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Saturday, dec 28
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Wildlife Conservation
Lifestyle
Melissa Joan Hart Shares Touching Connection To Late 'Cassius The Crocodile'
New York native Melissa Joan Hart revealed a special connection to the late Cassius the Crocodile. The saltwater croc, who measured 18 feet long and weighed nearly 2,870 pounds, died Saturday, Nov. 2, at an estimated age of 120, Marineland Melanesia in Australia announced on Facebook. Cassius received the Guinness World Record as the largest living captive crocodile in 2011. Marineland Melanesia said he was “very old and believed to be living beyond the years of a wild croc.” “It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our beloved mate Cassius,” the organization said. “He was mor…
News
Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation
Outrage is swirling after New York wildlife officials seized and later euthanized beloved social media sensation “Peanut” the squirrel. Chemung County resident Mark Longo, of Elmira, took to Instagram Wednesday, Oct 30, telling his 581,000 followers that Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers had seized the animal, which he rescued in 2017 after its mother was struck by a car. “Well internet, you WON. You took one of the most amazing animals away from me because of your selfishness,” he wrote. “To the people who called (DEC), there’s a special place in hell for you.” In a…
News
Did You Lose A Giant Snake At CT Landmark? Police Want A Word
Police in Connecticut are asking for the public's help to track down the people who left a ball python at a reservoir in Hartford County. Video from the Nepaug Reservoir off Route 202 in Canton showed several people dumping the snake and running away just before 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13, Burlington and Canton Animal Control said in a Facebook post. There are several popular hiking and biking trails near the reservoir. The snake was listed as "young," but was still much too large for this reporter's liking. Police took the python into custody and are keeping it…
Lifestyle
New Lobster Tales: 2 More Rare Orange Crustaceans Found At NY Businesses
As families gathered over Labor Day weekend, these lucky crustaceans enjoyed a reunion of their own. Days after an ultra rare orange lobster was saved from a New York Stop & Shop, two of her siblings were rescued from businesses on Long Island. “Meet Tangerine and Navel, Clementine's sisters who were rescued and released this Labor Day following an influx of calls about orange lobsters turning up at the East Setauket Stop & Shop and Northport Fish & Lobster!” Humane Long Island announced on Facebook Tuesday, Sept. 3. Earlier Report: Ultra Rare Orange Lobster Rescued From…
Lifestyle
400-Pound Turtle 'Phinney' Rescued On Cape Cod After Getting Tangled In Fishing Gear
A nearly 400-pound, six-foot-long leatherback turtle nicknamed Phinney is back at sea following a harrowing ordeal with some fishing ropes on Cape Cod last week. New England Aquarium Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life scientists and members of the Aquarium's Animal Health team and Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation team rescued the turtle on Thursday, July 18. “The turtle had a rope entanglement around the shoulder region of its right front flipper, but fortunately it was detected quickly and the gear was still loose with minimal damage to the flipper,” said Dr. Melissa Jobl…
News
Adult Male Bear Shot, Killed By CT Business Owner In Self-Defense
A Connecticut business owner who was cleaning up trash from around a garbage dumpster shot and killed a bear that approached him. The incident occurred in Hartford County early Monday, June 3, in Canton. Paul Copleman, spokesman for the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, said the bear, an adult male, had gotten into the "unsecured" dumpster. The business owner, who was not named, was cleaning up the mess when the bear returned. Copleman said wildlife personnel and EnConn police responded to the scene. He did not release details regarding the shootin…
News
In Fursuit: Search For Cubs Underway After Mama Bear Killed On NY Parkway
Despite social media buzz and some help from a couple of drone operators, there’s still no sign of a family of black bear cubs days after their mama was struck and killed on a highway in the region. The Columbia County incident happened Friday evening, April 19, on the Taconic State Parkway near Exit 99 in the hamlet of Spencertown. Two or three 10-pound cubs that are still nursing were left orphaned when the adult bear was hit and killed, according to the wildlife nonprofit Lucky Rehabilitation Center. “We located the body of their mom and will be gathering hair samples this morning in th…
News
CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases
As black bear activity increases following winter denning season, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents to do their part by not reinforcing behaviors resulting in human-bear conflicts. At a Tuesday, April 9 event in New Haven County in Southbury, with representatives from the National Audubon Society, speakers highlighted an important reminder to help reduce bear conflicts with people: take down birdfeeders. DEEP officials said birdfeeders are an easy and tasty source of calories for bears. They regularly bring bears close to …
Lifestyle
Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up'
Where is Albert the alligator? That’s what a New York man and his thousands of supporters are demanding to know after state wildlife officials seized his 11-foot, 750-pound gator from his home. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers showed up to Tony Cavallaro’s Erie County residence in the town Hamburg on Wednesday, March 13, after learning that he had built an addition to his home and installed an in-ground swimming pool to keep the gator. Officers accused Cavallaro of allowing members of the public, including children, to get into the water and pet Albert while the all…
News
Team From CT's Mystic Aquarium Investigating Fatal Whale Stranding: 'This Animal Now At Peace'
A team from Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium is investigating what caused a 25,000-pound fin whale to become stranded in a pond and die as a result. The 42-foot-long whale was discovered stranded at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29 in Potter Pond in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, according to Mystic Aquarium spokeswoman Meagan Seacor. Soon after the whale's discovery by a local resident, the aquarium's Animal Rescue Team and officials from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) responded to the scene to try and help the stranded animal. After arriving, …
News
Bald Eagle Comes Back To Life After Being Found In Newtown Road
In the midst of spooky season, a bald eagle seemingly came back from the dead after it was found lifeless on a Fairfield County road. The incident happened on Monday, Oct. 9, when Newtown Police and Animal Control responded to Mount Pleasant Road, where a possibly dead bald eagle was found in the street. According to the department though, after a short amount of time, the bald eagle roused, walked away from the road, and flew into a nearby tree, turning the day from tragic to joyous. The department later thanked the passerby who managed to spot the bird and keep it safe …
News
12-Year-Old Attacked By Bear At Park In NY
A 12-year-old Boy Scout is on the mend after an encounter with a black bear left him with minor injuries, ABC7 reports. Henry Ayers told the outlet he was with his troop from Cooperstown camping at Harriman State Park, located in both Rockland and Orange counties, Sunday, May 1, when he awoke to a sharp pain in his leg. "I look up and it was a giant bear,” Ayers told ABC7. “I thought it was a nightmare. It was honestly crazy. I didn't think I was awake." The Scoutmaster, Diana Nicols, told the outlet the bear bit through the boy’s sleeping bag, leaving him with minor cuts and bruises. He…
Lifestyle
Tiny Goldfish Dumped In Lakes Are Growing To Football Size As Officials Issue Warning
Do not release your pet goldfish in lakes or ponds. That's what officials are saying after a huge goldfish was recently pulled from a Minnesota lake, an issue that has been seen across the United States in recent years. National Geographic said while a goldfish typically weighs just 0.2 to 0.6 pounds, they can weigh more than five pounds in the wild, CBS News reported. "They grow bigger than you think and contribute to poor water quality by mucking up the bottom sediments and uprooting plants," the City of Burnsville, Minnesota, tweeted on Friday, July 9. In recent years, huge g…
Lifestyle
Injured Miniature Horse Likely Attacked By Black Bear
State wildlife officials believe a miniature horse may have been attacked by a black bear due to the nature of the injuries. The incident was reported in Fairfield County on Wednesday, May 20, when a Wilton resident called the police department to report the attack, said Wilton Police Lt. Robert Kluk. Wilton Animal Control, as well as an officer from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), responded to the home on Kellogg Drive and determined the horse had been attacked sometime during the overnight hours. "It was determined from the wounds to the animal that it…
News
Bear Sighting Reports On Rise In Connecticut
With warmer weather reaching the region as spring begins anew, there has been a reported uptick in black bear sightings in Connecticut, officials said. The New York State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said that there have been more bear activity since the weather broke, with many waking from hibernation and looking for sustenance. Officials warned that bears are attracted to bird feeders and garbage, and are more likely to revisit places they’ve found food in the past. It was advised that bird feeders shouldn’t be out at this point of the year, garbage containers …
Lifestyle
Deer Rescued In Area After Snout Gets Stuck In Halloween Bucket For Days
A yearling deer with its snout stuck in a Halloween bucket for days was saved thanks to concerned residents and animal control officials. The deer was seen in Putnam Valley by a couple of residents who then called the Putnam County SPCS and state Encon officials who were able to grab the baby and gently work the pumpkin bucket off of its head. Reportedly, the bucket was stuck on the deer for four days, and once it was posted to social media people across the country became concerned about the poor little deer. The community, which sees the yearling and her mother around the area, have name…
Lifestyle
Deer-Mating Season, Earlier Sunsets Lead To Increases In Crashes
Oh, deer. It’s deer mating season, and area residents have been cautioned that there will be a rise in vehicle collisions involving the animal for several months. The breeding season for white-tailed deer in the area runs from October to January, with peak activity taking place in mid-November, leading to an increase of sightings and collisions involving deer vs. drivers. AAA said that following the shift in clocks for Daylight Savings Time over the weekend, drivers and pedestrians should be most aware of potential collisions with deer between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. during the evening commute.…
News
One Bald Eagle Dies, One Fighting For Life After Separate Incidents
One bald eagle died and a second is fighting for life after separate incidents in Connecticut, according to the Audubon Society. One eagle, initially rescued by state police, was found on the side of Route 8, in the area of exit 25, in the Beacon Falls/Naugatuck region, said the Audubon Sharon on Facebook. The person who found the eagle said he saw it fall to the ground. But the Society says on Facebook that the eagle was hit by a vehicle suffering a fractured wing and soft tissue damage. The federal band on the eagle documented that he was a male and banded as a nestling in Connecticut …
News
ID Released For Woman Who Climbed Into Lion's Den At Bronx Zoo
Police have identified the daredevil who dove into a lion enclosure at the Bronx Zoo in a video that went viral over the weekend. Brooklyn resident Myah Autry, 32, managed to escape unharmed after she leaped into the African lion exhibit and appeared to taunt one of the animals in a video that went viral on social media over the weekend. In videos posted on Instagram, Autry can be seen climbing over the fence into the lion’s den, then waving, talking, apparently taunting, and dancing in front of the king of the jungle, despite warnings and protestations from other zoo-goers. She captioned …
News
Humpback Whale Makes Big City Splash In NY Harbor
A humpback whale made quite a splash with a group of fisherman in New York City, making a surprise appearance off the coast of Staten Island. The whale was spotted by Alex Carr and several of his co-workers from the Staten Island Zoo who were celebrating a friend’s birthday out on Raritan Bay. The large whale was approximately 100 feet from the boat at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17 when Carr and his buddies managed to snap several photos. The whale hung around in the water for longer than a half-hour as the bemused fishermen watched it. This is the second sighting of a whale in New York…
Lifestyle
Concrete Jungle: NYC Seeing Spike In Coyote Sightings
Manhattan is earning its title as a “concrete jungle” with coyote sightings surging as the weather warms up. The sightings have been highest in upper Manhattan - reportedly up to 35 this year, already six times more than the amount reported two years ago, according to the city’s Parks Department. This year, there have reportedly been 26 sightings in Manhattan, four in Queens and five in the Bronx, including more than a dozen in Central Park. According to the Parks Department, coyotes are canines, “which means that they are members of the same genus as wolves and domesticated dogs. In gener…
Lifestyle
Black Bear Caught On Camera Making Rounds In Norwalk For Second Sighting In Area In Two Days
There's been a sighting of black bear making the rounds in Fairfield County for the second straight day. Norwalk police are reporting that a young black bear was spotted on Thursday, May 23, in the East Rocks Road area, where he seems to be having fun exploring. On Wednesday, May 22, another sighting was reported in the yard of a Westport man in the area of 300 North Avenue and Tuck Lane. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Division (DEEP) were notified in both cases. "Black bears are becoming increasingly common in Connecticut," the department said…
News
Black Bear Sighting Reported In Westport
A Westport resident got a little fright when they encountered a black bear on their property. The sighting took place around 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 22, on North Avenue, said the Westport Police. Officers tracked the bear to the area of 300 North Avenue and Tuck Lane. The bear was not acting in an aggressive manner and was observed to be acting normally, police said. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Wildlife Division (DEEP) was notified, they added. "Black bears are becoming increasingly common in Connecticut," the department said. …
News
Confirmation Of Girl Bitten On Face By Blood-Sucking 'Kissing Bug' Sparks New CDC Warning
The “kissing bug,” a disease-carrying insect which is known to bite people on their mouths and faces, has made its way to the East Coast. In July last year, a family from Kent County in Delaware contacted the state’s Division of Public Health and Department of Agriculture to request assistance in identifying a bug that had bitten their child’s face. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the parents were concerned about possible disease transmission from the insect. In a statement released on Friday, April 19, the CDC confirmed that the bug was identified as Triatoma sanguisug…
Lifestyle
Bear Facts: Here's What To Know As Sightings Start Up Again
As the weather warms, black bears are waking up and coming out of their dens to find food, and plenty of it after months of sleeping. In fact, bear sightings have already been reported across the region, and wildlife experts are reminding residents of the best way to deal with the bears as humans move more into their native habitat. The bear population is healthy and increasing and sightings are becoming more common, especially in neighborhoods because food sources are abundant and easy to access, think birdfeeders, garbage cans, grills, etc. Officials say once a bear finds a good food so…
News
Know Before You Go: This Town In The Hamptons Just Banned The Release Of Balloons
A popular Long Island vacation destination is getting a little less festive with the passing of a rare balloon ban. The East Hampton Town Board announced that it has unanimously voted in favor of legislation that will ban the intentional release of balloons in the area. Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc, who sponsored the legislation, said that the idea behind the new law was to cut down on litter and to protect wildlife that ingests popped balloons. “Balloons waste natural resources, litter our communities, pollute our waterways and kill wildlife,” the new law states. Balloons are defined a…
Police & Fire
Bear Sightings On Rise In Connecticut, Newly Released Stats Show
Residents in Connecticut could only grin and bear it in 2018, as the number of black bear sightings reported in the state reached a new high. From Jan. 9 through Dec. 12 last year, the Connecticut State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection reported that there were 8,936 sightings, up more than 1,200 from the 7,674 sightings in 2017. According to the DEEP, “black bears are impressive animals. Even a long-distance glimpse of one foraging in woodland is an unforgettable experience for most outdoor enthusiasts. However, glimpsing a bear in Connecticut was once unlikely because bear…
News
Body Of Rare Pygmy Sperm Whale That Went Missing From Fairfield County Beach Found
One week after a request for the person who had taken the carcass of a rare pygmy sperm whale from a beach in FairfieldCounty to return it, the whale has been recovered. The Town of Stratford said the whale, the first spotted on Long Island Sound, that washed up on Russian Beach before disappearing last month has been found. The statement was issued by officials with the town, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, which all worked together to retrieve the whale. "Pygmy sperm whales are rather elusive and this may mark&…
News
DEC Wants Rare ‘Exotic’ Deer Spotted In Upstate NY Targeted, Killed As Precaution
Conservation officials in New York are encouraging hunters to target and kill an “exotic” non-native species of deer that has been spotted in the state and may potentially infect native animals in the area with a deadly disease. The New York State Department of Conservation has received several trail photos of a male sika deer, according to a report from New York Upstate. The small elk is native to Japan and eastern Asia, and at least two sources have sent photos to environmental officials. According to the report, Jerry Grigonis, of Fulton, said he first noticed the deer on his trail camer…
News
Search Is On After Body Of Rare Pygmy Sperm Whale Taken From Beach In Stratford
Officials with the town of Stratford are looking for the person who took the body of a rare pygmy sperm whale that had washed ashore on Russian Beach. The whale was found in December and examined by Dr. Christian Senft-Batoh, with the town of Stratford, as well as officials with Mystic Aquarium and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, who confirmed that it was indeed a rare pygmy sperm whale, Senft-Batoh, wrote in a letter to residents. Officials left the whale to wash back into the water and out to sea, she wrote. Residents monitored the whale…
Lifestyle
Video: Reports Of Fox Sightings On Rise In Area
Winter is coming, and with it will come a rash of red fox sightings in suburban areas of New York and Connecticut. Foxes commonly live in close quarters with human residents in certain communities where they can find food, water and cover, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. They frequently take shelter in yards, parks, and golf courses, especially areas that are nearby suitable, undeveloped habitat. During the winter months, foxes expand their territories, primarily due to the decreased availability of prey and extreme weather in open spaces. Thi…
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