the city.

“We are incredibly grateful for the safety of our residents and the quick action of emergency personnel,” she said in a statement.

An animal shelter in Springfield, Ill., suffered heavy damage to two buildings, CBS reported, but none of the nearly 150 cats and 28 dogs housed there were injured, said Animal Protective League Executive Director Deana Corbin.

“It pretty much wiped out our shelter facility, took the roofs off both of our buildings,” Corbin said. “It’s a miracle. We were so blessed to not have any injuries of either people or animals.”

Home and news video showed several destroyed homes, including one in which a man was trapped under debris in Streator. He was removed safely with the help of first responders. It’s unclear if he was injured.

Illinois State Police later confirmed “heavy damage” in Streator, and Illinois-18 leading into the town was closed for clean-up and rescue efforts. Displaced residents and separated families in Streator were being sent to Streator City Hall, officials said.

Merrillville Police also reported heavy damage and road closures in the city.

Hobart, Ind., announced Thursday night that it was opening a local gymnasium to those in need of shelter.

“For families displaced by the storm, the Hobart Police Department is opening the gymnasiums at the Police Court Complex as a temporary shelter location,” a police Facebook post said. “The facility has available space, clean restrooms, fans, and good airflow, providing a safe place for those in need. Please note that there is no air conditioning, unfortunately.”

Maple Park, Ill., winery owner Joe Brandonisio told CBS that one of his workers tied himself to a water trailer to keep from being blown away.

“I saw the debris fly up and spin around. I got down in the basement. I told the staff to get down there,” Brandonisio said.

VISIT England has announced this year’s Awards For Excellence, highlighting the best accommodation and attractions.

The honours have been handed out annually for 35 years now, celebrating quality, innovation and customer service, so those choosing staycations can ensure they pick a great place for a great time.

Sophie Swietochowski has the lowdown on ten category winners.

ACCOMMODATION

B&B/Guest House Of The Year

Taking home gold in the B&B category, MonkBridge House is slap bang in the centre of York, within walking distance of top attractions including the glorious York Minster cathedral.

The home was built in 1864 and is bursting with character, although all eight of its bedrooms have been given a sophisticated makeover since then.

The award-winning breakfasts are whipped up with locally sourced goods and home-made jams, marmalades and granola are among the morning spread.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Two nights’ B&B costs from £205.

See monkbridgehouseyork.com.

Camping, Glamping And Holiday Park Of The Year

Immersed in 98 acres of glorious, wildlife-rich landscape, Clawford Lakes is glamping done properly.

The campsite is set within a rugged valley close to the Cornish holiday spot of Bude and features stylish floating lodges and lakeside pods, both overlooking the water, as well as luxury apartments, lodges and cocoons with a safari-tent look to them.

The lake is ideal for keen anglers and the site is pet-friendly, too.

Three-night weekend breaks cost from £299 for a family of four.

See clawfordlakes.co.uk.

Large Hotel Of The Year

If countryside charm and rugged hillsides sound like your cup of tea, you may want to swing by this year’s large hotel winner.

The 5* Bovey Castle in Devon is an elegant space filled with plump cushions, grand headboards and dangling chandeliers.

There is a large on-site spa offering massages from £80, as well as an 18-hole golf course, plus activities including archery, tennis, rifle shooting, pottery throwing and deer walks.

Stays cost from £192 per night.

See boveycastle.com.

Self-Catering Accommodation Of The Year

Kids will love the pony rides and the chance to feed the animals at Bosinver, buried deep in rural Cornwall.

With a whole host of cosy cottages on its roster, varying in size from two to six bedrooms and with dog-friendly options, it’s no surprise this spot came out on top for self-catering accommodation.

These are more than just holiday homes — there’s a play barn, sauna, tennis, swimming pool, Gruffalo trail and games room, all on site.

A three-night stay for four people costs from £569.

See bosinver.co.uk.

Small Hotel Of The Year

With 48 stunning and completely unique bedrooms, The Tempus in Northumberland is simply oozing character.

Expect elegant roll-top baths, four-poster beds, terraces and bubbling hot tubs.

There’s also a set of ultra-chic lakeside yurts and cabins.

One night’s B&B costs from £121.50.

See thetempus.co.uk.

OUT AND ABOUT

Experience Of The Year

Ever wanted to venture back to the Iron Age?

This Blacksmith experience at Oldfield Forge in Herefordshire will help you do just that.

Available for anyone aged seven-plus, the attraction teaches punters the tricks of the trade and how to forge practical items and decorative goods such as knives, garden tools and even swords.

The events last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days and cost from £62.

See oldfieldforge.co.uk.

Large Visitor Attraction Of The Year

Forget day trips to the zoo.

Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park in Suffolk gives guests the chance to get properly up close and personal with animals.

Little ones will be keen on the Farmyard Friends Experience, where they’ll get to feed sheep, goats, pigs or cattle, while polar bear fans will be desperate to get stuck in to The Lost Lands of the Tundra, the polar bear enclosure.

Day tickets cost from £25 per adult and £20 per child. Under twos go free.

See jimmysfarm.com.

Pub Of The Year

We love a proper British boozer and VisitEngland has just crowned The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest the best of the bunch.

The Northumberland inn has a knockout menu that sources meat from nearby farms, with star dishes of pigeon pie and Softley Farm lamb loin on the menu.

Visitors can curl up in a cosy corner next to a roaring fire with a wine or local ale.

You can spend the night in one of the upstairs rooms, too.

See theksi.co.uk.

Small Visitor Attraction Of The Year

Fans of fancy, old-fashioned motors won’t want to miss the Morgan Experience in Worcestershire.

There are guided factory tours where visitors can get a good look at Morgan Motor Company vehicles, plus driving experiences that let you get behind the wheel of a heritage car.

Those that don’t feel confident steering themselves can opt to be a passenger while being driven by a trusty professional.

See experience.morgan-motor.com.

Taste Of England Award

Crowned top dog for fine dining, Carriages in Herefordshire will knock your socks off.

Save this for a special occasion, as it’s fancy — think classic British grub that relies on seasonal and local ingredients.

The tasting menu costs a reasonable £80pp and features classy dishes such as asparagus salad with white crab, wild garlic emulsion and chervil vinaigrette, as well as honey-glazed duck breast.

See carriageshereford.co.uk.

June 6 (UPI) — A second case of New World screwworm was confirmed in Texas this week in a one-month old calf nearly six miles from where the first case was detected.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the second confirmed case on Friday, which was detected in Zavala County, Texas, but 5.6 miles away from the first one.

The second case was confirmed just 24 hours after the first, which had been detected in a three-week old calf, and has spurred the USDA to step up surveillance, as well as take other actions to prevent the infestation from spreading.

New World screwworm is spread by flies that lay their eggs in the exposed flesh of living animals — livestock, pets, wildlife and humans are all susceptible — and when the fly larvae, or maggots, emerge from the eggs they burrow through muscle as they grow.

Although screwworm was eradicated from the United States in the 1960s, severe infestations in recent years in Central America slowly moved toward the southern border and was detected here in 2025, according to the USDA.

“With our partners in Texas, we are responding with speed and strength,” the USDA said in a statement about the second case that was posted on X.

“We have defeated this pest before, and we will do it again,” the agency said. “America’s livestock producers have USDA’s FULL support.”

The primary way of controlling the spread of New World screwworm is a combination of trapping flies for testing, implementing detection and quarantine zones where it confirmed, and releasing sterile flies into the area it has been detected to prevent infected insects from reproducing, the agency said.

The USDA has encouraged people in the area of the two cases to check their pets and livestock for draining or enlarging wounds, if not maggots or eggs around bodily opening such as the nose, ears or genitals, or around the navel of newborn animals.

Although screwworm infection in humans is relatively rare, the infestations can happen in ways similar to animals and require immediate medical attention.

Animals at Guadalajara Zoo in Mexico are making their own predictions for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Elephants, gorillas, a puma and giraffes picked winners from a selection of upcoming matches, continuing a World Cup tradition made famous by Paul the Octopus, who correctly predicted 12 of 14 results at the 2010 tournament.

HALF of pet owners plan their entire holiday around their furry friends, a study has revealed.

A poll of 2,000 cat and dog owners found 26 per cent are ditching trips abroad in favour of staying in the UK and taking their pet with them – as stricter rules on pet travel to the EU have recently come into force.

More than half (54 per cent) decide to holiday with their animal offspring because they enjoy their company, while 39 per cent feel happier knowing they’ve given their pet a new experience.

When searching for somewhere to stay, 33 per cent like to ensure there are pet-friendly pubs and restaurants nearby, and 30 per cent will factor in how long the journey is going to be.

In response to these findings, pet food maker Carnilove has opened a pop-up travel agent ‘Pet Set Go’, where owners can get travel tips and advice on travelling with their pet, as a third have previously had to change or cancel a holiday due to a lack of pet-friendly options.

Owners can visit the travel agency at 21 West Street, Chipping Norton until June 4th at 5pm, or explore the five travel guides and expert advice online.

TRAGIC TALE

Heartbroken Angry Ginge reveals family lost THREE pets in mum’s house fire

LIFE OF GRIME

Bodies under rubbish & remains eaten by PETS… my life as crime scene cleaner

Cara Whitehouse, pet travel expert, said: “We’re seeing a massive shift in the UK when it comes to furry friend-friendly holidays.

“Pet parents no longer want a holiday where their pet is just ‘tolerated’ – they’re now at the heart of the adventure.

“By uncovering these incredible ‘hidden gem’ locations, from the sweeping dunes of Anglesey to the rugged, raw plateaus of the Cairngorms, we’re helping owners match destinations to their pet’s unique character.

“As international travel with pets gets tougher, we’re glad to help match more fuss-free destinations to a pet’s requirements to support their natural spirit.”

The study also found the biggest challenges of holidaying with pets include a limited choice of places to eat or drink (19 per cent), and restrictions on beaches, walks or attractions (19 per cent).

Nearly four in 10 (38 per cent) say no additional pet fees would make them more likely to book an animal-included holiday.

Trusted reviews from other owners (34 per cent) and access to pet friendly activities (26 per cent) were also considered important.  

Of those planning a UK holiday with their pet this summer, the Lake District (24 per cent), Yorkshire Dales (21 per cent) and Cornwall (18 per cent) are among the top-rated destinations.

Colin Rodger, managing director at Carnilove, said: “We launched the ‘Pet Set Go’ agency because an active, adventurous life isn’t just a luxury for our pets: it’s a necessity to ignite their true spirit.

“Our research shows that owners are willing to go the extra mile to ensure their four-legged friends are part of the pack, but every great expedition requires the right fuel.

“By pairing our meat-first, potato and grain-free recipes with expert travel advice, we’re helping pet parents support the vitality and natural strength needed for a lifetime of shared memories on the trail.”

The OnePoll.com study also found 54 per cent claim holidaying with their pet gives them both a much-needed wellness boost.

A third even notice a significant boost in their animal’s mood several weeks after returning home, with 30 per cent saying they show more ‘vitality’ or ‘spirit’.

What’s more, 37 per cent of those with kids believe their pet’s needs are just as important as their children’s.

Izzy Judd, a brand partner, said: “Our home is always a bit of a whirlwind with three children, but our pets are such a huge part of our family’s heartbeat.

“We’ve always found that the best way to hit ‘reset’ is to take a trip together, so I’m happy to be part of ‘Pet Set Go’ because I know first-hand the ‘wellness boost’ you get from a shared adventure.

“It isn’t always easy to plan, but fuelling our pets with the right nutrition and being able to take them on our family holidays makes all the difference in creating those special core memories together.”

Opinions are divided on whether dog owners should allow their beloved pets to lick their faces or not – but Springwatch’s Chris Packham has some strong scientific backing for his take

It’s one of those questions that can divide even the closest friends: would you let a dog lick your face? Medical opinions vary.

Professor Graham Roberts, honorary consultant paediatrician in paediatric allergy and respiratory medicine, is quoted in medical journal The Hippocratic Post as saying that that babies brought up in homes with pets are far less likely to suffer from allergies than babies who grow up in pet-free homes. He states: “If you are born into a household where there is a pet, you are less likely to be allergic.”

But others, such as Professor John Oxford, emeritus professor of virology and bacteriology at Queen Mary University of London, is strongly opposed to excessively close contact with dogs.

He points out: “It is not just what is carried in saliva. Dogs spend half of their life with their noses in nasty corners or hovering over dog droppings so their muzzles are full of bacteria, viruses and germs of all sorts.”

But for BBC Springwatch’s Chris Packham, there’s no debate. Speaking on the Oh My Dog podcast, the naturalist told host Jack Dee: “When we cut our finger, what’s the first thing we do? We lick it. And you lick it because there are bacterial fauna in your saliva which have antiseptic and healing properties.”

Similarly, he says, there’s a health benefit to be gained from dogs’ saliva: “In days of old, when they were having medieval battles and doing unspeakable things to one another with swords, there were a lot of wounded people and they would allow the camp dogs to come and lick their wounds. They discovered that if the dog was licking the wound… it would be less less likely to get infected.”

All domestic dogs are ultimately descended from wolves, and Chris says that while a small amount of a dog’s saliva can be good for us, wolves’ saliva has even more healing power: “I’ve been licked by wolves, been kissed by wolves,” he says, “and they have even cleaner, or bacteriologically richer, saliva than than dogs.” They’ve never been treated with antibiotics or other medicines that might compromise their natural state, he says.

Chris adds that when wolves lick each other, it’s part of ensuring the survival of the pack: “When wolves go back to their their den, in order to carry the food which they may have caught many kilometres away, they eat it and swallow it, and partially digest it.

“So when they get back to the den, the pups lick their lips and that stimulates the adult wolves to regurgitate the food.”

“Now obviously,” Chris adds, “dogs have lost that habit – they don’t regurgitate for their young. But that licking is retained into adulthood in dogs because it’s a greeting.”

Similarly, he adds, when dogs eat each other’s poo, there is a valid reason for it. While it might seem disgusting to us – providing support for the opponents of face-licking – this also dates back to wolf behaviour.

“Research has been done recently in California,” Chris explains, “which shows that they will only eat faeces that are between one and two or three days old.”

Chris adds: “It was a relic to wolf behaviour. Because adult wolves will come back and eat all of the faeces in the den area when they’ve got cubs… because it’s a way of reducing parasite load because the eggs of those parasites are in the faeces, and they don’t want their young to get them.

“So that apparently appalling behaviour, because everyone’s nauseated by the fact that their dog eats other dogs’ faeces, that comes from the wolf and it’s about reducing parasites.”

May 25 (UPI) — A World Surfing League event was temporarily suspended on Monday after a photographer in the water suffered an animal bite to his foot.

The photographer, identified as Australian Ed Sloane, suffered what WSL described in a statement as “a wildlife injury” Monday morning while photographing a surfing heat from the waters near Raglan in northwestern New Zealand.

WSL Commissioner Renato Hickel said in an Instagram story that Sloane was transported to a hospital in stable condition. In an update, Hickel said Sloane was in “great spirits” and that following consultations with the competing surfers and other stakeholders, it was decided that the competition would restart at 1:05 p.m. NZST.

In the event broadcast, streamed live on YouTube, Hickel said WSL activated what he called a code red, halting the heat and clearing the water.

“He’s well considering what happened,” he said, describing the injury as “minor, small puncture wounds.”

He added that officials were unsure if the animal responsible was a shark or sea lion, though they were inclined to think it was a sea lion.

“Nevertheless, very scary,” he said.

Sloane said in a written statement read during WSL’s broadcast and later published to WSL’s Instagram story, that he was bitten on the foot and was receiving medical attention.

“Massive thank you to our water patrol for the quick response, our medical team and all the support from our teams for the immediate assistance I received,” he said.

“I love this place and can’t wait to watch an epic Finals Day.”

Sloane was shooting the final day of the New Zealand Pro.

Hickel said heightened wildlife surveillance, including jet skis, drones and spotters, would be put in place when the competition resumed.

There’s over 260 species and tickets are super affordable

Nestled within the picturesque Oxfordshire countryside, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens is amongst the finest zoos I’ve visited across the UK. Recently, it was named Britain’s top zoo in a nationwide survey assessing everything from species diversity to visitor experience and value for money. As someone who adores discovering the Cotswolds, I was thrilled to explore what this attraction had in store.

From the moment you enter, there’s an unmistakable sense that considerable care has gone into creating an environment where both creatures and guests feel comfortable. Spread across 160 acres of parkland and gardens, the setting is serene and calming — ideal for a leisurely, unhurried visit.

The park features more than 260 species, all living in generous, naturalistic habitats that blend harmoniously with the surroundings. As you stroll through, you’ll come across magnificent animals from across the globe.

These include giraffes, white rhinos, lemurs, Asiatic lions, Humboldt penguins and red pandas.

Every creature appears content and well cared for, a perception supported by the park’s impressive visitor reviews and numerous recent accolades for animal welfare and guest satisfaction.

One of the highlights during my trip was the giraffe feeding experience, a special encounter available to book as an additional activity.

Coming face-to-face with these magnificent, gentle giants proved truly memorable, while the keeper shared captivating insights about their habits, nutrition and conservation efforts. It proved both educational and enchanting to observe their lengthy eyelashes and tongues at such proximity.

Despite ranking among the UK’s premier wildlife attractions, the park never seemed crowded or hurried.

The gardens and gently undulating lawns provided numerous places to pause, unwind and appreciate the natural surroundings.

Part of what earned the park its best zoo accolade is its outstanding value for money.

Standard day admission costs roughly £19 for adults and £13.50 for youngsters aged three to 16, with marginally reduced online rates available when purchased in advance.

Little ones under three enter free, and parking is included with admission.

Given the grounds’ size, the standard of animal welfare, and the variety of experiences available, I found this remarkably fair, particularly when compared with other UK wildlife venues.

Whether you’re passionate about wildlife or a family seeking a memorable day out, Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens delivers on every front.

Its combination of landscape, immersive encounters and diversity of species makes this among the finest experiences I’ve ever enjoyed.

If you’re considering a trip, reserve your tickets in advance, allow yourself time to wander at your own pace, and be sure to greet the giraffes.

May 24 (UPI) — The second fatal shark attack in less than two weeks in Australia has claimed the life of a 39-year-old man who was out spearfishing with friends at the Great Barrier Reef, authorities said Sunday.

Queensland Police identified the victim as a resident of Mount Sheridan, Australia, a suburb of Cairns, who died from a critical head injury inflicted by a bull shark while boating with three companions at Kennedy Shoal along the Barrier Reef on Saturday.

The fisherman was killed only eight days after a Perth man was fatally attacked by a shark while spearfishing in the water at a tourism hotspot in Western Australia.

Queensland Police Inspector Elaine Burns told reporters during a briefing Sunday the victim was hauled back onto his 23-foot boat by his friends, who then raced to shore in an attempt to save his life.

They were met by first responders at the Hull River boat ramp but it was too late.

“This is a tragic incident for everyone involved, and we will continue to provide support to the family and those who were on board with him,” Burns said, adding that the witnesses were deeply shaken by what they had seen.

“That’s quite a terrifying thing to see happen right in front of you,” she said.

Bob Katter, who represents the far northern Queensland district in Australia’s Parliament, took to social media to decry the latest shark fatality and called for the seaborne predators to be culled.

“This is a completely unnecessary heartbreaking tragedy, and all North Queensland mourns with this family tonight,” he wrote. “We understand there be more clarity over the coming days about what eventuated, but locals have been raising concerns about the exploding shark populations, particularly bull sharks, which are completely out of control, for years.”

Katter cited a local charter boat operator who told him that as they were reeling in a Spanish mackerel, six bull sharks began fighting over it.

“So much for them being a so-called endangered species,” he said, adding, “Another North Queenslander is dead. Another family is shattered. And still the people sitting in cushy air conditioned offices in Brisbane and Canberra think they know better than the people who live and work in these waters.”

But Richard Fitzpatrick, a marine biologist with James Cook University in Cairns, cautioned that the true size of the bull shark population remains unknown.

“We don’t know the population structure for these sharks at all,” he told 7News Australia. “We simply do not know how many are out there,” he added, noting that the school and government partners are only just now about to launch the first comprehensive bull shark population study covering Australia’s entire East Coast.

The pooled data sets will allow researchers to “finally work out what that population structure is.”

BEIRUT, Lebanon, May 22 (UPI) — Lebanon’s agriculture sector emerged as another victim of Israel’s widespread attacks across southern Lebanon, damaging vast areas of farmland, displacing the majority of the region’s farmers and threatening the country’s food security, economic resilience and cultural identity.

The sector, which is key to Lebanon’s economy and plays a vital role in sustaining rural communities and preserving cultural traditions, had not yet recovered from the impacts of the 2023-2024 war between Hezbollah and Israel when it was again hit by resumed hostilities in March.

The fresh escalation severely disrupted farming activities, with an estimated 22.5% of agricultural areas (56,264 hectares) damaged, including farms and greenhouses, and nearly 80% of farmers (more than 6,593) displaced and unable to access their land due to Israeli military activities, according to an updated report released by the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture on May 5.

The report indicated that the most affected crops in the south are bananas (95%), citrus trees (97%), olives (91%) and small-scale farming, which accounts for 80% of Lebanon’s total agricultural area.

Moreover, more than 1.8 million heads of livestock (cows, goats, sheep and poultry), 29,121 beehives, and 2,030 tons of fish have been lost.

Nizar Hani, the minister of agriculture, said the sector suffered its biggest losses compared with previous wars, adding that agricultural losses have doubled since the March 2 escalation to about $1.5 billion, out of an estimated total war damage that exceeds $20 billion.

Hani said Israel is establishing a buffer zone in southern Lebanon “empty of any life, where no one can pass through, hide or live,” through destruction of entire villages, properties, orchards and olive trees.

He said southern Lebanon produces 70% of the country’s citrus fruits and 90% of its bananas, supplying the local market and exporting to neighboring countries such as Syria, Jordan and Iraq.

And he told UPI that the heavy agricultural losses, inflation, and resulting job losses had a direct impact on food security, with 24% of people living in Lebanon — including Syrian displaced persons, Palestinian refugees and others — requiring immediate assistance.

According to an analysis by the Agriculture Ministry, in collaboration with the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme, 1.24 million people were expected to face food insecurity between April and August 2026, marking a significant increase from the November 2025-March 2026 period, when an estimated 874,000 people experienced acute food insecurity.

Nora Ourabah Haddad, the Food and Agriculture Organization representative in Lebanon, warned that damage to irrigation systems, productive infrastructure, livestock systems and agricultural supply chains is further weakening local production capacity.

Haddad referred to substantial declines in the production of milk, meat, eggs and honey after 1,600 farms were affected and more than 1.8 million animals killed during the war.

She said the scale of the damage is “extremely serious” and extends far beyond the affected agricultural land that included some of the country’s most productive farming areas.

“What is at stake today is Lebanon’s capacity to sustain local food production, protect rural livelihoods and preserve the resilience of its agrifood systems at a time when the country is already heavily dependent on food imports and facing severe economic pressures,” she told UPI in an interview.

Haddad said food prices rose by 8.4% in the first quarter of 2026, while transport costs increased by 21%, adding that higher fuel and logistics costs expected to continue to drive up prices.

This time, farmers fear prolonged displacement after being forced to leave their land and homes under Israeli evacuation orders in early March — as many were preparing for the planting season.

Hussein Salameh, head of an agriculture cooperative in the Bint Jbeil-Marjeyoun area, recalled how they fled without having time to take any belongings, move their cows away or release them.

Salameh, an inhabitant of the village of Aitaroun, said the displaced farmers mostly feel “frustrated and abandoned” after exhausting their savings on working their land and repairing their damaged homes when they first returned after the Nov. 27, 2024, cease-fire.

He noted that Hezbollah did not provide them then with any financial assistance, saying it no longer had the funds to do so.

Unlike other displaced employees or skilled workers who could still find work in their areas of refuge, they have lost their only source of livelihood away from their land, he said.

“This is a big tragedy. … Farmers have only their land to live on and survive,” he told UPI.

The fear is that when farmers remain separated from their land, livestock and livelihoods for extended periods, many gradually lose the ability to sustain themselves and may eventually abandon agriculture altogether, Haddad warned.

Helping farmers protect what remains of their livelihoods by providing emergency agricultural support and restoring the country’s agricultural capacity before losses become “irreversible” were emerging priorities for the Food and Agriculture Organization, she said.

However, soil contamination presents another major concern after Lebanon and international rights groups accused Israel of unlawfully using white phosphorus and the herbicide glyphosate during its attacks on southern Lebanon, destroying crops and damaging beehives and livestock.

“This is an international environmental crime,” Hani said, adding that Israel “sprayed everything with glyphosate.”

The destruction and uprooting of old olive trees — some of which have been cultivated and preserved across generations, and in some cases for centuries — was equally painful.

“It is the loss of a living heritage … olive trees are deeply connected to family history, local traditions, food culture and rural economies,” Haddad said, adding that their destruction carries not only economic consequences, but also profound social and cultural impacts on farming communities.

Restoration is possible, but it requires time as newly planted trees require many years before becoming fully productive.

“Some of these ancient olive trees may also contain unique genetic heritage that has adapted to local environmental conditions over centuries, making parts of this loss potentially irreversible from a biodiversity perspective,” Haddad said.

Even if hostilities were to stop today, recovery in southern Lebanon’s agriculture sector would not be immediate and would require extensive international funding and support.

Farmers would also need time to recover from the “deep psychological impact” of being uprooted from their land, after their “cultural and environmental values” were destroyed, according to Hani.

To Salameh, Israel was not just targeting Hezbollah but carrying out what he described as “collective punishment” against everyone living in the south, including those opposed to the Iran-backed group.

“Would such collective punishment ensure security for Israel? Would that bring peace?” he asked.

EVERYONE loves a family day out, but let’s face it, everything is better when it’s free.

The much-loved Cotswold Farm Park run by Countryfile’s Adam Henson, has scooped up a Tripadvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for the last 15 years.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel.

To celebrate, the attraction is offering free tickets to children, toddlers and babies.

The T&Cs are that it’s one complimentary ticket to each paying adult and or senior guest, and the offer is only running until the end of May.

Families can take advantage of the offer through May half-term and on the bank holiday (but make sure to book in advance).

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The farm park is open seven days a week with plenty of activities to enjoy from feeding time with lambs and baby goats to jumping on its bouncy castle and trying out the zip wire.

When it comes to animals, visitors can get up close and personal with lots of breeds.

There’s Gillie the Jersey Cow, Marge the Middle White Pig, and Attenborough the Highland bull calf.

Feeding sessions with some of the youngest animals happen twice daily at 11.30AM and 3.30PM with lambs and baby goats.

There’s also a chance to watch chicks hatch as well as meet guinea pigs, rabbits and ducklings.

When it comes to playtime, children can head into the Adventure Barn – which is perfect for rainy days with didi cars and soft play.

Outside children can jump up and down on bouncy pillows, go on swings, zip wire, pedal tractors, explore the sandpit and climbing frame.

There’s a wooded area for bird-spotting and bee hive to take a look at too.

Between May 23 and May 31 the farm is celebrating Bee Wild Week with new activities like daily talks from the farm’s beekeeper-in-training.

When it’s time to eat, head to The Ox Shed Restaurant for all-day dining from breakfast to dinner, and pizza evenings every Saturday night.

Families from further afield can book to stay on-site at the campsites.

It has tent pitches to glamping tents, luxury lodges and new cabins.

A one-night stay on a grass tent pitch with electric starts from £67.

Head of Sun Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire visited the farm park last year, she said: “Spring is easily the best time to visit any farm in the UK, as new lambs, chicks, calves and piglets all arrive noisily on the scene.

“Inside the Discovery Barn, which teaches children all about farm animals, my five-year-old son petted chicks and baby rabbits, and was lucky enough to see a lamb being born.

“We refuelled at the on-site Ox Shed restaurant, dining on burgers and loaded salads, washed down with apple juice and a glass of Adam Henson’s own pale ale for me.”

May 18 (UPI) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday restricted non-U.S. passport holders from entering the United States if they have been in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or South Sudan in the past 21 days.

The agency made the announcement as there have at least 346 cases and 88 deaths in the DRC, on top of several cases that have been confirmed in nearby nations in people who been there, the CDC said over the weekend.

The CDC said that is coordinating with various agencies and companies to manage travelers who have been exposed to Ebola as it also deploys employees to support containment of the outbreak in the three nations.

“CDC assess the immediate risk to the general U.S. public as low, but we will continue to evaluate the evolving situation and may adjust public health measures as additional information becomes available,” the agency said in a situation summary.

In the last five days, the World Health Organization confirmed that the Ebola virus circulating in the three countries right now is the Bundibuyo virus, one of four known strains that have affected humans since Ebola was discovered in mid-1970s.

Although there is an approved, licensed vaccine against Ebola which has successfully been used to quell outbreaks, the vaccine — called Ervebo — only protects against acquisition of the Zaire species of Ebola virus, making it useless in the current outbreak, according to the CDC.

WHO on Saturday declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

In its update, WHO said that there are “significant uncertainties to the true number of infected persons and geographic spread associated with this event at the present time. In addition, there is limited understanding of the epidemiologic links with known or suspected cases.”

Ebola spreads from wild animals to humans and from human to human through direct contact with blood or other bodily fluids from infected individuals, and carries a case fatality rate of roughly 50%.

A number of affected Americans have reportedly been exposed to the virus during the outbreak.

The CDC has recommended that people who have traveled through the two countries in the last 21 days should immediately seek medical attention if they develop Ebola symptoms, which can include fever, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea or unexplained bleeding.

In addition to roughly 30 CDC employees dispatched to the region, and will join officials from several other global and regional health agencies, the WHO is expected to convene an emergency committee to advise the agency’s director-general on its response the outbreak.

REMOTE, rugged, and refreshingly underrated, Montenegro doesn’t scream and shout for your attention.

Everyone goes wild for Croatia’s polished reputation when planning their summer travels, but that comes with a conveyor belt of tourists pottering through various old towns and restaurants lining the Adriatic Sea.

An understated alternative, Montenegro is every bit as beautiful, but far less busy.

Explore further and you’ll find an abundance of great food and adventure without needing to reserve any sun loungers or doing serious damage to your bank balance.

Little but lovely, this country in the Balkans is one of Europe’s most unsung, and you should go before others catch on.

On the way through various towns, you won’t find any attempts to cater for mass tourism, a testament to their “Polako, Polako” approach to life, which translates as “slowly, slowly”.

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Nothing reflects that more than McDonald’s attempt to crack the market in the country.

The fast-food giants opened a restaurant that was so unsuccessful they quickly closed it — the people here prefer to eat locally.

Surprisingly, while the culture and people are beautiful, warm and welcoming, they’re far from the standout feature of this stunning country.

Variety is perhaps the word that describes it better than any other.

In a matter of hours, you can go from ski slopes to beach sun lounger — and that’s without considering its stunning lakes.

Montenegro is not somewhere you go to sit still for a week, although you could. It’s somewhere you must explore.

For me, the best way to ease into the “Polako Polako” way of life was on a boat trip through Lake Skadar.

Getting there is an experience in itself. Winding along one-track roads, we arrive in the village of Rijeka Crnojevica.

Clambering aboard a local’s traditional wooden boat, we glide silently along narrow channels lined with towering reeds.

As we emerge into the open water, the lake reveals its true scale, a shimmering body of water framed by the dramatic, jagged peaks of the Albanian Alps on one side and the rolling green hills of Montenegro on the other.

Keeping our eyes peeled — it’s a sanctuary for more than 280 species of birds — we attempt to spot the rare Dalmatian pelican, known to perch on the ruins of the 19th-century Lesendro Fortress.

The rare bird evades us, although we do spot a lone heron and plenty of other birds chirp overhead.

Looking at the almost turquoise waters, you see colours you would expect in the Maldives or Australia — not somewhere less than a three-hour Jet2 flight from Stansted.

The lake tour is around two and a half hours.

For couples, it’s an easy win: Relaxed, scenic, and just enough activity to feel like you’ve done something with your day.

After the cruise, a simple lunch of freshly prepared local fish rounds things off, and every bite tastes as fresh as the water we’ve been floating through.

That sense of authenticity carries through to the food more broadly, and nowhere is that clearer than at one of the country’s traditional olive farms.

Moric Olive Farm on the Lustica Peninsula is a perfect example and the journey there takes us past wild pomegranate trees, dry stone walls and into the silver-green olive groves.

We are welcomed by Ilija Moric, whose family has tended the trees for eight generations.

His passion is obvious as he takes us through the farm’s history, showing us the contrast between the ancient stone mill where donkeys once turned the heavy wheels to the shiny, modern organic production they use today.

If Lake Skadar is about slowing down, Montenegro’s vast black mountains are where the country comes to life.

Paved roads give way to rugged tracks, and the scenery becomes more dramatic with every turn, revealing sweeping viewpoints, scattered churches perched in improbable locations, and a sense of isolation that feels both exciting and grounding.

Exploring this landscape on foot, stopping to take in the silence or to light a candle and say a prayer in a small, weathered church, adds a layer of depth to the experience.

Rarely does a destination manage to balance contrast so well, moving seamlessly between rustic and refined, active and relaxed, without ever feeling disjointed, and it’s that consistency of variety that makes Montenegro so worth visiting.

Our base was the 4H Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, set right on the edge of the bay.

There’s an underground tunnel connecting the hotel with its private shingle beach, and the hotel itself features two pools including a vast, heated infinity pool overlooking the bay.

There’s three restaurants on site but it is just a 15-minute drive to the medieval maze of Kotor’s Old Town.

For couples searching for a summer escape that delivers on scenery, activity and atmosphere without the crowds or price tag of more established hotspots, Montenegro makes a strong case as the quieter, more affordable alternative to Croatia.

UK couple Mike Lucas and Emily Gillingham have been travelling around New Zealand and Australia for the past four years

A British couple have revealed how they slashed £20,000 from hotel costs while travelling.

Mike Lucas, 33, and his partner Emily Gillingham, 32, have spent the last four years discovering New Zealand and Australia, barely spending anything on accommodation. To achieve this, the resourceful pair house-sat for people – occasionally for months on end – which meant they avoided paying for hotels and Airbnbs.

They utilised the platform Trusted House Sitters, a site where property and pet owners seek individuals to care for their homes and animals while they’re away. The duo, originally from Edinburgh in Scotland and Southwell, Nottinghamshire, resided in 13 properties across both nations during their initial 18-month journey and still rely on the service for weekend getaways.

Mike said: “It was a game-changer for us because when we first arrived in New Zealand, we didn’t know how long we were going to stay. It allowed us to maximise our budget and made our travels more fruitful, fun and sustainable.

“We have looked after all kinds of pets, including dogs, cats and chickens. It also made the country feel more accessible and slowed down the pace of travel. You see and do things you wouldn’t if you were to stay in a hotel.”

The pair have been house-sitting since November 2022, when they first touched down in New Zealand after leaving their well-paid positions as a client accountant and research director. They discovered the website Trusted House Sitters through Emily’s parents, who rely on the service to ensure their dog, Monty, is well cared for whenever they head away.

Mike said: “We had a strict budget and were looking at ways to save money so we could make it last as long as possible and extend our stay.”

Mike explained that they got in touch with a dog owner on the website and, as luck would have it, the couple agreed to let them stay in their two-bed detached house in Waikanae, north of Wellington, for three weeks over the Christmas period – provided they looked after their two-year-old Boxer-cross.

The keen traveller said: “How it works is you have to send a cover letter, almost like a job application saying why you would be a good fit for the house and giving a little bit of detail about yourself. The owner will then read it and reach out to you if they are interested.

“For this particular house, they asked if we could jump on a video call so they could meet us. Then the day before they left for America, we stayed over at the house with them, and they talked us through the dogs’ routine and if there was anything we needed to know about the property. And that was it, they gave us the keys, and we were left with this lovely house.”

From there, the pair ventured across the country, taking in Auckland and Tauranga — spending a remarkable three months in the beach suburb of Sumner, in Christchurch. Throughout the journey, the couple enjoyed free accommodation for 328 days and, according to Mike, this saved them roughly £20,000 compared to what they would have spent on one-bed Airbnbs over the same period.

They continue house-sitting to this day, having since relocated to Melbourne, Australia, where they rent a flat, yet still take on pet-sitting arrangements to explore the country during weekend getaways. The couple also revealed the experience helped them identify what their “ideal” home would look like, drawing small touches of inspiration from every property they stayed in.

They also make use of house-sitting when heading back to the UK to see family. Though Mike stresses that living in somebody else’s home is nothing like a hotel or Airbnb — you must treat it with “respect”.

He said: “It isn’t the same as a hotel, as it is someone’s personal living space. I have heard some horror stories from previous people we have stayed with, as I guess some people forget that boundary.

“They are putting a lot of trust in you to look after their pet and home. Luckily nothing has ever gone wrong in the houses we have stayed in – the worst we have done is break a glass, but we just told them and made sure to replace it. In the days before we leave, we always give the house a deep clean, leaving it spotless for the owner.”

When they couldn’t find a new property to move into once their stay had come to an end, Mike explained they would crash in Airbnbs, camp, or bunk down in hostels until they secured a new sit that fitted their schedule. Mike acknowledged that landing stays can be tough at times, noting that you’re up against at least three other applicants, with even stiffer competition depending on the location or the appeal of the property.

He said: “A key part is balancing timing and detail. The earlier you are to apply, the higher the chance you’ll have of securing the sit.

“However, tailoring the application to the individual is equally as important to stand out from the crowd. I couldn’t recommend it enough.

“At some of the houses we stayed at for over a month we felt we became part of the community and got to know people. We have also stayed friends with a number of the people we house-sat for and they now come to us and ask if we can come back to sit again, which is really nice.”

Looking ahead, the couple say they hope to travel around Europe, America and beyond using the platform.