WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 050409

Today we lead off with a story from Washington, D.C., where scientists at the National Zoo are hopeful that one of their endangered giant pandas is pregnant, another step along the road of bolstering that shrinking population; but Florida wildlife officials offer some tips in an update on an article from last week about a black bear spotted near a school bus stop. Efforts to cull some deer around Annapolis, Maryland, are meeting with some resistance from interested parties; and an article out of Nebraska discusses the impact of deer on non-timber forest products, such as nuts. Important tips about fawns is provided in the next item from South Carolina; while the Ohio town of Heath is debating the virtues of hunting deer to cull a burgeoning population within the city limits. Attempting to verify the presence of a cougar in Ontario, Canada, wildlife officials have set up dozens of wildlife cameras; and the founder of the Chintimini Wildlife Center will discuss cougars at a meeting in Corvallis, Oregon, in the wake of cougar sightings in that city. Hunters in South Dakota are upset with the Game, Fish and Parks officials about cougars thinning the herd of elk in the region; followed by two interrelated stories: Florida Fish and Wildlife officers were on the lookout for a pregnant cougar raised in captivity who had bolted into a forested area; but the story has a happy ending, as the big cat walked right up to people baiting a trap for her. A Virginia community has recorded six rabid wildlife incursions so far this year; but another hazard of urban wildlife has an impact even in the largest cities in the US, as a raccoon parasite has caused injury to two in Brooklyn, New York. Two stories from Massachusetts are next up: some birders from Cambridge spotted a coyote while out looking for feathered friends; and a coyote attack is chronicled in the next item. Coyote sightings in the western part of Seattle, Washington, are discussed in a blog entry; while Coyote Watch Canada will be present at a town hall meeting in Fort Erie, Ontario, to discuss coyotes in the area. We conclude today with the adventures of a Georgia animal control officer, recounted in the next item (my favorite - baby possums invade a house!)

At National Zoo, High Hopes for Panda Pregnancy

Bear spotted near Lehigh Acres bus stop

Officials to kill 150 deer around Greenbury Point

Decreasing deer damage

Deer don't make good pets, so don't adopt a 'Lost' fawn

Heath Considers Deer Hunt Inside City Limits

Trail cameras enlisted in hunt for elusive cougar

Wildlife expert to address cougar issue

Data should drive lion decision

Cougar Escapes From Handler In Osceola County

Pregnant cougar found safe

Six rabid animals found locally this year

Raccoon Roundworm disease hits Brooklyn teen and baby

Letter: Bird watchers sight coyote

Vicious coyote attack in Middleboro brings attention to seasonal threat

West Seattle coyotes: Admiral-area sighting

Town to hold forum on coyotes

On The Job...