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
Pets
Luxury pets, fun accessories for pets.
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
Habitats of 140 Australian threatened species not protected, WWF study finds
Despite increases in marine parks and nature reserves, many threatened animals, including the northern hairy-nosed wombat, are still without protection