Forty Most Positive Animal News Stories Of 2020

Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor

Dec 23, 2020 9:00 AM EST

Let's be frank, 2020 has been a difficult year to say the least. From rumors of a world war in January to a pandemic to a news cycle that just makes you want to turn off your TV. But... things weren't all bad. All the lockdowns had quite a good result to some portions of the population - namely, animals.

Suddenly, we were seeing videos and news stories about animals walking around on the empty streets, swimming in empty oceans and clearer skies. Animals absolutely THRIVED this year, and we think that's something worth commemorating and celebrating. So, for the end of this year, as a special treat, we have collected 40 of our favorite most positive, wholesome, happy news stories of 2020 that are all about animals.

This is one news collection that you won't want to turn away from, we promise.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Add as a preferred
source on Google

01
An Indian couple has been buying land adjacent to a tiger reserve solely to let the forest expand.

via QUARTZ

Read more: QUARTZ
02
78 elephants in Thailand freed from carrying tourists because of COVID-19.

via yahoo!news

Read more: yahoo!news
03
Gray wolves to be reintroduced to Colorado in unprecedented vote.

via @RockyMtnWolf

Read more: UNILAD
04
A court order rules that Yellowstone’s grizzly bears will remain protected from hunters under The Endangered Species Act.

via World Animal News

Read more: World Animal News
05
Bees love cannabis which could help restore bee populations.

via Captain Planet

Read more: Captain Planet
06
New study reveals a dog's heart rate increases when their owner says 'I love you'.

via imgur

Read more: 7NEWS
07
Tasmanian devils got reintroduced into the wild of mainland Australia for the first time in 3,000 years.

via BBC SPORT

Read more: BBC NEWS
08
World's largest fur auction house closes as demand for animal pelts drops.

via Dreamstime

Read more: A Humane World
09
San Antonio pet stores began selling only rescue dogs and cats.

via Robin Jerstad/Photo Correspondent, Photo Correspondent / San Antonio Express News

Read more: San Antonio Express-News
10
Wombats were digging water wells and saving other animals during Australia's drought.

via Upper Hunter Landcare

Read more: ABC NEWS
11
Senate passes a bill to protect sea turtles, whales, dolphins from drift gillnets.

via karunavirus

Read more: Turtle Island Restoration Network
12
Seth MacFarlane donated $1M to Irwin Family Australia zoo wildlife hospital.

via tvweb

Read more: tvweb
13
Survey shows US honeybees are doing better after bad year.

via AP Photo/Elise Amendola

Read more: Associated Press
14
Stray dog who visited car dealership every day gets adopted and gets dream job as a greeter at the dealership.

via tucson_prime/Instagram

Read more: Daily Star
15
As a result of the pandemic, there was a sea turtle boom on the quieted beaches in Lebanon.

via Yara Khasab /Orange House Project

Read more: npr
16
Therapy llama ‘Caesar the No Drama Llama’ calmed tensions at protests.

via Alex Milan Tracy/Sipa USA

Read more: Washington Post
17
Humpback whales seized their chance to sing in Alaska's cruise-free Covid summer.

via karunavirus

Read more: The Guardian
18
A gorilla baby boom happened in Uganda.

via COPYRIGHTUGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITY

Read more: THE WEEK
19
New York city was running out of dogs to adopt.

via Bloomberg

Read more: Bloomberg
20
A study found that 48 species saved from extinction by conservation efforts.

via Parag Deka/AP

Read more: The Guardian
21
House passes the ‘Tiger King’ bill that bans private ownership of big cats.

via Al Drago/CQ Roll Call file photo

Read more: Roll Call
22
Tahlequah, the orca who carried her dead calf for 17 days, got pregnant again.

via NMFS research permit 19091

Read more: The Seattle Times
23
Melbourne’s zoos live streamed some of their animals.

via Supplied, TimeOut

Read more: TimeOut
24
Tiny possum discovered on Kangaroo Island after fears bushfires had wiped them out.

via Ashlee Benc/Kangaroo Island Land For Wildlife

Read more: ABC News
25
San Diego Zoo announced the birth of an endangered pygmy hippo.

via NBC Washington

Read more: NBC Washington
26
A New York pizza shop was putting photos of dogs on pizza boxes to help them find homes.

via CNN

Read more: CNN
27
There was a mountain lion baby boom with 13 new kittens born.

via National Park Service

Read more: Los Angeles Times
28
Dad's adorably amateurish pet portraits raised thousands for charity.

via Facebook

Read more: CNN
29
Florida inmates comforted dogs frightened by Fourth of July fireworks.

via CNN

Read more: CNN
30
Golden eagles have bred at a rewilding estate in the Scottish Highlands for the first time in 40 years.

via MARK HAMBLIN

Read more: BBC News
31
Sea turtles in Greece thrive as a result of coronavirus lockdowns and downturns in tourism.

via Giacomo Augugilaro/ Moment RF

Read more: The Telegraph
32
N.C. Zoo announced the birth of a rare sand cat kitten.

via N.C. Zoo/Kim Vanspronsen

Read more: Courier-Tribune
33
Puppy with cleft lip at Jackson animal shelter finds companion in boy with cleft lip.

via Jackson County Animal Shelter - Michigan

Read more: Click On Detroit
34
Tiny elephant shrew species that missing for 50 years was rediscovered.

via Global Wildlife

Read more: The Guardian
35
Missing cat got reunited with its owner after 11 years on the street.

via CLAIRE DAVIS

Read more: BBC News
36
21-Year-Old Cat Brothers Find a New Home After Desperate Plea.

via SWNS

Read more: People
37
A man opened his home to 300 dogs, sheltering them from hurricane Delta.

via LUIS ANDRES HENAO/AP

Read more: People
38
Endangered baby birds were released at Dunes after being rescued by kids.

via provided, nwitimes

Read more: nwitimes
39
Rescue dog who lost her puppies adopted trio of orphaned kittens.

via ABC Arizona

Read more: ABC Arizona
40
Choppers dropped thousands of carrots and sweet potatoes for animals starving because of bushfires in Australia.

via Twitter

Read more: DailyMail