While New Jersey can seem crowded
with cities, highways and industries, our state doesn’t lack for wild animals
— some of whom we receive occasional alerts about.
with cities, highways and industries, our state doesn’t lack for wild animals
— some of whom we receive occasional alerts about.
Bears and coyotes are the most
recent subjects of alerts. We’re often reminded that NJ’s black bears are shy, preferring
to avoid humans when possible, although human food is a different matter. Some uninvited bears may have started out
simply following their noses and foraging. (Think: bird feeders, open air pet
food, loose trash lids, even some gardens. . . .)
recent subjects of alerts. We’re often reminded that NJ’s black bears are shy, preferring
to avoid humans when possible, although human food is a different matter. Some uninvited bears may have started out
simply following their noses and foraging. (Think: bird feeders, open air pet
food, loose trash lids, even some gardens. . . .)
Coyotes – does anyone outside of
Western movies refer to them as “KI’-oats”? – are all around us, having staged
a comeback in the East despite human density and deterrence efforts. Their adaptability has made them quite cosmopolitan.
And they howl – oh, do they howl.
Western movies refer to them as “KI’-oats”? – are all around us, having staged
a comeback in the East despite human density and deterrence efforts. Their adaptability has made them quite cosmopolitan.
And they howl – oh, do they howl.
Unsure what coyotes can sound
like, I googled their howls, breezing past a warning about pets’ possible
reactions. The YouTube rendition of a pack of communicating coyotes caused Harry
and Billy Summers to hastily “vamoose” (keeping it Western). That canid family concert cost me numerous
cat treats.
like, I googled their howls, breezing past a warning about pets’ possible
reactions. The YouTube rendition of a pack of communicating coyotes caused Harry
and Billy Summers to hastily “vamoose” (keeping it Western). That canid family concert cost me numerous
cat treats.
Interestingly, with both bears
and coyotes, NJ residents are urged to look big and make a lot of noise. Jump
up and down, wave your arms around and shout.
Right. With a bear bearing down
on you. Or a coyote, whether howling or
not. This reaction strikes me as easier said (in the animal’s absence) than
done.
and coyotes, NJ residents are urged to look big and make a lot of noise. Jump
up and down, wave your arms around and shout.
Right. With a bear bearing down
on you. Or a coyote, whether howling or
not. This reaction strikes me as easier said (in the animal’s absence) than
done.
One other thing: when dealing
with injured coyotes (or foxes, their fellow canids), don’t try to help them. Leave that to someone who knows
how to interact with the animal and emerge unscathed. Contact area police, who
in turn can reach out to an animal control officer or wildlife re-habber.
with injured coyotes (or foxes, their fellow canids), don’t try to help them. Leave that to someone who knows
how to interact with the animal and emerge unscathed. Contact area police, who
in turn can reach out to an animal control officer or wildlife re-habber.
The link that follows came with the recent coyote alert we
received. Use it for more coyote and fox info. http://www.wildlifehotline.org/coyotesfoxes.html
received. Use it for more coyote and fox info. http://www.wildlifehotline.org/coyotesfoxes.html
Help assure a veto override!
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| Dodo pic |
To most everyone’s chagrin and not many people’s surprise, Gov.
Christie conditionally vetoed the puppy mill sales bill, S3041, which would have stopped the sale of dogs from the
worst puppy mills in the nation. His “misguided decision demonstrates a
disregard not only for the thousands of breeding dogs languishing in puppy
mills across the nation but also for New Jersey consumers,” as HSUS put it in
urging state legislators to override the veto.
Christie conditionally vetoed the puppy mill sales bill, S3041, which would have stopped the sale of dogs from the
worst puppy mills in the nation. His “misguided decision demonstrates a
disregard not only for the thousands of breeding dogs languishing in puppy
mills across the nation but also for New Jersey consumers,” as HSUS put it in
urging state legislators to override the veto.
This very good bill can still become law IF legislators act, but
we need to urge them to do
so. Please phone your senator right now because the Senate override
vote is scheduled for tomorrow, May
25.
we need to urge them to do
so. Please phone your senator right now because the Senate override
vote is scheduled for tomorrow, May
25.
Talk about poetic
justice
What would you call it: sad? fitting? ironic? deserved? A South African big game hunter was killed by
an elephant last week in Zimbabwe.
justice
What would you call it: sad? fitting? ironic? deserved? A South African big game hunter was killed by
an elephant last week in Zimbabwe.
He was guiding paying tourist-hunters
when some elephants charged, and he shot toward them. One elephant picked him up
with his trunk, then another hunter fatally shot the elephant, who crushed the
guide as he fell.
when some elephants charged, and he shot toward them. One elephant picked him up
with his trunk, then another hunter fatally shot the elephant, who crushed the
guide as he fell.
Reactions ranged from satisfaction (by
those who regard big game hunting as immoral) to sympathy (from other hunters). The
man killed left a wife and children. The elephant killed – on his home ground
— left an extended family.
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| PAWS pic |
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