SeaWorld releases warmed-up manatees

SeaWorld’s Manatee Rescue Team released a female manatee and her calf –- cold stress survivors of Florida’s unseasonably frigid and prolonged winter –- into the waters of North Palm Beach, Fla. today.
They were the first two manatees to return to the wild after SeaWorld performed seven cold-weather related rescues during a two-week span in January. Dewey (9 feet long, 895 lbs) and her calf Barros (4 feet long, 205 lbs) were rescued from a canal in Vero Beach, Fla. on Friday, January 22. They spent the last five weeks recovering at SeaWorld’s Manatee Rehabilitation Center where they were warmed up and treated by park veterinarians and animal care specialists.

Dogs scream for “Yoghund”

(NECN) – People in New England are among the top consumers of ice cream in the country.

So of course, we want frozen desserts for our dogs too.

And we’ve got it.

It’s called Yoghund and it’s a totally organic, frozen yogurt for your dog.

Joining Vicki Croke with more is Jody Rodgers, the creator of Yoghund.

Delicious dog treats

(NECN) – On the Secret Life of Animals, we continue our focus on food with the secret to baking up your own delicious dog treats.

Lisa Makrinikolas is the owner of My Dog Ate it Catering, but you can also find her behind the bakery counter at the Especially for Pets store in Newton Massachusetts.

Lisa helps Vicki cook up some treats

Tips on reading nutrition labels on pet foods

(NECN) – So how do you go about reading between the lines of the nutrition label on pet foods?

Dr. Martha Smith of the Animal Rescue League of Boston joins Vicki Croke on the Secret Life of Animals with some tips.

Choosing a good, low calorie food for pets

(NECN) – You’re not going to want to miss a word of this next segment.

Just as many of us scrutinize the nutrition labels on our food — a veterinarian and nutritionist here in new england is doing the same for pet food.

Dr. Lisa Freeman of the Cummings School of veterinary medicine at Tufts University is the author of a new study on pet foods labeled “light” or *low-calorie.*

And her findings, may shock you.
There is huge variation in the calorie content of these foods and get this: some would even cause your dog or cat to gain weight if you dished it out according the package’s instructions.

Considering that 50 % of American pets may be overweight, and that extra pounds can cause a cascade of health problems.

Dr. Freeman joins the Secret Life of Animals to tell Vicki more about these findings and how you as consumers can choose a good, low-calorie food for our pets.

The secret life of chinchillas

(NECN) – So you thought you knew chinchillas?

Guess again.

From their dental dynamics to their Olympic-worthy leaps in the air.

Vicki Croke has got the the full scoop on the secret life of these amazing little rodents.

Bomb-sniffing dog gets military medal

(NECN/SKY/MoD) – A British Labrador, whose bomb-sniffing exploits helped save lives in Afghanistan, was awarded a medal for canine courage in a ceremony at London’s Imperial War Museum on Wednesday. Eight-year-old Treo joins a menagerie of heroic animals honored over the years with a special award known as the Dicken medal.

The others include 32 pigeons, three horses and a cat. The military nominated Treo for the prize in recognition of his help uncovering a series of Taliban bombs during his time serving in Helmand Province, an insurgency hot spot, in 2008.

SeaWorld in studio

Planning a family vacation this spring? Check out some of the animals you’ll find at SeaWorld – on The Secret Life of Animals!

To learn more about how you can plan a trip to any of SeaWorld’s three locations, just log on to their Web site:
http://www.seaworld.com/

New mag on tails that wag

Take a break from the gossip magazines and check out the latest offering that has tongues wagging among dog owners.
“Doggie Aficiionado” may just be the new “Vanity Fair” for the canine set – featuring dog lovers like Martha Stewart and “Twilight” star Kellan Lutz. It’s also chock full of star suggestions on travel, dog food and much more!

Fun with Sea World animals!

Things got wild on NECN Morning, as a new group of friends made their way into the studio.

Angie Llanas, an animal ambassador at Sea World, showcased Dennis Hopper, the kangaroo, and friends Pete and Penny, a pair of Magellanic penguins. Among the group were an American alligator and black & white ruffed lemur.