Quincy, MA
News
Researchers Spot 161 Whales, Including 7 Different Species, Off Mass Coast Researchers Spot 161 Whales, Including 7 Different Species, Off Mass Coast
Researchers Spot 161 Whales, Including 7 Different Species, Off Mass Coast It’s a whale of a tale and researchers have the pictures to prove it. A recent aerial survey conducted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center came across a jaw-dropping 161 whales in the waters south of Martha’s Vineyard and southeast of Nantucket. The stunning display was comprised of seven different whale species, including 93 sei, 36 humpback, 21 fin, as well as minke, sperm, and North Atlantic right whales. Researchers also spotted two Orcas, also known as killer whales, one of whom was seen chowing down on a tuna. NOAA Fisheries’ New England/Mid-Atlantic region called it a “dazzli…

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by Michael Mashburn
Tarrytown-SleepyHollow, NY
Schools
Westchester Students Help Name Baby Falcons Born On Top Of New Tappan Zee Bridge Westchester Students Help Name Baby Falcons Born On Top Of New Tappan Zee Bridge
Westchester Students Help Name Baby Falcons Born On Top Of New Tappan Zee Bridge Thanks to elementary school students in Westchester and Rockland counties, several baby peregrine falcons born on top of the new Tappan Zee Bridge have been bestowed with creative names.  To name the falcons, which were born in late May on top of the new Tappan Zee Bridge, the New York State Thruway Authority and Veolia Water held a contest in which voters could decide between several names chosen by schoolchildren throughout the region. Nearly 200,000 votes later, the results are in — the four winning names are:  Beakoncé, which earned 26 percent of votes and was the idea of Ms…

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by Ben Crnic
West Chester, PA
News
'We'll Never Forget This': Record-Breaking Perch Caught In Chester County 'We'll Never Forget This': Record-Breaking Perch Caught In Chester County
'We'll Never Forget This': Record-Breaking Perch Caught In Chester County A 19-year-old from Berks County set a new state record when he caught a 2-pound, 1-ounce white perch in the Delaware River.  The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said Christopher Barrett's catch topped the previous state record for white perch, set in 2008.  Barrett and his dad Craig, both of Mohnton, set out in a 20-foot center console fishing boat from the Ridley Township Municipal Marina on April 14 and headed up the river, officials said in a release.  They ended up just below the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester County and were using heavy-duty spinning rods …

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by Mac Bullock
Mahopac, NY
News
Several Bear Sightings Reported Throughout This Hudson Valley County: Here's How To Avoid Them Several Bear Sightings Reported Throughout This Hudson Valley County: Here's How To Avoid Them
Several Bear Sightings Reported Throughout This Hudson Valley County: Here's How To Avoid Them Several bear sightings have been reported throughout a Hudson Valley county as they emerge from their winter dens.  The sightings were reported over several days by residents in multiple areas of Putnam County, according to an announcement by the Putnam County SPCA on Tuesday, June 4.  Although the organization did not identify specific areas where the bears were spotted, it did explain that sightings have increased as the bears search for food following their emergence from their winter dens with depleted fat reserves. According to the New York State Department of Environmental …

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by Ben Crnic
Hartford, CT
News
Adult Male Bear Shot, Killed By CT Business Owner In Self-Defense Adult Male Bear Shot, Killed By CT Business Owner In Self-Defense
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…

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by Kathy Reakes
Fredericksburg, VA
News
Baby Alligator Confiscated From Home By Spotsy Sheriff's Office Baby Alligator Confiscated From Home By Spotsy Sheriff's Office
Baby Alligator Confiscated From Home By Spotsy Sheriff's Office A baby alligator is settling into its new home at the Luray Zoo after being confiscated from a local resident. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office said the county's animal control division confiscated the young animal. "These creatures are not native to Virginia and personal ownership without proper licensing is illegal throughout the Commonwealth," the sheriff's office said. The Luray Zoo A Rescue Zoo website says it's a privately owned facility operating as a haven for unwanted pets, retired zoo animals, and abused animals.

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by Cecilia Levine
Rye, NY
News
Osprey Nest Causes Closure At Popular Rye Playland Ride Osprey Nest Causes Closure At Popular Rye Playland Ride
Osprey Nest Causes Closure At Popular Rye Playland Ride A major ride at a popular Westchester amusement park is temporarily shut down thanks to some avian visitors who decided it was a perfect site to build their home.  The Gondola Wheel at Rye Playland is temporarily closed because of an active Osprey nest built on the ride, the park announced on Thursday, May 16.  The park, which opened for the season on Saturday, May 18, said the wheel would be closed "until further notice" to protect the Ospreys who have called it home. Park officials also said they would continue to share updates with guests. View this post on…

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by Ben Crnic
Lakewood, NJ
News
Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At South Jersey Animal Refuge Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At South Jersey Animal Refuge
Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At South Jersey Animal Refuge A beloved lion has died after spending a decade in the care of an Ocean County animal refuge. Simba died "after a very long and full life" at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, the Lacey Township sanctuary announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Apr. 30. He was brought to the park with three other big cats in 2014. Popcorn Park said Simba was among several animals that needed care after their owner in Alabama became sick and could no longer help them. "Simba was very personable and when we'd walk by he'd always get up to greet us," Popcorn Park executive director John Bergmann said in a sta…

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by Chris Spiker
Hudson, NY
News
In Fursuit: Search For Cubs Underway After Mama Bear Killed On Taconic State Parkway In Fursuit: Search For Cubs Underway After Mama Bear Killed On Taconic State Parkway
In Fursuit: Search For Cubs Underway After Mama Bear Killed On Taconic State 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…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lakewood, NJ
News
Blind 'One-Of-A-Kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies Blind 'One-Of-A-Kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies
Blind 'One-Of-a-kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies A blind kangaroo who was beloved at an Ocean County animal refuge has died, officials said. The red kangaroo named Winnie died after receiving care for "a myriad of health issues" at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, the park said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Apr. 18. Winnie arrived at the Lacey Township sanctuary in June 2022. Popcorn Park caretakers gave Winnie daily medicine and special veterinary visits so she could have "a peaceful, loving home." "However, throughout the past few weeks, her health began to decline, and unfortunately she was not responding to any medications or…

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by Chris Spiker
New Haven, CT
News
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 …

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by Kathy Reakes
Lakewood, NJ
News
Humpback Whale Found Along Jersey Shore Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows Humpback Whale Found Along Jersey Shore Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows
Humpback Whale Found Along Jersey Shore Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows The first whale found dead along the Jersey Shore in 2024 was killed by blunt force trauma, according to a marine animal rehabilitation center. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) released the humpback whale's autopsy findings in a Facebook post on Friday, Apr. 12. The whale was found in the surf near 51st Street in Long Beach at around 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, Apr. 11. MMSC said the whale was a one-year-old male that was 24 feet 10 inches long. The initial findings showed the whale's head had bruises, several skull fractures, and a hematoma. The autopsy also showed the whale suf…

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by Chris Spiker