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Wildlife Conservation

CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases
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 …
Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up' Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up'
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…
Team From CT's Mystic Aquarium Investigating Fatal Whale Stranding: 'This Animal Now At Peace' Team From CT's Mystic Aquarium Investigating Fatal Whale Stranding: 'This Animal Now At Peace'
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, …
Bald Eagle Comes Back To Life After Being Found In Newtown Road Bald Eagle Comes Back To Life After Being Found In Newtown Road
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 …
12-Year-Old Attacked By Bear At Park In NY 12-Year-Old Attacked By Bear At Park In NY
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…
Tiny Goldfish Dumped In Lakes Are Growing To Football Size As Officials Issue Warning Tiny Goldfish Dumped In Lakes Are Growing To Football Size As Officials Issue Warning
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…
Injured Miniature Horse Likely Attacked By Black Bear Injured Miniature Horse Likely Attacked By Black Bear
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…
Bear Sighting Reports On Rise In Connecticut Bear Sighting Reports On Rise In Connecticut
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 …
Deer Rescued In Area After Snout Gets Stuck In Halloween Bucket For Days Deer Rescued In Area After Snout Gets Stuck In Halloween Bucket For Days
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…
Deer-Mating Season, Earlier Sunsets Lead To Increases In Crashes Deer-Mating Season, Earlier Sunsets Lead To Increases In Crashes
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.…
One Bald Eagle Dies, One Fighting For Life After Separate Incidents One Bald Eagle Dies, One Fighting For Life After Separate Incidents
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 …
ID Released For Woman Who Climbed Into Lion's Den At Bronx Zoo ID Released For Woman Who Climbed Into Lion's Den At Bronx Zoo
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 …
Humpback Whale Makes Big City Splash In NY Harbor Humpback Whale Makes Big City Splash In NY Harbor
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…
Concrete Jungle: NYC Seeing Spike In Coyote Sightings Concrete Jungle: NYC Seeing Spike In Coyote Sightings
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…
Black Bear Caught On Camera Making Rounds In Norwalk For Second Sighting In Area In Two Days Black Bear Caught On Camera Making Rounds In Norwalk For Second Sighting In Area In Two Days
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…
Black Bear Sighting Reported In Westport Black Bear Sighting Reported In Westport
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. …
Confirmation Of Girl Bitten On Face By Blood-Sucking 'Kissing Bug' Sparks New CDC Warning Confirmation Of Girl Bitten On Face By Blood-Sucking 'Kissing Bug' Sparks New CDC Warning
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…
Bear Facts: Here's What To Know As Sightings Start Up Again Bear Facts: Here's What To Know As Sightings Start Up Again
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…
Know Before You Go: This Town In The Hamptons Just Banned The Release Of Balloons Know Before You Go: This Town In The Hamptons Just Banned The Release Of Balloons
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…
Bear Sightings On Rise In Connecticut, Newly Released Stats Show Bear Sightings On Rise In Connecticut, Newly Released Stats Show
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…
Body Of Rare Pygmy Sperm Whale That Went Missing From Fairfield County Beach Found Body Of Rare Pygmy Sperm Whale That Went Missing From Fairfield County Beach Found
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&…
DEC Wants Rare ‘Exotic’ Deer Spotted In Upstate NY Targeted, Killed As Precaution DEC Wants Rare ‘Exotic’ Deer Spotted In Upstate NY Targeted, Killed As Precaution
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…
Search Is On After Body Of Rare Pygmy Sperm Whale Taken From Beach In Stratford Search Is On After Body Of Rare Pygmy Sperm Whale Taken From Beach In Stratford
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…
Video: Reports Of Fox Sightings On Rise In Area Video: Reports Of Fox Sightings On Rise In Area
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…
Three Nabbed For Illegally Hunting Deer At Night In Area Three Nabbed For Illegally Hunting Deer At Night In Area
Three Nabbed For Illegally Hunting Deer At Night In Area Three men were arrested by state Environmental Conservation Police for illegal deer hunting. The men, all from Southbury, were arrested Monday with the assistance of Woodbury Police and the Connecticut State Police after receiving numerous complaints of illegal deer hunting after sunset near the Roxbury Airport, said the EnCon Police. A proactive Woodbury Police officer was conducting a patrol check of the area after midnight on Monday when they observed a vehicle traveling along Route 317 with the occupants actively shining the open grass fields, a prime deer habitat.  The officer suspect…
Investigation Launched After Metal Pellet Found On Red-Tailed Hawk Rescued By CT EnCon Police Investigation Launched After Metal Pellet Found On Red-Tailed Hawk Rescued By CT EnCon Police
Investigation Launched After Metal Pellet Found On Red-Tailed Hawk Rescued By CT EnCon Police Know anything? The Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police are seeking the public’s assistance after finding a bird who had its wing broken by a metal pellet. On Tuesday, Aug. 21, an injured red-tailed hawk was found at a residence near the exit 4 ramp on I-691 and West Main Street in Meriden. The bird was taken to the Kensington Bird and Animal Hospital, where an x-ray found that a metal pellet had been embedded in its left wing, causing it to bring the ulna bone, police said. The red-tailed hawk remains under observation. Anyone with information regarding the bird or what cau…
Seen One? List Of Black Bear Sightings In Fairfield County, State Released Seen One? List Of Black Bear Sightings In Fairfield County, State Released
Seen One? List Of Black Bear Sightings In Fairfield County, State Released Once a rare sight, the black bear is making a comeback in Fairfield County -- and statewide. The Connecticut State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reported that a total of 7,493 black bear sightings have been reported in Connecticut in the past year, from Aug. 10, 2017 to Aug. 5 of this year, including hundreds in Fairfield County. Most of the sightings have come in Northern Fairfield, with Newtown easily taking the top spot with more than 200 sightings, followed by Brookfield and Danbury.  Here's the complete rundown of sightings in Fairfield County: Bethel: 24;…
Videos: Great White Caught Off RI Coast During 'Shark Week' Videos: Great White Caught Off RI Coast During 'Shark Week'
Videos: Great White Caught Off RI Coast During 'Shark Week' "Shark Week" took a very real turn for a fisherman in Rhode Island. A 6-foot great white was captured at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Sunday by a fisherman off the coast of Rhode Island, according to a social media post by Michael Lorello. The shark was corraled approximately three-quarters of a mile off Miquamicut Beach. Lorello posted pictures of the shark on Facebook, showing it on a bed of other fish as it flopped about. “He’s still alive,” he can be heard saying in the videos, before releasing the shark back into the water. The videos can be seen above. (Warning: there is gra…
CT Man Arrested For Shooting, Killing Bear On Mother-In-Law's Property CT Man Arrested For Shooting, Killing Bear On Mother-In-Law's Property
CT Man Arrested For Shooting, Killing Bear On Mother-In-Law's Property The latest bear sighting in Connecticut has led to weapons charges for a man who allegedly shot and killed a bear in his mother-in-law’s yard, state police announced. Members of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Environmental Conservation Police and Southbury Police Department were dispatched to a Pascoe Road shortly after 6 p.m. on May 24, where there was a report of a man who had fired a gun at a bear. Upon arrival at the scene, police said that officers arrived at the home and found Southbury resident Joshua Gendron, 43, who openly admitted to shooting the…
CT EnCon Police Investigate Shooting Incident Involving Black Vulture CT EnCon Police Investigate Shooting Incident Involving Black Vulture
CT EnCon Police Investigate Shooting Incident Involving Black Vulture Police in Connecticut are seeking the public’s assistance as they search for a suspect who illegally shot a black vulture, breaking its wing. The Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police were contacted by a wildlife rehabilitator in Watertown last week, who reported that a black vulture had recently been shot, suffering a broken wing. 
According to the veterinarian, “vultures are known to be excellent runners and the animal may have been shot in Watertown or a surrounding town.” It is illegal to hunt or shoot black vultures. Anyone with information regarding the incident, or who…
Wilton Man Accused Of Killing Black Bears Gets Probation Wilton Man Accused Of Killing Black Bears Gets Probation
Wilton Man Accused Of Killing Black Bears Gets Probation WILTON, Conn. -- A Wilton man accused of killing two black bears in September was placed on a special probation that will see the charges dismissed if he does not commit a crime in the next two years, according to the Wilton Bulletin. Antonio Lio, 28, of Wilton had been arrested along with 34-year-old Daniel Moran of Wilton after Environmental Conservation Police said the pair had shot and killed two bears on Sept. 16. Police said that they received a tip and responded to a private property in Wilton to find Lio and Moran carrying a bear skin, head and paws in a backpack. Related story: Two…