What do the world’s tallest donkey, a 13-stone Arctic dog and a female emu named Jonathan have in common?

They, along with a host of other animals, all featured in the news this year. To mark the end of 2025, we look back at their stories.

Alaskan Malamutes typically grow to weigh between five or six stone (31-38kg) and have a special “double coat”, which helps keep them warm in Arctic temperatures.

But weighing in at a hefty 13 stone (82.5kg), Mal is more than twice the average size of a dog of his breed.

Mal’s owner, Amy Sharp, from Bourne, Lincolnshire, said she “didn’t really notice” how big her dog had grown until he started to grow quickly out of harnesses and collars.

“He just got bigger and bigger,” she said. “I’m always being asked who’s walking who?”

On a plus note, she added: “He’s a gentle giant. It’s Mal’s world and we’re all just living in it.”

Elsewhere, two donkeys from the same sanctuary in Lincolnshire have been recognised in the 2026 Guinness Book of World Records.

Derrick bagged the record for the world’s tallest donkey – recorded at 5ft 5in (1.6m), while his pal, Bambou, took top spot in the longest ears on a living donkey category – 1ft 1in (33cm).

Sanctuary owner Tracy Garton said: “Derrick doesn’t know he is big – he is very affectionate and loves to be with people.”

As for Bambou, she added: “He has got very, very long fluffy ears and they are the biggest in the world.”

Ms Garton said she loved all the animals at the sanctuary, but said the recognition for Derrick and Bambou was a great talking point.

Volunteer Bill Tembey said they would have a few contenders for a third record if the world’s loudest donkey category was introduced – hee-haw!

Back in September, more than 60 animals including dogs, hamsters and tortoises were blessed during a Vicar of Dibley-style pets’ service at Salisbury Cathedral, giving thanks for their companionship.

It was the second pet blessing to take place at the cathedral, with the first held in September 2024.

In addition to showing gratitude for the pets, there were readings, hymns and music from the girls’ choir and junior choir.

Animals kept outdoors, such as horses, were also welcomed to participate from outside.

In South Yorkshire, pooches rescued from a house in Tickhill have been trained to catch criminals and relieve them of their ill-gotten gains.

Dozens of springer spaniels were rescued by the RSPCA after they were found living in a filthy house in April.

Since then, a “select few” have been trained up for Manchester Police’s newly expanded dog unit, which has seen arrests go up by a third since 2024.

The dogs are used by police to track and locate suspects, and to search for items such as drugs, cash and guns.

Successes include a £10,000 stolen watch being located and a suspect who was trying to hide in a bin being apprehended.

Among the more unusual stories featured in the news was that of an animal lover from Gloucestershire successfully hatching an emu egg after a late-night shopping spree.

Rhi Evans, from Cirencester, Gloucestershire, has no memory of buying the egg, which was priced at £37, but woke one morning in 2022 to an email confirmation from eBay telling her it was on its way.

Unable to secure a refund, Ms Evans decided to “wing it” and try and hatch it on her three-acre farm, despite warnings the birds were “not pets for a casual keeper”.

Three years later, the six-foot bird, which she named Jonathan before discovering it was female, lives with her at home.

While Jonathan is an integral part of her life, Ms Evans said rearing an emu was not a decision to be taken lightly.

“They require a huge amount of commitment, their life span is 35-40 years so you’ve got to be in it for the long haul,” she told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

Now to a charity that breeds and trains guide dogs which, earlier this year, welcomed its largest litter for three years – 13 puppies affectionately known as “the baker’s dozen”.

The new additions to Guide Dogs HQ in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, have been given bakery-themed names, inspired by sweet and savoury treats.

The boys are Biscuit, Crumble, Bagel, Crumpet, Rye, Tiger and Pretzel, and the girls are Apple, Eccles, Cocoa, Chelsea, Custard and Ginger.

Janine Dixon, breeding and welfare operations lead, said counting puppies during pregnancy was tricky so staff did not know mum Yori “had quite so many buns in the oven”.

There has been a plethora of newsworthy animal escapes this year, including two bears who after escaping from their enclosure at Wildwood Devon, a conservation charity near Exeter, headed straight for the honey store, while exotic snakes were on the loose in North Lincolnshire.

However, there can be only one winner in this category – a juvenile flamingo that escaped from a wildlife sanctuary in Cornwall, despite her feathers being clipped on one wing to prevent her from reaching full flight.

Frankie was photographed a week later in northern France – where she is thought to have settled.

David Woolcock, curator at the Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Hayle, said staff were “devastated” when Frankie escaped but he felt relieved she had “shown the resilience and skills” to aid her as a wild flamingo.

Keepers said Frankie, who hatched in July, had become independent of her parents and was showing signs of flapping her wings while at the park.

“We suspect that it was in just such an exercise period that Frankie was caught by a gust of wind which made her airborne,” Mr Woolcock said.

“Then she was on her way.”