Yes, New Zealand still has more sheep than people. But humans are catching up

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand is still one of a few countries in the world where sheep outnumber people. But the human population is catching up, according to official figures. With an economy driven by agricultural exports, the country is particularly known for its sheep numbers -- which have long been the subject of jokes faced by New Zealanders abroad. Tuesday’s figures show the gap has narrowed. In the 1980s, there was a flock of 22 sheep for each New Zealander but that’s shrunk to 4.5 sheep per person. Farmers say cratering wool prices and the conversion of grasslands to pine forests are behind the shift.

A miniature dachshund is reunited with its owner after 18 months lost on an Australian island

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A miniature dachshund named Valerie who was lost for 18 months — or around half her life — on an Australian island has been reunited with her owners. Owner Georgia Gardner said her pet approached without hesitation when they were reunited by Kangala Wildlife Rescue on Kangaroo Island off the coast of South Australia state on Tuesday for the first time since November 2023. Gardner said in a statement on Wednesday: “She ran straight up to me — I just burst into tears. The almost 3-year-old Valerie was trapped on April 25 in remarkably good condition after 529 days spent living like a feral animal. Valerie had weighted 9 pounds when she was lost and now weighs 15 pounds.

A rare New Zealand snail is filmed for the first time laying an egg from its neck

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The sight of a large, carnivorous New Zealand snail laying an egg from its neck has been captured on camera for the first time. The country’s conservation agency made the announcement on Wednesday. The habits of the threatened Powelliphanta augusta snail were once shrouded in mystery. But conservation rangers attempting to save the species from extinction have cared for a population in chilled containers at a facility on the South Island’s West Coast for nearly two decades, allowing the creatures’ lives to be observed after mining engulfed their natural habitat. The hermaphrodite snails take eight years to reach sexual maturity and live for decades.

Kentucky boy uses mother's phone to order 70K Dum-Dum suckers to share with his friends

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky woman was in a sticky mess when she found stacks of boxes containing lollipops on her doorstep. The surprise delivery was ordered by her young son while he played on her phone. Media reports say Holly LaFavers tried stopping her son’s Amazon order for about 70,000 Dum-Dum suckers before the treats arrived but it was too late. Amazon had delivered 22 cases to her home. The surprise got worse after a check of her bank account. She owed about $4,000 for the order. Her efforts to get a refund took some time but she got her money back.

A woman who disappeared from Wisconsin more than 6 decades ago has been found safe

Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small city in south-central Wisconsin 62 years ago after reportedly hitchhiking with her family’s babysitter and catching a bus to Indianapolis. Nobody ever knew where she went or what happened to her. All that changed last week when she was found alive and safe in another state, thanks to the fresh eyes from a deputy who took over the case in February. Detective Isaac Hanson said Monday he discovered an out-of-state arrest record that matched Backeberg. Hanson says Backeberg chose to leave the town of Reedsburg on her own accord -- likely due to an abusive husband.

Did you steal the sign? German pop star asks his fans to return hometown symbol

TOETENSEN, Germany (AP) — German pop star Dieter Bohlen is asking his fans to return a sign spelling out the name of his hometown of Toetensen. The village in northern Germany outside Hamburg is famous, well, because of Bohlen. He's a singer, music producer, judge on Germany’s version of “American Idol” and formerly half of German pop duo Modern Talking. German news agency dpa reports that Bohlen believes the sign was taken by a fan as memorabilia. He posted a video on Instagram Saturday where he stood in front of the empty signpost and promised a reward for its return. One fan’s suggestion? Rename the town: Bohlensen.

World's tallest and smallest dogs meet up for a playdate

Size differences didn't cause any issues when the world's tallest and smallest dogs met up for a playdate last month. Reginald is a 7-year-old Great Dane from Idaho who is the size of a small horse. Pearl is a 4-year-old chihuahua from Florida the size of an apple. Both are certified winners in their respective height titles by Guinness World Records. Pearl stands at 3.59 inches. Reginald measures in at a whopping 3-foot-3.

Burro racing wins over runners in backcountry ode to mining history

CERRILLOS, N.M. (AP) — The backcountry sport of burro racing is a grueling feat of endurance that tests the sudden urge to stand still. Hundreds of cheering spectators watched Saturday as runners and their burros raced through turquoise-mining country in northern New Mexico. The racers completed in either 3- or 6-mile courses on single-track desert trails. Other seasonal races can extend for nearly 30 miles. The burros carry a pick, shovel and pan in homage to a bygone era of Old West gold panning and the mythical sprint to a claims office by miners and beasts of burden. Semi-pro enthusiasts adopt wild burros. Novices can rent an ass to try it out for kicks.

Alligators, snakes, biting insects: Small plane crash survivors recall 36-hour ordeal

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — It was after their tiny plane crashed into the Bolivian jungle earlier this week that their problems really began. The aircraft flipped over into a lagoon infested with anacondas and alligators. It plunged the pilot and four passengers, including a 6-year-old boy, into a harrowing 36 hours spent clinging to the plane’s wreckage before being rescued on Friday. The doctor who treated them told The Associated Press on Saturday that all five survivors were conscious and in stable condition, with only the young boy’s 37-year-old aunt still hospitalized for an infected gash to her head. The rest are recovering from dehydration, minor chemical burns, infected cuts, bruises and insect bites all over their bodies.

How the democracy sausage, a polling day snack, became Australia's election symbol

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Many Australians arriving at polling places on Saturday followed their civic duty with a democracy sausage. It's a cultural tradition as Aussie as koalas and Vegemite that for some is as important as casting their vote. The grilled sausage wrapped in a slice of bread is offered outside voting places. Its popularity has prompted the creation of a crowdsourced, real-time website tracking democracy sausage offerings and variations at polling places throughout the country and overseas. Australia’s compulsory voting laws ensure high turnout and make democracy sausage sales lucrative fundraisers for schools and community groups.