WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 092109

Our first wildlife article today provides an educational experience with 'Mouse School' and other hawk rehabilitation techniques at an Ohio raptor shelter; while raptor enthusiasts from all around the area flocked to Greenwich, Connecticut, over the weekend and recorded more than 700 hawks soaring past as they migrated south for the winter. The contentious issue of Native American religion versus the Endangered Species Act protections for the bald eagle is examined in a Los Angeles Times article. A Pennsylvania columnist voices his beef with skunks in the neighborhood. Some pointers on trapping coyotes is provided in the next article from Minnesota; followed by one on a hazard of hunting coyotes in Vermont: shooting a hunting partner! Public safety officials in an Illinois community are restrained from harming coyotes that are making a nuisance of themselves in the area; while a writer from Massachusetts has posted a warning to parents and pet owners that coyotes have been spotted in the area. The divisive issue of wolves is explored in an article from Oregon. Vladimir Putin was on hand for the release of two snow leopards into a wildlife preserve in Russia. An uptick in cougar sightings in Nebraska has prompted wildlife officials to inform residents of the ground rules in dealing with these predators; and reports of an adult and a juvenile cougar were filed in Portola Valley, California, over the weekend. Two people were hurt when a pickup truck swerved to avoid hitting a deer in upstate New York over the weekend; but with 18 deaths and millions of dollars worth of damage statewide over the past few years, North Carolina's Department of Transportation is providing drivers with some tips on how to avoid collisions with deer in the road. Authorities in the UK are attempting to curb illegal deer hunts; but after two harsh winters and an increase in predators, deer populations in the Northeast have suffered. For aspiring nature photographers, Vermont is offering to post your pictures of deer; while wildlife officials in Montana are trying to unravel a mystery about a deer found shot in the head on an elementary school playground. Wildlife officials in Québec, Canada, believe they have caught up with the bear which mauled a woman last week; but a bear's visit to a Seminole County, Florida, school caused a bit of a ruckus today. A press release from the Pennsylvania Game Commission provides useful tips to help residents avoid conflicts with bears; and an outdoor enthusiast from Washington state hiking in Olympic National Park had an unexpected berry-tasting partner: a bear! The plight of the polar bear due to Global Warming is explored in an article from U.S. News & World Report. And finally, a rare red panda nearly made the great escape from its enclosure at Beigong National Forest Park, China!

Young hawk takes flight with help from humans

Thousands turn out for annual hawk watch

Bald eagle case raises issue of religious liberty

Skunks: The real scourge of Johnstown suburbia

Challenged by the cunning coyote

Georgia Man Sentenced For Shooting Hunting Partner

Coyote spotted, but authorities are hand-tied

Coyotes sighted in Port

Wolves: majestic symbol or bloodthirsty predator? Debate divides Oregonians

Putin hangs out with the big cats: Snow leopards

Mountain Lion Sightings Prompt Policy Reminder

Two mountain lions spotted Saturday afternoon in Portola Valley

Two hurt as truck avoids hitting deer

NC DOT reminds drivers to be aware of deer

Police crackdown on deer poaching

Deer kill in Maine could be the lowest in 25 years

Vt. seeks deer photos

Deer found dead, shot in head on Helena playground

Bear involved in attack killed: Quebec officials

Bear Leaves Area After School Locked Down

Pennsylvania Game Commission Offers Advice on Avoiding Bear Conflicts

Bears, berries: Olympic park's High Divide trail

White Bear Takes Center Stage in Climate Drama

The little red panda who could ... almost