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
Monroe, NY
Police & Fire
Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence In Hudson Valley Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence In Hudson Valley
Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence In Hudson Valley A black bear is still on the loose after breaking into a Hudson Valley home and being shot by the homeowner. The incident occurred in Orange County on Thursday, March 28 in Greenwood Lake. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), a department police officer responded to the residence after a homeowner called 911 to report a black bear broke into an enclosed front porch.  The homeowner reported shooting the black bear once with a handgun and the bear ran off into the woods, DEC officials said. Attempts to locate the bear were unsuccessful. DEC’s investiga…

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by Kathy Reakes
Albany, NY
Lifestyle
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…

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by Michael Mashburn
Lakewood, NJ
News
'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies 'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies
'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At South Jersey Animal Refuge Dies A beloved tiger has died after spending eight years at an Ocean County animal sanctuary, officials said. Eli the tiger died after his health declined in recent weeks, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mar. 6. The tiger experienced "discomfort and decreased mobility" despite the efforts of the veterinarians at the Lacey Township sanctuary. Eli and his sister Jess arrived at Popcorn Park in December 2016. "After exhausting all options and considering his quality of life, we made the difficult decision to say goodbye," Popcorn Park's post said. "His days we…

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by Chris Spiker
Chambersburg, PA
Police & Fire
Mama Bear Killed, PA Mom Hospitalized After Walking Dog Near Cubs: Police Mama Bear Killed, PA Mom Hospitalized After Walking Dog Near Cubs: Police
Mama Bear Killed, PA Mom Hospitalized After Walking Dog Near Cubs: Police A 55-year-old Pennsylvania woman is in the hospital after she went to walk her dog in her backyard and unknowingly went past three bear cubs on March 5, authorities say. Lee Ann Galante was letting her dog out of the backdoor of her home on Bellefield Drive, Butler Township at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday when the bear attack began, as detailed in a release by the area Chief of Police John Hays. Galante didn't see the bear cubs (known as yearlings) in a tree before the mama bear (a sow) attacked, according to authorities. The sow left Galante with injuries to her head, neck, face, and arms, Chief …

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by Jillian Pikora
Norwich, CT
News
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, …

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by Ben Crnic
New City, NY
News
Hudson Valley Man Admits Selling $70K In Elephant Ivory Pool Cues, DA Says Hudson Valley Man Admits Selling $70K In Elephant Ivory Pool Cues, DA Says
Hudson Valley Man Admits Selling $70K In Elephant Ivory Pool Cues, DA Says A Hudson Valley man has been convicted for his part in the illegal commercialization of elephant ivory worth more than $70,000. Rockland County resident Kenneth Kerner, age 59, of Clarkstown, was convicted on Thursday, Feb. 22 after pleading guilty to the crime on Thursday, Feb. 8, said the New State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York County District Attorney’s Office. Kerner, who was sentenced to five years probation, 200 hours of community service, and an obligation to donate $10,000 to a wildlife organization was caught as part of an investigation that began…

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by Kathy Reakes
Quincy, MA
News
'She Fought Until End': Raccoon Dies After Being Set On Fire In Quincy 'She Fought Until End': Raccoon Dies After Being Set On Fire In Quincy
'She Fought Until End': Raccoon Dies After Being Set On Fire In Quincy A raccoon that was set on fire by a 63-year-old man in Quincy has died, two days after the shelter that saved her shared she was making a recovery. The raccoon underwent a third surgery for her burns on Thursday, Jan. 11, but more tissue had become necrotic since the last procedure. Related: Raccoon To Survive After Being Set On Fire In Quincy Cape Wildlife Center said in a follow-up Facebook post on Friday, Jan. 12: “We removed the damaged tissue and applied honey to help with the healing process. Her vitals were stable throughout the process. This morning we found her more lethargi…

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by Khier Casino
Lakewood, NJ
News
NJ Waging War Against Spotted Lanternflies — With Cash NJ Waging War Against Spotted Lanternflies — With Cash
NJ Waging War Against Spotted Lanternflies — With Cash Communities across New Jersey can get help from the state to squash the invasive spotted lanternfly. The state's agriculture department says counties can apply for up to $50,000 to battle spotted lanternflies from 2024 to 2026. Municipalities can receive up to $20,000. Counties and municipalities can be paid back for chemical treatment activities to kill the invasive insects. Spotted lanternflies don't harm humans or animals but can hurt about 70 types of trees and plants. The agriculture department says many local governments took advantage of this grant program in 2023. “The expand…

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by Chris Spiker