Neighborhood Wildlife Watch

01/05/2024

Lair o’ the Bear Park, situated near Idledale and just 30 minutes from Wheat Ridge, is a charming mountain park in the Rockies. Covering 394 acres, it offers 8.2 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horse riding. These trails range from easy to moderate, making them suitable for everyone. The park's main attraction is Bear Creek, flowing under a canopy of cottonwood and box elder trees. This creek is not only beautiful but also rich in wildlife, making the park a favored spot for a leisurely walk, a picnic, or even fishing, as the creek is home to brown and rainbow trout.

In addition to its natural beauty, Lair o’ the Bear Park is steeped in history. It was once a homestead owned by Swedish settlers John and Mathilda Johnson in the early 1900s. The Johnsons farmed the land, raised livestock, and sold produce in Denver and Evergreen. Their farm, known as “the mountain nook,” left behind traces like lilac bushes, cherry trees, and a fireplace. The park became public in 1987, thanks to Jefferson County Open Space. Nearby, visitors can find Dunafon Castle, a historical structure built in the early 20th century, adding a fairytale touch to the area. Today, the castle hosts weddings and private events. For those wanting to extend their visit, the Blackbird Cafe in Kittredge is a great place for a meal with views of the surrounding nature.

Lair o’ the Bear Park is a beautiful mountain retreat for those looking for a serene day out amidst the beauty of the Rockies. The park is 30 minutes from Wheat Ridge, 4 miles west of Morrison, near Idledale.  The park comprises 394 acres with 8.2 miles of easy-to-moderate hiking, biking and eque...

01/05/2024

According to a press release from the Otsego County Department of Health, a bat has tested positive for rabies in the Town of Oneonta. The positive results were returned on January 4th, 2024.

A single individual was exposed to the rabid animal and has since received post exposure vaccinations. Rabies is a fatal viral infection that can be transmitted a few different ways. Humans can be infected via a bite from a rabid animal, or if saliva from an infected animal enters via broken skin or mucus membranes.

The Otsego County Health Department urges residents and their children to keep a safe distance from wild animals and stray pets. In New York State, the law states that all dogs, cats, and ferrets must be vaccinated for rabies. If unvaccinated pets are in contact with animals that are either suspected or confirmed carriers of the disease, the pet must be either euthanized or strictly quarantined for six months at the owner's expense for six months.

For more information, call the health department at 607-547-4230 or visit their website here.

Free vaccination clinics available
The health department's website states: The Susquehanna SPCA has partnered with our Health Department to provide free rabies vaccination clinics at the SPCA (no appointment necessary). You may call 607-547-8111 ext. 111 for general questions. The website also states that dates for 2024 rabies vaccine clinics will be released early in the year.

If you're wondering how to safely capture a bat and minimize your risk of exposure, check out this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNw6hkFEtOk

https://wnbf.com/ixp/454/p/oneonta-new-york-bat-tests-positive-for-rabies/

This video shows the equipment needed and steps to follow to safely capture a bat if you find one in your home or building. It was created by the Minnesota ...

01/05/2024

Once considered a scary nuisance — or worse, a fictional monster's alter ego — bats are now appreciated for their ecological contributions.

Chief among them: their voracious appetite for insects, with the National Park Service estimating that bats provide over $3.7 billion worth of pest control annually in the United States. They're also a critical component of cave ecosystems.

Modern-day respect for this flying mammal is why a recent Star Tribune story about a bat rescue was a heartwarming tale to close out 2023. But according to renowned infectious expert Mike Osterholm, health care caution is in order.

Mark Fischer was adding attic insulation to a lake home in Miltona, Minn., when he discovered a hibernating brown bat colony. Rather than just evict them, Fischer drove the critters to a wildlife rehabilitation center in Roseville — a conscientious and compassionate step.

While calling the rescue a "remarkable effort," Osterholm is reminding the public that bats can carry rabies, a potentially fatal viral illness. He adds that their prick of a bite might not be noticed by humans: "I'm concerned that [the] public will take away from this story that bats can be handled by individuals not expert in preventing bat bites."

Osterholm notes that most rabies cases in the U.S. are caused by bat exposure — about 70% of the 89 cases between 1960 and 2018. According to a state Health Department analysis, 3.6% of bats tested in Minnesota from 2003 to 2020 were positive for rabies.

"If you wake up to a bat, have a small child or a vulnerable adult awaken to a bat, or someone had physical contact with a bat, please capture the bat and submit it for rabies testing," state health officials advise.

A rabies vaccine is available for humans. Unlike routine immunizations, it's typically given after someone is potentially infected and should be administered as soon as possible, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Urgency is essential, the agency emphasizes: "Once clinical signs of rabies appear, the disease is nearly always fatal."

Future bat rescuers and all Minnesotans should understand why these flying mammals are potentially dangerous to handle, especially without training and other protections, Osterholm said. More information about rabies and bats, including a video on how to safely capture a bat, is available from the Health Department at tinyurl.com/MDHRabiesInfo.

https://www.startribune.com/beware-of-bat-risks/600332476/

Well-intentioned rescuers need to know the risks of rabies, a potentially fatal viral illness.

01/05/2024

BOSTON – Two Dalmatians had their instincts kick in when they and their dog walker were surrounded by coyotes Wednesday in Boston.

Dog walker Josstin Lantadilla was out for a nighttime walk with two Dalmatians, Deanna and Tasha, near a Brighton apartment complex.

“Deanna got very upset, and she looked up, jumped backward, and I said, ‘What’s wrong with her?’” Lantadilla said.

Deanna’s barking alerted Lantadilla to look backward. Turns out, a pack of four coyotes was quietly lurking behind them.

“So when I look at the back, I just saw them, I never realized there were four coyotes behind me,” he said.

The coyotes were bold and lunged at the leashed Dalmatians.

Lantadilla said Deanna bit one of the coyotes in the neck, which convinced the pack to run away.

Jane Friedlander, the dogs’ owner, said she is not surprised that her dogs acted so bravely. She said this isn’t the first time her dogs have been targeted by coyotes.

Lantadilla and the dogs were unharmed, and their owner is crediting their breed.

“They’re meant to drive away coyotes, wolves, foxes, rabbits, anything that would bother a stable or horses,” Friedlander said.

There’s no doubt in the dog walker’s mind that the two dogs were looking out for him that night.

“Of course, they were meant for that,” he said.

Two Dalmatians had their instincts kick in when they and their dog walker were surrounded by coyotes Wednesday in Boston.

01/05/2024

PHOENIX - A 4-year-old is among the multiple people who were bitten by a coyote over the weekend in Phoenix, KPHO reports.

Arizona Game and Fish Department authorities say the child was bitten on the leg while walking with family members on Saturday. A man was bitten in the same area while jogging. On Monday, a man was bitten on the heel.

The attacks were reported just east of Interstate 17 and Happy Valley Road.

All victims received medical treatment and rabies shots.

Authorities say they removed one coyote on Sunday evening, but are still searching the area.

Wildlife officers are posting notices throughout the area to inform people of the coyote issues. They advise the public to know their surroundings and keep an eye on wildlife nearby.

Wildlife officers are posting notices throughout the area to inform people of the coyote issues.

01/05/2024

EDMOND, Okla. (CNN) – A cat in Oklahoma saved a family dog from a coyote attack.

Oakley, a 6-year-old dog, went outside in her backyard when a coyote pounced on her. A second coyote also tried to get a bite.

Home surveillance video captured the moment a house cat immediately stepped in and chased off the coyotes.

Lane Dyer said Binx is a stray cat that he and his family take care of. Binx and Oakley are good friends.

“Her and Oakley hit it off pretty good from the beginning,” Dyer said.

So, when the first coyote grabbed Oakley, it was Binx to the rescue.

Although the cat scared the wild animals away, unfortunately, Oakley did suffer injuries from the coyote’s bite.

Dyer said blood was “spouting out of her chest.” But with stitches and a splint, Oakley recovered after about a month.

Dyer is thankful Binx was there to protect Oakley.

“I think she’s shown that she’s not afraid of much,” he said.

A cat in Oklahoma saved a family dog from a coyote attack.

01/05/2024

🦨 Hello and welcome to the Neighborhood Wildlife Watch!

This page is your hub for urgent wildlife news and safety updates. Here's what you can expect:

​🐺 Immediate reports of coyote sightings, especially those close to homes, parks or playgrounds.
🦝 Alerts about local animals testing positive for diseases like rabies, distemper, or others that could affect pets and people.
🐊 Warnings about wildlife behaving aggressively or oddly, which could indicate health issues.
🐻 News of incidents involving wildlife, like attacks on pets or property damage.
🐾 Emergency advisories if there's an increase in certain wildlife activities that could impact community safety.

We're here to keep you informed and safe. If you have any reports or sightings, please share them here. Together, we can stay alert and protect our neighborhood.

Stay informed and stay safe! 🦫