WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 061309

Cited as the "animal CSI", the Feather Identification Lab at the Smithsonian gets called in on bird-strike cases; but birds on Alaska's Rat Island can breathe a sigh of relief after an eradication effort by Nature Conservancy, among others, apparently eliminated an infestation of rats that had decimated the bird population. A bald eagle that was rehabilitated at Rocky Mountain Raptor Program in Fort Collins, Colorado, after being shot, has been released back into the wild. A pair of pit bulls are in quarantine in Killeen, Texas, after a run-in with a rabid skunk. Three cougar encounters in the news today: one was spotted by a girl in a Utah neighborhood; a Nevada jogger's close encounter with a cougar has prompted warnings from authorities on how to react if confronted by one; and a cougar was spotted several times this past week in Grass Valley, California. Never underestimate the ferocity of a Chihuahua protecting its turf, as a cougar found out in a Hemet, California, garage! South Dakota's Game, Fish, and Parks officials will be finalizing plans for cougar hunting July 1st. Den-izens of a wild animal park in Oklahoma just got some new additions to their turf. A bear-viewing company is in trouble with RCMP over bear baiting during tours in British Columbia; and a taxidermist from New York state has been punished for leading illegal bear hunting expeditions elsewhere in Canada. A bear that broke into a home in Colorado was shot to death by the owner; and a nuisance bear that was rocking tourists' cars and prowling for food was euthanized in Central Florida. Repeated sightings of a black bear in the Dubuque, Iowa, area have authorities on edge; perhaps a reflection of the bear population in the US that continues to increase, as the following article illustrates. A bear cub also caused a bit of a stir in Pennsylvania yesterday. Offers of help tracking down a trio who stamped a fawn to death in the UK have poured in from as far away as UCLA in California; but barking dogs beware - a dog in Indiana that had the temerity to bark at a doe was trampled to death! A video demonstrates what really happens during rutting season as deer fight for dominance of the herd. A North Carolina fawn rehabilitator discusses the joy of caring for these orphans; but North Carolina hunters had another record year, reflecting a robust deer population of over 1 million animals in that state. A pair of bucks were released into the wilds of Central Massachusetts after a foray in a Boston park; while Texas researchers cited the benefits of supplemental feeding of deer in a new A&M study. And finally, a deer ran into a Whole Foods store and showed up at the bakery for a chocolate chip cookie, but was removed before the order was completed (bummer!)

Museum experts ID birds that bring down planes

Alaska's Rat Island rat-free after 229 years

Eagle released after healing from gunshot

Rabid Skunk Tangles With Local Resident’s Pit Bulls

Farmers' views on Tb strategy sought by Animal Health Board

Mountain lion runs through Eagle Mountain neighborhood

Mountain lion spotted in Fernley

Mountain Lion sighted near Memorial Park

3 Chihuahuas Corner Angry Mountain Lion In Garage

GF&P Commission Proposes Larger Lion Quota

New Black Bear Exhibit In Broken Arrow

Investigation underway after bear-baiter found: conservationist

Illegal Bear Guiding Nets 10-year Hunting Suspension, Probation for New York Man

Small bear wanders into Colorado home

Bear trapped, euthanized in central Fla.

Reports of black bear in Dubuque area

The Three Bears? Try 163,000 ... and counting

Bear causes scare

Thugs stamp baby deer to death

Deer kills dog in homeowner's backyard

Video: When two 'Buck' deer lose their cool

N.C. woman gives home to critters, just for a while

Outdoors - N.C. deer harvest sees another record high

City deer are taken safely to rural area

Supplemental deer feeding may be 'worth it,' research shows

Deer runs into Whole Foods store