WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 033009

Leading off the news today, the Associated Press has weighed in on the issue of urban coyotes in a pair of articles. While some residents of a Toronto, Canada, neighborhood wanted an elusive coyote euthanized, others protested about it; but the wily coyote's luck finally ran out as it was caught by city officials who, bowing to public opinion, will not euthanize it. You've heard of bird strikes damaging planes, but how about coyote strikes? An article out of Montana details the growing packs of wolves in the northern US, along with increasing interaction with people. An article from Saskatchewan, Canada, provides further proof of wildlife population increases in their province; and in Suffolk, UK, a bear was reported in an area frequented by hikers. Also in the UK, an eagle that flew away during a free-flight demonstration returned to its home the following day. In Missouri, debate continues on whether a blood hound was really killed by a cougar; and in a Michigan community, the debate is over whether footprints are those of a cougar or a large dog; concluding with a cautionary tale about how an ATV driver found himself between an injured cougar cub and its parent in California.

Urban coyote attacks on rise, alarming residents

Facts about coyotes

Some residents want to save coyote in their midst

City catches Neville Park coyote

HIGHFILL : Airport takes on animals

Wolves moving into the burbs?

Bears healthy, cougar populations rebounding

Ramblers on alert after a 'BEAR' is spotted in Suffolk woods

Adventurous eagle flies back home

Wildlife officers don't believe a cat mortally attacked dog

Biologist: Prints not from a cougar

Mushroom hunt that became a dark lion tale