Mountain lions are iconic apex predators in California. They are good at living close to humans and because they are so adept they are frequently in the news. Here are three recent stories showing the good and bad of mountain lion proximity. World famous P-22 is believed to be the cat recently spotted in aContinue reading “Cougars In The News: P-22 Takes A Stroll in Los Feliz; Boy Recovering From Attack In Santa Clarita; California Cats In Death Valley Are Starting To Eat Donkeys”
Author Archives: ursusrising
Mutant Frogs Spotted Near Site Of Chernobyl Nuclear Meltdown – Possible Adaptive Response To Radiation
Ukrainian wildlife has been in the news before and during the current war. It has been a very mixed bag of good news and war related misery. Just before hostilities broke out it was reported that the area surrounding the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear meltdown was teeming with life. Wolves, in particular were becoming abundant asContinue reading “Mutant Frogs Spotted Near Site Of Chernobyl Nuclear Meltdown – Possible Adaptive Response To Radiation”
Fierce and Fiesty Wolverines Chase Grizzly Bears In Grand Teton Mountains
Wolverines are one of the fiercest small to mid-size predators in the United States. Their reputation as such has been strong for centuries. The University of Michigan named its football team Wolverines and we can’t forget the Marvel character. But in the news are reports that a baker’s dozen of the beasts, top weight aboutContinue reading “Fierce and Fiesty Wolverines Chase Grizzly Bears In Grand Teton Mountains”
Halloween At Wildlife Learning Center: “Creeptacular” Is Here
The Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar is an accredited small zoo and rescue center in the San Fernando Valley. This October, co-founders Paul Hahn and David Riherd are providing Halloween style entertainment and learning for the young and young-at-heart. “Creeptacular” is set from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. October 8, 15 and the 28-30th. “Don’t missContinue reading “Halloween At Wildlife Learning Center: “Creeptacular” Is Here”
Liberty Canyon Freeway Overcrossing Is Underway And On Schedule; To Be Landmark In Effort To Provide Wildlife Safe Passage Over Freeways
The long-awaited Liberty Canyon wildlife crossing over the 101 freeway is underway. The formal groundbreaking took place in April, work crews started in July and work is on schedule, Caltrans said. When completed, the overcrossing will provide a bridge over the freeway for wildlife to use to avoid near certain death when trying to crossContinue reading “Liberty Canyon Freeway Overcrossing Is Underway And On Schedule; To Be Landmark In Effort To Provide Wildlife Safe Passage Over Freeways”
Mange, Scourge Of Wild Cats And Domestic Animals, Claims First Victim In NPS Mountain Lion Study – Female Found Dead In Malibu
Mange is a highly destructive disease of both wild and domestic animals. The National Parks Service (NPS) recently announced that the disease has claimed a female mountain lion being monitored in the ongoing study of Santa Monica Mountain cougars. She had also ingested rodenticides by eating small prey animals. Rodenticides may contribute to mange. TheContinue reading “Mange, Scourge Of Wild Cats And Domestic Animals, Claims First Victim In NPS Mountain Lion Study – Female Found Dead In Malibu”
200 Pilot Whales Beach Themselves on Australian Coast, Fourteen Young, Rare Sperm Whales Do The Same On Another Beach, Cause Still A Mystery
Authorities are at a loss about what caused at least 14 young male sperm whales to beach themselves and die on a remote stretch of Australian coastline. Meanwhile, rescuers are trying to save some of more than 200 pilot whales who also beached themselves on a beach some distance away. At last report perhaps 44Continue reading “200 Pilot Whales Beach Themselves on Australian Coast, Fourteen Young, Rare Sperm Whales Do The Same On Another Beach, Cause Still A Mystery”
Sharks In Odd Places: Mating Megamouths Off San Diego, Greenland Sharks In The Tropics
Two men fishing off San Diego California have sighted a pair of megamouth sharks. Not only are the sharks very rarely seen, as they live as deep as 15,000 feet, the pair may have been a mating couple. According to Newseek there have been fewer than 300 sightings of the shark since it was firstContinue reading “Sharks In Odd Places: Mating Megamouths Off San Diego, Greenland Sharks In The Tropics”
Indian Prime Minister Announces Major Conservation Successes; Some Are Skeptical, Challenges Remain
India’s prime minister has been lauding critical successes in conservation, advances that mirror efforts in other countries. These successes may point the way to future efforts to prevent extinction of vulnerable species. There are, however, serious challenges ahead. “India Week” concludes today on Wild Animal news. On Monday we reported about Project Cheetah, an ambitiousContinue reading “Indian Prime Minister Announces Major Conservation Successes; Some Are Skeptical, Challenges Remain”
Two Elephants Acting As Security Guards For Eight Namibian Cheetahs Brought To Indian National Park
Yesterday we reported on a controversial plan to bring up to 50 cheetahs back to India. The cheetahs are part of Project Cheetah, an attempt to reverse the extinction of the fast sprinting cat from India. The last Indian cheetahs were killed in 1952. Today comes word that two elephants experienced in security work inContinue reading “Two Elephants Acting As Security Guards For Eight Namibian Cheetahs Brought To Indian National Park”