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Wildlife Conservation

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Meet Cosmos! 'Opossum Ambassador' Gets Its Name At Wildlife Center Of Virginia Meet Cosmos! 'Opossum Ambassador' Gets Its Name At Wildlife Center Of Virginia
Meet Cosmos! 'Opossum Ambassador' Gets Its Name At Wildlife Center Of Virginia A Virginia opossum with a big personality and an even bigger fan base finally has a name—Cosmos! After receiving more than 10,000 votes, the Wildlife Center of Virginia announced that the winning name for its newest education ambassador is Cosmos, beating out finalists Powhatan and Mars. The name is a perfect fit for the nocturnal marsupial, inspired by the vast, starry sky he loves to explore at night, officials mused. It also holds a special connection to Marigold, a former ambassador opossum, as the Cosmos flower is a cousin of the Marigold. "With this name, Cosmos will carry on Marigol…

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by Zak Failla
News
First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported
First US Human Death From Bird Flu Reported Authorities have confirmed the first human death in the United States caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or H5N1.  The announcement was made by the Louisiana Department of Health on Monday, Jan. 6.  Earlier Report: First Severe Bird Flu Case Confirmed In US The patient, a man over 65 with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized before succumbing to the illness after exposure to a non-commercial backyard flock and wild birds. The Louisiana Department of Health said it has conducted a public health investigation and found no additional cases or …

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
'People's Choice:' Baby Hippo That Took Social Media By Storm In VA Gets Name After Heated Vote 'People's Choice:' Baby Hippo That Took Social Media By Storm In VA Gets Name After Heated Vote
'People's Choice:' Baby Hippo That Took Social Media By Storm In VA Gets Name After Heated Vote What's in a name?  After a spirited global contest, the people have spoken: Richmond Metro Zoo’s baby pygmy hippo now has a fitting moniker. Poppy. The newborn entered the world on Monday, Dec. 9, and has quickly captivated local residents and animal lovers alike, taking off on social media after being transferred to the zoo family on Christmas Eve. Hippo hooray and Merry Christmas Eve! We’re thrilled to welcome a precious baby pygmy hippo to the zoo family - just in... Posted by Metro Richmond Zoo on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 More than 116,000 votes from 165 countries narr…

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by Zak Failla
News
Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation Euthanasia Of 'Peanut The Squirrel' Sparks Viral Outrage; Lawmaker Demands Investigation
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…

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by Michael Mashburn
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