Zannimals!

Berlin, Germany hosted Europe's first elephant race.  The 14 elephants reached lightning speeds of 6 mph (9.6 kph).

At Sea Paradise in Yokohama, Japan, a seal lion has learned to write in Chinese. 

CNN counts down the top 12 animal antics of 2009 including goats boarding a school bus and a cowboy rounding up cattle in a store. 

In Coachella, California, a goat broke through the glass door of a strip club. 

In Odessa, Ukraine, baby elephant Fantic was rejected by his mother so for the time being he's moved into the home of the Odessa Zookeeper.   Let the fun begin!