WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 092409

In our first wildlife story today, Pete Thomas of the LA Times tells about a black bear that was killed by visitors to Mammoth Lakes, California; but Massachusetts homeowners were told to beware of a bear in the neighborhood. A raccoon in Concord, New Hampshire, is in the crosshairs, as one official said he would "put it 2 feet under" if he catches up to it. Residents of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, are becoming concerned after another rabid raccoon was reported, the 10th such report so far this year in that area. Wildlife officials in Tennessee are scattering rabies-vaccinated baits in 15 counties in hopes of reducing rabid raccoon incidents; and a rabid raccoon was seen near a restroom in Yonkers, New York. Two cases of rabid wildlife (a skunk and a raccoon) were reported in Fairfax, Virginia; followed by the report of a rabid skunk in an Ontario, Canada, community which puts the tally of rabid wildlife at five so far this year. The hilarious misadventures of a family from Chicago, Illinois, is chronicled as their dog mixes it up with a skunk with predictable consequences! A wildlife biologist from Minnesota reflects on a cougar killed in an auto accident last Friday; while a cougar in Northern California jumped off a bluff right in front of an automobile, suffering severe injuries for which it was euthanized; and a feline spotted near an Oregon high school was confirmed to have been a cougar. A Michigan community will soon hear the findings of a deer committee on the wisdom of culling the herd. Sea Eagles in Scotland had a bonnie year, repopulating areas where eagles had been absent for a long time; followed by some advice on raccoons and blue jays in California from wildlife and pet columnist Gary Bogue. A rural homeowner from Ohio reflects on wildlife around their property. And finally, a 'Critter Catcher' from Kansas City, Missouri, is profiled.

Bear shot to death by angler at Lake Mary in Mammoth Lakes area

Methuen warns residents to be wary of bear

Suspicious raccoon eludes capture

More animal attacks in North Myrtle Beach subdivision

Tennessee Works To Prevent Raccoon Rabies

Rabies alert issued for Yonkers raccoon at Fleming Field

Animal Watch

Skunk the latest rabid animal in area

Kirby got skunked

Bemidji Cougar Death Brings Community Closure

Mountain lion killed near Smartsville

Cougar sighted near Estacada High School

Committee to present findings on Rochester Hills deer problem at meeting

Record year for sea eagle pairs

Gary Bogue: Tomatoes: Who's picking my heirloom tomatoes?

The squirrel and the ‘possum: A story of American agriculture

Catching critters