WILDLIFE NEWS OF THE DAY - 090809

In wildlife news today, University of Illinois' veterinary school was able to successfully rehabilitate a bald eagle found coated with sludge in a sanitary pond; the next article provides some background material on bald eagles in Florida, often the first 'snowbirds' to arrive for the winter; but wildlife officials in India, concerned for their vulture population, are keeping a close eye on these important carrion feeders. A Pennsylvania motorist, attempting to miss a deer in the road, hit a power pole instead! Farmers in Maryland are complaining about deer grazing on their crops, prompting many to call for hunters to thin their ranks; but with a robust deer population, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is sponsoring an urban deer hunt. A bow hunter in Oregon who had set up to bag a deer, bagged a cougar instead! Wildlife and pet columnist Gary Bogue provides some insight on a darkened feline and how to get a possum out of your trashcan humanely. A letter to the editor of the Salt Lake Tribune chides would-be wolf hunters about their recreational choice; but a German Shepherd with neurological problems was mistakenly shot by animal control officers in a North Carolina community who thought that it was a rabid coyote. A writer from Grass Valley, California, advises pet owners to keep an eye on their critters when they let them outside, because coyotes are prowling the area; and a Virginia community is reconsidering their bounty on coyotes due to an increase in deadly encounters with pets; while cat owners in Providence, Rhode Island, have had a bad summer of coyotes making off with their pets. A resident of a community in Alberta, Canada, discusses some of the stinky local neighbors; even as a vet provides some tips on how to administer first-aid to 'skunked' pets. Hayward, California, is putting on an exhibit of the California grizzly bear, which was exterminated in the 1920s (but, hey, if the Australians can try to resurrect the Tasmanian Tiger, maybe Californians will resurrect the California grizzly bear!) A newspaper from New York is encouraging readers to send in photos and video of bears they have seen in their area. And finally, Knut, the world famous Berlin polar bear, is going to be getting a new friend, though not a true girlfriend!

Area wildlife experts get eagle back in the air

Bald Eagles Among First 'Snowbirds' To Arrive In Florida

State to keep hawk eye on vulture growth

Driver strikes utility pole after avoiding deer in Dickinson Township

‘Exploding’ numbers of deer present woe on crops

City brings back bow hunt to help control deer herd

Deer hunter comes home with a cougar

Gary Bogue: Mysterious big black cat: A mountain lion with mange?

Shooting wolves

German shepherd shot in Brunswick County

Beware of coyotes when letting your dog outside

Tazewell officials examine existing bounty on coyotes

Cats becoming prey to coyotes

Resident warns of Edson skunk problem

What to do if your pet is sprayed in the eyes with skunk spray

California s grizzly bears live on in new museum exhibit

READER PHOTOS: Local bear sightings (new photos today)

Bear meets girl: Berlin zoo gets female polar bear