A new tartan commissioned to commemorate the recent arrival of two pandas at Edinburgh Zoo has been unveiled. The timing was calculated for proximity to Burns Night and Chinese New Year. The Scottish Registrar of Tartans has approved the pattern, which includes black, white and grey (recalling the panda's iconic pelts), green (recalling bamboo) and three red lines (recalling the Chinese flag). Welcoming the news, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Zoo Hugh Roberts said "This significant and highly exciting project symbolically demonstrates the coming together of Scotland and China's heritage and culture - making it the perfect way to commemorate the gift of two giant pandas that China bestowed upon Scotland. Its unveiling on the overlap of two separate culturally significant days for both China and Scotland feels very appropriate and auspicious timing."

A baby pink elephant has been spotted amongst an 80-strong herd in the Okavango Delta of Botswana. Experts believe it is an albino variant, a mutation which is exceptionally rare in African elephants. Unfortunately, the precedent of blindness and skin problems caused by the sun has led to fears for the calves' survival. However, Dr Mike Chase of Elephants Without Borders has argued that there is still hope: "Because this elephant calf was sighted in the Okavango Delta, he may have a greater chance of survival. He can seek refuge under the large trees and cake himself in a thick mud, which will protect him from the sun. Already the two-to-three-month-old calf seems to be walking in the shade of its mother."

The UK Border Agency has seized a hippopotamus foot and 10 carved ivory ornaments from the luggage of a 58-year-old woman at Cardiff Airport. The woman arrived from Zambia, via Amsterdam, last Saturday. When questioned, she told officials she had been clearing the house of a relative in Zambia and was not aware that a licence was required to bring such items into the UK. The import of ivory goods is restricted under the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and a permit is required to bring such items into UK territory. "Travellers should be aware of the rules on restricted or banned items." said UK Border Agency Assistant Director Alex Lawther. Photograph: D Legakis Photography/Athena

Researchers in Germany have determined that Barn Owls are able to hunt in almost perfect silence because of the shape of their wings. Dr Thomas Bachmann from the Technical University Darmstadt studied 3-D medical scans of the wing's skeletal structure and the plumage, and concluded that the combination of high curvature or 'camber' and extremely fine feathers was ideal for producing a great deal of lift without loud turbulence. Dr Bachmann and his team hope that the findings will ultimately prove useful in the design of aircraft. The study's findings were presented at the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology's annual meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.

A team of researchers from the Institute of Agroecology at Aarhus University are attempting to breed a more climate-friendly cow. The research will take five years and involve 80 cows at a test unit and 600 cows at four Danish farms.The team are hoping to adjust feed composition and prolong time between inseminations to breed for less frequent calving, a greater period of milk production over the cow's lifespan and a reduction in the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted.

A delegation from the China Animal Disease Control Centre (CADC) has visited the Bristol School of Veterinary Science at the University of Bristol. The CADC delegation, who are affiliated to the Veterinary Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, shared information about emerging diseases and disease containment measures. They also learned about the School's teaching and research activities. Commenting, Senior Lecturer in Animal Welfare and Behaviour Dr Becky Whay said "Agriculture in China is growing at a phenomenally fast rate, and this was a great opportunity for us to share knowledge and experiences about farm animal welfare, control of infectious disease and public health."