Unconventional Pet Design. Dog beds by Superfine Pet Luxury

The home of our-four legged friends. No more excuses or pretexts: a stylish house is important, also if it is only for the house of your dog. And those whodo not take an interest in it are lazy, says Paolo De Anna, the founder of Superfine Pet Luxury, the exclusive design studio of dog beds … Read more

Japan’s Just A Way has been rated the best horse in the world for 2014

• Runaway success in Dubai Duty Free earns horse top spot
• Kingman in joint third place after being forced to retire

Koalas face extinction without stronger protection, say conservationists

Federal environment department says a recovery plan is in development, but conservationists warn the vulnerable koala needs urgent action

Earth faces sixth ‘great extinction’ with 41% of amphibians set to go the way of the dodo

Analysis for prestigious Nature magazine sounds alarm on the way that human activity, from overfishing to agriculture, is forcing a vast number of species to vanish from the wild

Northern white rhino’s death leaves just five left in the world

Should I worry about cheap cashmere?

Just about every clothing supplier out there is offering deals on cashmere, including the cheap ones. Should I be concerned?

If you have an ethical dilemma, email Lucy at lucy.siegle@observer.co.uk

Wildlife crime study finds 33,000 items worth £7m for sale online

Biggest ever survey in 16 countries finds adverts for live tigers, orangutans and chimps – plus a ‘toilet-trained’ gorilla