The Dallas Zoo euthanized Ferrell, a 15-year-old giraffe, due to an irreversible jaw injury from a fall. The zoo has lost several giraffes in recent years.

A Palo Alto animal control officer aided an injured Peregrine Falcon at Stanford University, later cared for by the Peninsula Humane Society, with the incident sparking reflections on adapting to future challenges.

Washington County offers a guided bird hike on Jan. 13 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, involving bird identification and data collection for conservation efforts. A park permit is required to attend.

Eden Prairie opens bookings for event venues, announces Dr. Jean L. Harris Scholarship applications, promotes holiday light recycling, and lists municipal holiday hours.

Riverside County Animal Services warns pet owners to protect their pets from New Year's Eve noise, suggesting precautions like secure fencing and microchipping to prevent pets from ending up in shelters.

Tourists in San Diego observed killer whales hunting dolphins, indicating an abundance of marine mammals close to shore, an outcome of successful conservation efforts.

The Denton Fire Department and UNT will conduct a controlled burn at Discovery Park to train firefighters and enrich the soil for ecological research.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner inaugurates improvements at Evella Park, including a new basketball court and enhanced features funded partly by the Cheniere Foundation; part of the city-wide Love Our Parks initiative.

Brooklyn Park in New York is offering a range of recreational events, including outdoor snowshoeing, indoor ice skating lessons, adaptive fitness and art classes, a blood drive, swimming lessons, employment mentorship, and pickleball.

The Mast Park Disc Golf Course in Santee will be closed on January 6-7 for the "2024 Dog Haus Open" Tournament, with sign-ups available on Disc Golf Scene's website.

The Santa Clarita Skate Park will close at 5 p.m. daily for a week starting Dec. 27 due to lighting maintenance, as announced by the City of Santa Clarita on Facebook.

The article outlines plants that thrived in San Antonio's extreme weather in 2023 and suggests options for resilient gardens in 2024, including zinnias, rosemary, and native species like Bluebonnets.

BARC in Houston is launching a Tiered Volunteer Program, inviting locals to participate in various levels of animal care and shelter support starting in 2024.