WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 041809

In the confusion of a wildfire evacuation, pets and owners get separated - enter the pet detectives! The importance of crayfish (crawfish?) to the biosphere is explored in the next item; while Interior Secretary Salazar will decide whether the Endangered Species Act is endangered after tampering by the Bush Administration during their last days in office. A resident of South Carolina was under observation after being bitten by a rabid raccoon; but apparently the coyotes in a New York State area are just aggressive, as tests of the latest one shot for attacking humans came up negative on the rabies test; although the father of one bite victim was not convinced that authorities got the right coyote. An animal farm worker shares his thoughts on a face-to-face encounter with coyotes in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada; while residents of a New Jersey neighborhood are receiving warnings from authorities of a coyote prowling their area. As it becomes increasingly evident that wolves are responsible for Oregon livestock deaths, ranchers are clamoring for depredation permits to hunt them. Something peculiar is happening to deer on Kodiak Island off the coast of Alaska; followed by a discussion of ways and means to protect vegetation from foraging deer, as outlined in the next item from Pennsylvania. Reports of an injured deer along the Metro rail lines in Chicago nearly caused an interruption of service; but lest you think deer-car collisions are isolated to the US, Scotland records an average of 3 deaths and millions of pounds in damages due to the same phenomenon each year. Late snows have kept the snow geese population in South Dakota longer than usual, keeping eagles that prey on the geese in the area as well, which has produced more eagle deaths in the area that ordinarily would have taken place further north; and due to technical difficulties, the Caltrans Eagle Cam is off the air, frustrating avian voyeurs trying to check up on the progress of a trio of hatchlings. What was believed to be a cougar was spotted in a residential area of New York's Hudson River Valley. And finally, a Canadian gas station has some amenities for dogs at the car/dog wash where pets can be cleaned up, including special soap to remove skunk smell (although one wonders who would put a skunk-sprayed dog in the car to bring it to the wash?)

'Pet Detectives' Help Wildfire Victims

SAUNTERINGS: ‘Is it a crawfish or a crayfish?’

Salazar reviews 'midnight' endangered species rule

Easley man treated for rabies after raccoon bite

Coyote tested negative for rabies

Victim's Father Speaks Out About Son's Coyote Attack

COYOTES: Attendant shares his face-to-face encounter with animals

Coyote spotted in Chatham Borough

Oregon ranchers cry for wolf hearings

Malformations seen in south-end deer

Solutions for keeping deer out of your garden

Crews Investigate Report Of Deer Near Blue Line

Deer threaten drivers in Scotland

Agent: Snow cover could be increasing eagle deaths

Caltrans eagle cam malfunctioning

Feline sightings spread to Pearl River

Be careful not to step in a poodle