WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 022509

First up today, a story submitted on behalf of Emily Loose of The Wild Foundation about the endangered Olive Ridley Sea Turtles who live off the coast of India; followed by a story about several groups in Australia that have been actively rescuing hundreds of horses that were affected by the bushfires there. Two eagle stories today: fearing collisions between aircraft and eagles, Maryland authorities removed a nest near an airport; and there is a bit of a mystery in Florida, where someone unlawfully cleared land right up to an eagle's nest, but the developer can't be found! Northern Illinois communities are having some unwanted four-legged visitors; while the Missouri Highway Patrol reported that a man on a motorcycle collided with a coyote (no report on the condition of the coyote). Letters to the editor in Toronto, Canada, about recent coyote attacks there are featured in the next article; followed by three articles about the coyote debate raging in Colorado. A sizeable number of bears, some ranging up to over 600 lbs, were taken in Pennsylvania in 2008. There was a cougar reported in Napa County, California, yesterday; but in a case of mistaken identity, the cougar shot in Santa Paula last week was actually only a six-week-old cub. Residents of rural Kansas, used to watching deer transit their property, had an usual guest pass by; while in two separate incidents, cougars in the neighborhood forced lockdowns at schools. A rash of skunks with rabies has appeared in Cochise County, Arizona, over the past few weeks; but a happy ending for a Pennsylvania library that finally reopened two weeks after a stinky episode closed its doors. And finally, a story about a cougar who probably thought he had hit the jackpot when he discovered three emus in Central California, but who (along with authorities) failed to factor in a landspeed of over 30 mph for the flightless birds!

Endangered Olive Ridley Turtles

Australia Bushfires: Groups See to Horse Health, Care

Bald eagle egg lost with dismantling of nest

Developer almost forces eagles out of home

Coyotes reported near Wheaton homes

Golden City man injured in cycle-coyote collision, patrol reports

What to do about coyote attacks

Denver Rolls Out Coyote Management Plan

Broomfield man reports coyote bite

City-hired coyote hunter, wildlife activist swap charges

Pennsylvania hunters bagged 3,458 bears in 2008

Possible mountain lion sighting

Mountain lion shot by police was 15-pound cub

Mountain Lion Spotted in Platte County?

Report cougar sightings near school cancels recess

Coyote forces Cedar Falls students inside

Rabid skunks found in Cochise county

Library Reopens After Skunk Smell Disappears

Big bird flees from mountain lion; leads authorities on chase for emu on the loose