Inside This Issue:
- A Beloved Bird's Flight Back to Safety
- Florida Approves a Regulated Black Bear Hunt
- Another Frenchie Robbery in the News
- News Bites: Shelter News; Please Don't Feed the Cats; Frankenstein Bunnies; and More!
A Beloved Bird's Flight Back to Safety
Harris's Hawk
A beloved hawk that escaped from the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California was reunited with his handlers after several months on the loose. Ripley, a popular member of the zoo's bird show, initially fled the park after a nasty encounter with wild hawks. The zoo’s staff, along with help from the local community, spent weeks searching for the raptor. Luckily, Ripley was finally spotted by a birder who knew Harris's hawks aren’t native to California. Once Ripley was positively identified, his former caretakers rushed out to his location. They arrived, calling out to Ripley, and after a brief wait, he flew right to them! Ripley has received veterinary care, and seems to be doing well. He may even return to the bird show in the future.
Zoos like Fresno Chaffee invest significant effort in building trust and strong bonds with the animals in their care, which often plays a crucial role when animals go missing. This isn’t the first time a bird has managed to escape a zoo; for example, Flaco the owl famously slipped out of the Bronx Zoo and survived in the city for over a year, demonstrating both the challenges of recapture and the birds’ remarkable homing instincts. Birds like Ripley possess a strong internal sense of direction, which sometimes helps them find their way back to familiar people and places, especially when those relationships are built on daily care and training. The successful return of Ripley highlights both the dedication of zoo staff and the natural instincts that guide birds home.
Source: Hawk returns to California zoo after 15 months in the wild
Florida Approves a Regulated Black Bear Hunt
A curious young black bear learning that people are a good source for food.
The story of the Florida black bear is one of dramatic decline, recovery, and ongoing debate. Once numbering around 11,000 across the state, black bears saw their population plummet to just a few hundred by the 1970s due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting. Early conservation efforts that included state and federal protections, a near-total hunting ban, and the Endangered Species Act, helped the species rebound. Numbers now exceed 4,000 individuals. But as bears began their comeback, management priorities shifted from crisis recovery to balancing population growth with human interests. The establishment of Bear Management Units, ongoing research, and habitat initiatives like the Florida Wildlife Corridor all support the species, but also invite new challenges. For example, urban sprawl has led to more frequent bear-human conflicts and a rise in vehicle collisions. These issues fuel heated public debates over how best to manage the bear population.
Recent years have seen controversy over policy decisions, such as the reintroduction of regulated hunting and laws permitting the lethal removal of bears that have been deemed threats. Supporters point out that controlled hunting is a science-based tool for managing populations and reducing conflicts, while critics worry about potential risks to smaller subpopulations and that decades of conservation work could be harmed. Animal rights folks sometimes co-opt the language of conservation, too, and it is safe to say they don't want any hunting or even "management" allowed, period. Regardless, when it comes to the lethal removal of bears, people in automobiles will likely always be a larger and more consistent threat than people with rifles. FWC data shows that vehicle collisions account for the vast majority of bear deaths in the state.
The future of the Florida black bear hinges on maintaining habitat connectivity, transparent science-based management, and balancing public sentiment with ecological realities. The argument between hunting and management brings to light a broader tension: how do we safeguard a conservation success story while addressing the complexities of a growing, increasingly urbanized state?
A recent hearing on this issue had the following results: FWC unanimously approved rules for a regulated bear hunt, with a 5-0 vote by the five commissioners present (two were absent). The hunt is set for a 23-day season in December 2025 across four Bear Management Units (BMUs) with at least 200 bears each. The FWC will issue 187 permits through a lottery system, with each permit holder allowed to take one bear. Future hunting seasons will have dates and quotas determined annually based on population data and management objectives, occurring between October 1 and December 31. The decision followed over two hours of public comment, with significant debate and opposition from groups like Bear Warriors United and the Florida Wildlife Federation.
Source: Florida Approves a Regulated Black Bear Hunt
Another Frenchie Robbery in the News
Who's a hot commodity? YOU are!
On Wednesday, a French Bulldog named Macho was stolen at gunpoint by three assailants as his owner was walking him. Since then, the vehicle used in the crime has been found, and one suspect was arrested. Macho, however, has not been recovered [note: Macho was returned earlier this evening – hooray!]. What a time to be a dog lover: you could be one serious illness away from poverty, you’re probably not getting your best friend enough exercise and mental stimulation, the food and treats you buy your dog could be contaminated with lord knows what, a random unleashed dog might appear out of nowhere and rip your little buddy into pieces, and now it seems like you can’t even walk certain breeds of dogs outdoors without worrying that some jerk will steal them for a quick buck.
This crime highlights the value of purebred dogs, and specifically, “cash” breeds, like the French Bulldog. Adorable, highly portable, and ridiculously popular, this isn’t the first time this breed has been targeted, and definitely won’t be the last. It’s a rough world out there – better not go outside! But what if your idea of enjoying life with a dog extends beyond hiding at home all day behind the couch? Is there anything you can do to mitigate your risks? Absolutely! According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are numerous simple things you can do to tilt the odds in your favor.
Keeping your yard fenced and secured – and an eye on your dog – definitely helps. It also helps to keep your dog leashed when out for walks. On top of being safer and more secure for everyone, a leash is probably required by law unless you are in a designated off-leash area. Here’s a little more common sense: don’t leave your doggie unattended when out in public, even if it’s “just for a minute.” Remember that thing about French Bulldogs being “highly portable?” A lot of the more valuable breeds are on the small side, and it only takes a moment to nab them! Finally, make sure that your pet is microchipped and that your contact information is up to date! Nothing in life is 100% foolproof, but each of the above tips will reduce the risk of losing your best friend.
Source: Macho is home! French bulldog stolen at gunpoint found reunited with owner
News Bites: Shelter News; Please Don't Feed the Cats; Frankenstein Bunnies; and More!
Those aren't plants or sticks – they're growths. Rabbit with Shopes Papillomavirus, WD45, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Last week, an Ohio shelter, Angels for Animals, provided us with an example of how rescuing animals can be deeply painful – on both a physical and emotional level. A dog was surrendered to Angels by owners that, according to shelter workers, really didn’t seem to like it very much. The dog displayed behavioral red flags and suffered from health issues that required a veterinarian’s attention. Then, after a few days – snap! The dog went beyond “behavioral red flags” and bit a longtime employee. At this point, the shelter made the difficult decision to put the dog down (they also sent its remains to a lab to test for rabies). This is something nobody wants to do, but as the shelter’s founder stated, “adoptable” has a very specific meaning: healthy and friendly – so what else can you do at this point? Allowing the public to adopt an aggressive dog is dangerously irresponsible and breaks an important bond of trust.
Now, adding a wrinkle to this story is the suspicion that the dog had been mistreated prior to its surrender. If true, this adds an additional level of sadness to the tale – the poor dog really never had a chance, did it? How miserable! Some rescue advocates will latch onto this detail, and insist that rehabilitation would have been the ideal and most ethical course of action. However, other advocates – like Angels for Animals – question whether the time, money, and space devoted to housing one aggressive dog is appropriate when those same resources could help several “healthy and friendly” (i.e. adoptable) dogs find homes. Ultimately, this shelter made a call that was responsible and aligned with their mission, all while also being publicly open and vulnerable about one of animal rescue’s more painful aspects.
Here are two more bits of shelter news. First off, new research from Shelter Animals Count says that shelter intakes for the first half of 2025 were 4% lower than in 2024. The number of dogs has dropped, while cat intake has stayed the same. Along those same lines, non-live outcomes were down 5% for dogs, but unfortunately for cats, slightly increased. Finally, staffing and veterinary shortages remain a serious problem.
The vet shortage leads us to a story from last week about The Animal Foundation, Las Vegas’ oft-maligned shelter: local activists are fuming that the Animal Foundation has been releasing hundreds of unsterilized dogs to foster homes, telling the fosters to “bring the animal back when we have the resources to spay or neuter it.” Now, there are plenty of good reasons to be horrified by the idea of hundreds of unfixed shelter animals roaming about town, but we also know that shelter veterinary services are extremely hard to come by. This is certainly not ideal, but if the shelter doesn’t have the resources to spay and neuter animals before moving them to foster homes, what are they going to do – start euthanizing for space? That's the threat – and if you think the local rescue activists are fuming now, just wait until that day comes. As the mayor of Las Vegas, Shelley Berkley, said in an email regarding this issue: “It would be very helpful if rather than making accusations, that people would kindly propose solutions for the challenges at TAF.”
In Parkersburg, West Virginia, a law banning the feeding of animals on city property was passed with a last-minute amendment that gives the city six months to solve the problem before a full-on ban takes effect. The big issue is that a huge number of community cats have become so accustomed to receiving food from people, they’re hanging out at the park awaiting treats, defecating everywhere, no doubt slaughtering countless birds and other small wildlife, and generally creating a public nuisance. As the availability of easy eats becomes more widely known, the issue is only compounded. Local catvocates and trap, neuter, return (TNR) supporters are, as you’d expect, pretty unhappy with the idea of a feeding ban, calling it cruel, ineffective, and a hindrance to TNR efforts. Now, if the cats are causing as big a problem as the city council says, it is perfectly reasonable to clear them out of the park on public health and safety grounds – but where will they be cleared out to, and how will it be done? They’re not going to cull the cats, and TNR efforts clearly haven’t been effective. Either way, the clock is ticking: the city only has six months to figure out a solution.
Usually during the summer heatwaves, we send you cute pics and videos of zoos keeping their animals cool, but this summer, we’re all a little cooler, thanks to an ice age-era finding of over 30 species in a Norwegian cave. Wow! The remains of mammals, birds, and fish, this cache serves as a brilliant snapshot of the last ice age, and a reminder of just how vulnerable species that are specialized for one type of environment can be when temperatures suddenly shift.
No, this isn’t something dreamt up by H.P Lovecraft, it’s a real thing: tentacle-faced rabbits have been spotted in Colorado. Yikes! While not an eldritch horror, these tentacles – actually warts caused by a virus – are still a hard condition to look at. Fortunately for the rabbit, this is generally a passing inconvenience unless the growths become cancerous or make eating and drinking impossible. It’s not contagious to humans, and this condition is usually not painful – though it’s not like we can ask the rabbits their opinion on that. “Usually safe” or not, people in the area who own domesticated rabbits should keep them indoors for the time being.
The Danish zoo we posted about last week that caused an uproar after asking folks to “donate pets” to feed their predators got at least one taker: a woman who gave the zoo’s lions her daughter’s 22-year-old prize-winning pet pony. Now, before you grab the pitchforks and torches, let’s add some context. The pony, Chicago 57, was suffering from chronic, painful health issues, and the woman had already consulted with a veterinarian about euthanizing him. She also gave her daughter final say on the method of euthanization, so even if the headline seems a bit lurid, it’s not like mom just ripped her sobbing daughter’s favorite pony from her arms then tossed it to a bunch of slavering lions. The daughter herself said she wanted Chicago 57’s loss to “follow the food chain” and to help other animals, and the mother remained present throughout the euthanasia. While the woman received no compensation for giving her pony to the zoo, she did learn afterward that it was tax deductible – but even without that perk, she appreciates and supports the zoo’s work, and has no regrets.
Also in the News...
★ This Photographer Takes Captivating Portraits Of Wild Animals (32 New Pics) (Beautiful and Inspiring Photography)
★ Wrangler® Women of Influence, Presented by The American Quarter Horse Journal (Send in Your Nomination by August 22!)
★ Over two dozen animals are born at the 2025 Iowa State Fair (Now That Is a Fair Number of Babies)
★ Morocco outraged over new law punishing feeders of stray animals (Another Animal Feeding Ban)
★ Video shows man shove baby turkey under coat as animals go missing from CA park (The Fowlest of Crimes)
★ Elvis’s Most Notorious Roommate at Graceland Was an Annoying Chimp Who Knew How to Party (Animal History; The Infamous Memphis Menagerie)
★ Northwest Trek has welcomed wildlife, families for 50 years (A Proud History of Education & Conservation)
★ Animals That Thrive in the World's Harshest Climates (Severe, but Interesting and Well-Written Lists)
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