WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 072409

In another reminder that size matters, scientists have confirmed that toucans radiate excessive body heat from their enormous bills (an important feature, since birds don't sweat), in our first wildlife article today; but Washington state officials have confirmed that a red-tailed hawk was infected with West Nile virus. An Op-Ed piece from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, recollects the lives of two pet turkeys in regards to local intolerance to deer; followed by a story about how the mystery of a poached deer in Oregon was solved. An Indiana community discusses plans for a deer hunt within the city limits in the next article; and an example of resulting deer problems follows, as an Indiana youth who avoided hitting a deer hit two trees instead! Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources is asking citizens for feedback on their ideas about hunting; while a botanical garden in North Carolina is resorting to a deer hunt to save the flora from the fauna! The thorny issue of elk hunting as the population declines, apparently due to federally-protected gray wolves, is tackled by this article from Wyoming. Love is in the air (causing bears to be in the backyard) in Virginia; but a bear in Florida expired after collisions with three vehicles. A resident of San Dimas, California, called police when a black bear decided to pick some fruit from their apple tree; and police in a New Jersey township had a busy week: one hungry bear and one crazed groundhog! A warning about rabies and some tips on avoiding infection is provided by the next article from California; but New Jersey health officials determined that they had another rabies case after testing a raccoon; and a raccoon in North Carolina tested positive for rabies as well. Canadian officials provide safety tips to residents of British Columbia; something which officials in a Minnesota community might consider doing, as the residents are on edge after the sighting of a cougar, a rare occurrence in that state. A writer discusses the virtues of having coyotes in the vicinity of Chicago, Illinois, and presents some interesting numbers on coyote survival in the city versus in the countryside. Homeowners in an Oregon community are being warned about coyotes in the area. And finally, an Illinois community has its own version of the La Brea Tar Pits, which trapped a pair of feral dogs and a possum (but it seems unlikely that a name like 'The East Saint Louis Garbage Pit' would prove much of a tourist attraction).

Hot secret behind toucan's bill

Hawk near Prosser tests positive for West Nile virus

Letters: Pet turkey raises question about geese and deer

Creswell deer poaching suspects cited

City Eyes Deer Task Force Recommendations

Darting deer causes Bristol teen to crash car

State wants feedback on hunting proposals

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden to allow deer hunting to protect flowers

Commission weighs cuts to elk licenses near Cody

Staunton bear invasion continues

Bear hit by 3 vehicles dies on Fla. highway

Bear wanders downhill for apple breakfast in San Dimas

Boonton Twp. cops mace groundhog, respond to brazen bear

Rabies found in Monterey County

Fourth rabid animal turns up in Monroe

Rabid raccoon caught in Hope Mills

Cougar safety tips and precautions from the pros

Mountain Lion Spotted in Eden Prairie?

Chicago's Coyotes Will Probably Not Eat Your Pets (Probably)

Coyotes spotted in Keizer

East St. Louis Cops Need Help Freeing Stuck Animals