WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 041009

First up in wildlife news today, we've all heard of seeing eye dogs, but to Muslims that's anathema, so the solution for a blind woman: a seeing eye horse! A report on wildlife in Wyoming's Big Horn Mountains is provided in the next item; followed by a story from Newsweek Magazine that discusses Alaska's controversial wolf-hunting program. A group of older folks have been hit with over 800 wildlife charges by law enforcement officers in Kentucky; and a game ranch in Michigan is under scrutiny as law enforcement moved in to shut it down due to animal cruelty and illegal activities. In a sign of the times, Native Americans may be required to show proof-of-purchase of ceremonial feathers at their gatherings. Li'l Smokey has ventured forth from his den, according to wildlife officials in California; and an orphaned Alaska bear cub has found a new home far to the south. A coalition of environmental and animal-rights groups, 37 in all, are taking on a proposed bear hunt program in California. An update on a pair of cougar cubs being cared for by wildlife authorities in California is provided; and what was believed to be a young cougar was seen in a wash in southern Utah. In a testament to the single-mindedness of a cougar with its prey, the next story, out of Colorado, underscores their determination even in the face of firecrackers and grass fires! A follow-on article to one posted in Wildlife NOTD last week from New York discusses means of keeping deer from decimating forest vegetation in rural parts of that state; while a trio of stories from Wisconsin deal with their controversial 'Earn-A-Buck' hunting program. Authorities in the UK are seeking a pair of trained raptors stolen from a wildlife sanctuary. A raccoon that was foaming at the mouth was killed in a Massachusetts community and will be tested for rabies. And finally, Australia's ambassador for bushfire-injured wildlife is doing well, giving people hope even as wildlife support organizations scramble to help injured wildlife there (you can watch the video of Sam's initial encounter with Australian firefighters here).

Tiny horse trains as guide for blind Muslim woman

Wolves photographed in Big Horn Mountains

Palin and the Wolves

Six Arrested In Kentucky In Coyote And Fox Trafficking Ring

Mich. game ranch draws animal cruelty charges

Tribal identification should accompany eagle feathers, a federal agency says

Young bear rescued from Calif. fire doing well

Bear cub rescued in Valdez is a thriving Texan now

Bear hunt expansion plan in California under fire

Mountain lion cubs captured in Solvang

Mountain lion spotted near Washington Fields

See Photos: Mountain lion attacks raccoon at couple's home

BEYFUSS: Deer can reduce forest regeneration

Deer Hunters, Landowners Meet to Discuss Closing Land

EAB MORATORIUM

DNR addresses 1 spring hearing issue early

Popular hawks 'stolen to order'

Officer kills raccoon that was chasing people

Sam the koala wins hearts