Animals

China promises pandas for the U.S. on the 45th anniversary of the two nations' ties
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the United States and China must insist on peaceful coexistence and promised that giant pandas would return to the U.S. — specifically California — by year end.
Forbidden catch, happy ending: Minnesota trapper uses CPR to save wayward marten
A northern Minnesota trapper recently took the unusual step of giving CPR to an animal caught in a trap. A Department of Natural Resources conservation officer helped release the revived and “very angry” pine marten.
Champion musher reacts to 2024 Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon cancellation
Musher Erin Aili and her husband Keith Aili have both won Beargrease along with their award-winning Alaskan Husky sled dogs, who have been diligently training for the race until this disappointing turn of events.
Amid ongoing lack of snow, Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon organizers cancel this winter's race
Organizers of northeast Minnesota’s annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon have canceled this winter’s race, amid an unseasonably warm winter and the ongoing lack of snow.
Historic wimpy winter challenges small businesses, outdoor enthusiasts
The historically warm and snow-free winter thus far across Minnesota is disheartening to skiers, snowmobilers and ice anglers. And it is taking a toll on small businesses that depend on those winter outdoor enthusiasts.
Getting dirty: No snow means messy training for dog sled mushers
This season’s utter lack of snow is making for some tricky — and muddy — training for musher Erin Altemus, her husband and their 30 sled dogs. The couple is hoping to race in their first Iditarod in March.
From roadkill to research: Collect dead wildlife to help science
A new statewide network is launching in Minnesota with a goal to create a large database to track ecosystem changes and monitor environmental health into the future.