‘Rare’ animal visitors — and words of warning. See latest creature encounters

The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.

Learn more about some recent rare animal encounters from around the world:

Park employee looks up at tree — and finds ‘rare’ visitor staring back. See it

During a routine wildlife survey at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in the United Arab Emirates, a staff member discovered a rare long-eared owl, Asio otus, marking the first sighting of this species in the area in 22 years. The owl, with its pointy feathers and bright yellow eyes, was spotted roosting on a branch after a day of high winds and heavy rains. | Published June 20 | Read More |

Family’s ‘close encounter’ with ‘world’s most dangerous bird’ prompts warnings

In South Mission Beach, Australia, a family experienced a close encounter with a cassowary, often called the “world’s most dangerous bird,” due to its powerful legs and sharp claws. The incident, captured on a security camera, led to warnings from wildlife officials about the dangers of feeding these birds, which can become aggressive when expecting food. This encounter is one of several linked to unlawful feeding in the area. | Published June 24 | Read More |

Hidden cliffside nest of the world’s largest flying bird discovered in Peru Andes

Researchers in the Andes Mountains of Peru discovered a hidden nest of the Andean condor, the world’s largest flying bird, on a cliff in the Junin region. This marks only the fourth recorded nesting site in the country and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect this vulnerable species. The discovery was made using a drone, which revealed two adult condors and a chick in the nest. | Published June 24 | Read More |

Wild elephant keeps returning ‘just to say hello’ to the vets who saved his life

In Kenya, a wild bull elephant has been returning to visit the veterinarians who saved his life after being shot with an arrow. This touching behavior showcases the elephant’s intelligence and gratitude, as he calmly approaches the Ithumba Unit stockades to greet his rescuers. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust describes this as a remarkable example of the bond between humans and wildlife. | Published June 25 | Read More |

Migrating sea creature gets ‘lost’ in Australia bay. Watch dolphin pod step in

In Koombana Bay, Australia, a pod of dolphins helped guide a lost humpback whale back to deeper waters during its migration. The whale, initially spotted by volunteers, appeared healthy and was soon joined by the dolphins, who playfully interacted with it and led it back on course. This heartwarming encounter highlights the cooperative nature of marine life. | Published June 25 | Read More |

This story was originally published June 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM with the headline "‘Rare’ animal visitors — and words of warning. See latest creature encounters."