Thousands of dead birds will be collected from an Ontario shoreline on Monday as the province's Ministry of Natural Resources tries to determine what killed the waterfowl.
Officials estimate as many as 6,000 dead birds have washed up on the Georgian Bay's shoreline. The carcasses are scattered along a nearly three-kilometre stretch near Wasaga Beach.
"You just want to cry," resident Faye Ego told CTV Toronto on Saturday.
Authorities speculate that the birds may have been killed by a form of botulism after eating dead fish.
Locals said they noticed some dead fish on the beach a few weeks ago and a few dead birds earlier in September.
Read more ...
Showing posts with label Ontario. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ontario. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Is there an alligator in this Ontario creek?
An alligator is cruising through the murky waters of an eastern Ontario pond. The reptile has eluded capture for almost three weeks.
The local police chief is warning area residents to be cautious when fishing near the Mill Pond near Mill St. in Stirling, a town 30 minutes northwest of Belleville.
“Someone called in and said there was an alligator in the pond,” said Stirling-Rawdon police chief Brian T. Foley. “Um, yeah, OK.”
He scrambled Sgt. James Orr to the pond. The officer scoured the area for days but saw nothing. Word quickly spread through the small community and morphed into an urban legend — the area’s own Loch Ness Monster.
Ron Main, intrigued by the story, figured the alligator would swim for warmer, shallower waters from the deep part where it was first spotted. He was correct. A three-foot long alligator swam through the pond.
But Main didn’t have his camera. He went back last Friday night and found the alligator in the same area once again. That time, he snapped a blurry photo and posted it to his Facebook page.
While swimming in the pond is rare, many people fish the waters from the shoreline and walk their dogs on the water’s edge.
“It’s big enough to take ducklings, goslings or even small dogs like a chihuahua,” Foley said.
The alligator hasn’t been seen since Friday. The police have relinquished the hunt to the Ministry of Natural Resources, which is currently investigating.
Anyone who spots the reptile is urged to call police or the provincial ministry.
Liam Casey
Staff Reporter
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1026907--is-there-an-alligator-in-this-ontario-creek
The local police chief is warning area residents to be cautious when fishing near the Mill Pond near Mill St. in Stirling, a town 30 minutes northwest of Belleville.
“Someone called in and said there was an alligator in the pond,” said Stirling-Rawdon police chief Brian T. Foley. “Um, yeah, OK.”
He scrambled Sgt. James Orr to the pond. The officer scoured the area for days but saw nothing. Word quickly spread through the small community and morphed into an urban legend — the area’s own Loch Ness Monster.
Ron Main, intrigued by the story, figured the alligator would swim for warmer, shallower waters from the deep part where it was first spotted. He was correct. A three-foot long alligator swam through the pond.
But Main didn’t have his camera. He went back last Friday night and found the alligator in the same area once again. That time, he snapped a blurry photo and posted it to his Facebook page.
While swimming in the pond is rare, many people fish the waters from the shoreline and walk their dogs on the water’s edge.
“It’s big enough to take ducklings, goslings or even small dogs like a chihuahua,” Foley said.
The alligator hasn’t been seen since Friday. The police have relinquished the hunt to the Ministry of Natural Resources, which is currently investigating.
Anyone who spots the reptile is urged to call police or the provincial ministry.
Liam Casey
Staff Reporter
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1026907--is-there-an-alligator-in-this-ontario-creek
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Woman annoyed by deer ringing her doorbell
By Mike Aiken, QMI Agency
KENORA, Ont. — Rose Allin has had enough.
It's one thing for the deer to scrounge around in her yard, eating all her flowers.
It's quite another for them to come up to the front step and ring her doorbell.
“I just wish they'd stop," she said, looking very cross.
She's tried modifying her doorbell in order to make it harder for them to press, but to no avail. Once, they rang it in the early morning. So, she came out with her cane and cursed them.
However, when the doe started to snort and scratch the ground, she figured that was enough.
“Auntie, don't do that," her nephew warned. “Don't you know they could put a hoof right through you?"
Well, still, she thought, there's got to be a better answer. The deer fence hasn't worked, nor has the special spray from the nursery.
In 2008, Kenora council approved a $500 fine for anyone feeding wildlife, except birds, to discourage residents from contributing to the problem of excess deer in town. The Ministry of Natural Resources has also made additional deer tags available to hunters in recent years.
Municipal bylaws prohibit deer hunting in urban and developed rural areas within city boundaries where discharging firearms isn't allowed.
Last winter, MNR biologists estimated the Kenora area's deer population was continuing to decline, following a peak in 2006-07.
KENORA, Ont. — Rose Allin has had enough.
It's one thing for the deer to scrounge around in her yard, eating all her flowers.
It's quite another for them to come up to the front step and ring her doorbell.
“I just wish they'd stop," she said, looking very cross.
She's tried modifying her doorbell in order to make it harder for them to press, but to no avail. Once, they rang it in the early morning. So, she came out with her cane and cursed them.
However, when the doe started to snort and scratch the ground, she figured that was enough.
“Auntie, don't do that," her nephew warned. “Don't you know they could put a hoof right through you?"
Well, still, she thought, there's got to be a better answer. The deer fence hasn't worked, nor has the special spray from the nursery.
In 2008, Kenora council approved a $500 fine for anyone feeding wildlife, except birds, to discourage residents from contributing to the problem of excess deer in town. The Ministry of Natural Resources has also made additional deer tags available to hunters in recent years.
Municipal bylaws prohibit deer hunting in urban and developed rural areas within city boundaries where discharging firearms isn't allowed.
Last winter, MNR biologists estimated the Kenora area's deer population was continuing to decline, following a peak in 2006-07.
Woman annoyed by deer ringing her doorbell
By Mike Aiken, QMI Agency
KENORA, Ont. — Rose Allin has had enough.
It's one thing for the deer to scrounge around in her yard, eating all her flowers.
It's quite another for them to come up to the front step and ring her doorbell.
“I just wish they'd stop," she said, looking very cross.
She's tried modifying her doorbell in order to make it harder for them to press, but to no avail. Once, they rang it in the early morning. So, she came out with her cane and cursed them.
However, when the doe started to snort and scratch the ground, she figured that was enough.
“Auntie, don't do that," her nephew warned. “Don't you know they could put a hoof right through you?"
Well, still, she thought, there's got to be a better answer. The deer fence hasn't worked, nor has the special spray from the nursery.
In 2008, Kenora council approved a $500 fine for anyone feeding wildlife, except birds, to discourage residents from contributing to the problem of excess deer in town. The Ministry of Natural Resources has also made additional deer tags available to hunters in recent years.
Municipal bylaws prohibit deer hunting in urban and developed rural areas within city boundaries where discharging firearms isn't allowed.
Last winter, MNR biologists estimated the Kenora area's deer population was continuing to decline, following a peak in 2006-07.
KENORA, Ont. — Rose Allin has had enough.
It's one thing for the deer to scrounge around in her yard, eating all her flowers.
It's quite another for them to come up to the front step and ring her doorbell.
“I just wish they'd stop," she said, looking very cross.
She's tried modifying her doorbell in order to make it harder for them to press, but to no avail. Once, they rang it in the early morning. So, she came out with her cane and cursed them.
However, when the doe started to snort and scratch the ground, she figured that was enough.
“Auntie, don't do that," her nephew warned. “Don't you know they could put a hoof right through you?"
Well, still, she thought, there's got to be a better answer. The deer fence hasn't worked, nor has the special spray from the nursery.
In 2008, Kenora council approved a $500 fine for anyone feeding wildlife, except birds, to discourage residents from contributing to the problem of excess deer in town. The Ministry of Natural Resources has also made additional deer tags available to hunters in recent years.
Municipal bylaws prohibit deer hunting in urban and developed rural areas within city boundaries where discharging firearms isn't allowed.
Last winter, MNR biologists estimated the Kenora area's deer population was continuing to decline, following a peak in 2006-07.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Black Feline Sightings (via Chad Arment)
Ontario:
Another panther sighting
MARYANNE FIRTH , TRIBUNE STAFF
WELLAND -- "I know exactly what I saw."
David Beard has no doubts about the curious sighting he made Monday evening.
It was a big black cat. But this was no ordinary house cat.
"It was a black panther," he said confidently, while speaking with The Tribune over the phone.
The Michigan St. resident said he and a friend were looking at wild turkeys near the train tracks by his home in Dain City, when the big black mass came walking along.
Beard quickly whipped out his cell phone, but the cat was simply too far away to snap a clear shot, he said.
As the pair tried to get closer to the animal, it bolted into the forested area behind the former John Deere Welland Works plant.
Beard described the cat as at least four-feet long with "another four feet of tail."
The cat was spotted again on Tuesday morning by one of his neighbours, he said, adding it was "just walking through like it owned the place."
Beard said there is "an abundance of wildlife" in the area, that would certainly meet the dietary requirements of a large hungry animal.
"I'm just hoping it doesn't decide to make this its home."
He's not concerned about the animal moving around the area, though he admits with a laugh that he's now rattling his keys when walking out to the car.
"It's impressive to see something like this. I don't think it's natural," he said, adding he believes the cat has "gotten away from someone, somewhere."
Beard said all of the neighbours in the area are "on high alert," with many keeping a camera close in case there is another sighting.
Ted Bettle, manager of the Welland and District Humane Society, said he received a call from Beard about the sighting, but has heard nothing else of the wild cat.
Sightings for large animals, such as cougars, are called in "every once in a while," he said, though there's no concrete evidence of their existence in the area.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has been contacted about the sighting and will decide how to proceed from here, he said.
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2830975
California:
La Quinta police blotter for Nov. 4
La Quinta Sun • November 4, 2010
7:48 a.m. — Officers were dispatched to the 78-400 block of Calle Remo regarding a large black panther sighting. Several officers, including Fish and Game and La Quinta animal control, responded but were unable to locate the animal.
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20101104/NEWS0801/11030353/1006/NEWS01/La+Quinta+police+blotter+for+Nov.+4
Another panther sighting
MARYANNE FIRTH , TRIBUNE STAFF
WELLAND -- "I know exactly what I saw."
David Beard has no doubts about the curious sighting he made Monday evening.
It was a big black cat. But this was no ordinary house cat.
"It was a black panther," he said confidently, while speaking with The Tribune over the phone.
The Michigan St. resident said he and a friend were looking at wild turkeys near the train tracks by his home in Dain City, when the big black mass came walking along.
Beard quickly whipped out his cell phone, but the cat was simply too far away to snap a clear shot, he said.
As the pair tried to get closer to the animal, it bolted into the forested area behind the former John Deere Welland Works plant.
Beard described the cat as at least four-feet long with "another four feet of tail."
The cat was spotted again on Tuesday morning by one of his neighbours, he said, adding it was "just walking through like it owned the place."
Beard said there is "an abundance of wildlife" in the area, that would certainly meet the dietary requirements of a large hungry animal.
"I'm just hoping it doesn't decide to make this its home."
He's not concerned about the animal moving around the area, though he admits with a laugh that he's now rattling his keys when walking out to the car.
"It's impressive to see something like this. I don't think it's natural," he said, adding he believes the cat has "gotten away from someone, somewhere."
Beard said all of the neighbours in the area are "on high alert," with many keeping a camera close in case there is another sighting.
Ted Bettle, manager of the Welland and District Humane Society, said he received a call from Beard about the sighting, but has heard nothing else of the wild cat.
Sightings for large animals, such as cougars, are called in "every once in a while," he said, though there's no concrete evidence of their existence in the area.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has been contacted about the sighting and will decide how to proceed from here, he said.
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2830975
California:
La Quinta police blotter for Nov. 4
La Quinta Sun • November 4, 2010
7:48 a.m. — Officers were dispatched to the 78-400 block of Calle Remo regarding a large black panther sighting. Several officers, including Fish and Game and La Quinta animal control, responded but were unable to locate the animal.
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20101104/NEWS0801/11030353/1006/NEWS01/La+Quinta+police+blotter+for+Nov.+4
Black Feline Sightings (via Chad Arment)
Ontario:
Another panther sighting
MARYANNE FIRTH , TRIBUNE STAFF
WELLAND -- "I know exactly what I saw."
David Beard has no doubts about the curious sighting he made Monday evening.
It was a big black cat. But this was no ordinary house cat.
"It was a black panther," he said confidently, while speaking with The Tribune over the phone.
The Michigan St. resident said he and a friend were looking at wild turkeys near the train tracks by his home in Dain City, when the big black mass came walking along.
Beard quickly whipped out his cell phone, but the cat was simply too far away to snap a clear shot, he said.
As the pair tried to get closer to the animal, it bolted into the forested area behind the former John Deere Welland Works plant.
Beard described the cat as at least four-feet long with "another four feet of tail."
The cat was spotted again on Tuesday morning by one of his neighbours, he said, adding it was "just walking through like it owned the place."
Beard said there is "an abundance of wildlife" in the area, that would certainly meet the dietary requirements of a large hungry animal.
"I'm just hoping it doesn't decide to make this its home."
He's not concerned about the animal moving around the area, though he admits with a laugh that he's now rattling his keys when walking out to the car.
"It's impressive to see something like this. I don't think it's natural," he said, adding he believes the cat has "gotten away from someone, somewhere."
Beard said all of the neighbours in the area are "on high alert," with many keeping a camera close in case there is another sighting.
Ted Bettle, manager of the Welland and District Humane Society, said he received a call from Beard about the sighting, but has heard nothing else of the wild cat.
Sightings for large animals, such as cougars, are called in "every once in a while," he said, though there's no concrete evidence of their existence in the area.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has been contacted about the sighting and will decide how to proceed from here, he said.
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2830975
California:
La Quinta police blotter for Nov. 4
La Quinta Sun • November 4, 2010
7:48 a.m. — Officers were dispatched to the 78-400 block of Calle Remo regarding a large black panther sighting. Several officers, including Fish and Game and La Quinta animal control, responded but were unable to locate the animal.
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20101104/NEWS0801/11030353/1006/NEWS01/La+Quinta+police+blotter+for+Nov.+4
Another panther sighting
MARYANNE FIRTH , TRIBUNE STAFF
WELLAND -- "I know exactly what I saw."
David Beard has no doubts about the curious sighting he made Monday evening.
It was a big black cat. But this was no ordinary house cat.
"It was a black panther," he said confidently, while speaking with The Tribune over the phone.
The Michigan St. resident said he and a friend were looking at wild turkeys near the train tracks by his home in Dain City, when the big black mass came walking along.
Beard quickly whipped out his cell phone, but the cat was simply too far away to snap a clear shot, he said.
As the pair tried to get closer to the animal, it bolted into the forested area behind the former John Deere Welland Works plant.
Beard described the cat as at least four-feet long with "another four feet of tail."
The cat was spotted again on Tuesday morning by one of his neighbours, he said, adding it was "just walking through like it owned the place."
Beard said there is "an abundance of wildlife" in the area, that would certainly meet the dietary requirements of a large hungry animal.
"I'm just hoping it doesn't decide to make this its home."
He's not concerned about the animal moving around the area, though he admits with a laugh that he's now rattling his keys when walking out to the car.
"It's impressive to see something like this. I don't think it's natural," he said, adding he believes the cat has "gotten away from someone, somewhere."
Beard said all of the neighbours in the area are "on high alert," with many keeping a camera close in case there is another sighting.
Ted Bettle, manager of the Welland and District Humane Society, said he received a call from Beard about the sighting, but has heard nothing else of the wild cat.
Sightings for large animals, such as cougars, are called in "every once in a while," he said, though there's no concrete evidence of their existence in the area.
The Ministry of Natural Resources has been contacted about the sighting and will decide how to proceed from here, he said.
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2830975
California:
La Quinta police blotter for Nov. 4
La Quinta Sun • November 4, 2010
7:48 a.m. — Officers were dispatched to the 78-400 block of Calle Remo regarding a large black panther sighting. Several officers, including Fish and Game and La Quinta animal control, responded but were unable to locate the animal.
http://www.mydesert.com/article/20101104/NEWS0801/11030353/1006/NEWS01/La+Quinta+police+blotter+for+Nov.+4
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Croc-like creature on the loose
It's no Loch Ness Monster, but a crocodile loose in a Hamilton pond is proving just as elusive.
Bry Loyst, curator at the Indian River Reptile Zoo, was scouring a pond just outside the city for most of the day on Tuesday hoping to catch sight of the animal and capture it.
"It's a needle in a haystack at the moment," he said, noting there's lots of shrubbery and reeds along the shore that make easy hiding places for a large reptile. "It's a lake, and it also connects to other rivers and things like that. So it could have swam anywhere, really."
After five hours of searching on Tuesday, the team held a meeting to determine how to proceed. Making it even more difficult is the fact they're not entirely sure what they're looking for.
"When I was here yesterday I definitely saw something," Loyst said. "But we're not 100% sure."
Based on a photo captured by local wildlife photographer Tom Badeau, many believe the creature to be crocodilian in nature. But what species it might be, and how big, is largely guesswork at the moment.
"It's an invasive species and needs to be taken out," Loyst said. "That's why the conservation society is so intent on finding this thing."
While the creature wouldn't survive the winter -- and depending on its diet, maybe not even the month -- authorities are still trying to catch the animal before it has a chance to upset the local ecosystem.
According to Loyst, the animal isn't a danger to people but they should call the Hamilton Conservation Authority if they see it.
Pet crocodiles and alligators are often abandoned when they get too big.
Posted By QMI AGENCY
(submitted by Chad Arment)
Bry Loyst, curator at the Indian River Reptile Zoo, was scouring a pond just outside the city for most of the day on Tuesday hoping to catch sight of the animal and capture it.
"It's a needle in a haystack at the moment," he said, noting there's lots of shrubbery and reeds along the shore that make easy hiding places for a large reptile. "It's a lake, and it also connects to other rivers and things like that. So it could have swam anywhere, really."
After five hours of searching on Tuesday, the team held a meeting to determine how to proceed. Making it even more difficult is the fact they're not entirely sure what they're looking for.
"When I was here yesterday I definitely saw something," Loyst said. "But we're not 100% sure."
Based on a photo captured by local wildlife photographer Tom Badeau, many believe the creature to be crocodilian in nature. But what species it might be, and how big, is largely guesswork at the moment.
"It's an invasive species and needs to be taken out," Loyst said. "That's why the conservation society is so intent on finding this thing."
While the creature wouldn't survive the winter -- and depending on its diet, maybe not even the month -- authorities are still trying to catch the animal before it has a chance to upset the local ecosystem.
According to Loyst, the animal isn't a danger to people but they should call the Hamilton Conservation Authority if they see it.
Pet crocodiles and alligators are often abandoned when they get too big.
Posted By QMI AGENCY
(submitted by Chad Arment)
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