WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051609

Surplus South African wildlife sold at an auction, including springboks, hippos and rhinos, provided much-needed funds to support the care of endangered wildlife, in our first wildlife article today; but with their food supply burned up by the bushfires, hungry wildlife is heading into settlements and onto roads in Victoria, Australia, creating many dangerous situations, which keeps one wildlife shelter very busy. Corrupt officials in Borneo have encouraged land clearance, including forest fires, in exchange for political favors, further endangering the orangutan population and worsening climate change. A Missouri resident missed a deer in the road, but didn't miss the power pole alongside the road; while a poacher in Maine was sentenced for preying on local deer. A Minnesota youth has a friendly deer companion (although the deer still needs a bit more work on 'fetch'). A rabid raccoon that was accosting some livestock brought Salem County, New Jersey's, total for the year up to four. California wildlife officials have issued a warning about a cougar spotted in Folsom Lake State Recreation Area; followed by an article that examines the controversy of Oregon's officially-sanction cougar hunt. The terrifying encounter between a Canadian, her lab, and an aggressive coyote is up next; and a jogger was attacked by an aggressive coyote in Colorado, resulting in the euthanizing of the mother coyote and her pups; the follow-on story detailing the angry reaction by local activists. A pair of stories detailing what it's like to co-exist with a pack of gray wolves in Washington state is up next. In a bizarre turnabout, one endangered species is preying on another, putting Maine wildlife officials in a bit of a bind. Eurasian brown bears who inhabit a zoological park near Athens, Greece, are showcased in the next article. A bear decided to pay a visit to a Richmond, Virginia, park; while a graphic example of what grizzlies (or any bear, for that matter) can do to your campsite was provided by a Minnesota zoo. And finally, another safety tip in regards to bears and food: don't leave any Weight Watcher bars in the SUV!

SAfrican game auction shrugs off the recession

Bushfire survivors fill shelter

Orangutan population in Borneo park plunges 90% in 5 years

Dodging deer causes crash, patrol says

Deer Poacher From Bangor Gets 25 Days in Jail

Park Rapids boy befriends stray deer; ‘Panther’ is learning to chase a ball

Fourth rabies case reported this year in Salem County

Mountain Lion Warning Issued

State hunts cougars, though fewer complaints are reported

Brazen coyote confrontation a warning to all

Jogger bitten by coyote

Activists protest after coyote shot, killed

Methow Valley residents adjust to living with wolves

What to do if you encounter a wolf

Hungry eagles feast on Maine's coastal seabirds

Your morning adorable: Brown bear cubs

Bear spotted in Matoaca Park today

Bear Awareness Week

Bear Climbs Into SUV, Goes On Rampage