21 Most Memorable CA Animal Stories Of 2021

CALIFORNIA — Creatures, great and small, in California, we love them all. Animals from all over the Golden State made headlines in 2021, and Patch has curated some of the year's most adorable, interesting and heartwarming stories.

The Oakland Zoo welcomed a new giraffe, while the San Diego Zoo welcomed a southern white rhino calf and a southern tamandua pup.

Conservationists worked to save Elegant Tern eggs, while volunteers carried water to replenish the drinking supply for tule elk.

A mountain lion attacked a child, which was the first mountain lion attack in Los Angeles in 25 years. Two endangered fin whales were found dead on the hull of a ship in San Diego.

Hundreds of endangered frogs were released into the San Jacinto Mountains. Geese were recovered from a fuel spill and a rehabilitated bald eagle was released back into the wild.

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.

Also see: Top 21 California Stories Of 2021

1. Southern White Rhino Calf Born At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The newborn rhino calf was born to first-time mom Kianga and father J Gregory.

2. Tamandua Pup Born At San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Southern tamanduas are a type of anteater that are native to Central and South America.

3. New Giraffe Arrives At Oakland Zoo

Giraffes in Africa over the past 15 years have faced a "silent extinction" with a 40 percent decline in their numbers.

• Also see: Tiger Sisters Euthanized At Oakland Zoo

4. 2 Cats, 1 Bear And A 'Tearful' Rescue From The Caldor Fire

San Diego Humane Society officers saved a calico and its companion from an evacuated South Lake Tahoe house that had been invaded by a bear.

• Also see: Shelter Animals Saved In Lake Fire

5. 2 Dead Whales Found Under Australian Ship At Naval Base San Diego

The endangered fin whales were discovered when the HMAS Sydney berthed at the naval base.

6. First Los Angeles Mountain Lion Attack In 25 Years

In the wake of a mountain lion attack, community members celebrate a mom who saved her son and debate wildlife ethics.

• Also see: Mother Celebrated For Saving Her Son From Mountain Lion

7. Bolsa Chica Wildlife Conservationists Work To Save 2K Tern Eggs

Overhead drones scared mothers away from thousands of tern eggs at Bolsa Chica Wildlife Preserves, as helpers try to save them.

8. Dying Tule Elk: Volunteers Tote Water To Increase Drinking Supply

Nearly a hundred people carried water to replenish the drinking supply for tule elk at Point Reyes National Seashore.

9. Hundreds Of Endangered Frogs Released Into San Jacinto Mountains

Prior to their release, it is estimated there were fewer than 100 adult mountain yellow-legged frogs left in the wild.

• Also see: Efforts To Bring Back CA's Red-Legged Frog Underway Near Murrieta

10. Coyote Joins Northridge Classroom On First Day Of School

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School got an unlikely new student on their first day of classes.

• Also see: Chatsworth Couple Saves Chihuahua From Coyote

11. 76 Dogs Seized From Winchester 'Squatter' Property

The dogs were brought to county shelters for evaluation and treatment.

12. Abandoned, Blind Horse Found Near Lake Elsinore: Hearts Step Up

The starving animal didn't have a chance until the equestrian community came to her rescue.

13. 'Wedged' Horse Rescued In San Juan Capistrano

Orange County Fire Authority's technical rescue team worked to free a spooked horse stuck between broken concrete and exposed rebar.

14. Kitten Tumbles Down Chimney, Rapunzel Rescue Saves Little Furball

It took old-time ingenuity and a red bedsheet to get 6-month-old Rudy out of a Riverside County chimney.

15. Rehabilitated Bald Eagle Released Back Into Wild In San Diego County

The San Diego Humane Society released a rehabilitated bald eagle back into the wild.

16. Salmonella Killing Songbirds In California

To help slow the spread of the disease among pine siskins and other finches, residents are asked to remove bird feeders and birdbaths.

17. California Monarch Butterflies Fluttering Back After Record Low

Butterflies wintering in California hit a record low last year for a variety of reasons — but they are making a noticeable return.

18. Bull Takes Freeway Stroll Until CHP Mooves In, Steers Traffic

No bull: California Highway Patrol arrived to find a big bovine in the westbound fast lane of state Highway 4 in Concord.

19. San Mateo Halloween Decoration Confused For Pet Tarantula

The Peninsula Humane Society posted a photo of the fake spider on social media earlier this week. A rescue worker found the false alarm.

20. San Diego Humane Society Investigating Cox's Use Of Bear On Campaign Trail

The San Diego Humane Society is investigating the use of a bear during gubernatorial candidate John Cox's San Diego campaign appearance.

• Also see: John Cox Stumping In Palm Desert, Minus Bear

21. Geese Recovered From Discovery Bay Fuel Spill: U.S. Coast Guard

Two Canadian geese were reportedly exposed when 400 gallons of fuel leaked into the Delta, the Coast Guard said.