Edinburgh Zoo's koala joey began to emerge from its pouch just in time for Father's Day, keepers have said. Now around five months old, the joey is almost too big for its mother's pouch and a hand or nose can often be seen poking out. Koalas stay in the pouch for the first six or seven months of life, then when they can no longer fit, the mother will carry them on her back for the next few months until they become independent. As this is a critical stage for the joey, Edinburgh Zoo is asking visitors to be extra quiet around Koala Territory.

Image: Goonaroo, father of new koala joey at Edinburgh Zoo. Credit: Katie Paton, RZSS

New research by Direct Line Pet Insurance has revealed that five dogs are reported or stolen every day in the UK.

The analysis of thefts reported to UK police forces found there were 1,774 dogs stolen in 2016 - an increase of 19 per cent compared to 2014, when 1,491 thefts were reported.

The study also found that over the last three years, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has been the most stolen breed of dog, with 634 thefts reported to police forces across the country between 2014 and 2016.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed three cases of Zika virus in India.

In a statement, WHO said that routine surveillance detected a laboratory-confirmed case of Zika in the district of Ahmedabad. Two additional cases were then identified through the Acute Febrile Illness and the Antenatal clinic surveillance.

In response to the cases, WHO has shared the national guidelines and action plan on Zika virus disease and containment of spread in case of any outbreak. It has also set up an Inter-Ministerial Task Force to monitor emerging and re-emerging diseases and regularly review the global situation on Zika.

An endangered spiny hill turtle has become the first of its kind to hatch at ZSL London Zoo - just in time for World Turtle Day (23 May).

Zookeepers filmed the moment the turtle came out of its shell on a time lapse camera, after keeping a watchful eye on the egg during its 136 day incubation period.

The turtle weighed a tiny 33g at birth and measured just 61mm, although it will eventually grow to around 27cm in size.

Television presenter and adventurer Ben Fogle has become patron of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, the charity co-founded by his father 35 years ago.

The announcement comes at the start of Deaf Awareness Week (15-21 May), as the broadcaster launches the Charity's 'Deafness doesn't have to be lonely' campaign.

The campaign aims to highlight the profound positive affect that hearing dogs have on the wellbeing of their deaf recipients, such as reducing loneliness, isolation, anxiety and stress.

The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) is calling on McVitie's, Millie's Cookies and Mr Kipling to start using solely free range eggs in their products.

Through the #BHWTFreeRange campaign, BHWT is also encouraging members of the public to avoid other products which don't use free range eggs, and to check labels to ensure that 'free range' is clearly stated on the packet.

"We know the public support high welfare for hens and we work tirelessly to ensure more hens enjoy a free range lifestyle," said charity founder Jane Howarth MBE. "We want consumers to write to McVitie's and Mr Kipling asking them to adopt a free range policy today, so Jaffa Cakes and French Fancies can be eaten guilt-free."