Cher Helps Save “World’s Loneliest Elephant,” Turtle with an Exposed Heart is Thriving, and Man Rescues Dogs that Nobody Wants: Top 10 Animal Stories of 2020

2020 has been quite the year. Amidst all the anxiety, grief, anger, and confusion that accompany a global pandemic, there were also some beautiful, joyful moments that brought people hope. We often share heartbreaking news about animals to bring awareness to how they are exploited in our society; however, we love being able to share happy animal stories too.

As we enter into a new year, we thought it would be nice to look back at some of the animal stories that inspired us, warmed our hearts, and brought us a little joy during the past year. We hope you enjoy reading the top animal stories of 2020 just as much as we did:

1. Cher Visits Pakistan to Help Save ‘World’s Loneliest Elephant’

At the end of November, Cher traveled to Pakistan to meet and work with Four Paws to rescue Kaavan, “the world’s loneliest elephant.” After living in small zoo enclosures for his whole life and living alone since 2012 when his partner died, Kaavan was sent to a sanctuary in Cambodia. He’s adjusting to his new life and even made a new friend! After this amazing rescue, Cher is working to save Bua Noi, a gorilla that has spent almost all of her life in a cage in a Bangkok shopping mall.

2. Celebrity Cat Named Mittens Competes for New Zealander of the Year Award!

https://twitter.com/Xaphriel/status/1232748132938612736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1232748132938612736%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.onegreenplanet.org%2Fanimalsandnature%2Fcelebrity-cat-named-mittens-competes-for-new-zealander-of-the-year-award%2F

When Mittens, A.K.A. His Royal Floofiness, first started roaming around Wellington, people thought that he might be a stray but soon realized that he just likes to wander and meet new people – and they love to meet him too! He now has over 65,000 followers on Facebook, and locals often share photos of him on social media. Mittens was even in the running for New Zealander of the Year against Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, among others. This special cat is quite the celebrity and is proof of how much joy these animals can bring into our lives!

3. 17 Big Cats Rescued From Circus Arrive at a Sanctuary in South Africa!

Source: VOA News/Youtube

Big cats became a hot topic of conversation this year, mostly due to the Netflix documentary, Tiger King. The show garnered a lot of attention this year and while many only focused on the eccentric characters and conspiracies about them, the documentary also showed the extremely sad reality of big cat ownership in the US. While this terrible reality for big cats dominated the media and is super important to talk about, there are still countless happy stories of big cats from this year as well. Joe Exotic and other Tiger King stars, Doc Antle, Jeffrey Lowe, and Tim Stark, have all faced lawsuits, and the Big Cat Sanctuary was granted ownership of Joe Exotic’s zoo. Furthermore, in early December, the Big Cat Public Safety passed the House of Congress! At the beginning of 2020, 17 big cats arrived at their new home at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa! They suffered for years at circuses in Guatemala but in 2018, a ban on wild animals in circuses came into effect. In January 2020, Animal Defenders International was finally able to relocate these big cats so they could enjoy the rest of their lives in a peaceful natural setting.

4. Over a Hundred Beached Whales Saved by Local Rescuers in Sri Lanka

Source: Reuters/Youtube

On November 2nd, around 100 whales were found stranded on a beach in Sri Lanka. Without help from rescuers, these poor animals didn’t stand a chance. Naval personnel directed the rescue efforts that included coast guard, naval teams, lifeguards, police, and volunteer rescuers. They worked through the night and saved over 100 whales! It’s truly amazing to watch all of these people come together to save so many whales in need.

5. Hope, the Turtle Born with an Exposed Heart Beating Outside Her Body is Thriving Against All Odds

Source: The Dodo/YouTube

Sometimes the obstacles in our lives feel impossible to overcome. Those are the moments when we need a little extra inspiration and hope. When Mike first learned about a little turtle with an exposed heart, he took her in knowing that hat keeping her healthy would be difficult. At first, the turtle, whom he named Hope, was around the size of a coin and couldn’t see well. Mike had to give her special care, feeding her with tongs, and making sure the water was always clean and at the proper temperature. After a year and a half of Mike’s attentive care, Hope has grown so much! She is thriving and still growing. She’s even playful and gets excited when Mike gets home. This video will no doubt bring a smile to your face and give you a little extra hope.

6. Piglet Who Fell off Truck and Cow Rescued From Dairy Farm Become Each Other’s New Family

Source: Joanna Zelman/The Dodo/Youtube

When Marley was still a baby, she fell off of a factory farm truck and was taken to a local animal shelter. While falling off a truck is obviously very traumatizing and scary, it was the best thing that could have happened to the sweet piglet. She was taken in by Sisu Refuge Sanctuary and started recovering. Once Marley was strong enough, they made arrangements for her to go to Critter Creek Farm Sanctuary in Florida. However, Marley wouldn’t be going alone. Eli, a calf born to a dairy cow, would be joining her. Marley and Eli were taken from their mothers at such a young age and needed some companionship, which is exactly what they found in each other. When they arrived at the sanctuary, they could finally run free! Although they both became friends with so many animals of different species and their own, Marley and Eli are still closely bonded. The love that they share for each other is undeniable.

7. Man Takes Care of Emaciated Chimps Abandoned After Being Animal-Tested on an Island in Liberia

Source: The Humane Society of the United States/Youtube

 During the 1970s, scientists at the New York Blood Center conducted tests on chimps to find a cure for Hepatitis B. Once their funds ran out, the chimps were abandoned on an island in Liberia, which now is the home to around 60 chimps and called “Monkey Island.” They can’t survive in the wild on their own, but fortunately, a man named Joseph Thomas and his team feed them daily with Support from Humane Society International. With so many animals subject to horrible, pointless experiments every day, we’re glad to know that these chimps are finally free and under the care of such a kind man.

8. Real Life Animal Hero Adopts 13 Dogs No One Wanted

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Steve Greig (@wolfgang2242)

When Steve Greig’s dog passed away, he decided to adopt a new pet to help him through his grief. Upon arrival at a shelter, he asked for a dog that no one else wanted to adopt and they brought over gave Eeyore, a 12-year-old Chihuahua with health problems, including bad knees and a heart murmur. Greig soon returned with the same request and eventually, he ended up giving 13 dogs in old age and with health issues a home! He really is a hero and we’re so glad that he was able to give these pups their forever home!

9. Beluga Whales Named Little Grey and Little White are Finally Free After Being Transported from an Aquarium to a Sanctuary!

Source: ITV News

Whales and other marine animals in aquariums are often taken from their families and kept in tiny tanks that are way too small to meet their needs. The stress that this unnatural environment causes can often lead animals to experience deteriorating mental and physical self.  A few months ago, Little Grey and Little White, two beluga whales that had previously lived at a Chinese aquarium for 8 years arrived at an eight-acre sanctuary in Iceland. Now they can finally enjoy the ocean and live out their lives in peace.

10. Criminal Minds Actor Daniel Henney Adopts Sweet Pup Rescued from South Korean Dog Meat Farm

Source: The Humane Society of the United States/Youtube

There were so many great stories about dogs that were rescued from the dog meat trade this year and found their forever homes! One of these stories involved Criminal Minds’ actor Daniel Henney!  He adopted Juliette, a golden retriever that was rescued from a South Korean dog meat farm by Humane Society International (HSI). Henney said in an emailed statement, “When I first met Juliette, it was love at first sight. She completely and totally melted my heart and she has become such an amazing member of our family. Considering what she’s had to live through, she’s so gentle and sweet, so patient. But there are thousands of other dogs just like Juliette living in cages on dog meat farms who need our help and that’s why I’m supporting HSI’s mission to end the suffering. I consider myself very lucky to have gotten Juliette; she is an angel; an absolutely wonderful dog and she’s fit into the family like a Lego. Not only has it helped her but it’s helped us so much. Roscoe is so full of life now because he has this new sister and they are absolutely inseparable! They go everywhere together – they play together, they eat together, they sleep on top of each other. It’s been a wonderful experience.”

Related Content:

• 15 Heartwarming Animal Success Stories of 2019 that Will Inspire You to Make a Difference in the New Year!
• 10 Wildlife Videos Caught on Camera and Tips on How to Safely Handle Wild Animal Encounters
• 10 Survival Stories of Dogs Who Overcame Horrific Abuse and Learned to Love Again!
• 10 Heartbreaking Videos of Sea Animals Harmed by Plastic Pollution

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Also, don’t forget to download the Food Monster App on iTunes — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest meatless, vegan and allergy-friendly recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!