Bat Conservation Trust volunteers from across the UK have spent over 42,000 evenings monitoring bat populations as part of the National Bat Monitoring Programme. The results of their study, published in Biological Conservation, reveal that ten species of bats show stable or increasing trends.

Dr Kate Barlow, lead author of the study, said: "We are delighted to be able to show that their [the volunteers] hard work and dedication allows us to produce a convincing and generally positive picture for the populations of some of our more widespread bat species. This is however only the start of recovery for some of these species and there is still a long way to go."

Image (C) Barracuda1983

ZSL London Zoo are celebrating their newest arrival - a Chinese giant salamander. Named Professor Wu, the salamander is the face of the Zoo's new conservation project, established to help prevent these unique giants from becoming extent in the wild.

The Zoo's reptile and amphibian team leader, Ben Tapley, said: "Chinese giant salamanders may not be everyone's idea of 'beautiful', but we think Professor Wu is more than capable of winning over our visitors."

Animal charity FOUR PAWS has launched a unique web tool that allows consumers to find out how leading outdoor clothing and equipment brands are performing in terms of animal welfare. Down is a valuable product in the outdoor clothing industry, with hundreds of tonnes being processed every year from millions of ducks and geese. However, it is very difficult for consumers to be confident that the products they buy have not come from animals that have been repeatedly live plucked.

Nina Jamal, farm animal expert at the charity, said: "Our long-term goal is that brands no longer use any down from birds that have endured these procedures. This is the only way these cruel practices can be removed from the whole production chain. This new tool aims to keep companies focused on continually improving their standards of animal welfare. Consumers will get a good idea of which brands have begun to really work towards ethical down production."

English bulldog registrations across the US have increased by 323 per cent in a decade. However alongside their rising popularity, increasing numbers of the breed are being given up to rescue shelters, according to a recent report in the New York Post. Last year, nearly 300 were given up to rescue centres in the city. The high number of abandonments is believed to be due in part to the health problems and training difficulties associated with the breed.

Certified American Kennel Club breeders are unable to meet the demand for bulldog puppies, meaning people are opting for other breeders, often puppy farmers who breed their dogs indiscriminately for profit. This is leading to rising numbers of health problems and many owners are unwilling or unable to pay for treatment.

Photographs of endangered and elusive giant armadillos, taken by a camera-trap in Brazil, have been awarded prizes in the prestigious BBC Wildlife Magazine Camera-trap Photo of the Year 2014 competition.

The photographs capture a giant armadillo, aged just 17 months old, appearing to still share his mother's territory. Until now, it was believed the natural dispersal age from their mothers for the giant armadillo occurred at just six weeks old.

The images were caught during the night via a remote camera by Dr Arnaud Desbiez, Latin America Coordinator for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), as part of the RZSS Giant Armadillo Project.

Image (C) RZSS

Deaf springer spaniel Henry was crowned Hero Animal of the Year at an awards ceremony this week. After suffering terrible neglect at the hands of his previous owner, he was adopted by Julie Barrett, who suffers from diabetes among other conditions.

Henry now detects when Julie's blood sugar levels fall too low and saved her life by alerting her mother when Julie fell ill with septicaemia. He has learnt sign language and is an ambassador for the Deaf Dog Network. He received his award at the Animal Hero Awards which recognise courageous animals as well as outstanding people and businesses that have made a difference to animal welfare. (Image: RSPCA)