WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 082409

First up in wildlife news today, a campaign in Australia to help Leadbeater's possums burned out by the Black Saturday bushfires is a big hit among school-age kids; but skunks, abandoned in the UK after passage of a law prohibiting de-scenting of pets, are adding their distinctive aroma to the countryside. In an ironic turnabout, either a skunk or a raccoon became a yellow jacket exterminator! A look at raccoons in Florida, where the four smallest varieties reside, is provided by the next article. Airborne distribution of a rabies vaccine intended for raccoons in northern New York state is underway; but a raccoon that quarreled with a pair of labs in Virginia a few days ago turned out to be rabid. The Southern California community of Sierra Madre played host to an ursine visitor. Hunters intent on reducing the urban deer population in Warsaw, Indiana, received training at the local police department; and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is putting together a survey on when the rutting season for deer in different parts of the state occurs. A motorcyclist who was not wearing a helmet is in critical condition after striking a deer in the road in Wisconsin; while another motorcyclist was killed and his wife injured in a collision with a deer in Arkansas. In a letter to the editor regarding an article about counting deer in a New Jersey community, a writer points out that deer should not be counted nor hunted, merely enjoyed. The next story underscores the virtue of procrastination in dealing with a Big Deer on Campus in Wisconsin! A meeting to discuss a proposed deer hunt in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has been scheduled; and the virtue of culling deer in a North Carolina community is discussed. With seven dogs killed by wolves so far this year in Minnesota, residents are beginning to voice their concerns about having the predators in the area. The adaptability of coyotes in the Delmarva (Delaware-Maryland-Virginia) area is explored; and a writer from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, reflects on coyotes in the area. The annual hawk migration through New York State is examined in the next article; but a friendly eagle brought to a Virginia wildlife rehabilitation center will remain their permanent guest due to its inability to feed in the wild. Authorities are warning residents of a British Columbia, Canada, community to keep an eye on their pets and children after a cougar was spotted in the area; even as cougars appear to be making their way back into parts of Nebraska, after having been virtually wiped out in that state years ago. And finally, endangered species are facing a threat from an unexpected quarter: the Internet!

TV takes aim on possums

Locals scent strangers in garden

SKOL: Look out for those ‘bees’

Tropicalia Wild File: Raccoon

County, USDA to distribute rabies vaccine for raccoons

Rabies Case Confirmed in Henrico

There goes the neighborhood... bear moves in

67 Archers Attend Deer Training Saturday At WPD

FWC seeks hunters to complete deer rut survey

Updated: Motorcyclist in critical condition after hitting deer

Motorcyclist Dies In Crash With Deer

Resident sees no point in counting deer in Cranford

Oh, deer: 10-point buck wanders onto WSU campus

Proposed suburban Philly archery deer hunt debated

Safety issues end Kure Beach deer hunting proposal

Rise of wolves putting Minnesota pets at risk

Coyotes thrive in urban setting

Wild ideas about coyotes

Mt. Kisco preserve hosts hawk watch during migration

Eagle with misaligned beak to stay at Va. center

Saanich cougar sighting a warning to those with children and small pets

Outdoors: Cougar makes a cameo [Omaha World-Herald, Neb.]

'Cyber-traffic' endangering primates in Cameroon