WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 050209

In wildlife news, following on the heels of an earlier edict that restricted people visiting bat caves, the US Forest Service is enforcing closure of caves in 33 states to halt an alarming die-off of over 500,000 bats afflicted with the 'white-nose syndrome' fungus. Mountain Home, Idaho, residents reported what appeared to be a cougar prowling around the outskirts of town; and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish officials are caught in a dilemma about what to do about cougars. A quintet of rabies stories from across the country: a dog in New York State was quarantined after owners couldn't prove it had been vaccinated against rabies; residents of a Pennsylvania town are getting upset about inaction by officials on rabid skunk incursions; followed by an update on rabid wildlife in Arizona; the next article, from East Texas, discusses the importance of rabies shots for pets (a few dollars versus up to $3,000 for post-exposure treatments); while Columbus, Georgia, is also seeing a spike in rabid wildlife. The debate over whether to protect or hunt wolves attacking livestock in Oregon nearly came to blows in the Legislature; while Utah's Department of Transportation has halted construction of a road after it was determined that red-tail hawks had built a nest in their path. And finally, tree-trimmers to the rescue, as a pair of orphaned hawk chicks had to be rescued from a nest in Panama City, Florida.

Forest Service closes caves to stop bat fungus

Possible Cougar sighting

State: Cougar killings come down to liability

Dog quarantined for six months after contact with rabid skunk

Rabid Skunks in Neighborhood

Rabies cases up; 3 found in animals at school

Reported Rabies Cases Have Health Officials Urging Caution

Rise in rabies cases puts Valley pets at risk

Battle over wolves continues in the Legislature

UDOT halts Lehi project after finding hawk nest

Baby Hawks Rescued