19 Most Memorable CA Animal Stories Of 2019

CALIFORNIA – Creatures, great and small, in California, we love them all. Animals from all over the Golden State made headlines in 2019, and Patch has curated some of the year's most adorable and interesting stories.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcomed the first southern white rhino born through artificial insemination in North America. For the first time in decades, a zebra was born at the Los Angeles Zoo.

A small cat got stuck in the middle of a freeway, and some big cats bravely crossed them. A therapy pig helped ease travel jitters at an airport, a young seal was rescued from a parking garage, and a whale was captured swimming with surfers.

Some of the stories below will make you laugh, while others may make you cry. More will make you cheer. Here are some of our favorite animal stories of the year.

1. Rhino's Historic Birth Could Help Save Subspecies From Extinction

The calf is the 186th rhino born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and the first southern white rhino born by artificial insemination in North America.

• Also see: Second Rhino Born Via Artificial Insemination At Safari Park

2. Rhino With Broken Toe At San Diego Zoo Safari Park Gets New Cast

Nearly 40 veterinarians and animal care specialists placed a new cast on Maoto, a southern white rhino at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

3. Endangered Kangaroo Joey Born At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The joey is the first Matschie's tree kangaroo born at the Safari Park in Escondido, according to the zoo.

• Also see: Kangaroo Joey Emerges From Mom's Pouch At Safari Park

4. Wolf Cubs Debut At Oakland Zoo

The wolves are in a 22-acre habitat for species native to California.

5. It's A Girl! LA Zoo Celebrates Endangered Zebra Birth

For the first time in decades a new zebra is born at the Los Angeles Zoo.

6. Gorilla To Have Baby At LA Zoo For First Time In Decades

The hairy, endangered, sure-to-be adorable western lowland baby gorilla is due sometime this holiday season.

7. Lion Becomes Instant Legend For Crossing The 405 Freeway

A young Puma known to researchers as P-61, became the King of the urban jungle as the first big cat ever tracked across the Sepulveda Pass.

• Also see: Grrrl Power! Female Mountain Lion Crosses 101 Freeway

8. Beans, The Deaf Surfing Whippet, Rides Final Wave Into Retirement

She may be retiring from surfing, but she'll keep busy with an upcoming movie, social media stardom and her local celebrity status.

9. Bear Scare: Search For Midnight Snack Prompts 911 Call

A Tahoe-area deputy used a bear round to boot the intruder, rescuing two teenagers bear-ricaded in a bedroom.

• Also see: Bear Stuck In Napa Tree Is Rescued In Group Effort, Police Say

10. Kitten Rescued From Freeway Center Divider During Rush Hour

An off-duty LAPD officer spotted a terrified kitten perched on the center divider of a busy LA freeway.

• Also see: Mama Duck, Ducklings Rescued From Freeway

11. Stolen Lemur Case Cracked, Conviction For Endangered Animal Theft

Isaac, the oldest lemur in captivity, was stolen from the zoo & later found in a box outside of a Newport Beach hotel. Now he's a celebrity.

• Also see: Looted Lemur And Mysterious Monkey Caper Rocks Santa Ana Zoo

12. Therapy Pig At SFO Smooths Travel Jitters

LiLou and her wagging tail bring smiles to faces, and relieve anxiety for otherwise harried travelers at San Francisco International Airport.

13. Kitten Stuck In Glue Trap Gets Lucky Break: Alameda County

The glue kitten, now affectionately named "Elmer," will be available for adoption after Nov. 24 through Kitty911.

14. Coyotes On Campus Inspire Awe And Curiosity At UCSC

Move over, banana slugs. The adorable coyotes of UCSC, frolicking and hunting in campus meadows, are a must-see.

15. 'Llama Love': Therapy Animals Enchant Dublin High Students

"It's very therapeutic to love," said the llamas' owner. "When you see the llamas, you want to love them."

16. Mama Squirrel Goes On Attack To Protect Babies In Santa Cruz

The mother and her three babies have been safely re-homed at Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz County.

17. Lords-A-Leaping! Sea Lion Pup Recovers After Bridge Fall In Aliso Beach

The sea lion sought shelter on the Aliso Beach pedestrian bridge at Aliso Circle that crosses South Coast Highway, where it fell.

• Also see: 13 Sea Lions Released Back Into The Pacific

18. Young Seal Rescued From Peninsula Parking Garage

The five-month-old fur seal, nicknamed "Santos," may have wandered in from a nearby creek.

• Update: Lost Seal Pup, Found In Peninsula Parking Lot, Returned To Ocean

19. Watch Whale Swim With Surfers Near Doheny State Beach

A San Juan Hills student flying his drone over 20 surfers noticed this whale angling directly toward them. Watch what happened next!