WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 042409

Wildlife news leads off with a couple of tragedies today: an electrical fire claimed several dozen animals at a California wildlife refuge; followed by a story about how lead poisoning from mine runoff has killed many tundra swans in Idaho as they stop off on their way back to Alaska. The Federal Aviation Administration has provided data of nearly 90,000 bird strikes, along with data on airplane collisions with other wildlife, including deer, bats, rabbits, and even turtles on the runway. A black bear that has travelled over 100 miles from New Jersey to Maryland has been captured and will be relocated; and the infamous Washington state freeway bear has been captured and will be relocated to a lesser-trafficked area. Wolves who would have been euthanized are being allowed to live out their lives at a wolf refuge in Pennsylvania; while the US Department of Agriculture has installed a pair of wildlife cameras in Madison, Wisconsin, to help track urban coyotes. A Washington Post article discusses practical methods for keeping deer from devouring homeowners' groundcover; and a motorcyclist in Iowa was killed in a collision with a deer outside of Des Moines. A California man recalls his encounter with a cougar; followed by a tale of two cougars who have grown too comfortable with people: one from Oregon has a wildlife habitat to go to if wildlife officials can capture it; one from New Mexico, however, isn't so lucky. Georgia animal control officers remind pet owners to keep their rabies shots current; sage advice which pet owners in Florida, waiting anxiously to see if their dog, bitten by a rabid raccoon, will develop rabies, should have followed. And finally, some amusing skunk videos to start your weekend off right!

38 animals die in fire at Calif. wildlife refuge

Toxic mining wastes kill tundra swans in Idaho

FAA makes public its airplane-bird strike data

Eastern Shore Black Bear Captured and Relocated

Freeway bear trapped near Stanwood

Wolves Find Refuge in Lititz

Cameras Used To Track Coyotes In Madison

Man vs. Deer [Let's get practical]

Motorcycle-deer collision kills Norwalk rider

San Benancio resident recounts close call with mountain lion

Corvallis-area cougar gaining supporters

State officials opt to euthanize cougar

Rabies Vaccinations Critical For Pets

Raccoon tests positive for rabies

Some skunks for the weekend