WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071109

First up in wildlife news today, two zoos in Massachusetts may have to close, forcing the owners into the possibility of euthanizing some of the animals; but a seldom-considered aspect of urban wildlife, protecting backyard ponds from being pillaged by critters is discussed next. Rabies is on the rise in Greenbrier County, West Virginia - 20 cases so far this year versus 39 over the previous eight years; while a rabid raccoon was also encountered in a Central Virginia park. Idaho wildlife officials corralled a wayward black bear and returned it to the wild; but law enforcement officials are drawing heat for killing a bear in Wisconsin. Residents of Amherst, New York, have reported a black bear in the area; and a black bear attempting to hide in parking garage in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was apprehended by authorities yesterday. A young hunter from Washington state who shot a hiker he mistook for a bear has been sentenced; and the elderly Ohio woman who killed a fawn with a shovel has turned herself in. A writer from Arkansas details the various problems, including diseases, that feeding deer can foster. Michigan officials are looking into deer poaching allegations with a backdrop of public resistance to efforts in culling the deer population; but officials in New Jersey cited income of over $20,000 earned from permits to hunt deer. Details on South Dakota's projected cougar hunting season are provided by the next article. An airport in Manitoba, Canada, is considering removal of coyotes who occasionally run onto the landing strip; and with an estimated 40,000 coyotes in Pennsylvania, encounters with humans are on the rise. More details on pending gray wolf hunts in Montana and Idaho are discussed in an item from the Los Angeles Times; while wildlife cameras have revealed a wolf pack that has established itself in Washington state. A raptor seminar will allow residents of South Carolina to get a close look at these birds of prey; but attempts to rescue a grounded eagle in Florida have proved unsuccessful so far. With over 600 nesting sites identified in Virginia, a website that lists their locations could be a birder's delight. And finally, the mystery of two stolen eagles was finally solved 30 years after they disappeared.

Zoos Fear Forced Closure, Destruction of Animals

Protecting the pond from pests

State hygienic laboratory reports another positive test for rabies virus

Rabid Raccoon Found Inside Maymont Park

Game and Fish captures bear near Rozet

Wis. officials defend bear kill

Black Bear Sighting in Town of Amherst

Bear caught visiting downtown Springs

WA teen who mistook hiker for bear gets 30 days

75-Year-Old Deer Killer Surrenders

Feeding deer associated with a human and deer illnesses

Muskegon Co. officials investigating alleged deer poaching

Hunterdon County Freeholders approve parkland deer hunt

State locks down season for hunting mountain lion

Coyotes may have to be shot at airport

Hiker Has Encounter With Coyote At North Park

Montana, Idaho hunters to set sights on gray wolves

Signs of wolf pack found in Pend Oreille County

Hawks and owls will be present at raptor seminar

Grounded bald eagle prompts rescue effort

Bald-eagle nest sites in Va. listed online

2 stolen eagles returned home - 30 years after being stolen from Central Park