WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 091809

Homeowners in an Illinois town are concerned over the tepid response by the city to control the skunk population; while the skunk population at DePauw University in Indiana is causing concern for school officials. The controversial plan to hunt deer near the University of Mississippi has been suspended; and two animal control officers from Sioux City, Iowa, managed to rescue a deer trapped in a pipe, but then needed some help themselves after being overcome by fumes and heat. A mule deer that had been kept as a pet in Riverside County, California, has been confiscated by Fish and Game officials, and was an instant hit at their shelter! A little bear on campus caused a big stir at a couple of Virginia schools; but a bear shot near a Washington state high school may have been taken illegally. Wildlife officials in New Jersey will attempt to capture and haze an aggressive black bear before releasing it back into the wild. Wildlife officials in Virginia provided tips to residents about handling animal carcasses that could be rabid. A world-class pianist discusses her music and how wolves figure into it; but an Ontario, Canada, township is reporting an increase in coyote-livestock incidents. A juvenile coyote that had fallen into a sinkhole in Ocala, Florida, was rescued by animal control officers; even as pet owners are on the alert after reports of coyotes in Clearwater. Microsoft employees reported seeing a coyote and a cougar on the Microsoft campus yesterday (no doubt attracted by the abundance of mice at the facility!) Wildlife officials in Minnesota are debating whether a horse's wounds were caused by a cougar or something else; while rumors of cougars in Maine are explored in the next article. A New York chapter of the SPCA has taken a red-tailed hawk found along a busy road under its wing. And finally, a miniature town in Devon, UK, has a winged protector to chase away predatory seagulls!

Skunks concern residents; city says issue is under control

Skunk population brings health, trash concerns

Oxford deer hunt suspended

Iowa animal officers injured in deer rescue

Riverside animal services confiscates mule deer apparently kept as a pet

Bear causes scare for Alleghany County schools

Bear shot near Ocosta High School

DEP to capture aggressive bear

Rabid raccoon confirmed in Varina area

Pianist Grimaud: Wolves are a way into music

Coyote Problem In McNab Braeside

Young coyote rescued from Ocala sinkhole

Caution follows reports of coyotes roaming in two Clearwater neighborhoods

Coyote, Cougar Confusion Near Microsoft Campus

Cougars in the metro?

Kitty, kitty, here?

SPCA cares for hawk found on busy road

Don't mess with the bird: Hawk the slayer protects the citizens of ToyTown