Animals
Monday, July 8, 2019
Oh, Deer!
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 10:20 AM
A fawn whose mother was killed by a car on State Route 36 was cared for at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office today after a passerby brought the young deer in.
According to a post on the HCSO Facebook page, the young deer spent the morning hanging out in the sergeant’s office before being taken to a local wildlife center for evaluation.
Friday, July 5, 2019
Benbow Eaglet Faces Close Call With Fire
Posted By Kym Kemp on Fri, Jul 5, 2019 at 10:05 PM
Southern Humboldt County nature lovers were very concerned today as a wildfire burning in the Benbow area closed in on a nest holding a 12-week-old eaglet that has not yet taken to flight.
“It was really close, and the helicopter was buzzing right past the nest,” said nature photographer Talia Rose, who runs the popular nature photography Facebook page, County Line Wild. “[B]oth parents were absent from the valley … .”
Rose, who frequently photographs the eagle family, said during that the firefight, as the helicopter was buzzing nearby, the eaglet “was sitting up tall but tense and frozen in the nest … .”
Firefighters from Cal Fire, Garberville and Redway VFDs as well as an inmate crew managed to get to the difficult to access fire and stop its forward progress by about 6:30 p.m.
She said the eaglet barely moved “until about 20 minutes after the helicopter left the valley …. .” Then, she said, “it finally moved around the nest a bit. I think it will be fine and thank god this fire did not start in the middle of the night.”
Firefighters expect to be mopping up until 11 p.m.
Friday, May 31, 2019
UPDATED: Orcas Spotted in Humboldt Bay (With Video)
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Fri, May 31, 2019 at 10:00 AM
UPDATE:
Biologist Mike Kelly, who writes the column “Washed Up” for the North Coast Journal, reported via Twitter that he also caught sight of one of the orcas but apparently missed seeing the pod catch a sea lion.
“The remaining sea lions did seem nervous,” he says, showing a picture of several huddled on a buoy at the bay entrance.
All in all, it seems it was a busy day for marine mammals around the jetty.
Kelly also reports seeing harbor porpoises, a gray whale and some other sea lions that hadn’t gotten the memo on the orcas, which appeared in Humboldt Bay just one day before the beginning of Orca Month.
A rare treat greeted some lucky folks this morning, when seven orcas were spotted by the captain of the Madaket.
According to a Facebook post, the whales were seen over by the county boat ramp on the North Spit by Capt. Cody Hills, who was aboard the survey boat Eagle.
Biologist Mike Kelly, who writes the column “Washed Up” for the North Coast Journal, reported via Twitter that he also caught sight of one of the orcas but apparently missed seeing the pod catch a sea lion.
“The remaining sea lions did seem nervous,” he says, showing a picture of several huddled on a buoy at the bay entrance.
All in all, it seems it was a busy day for marine mammals around the jetty.
Kelly also reports seeing harbor porpoises, a gray whale and some other sea lions that hadn’t gotten the memo on the orcas, which appeared in Humboldt Bay just one day before the beginning of Orca Month.
PREVIOUS:Other marine mammals around the Humboldt Bay jetties after the orca action included a couple of harbor porpoises, a gray whale and these California sea lions that didn't seem clued in about the orcas... pic.twitter.com/HH6smYxwMP
— Mike Kelly (@MSidKelly) May 31, 2019
A rare treat greeted some lucky folks this morning, when seven orcas were spotted by the captain of the Madaket.
According to a Facebook post, the whales were seen over by the county boat ramp on the North Spit by Capt. Cody Hills, who was aboard the survey boat Eagle.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
The Otters are Coming! The Otters are Coming!
Posted By Iridian Casarez on Wed, May 29, 2019 at 10:53 AM
A shipment of 100 otter sculptures is heading toward the North Coast, according to Jeff Black, who created the North Coast Otter Public Arts Initiative. All the way from Jolly Roger Sculptures in the Philippines, the arrival of the 3-foot-tall sculptures standing ready for an artist's touch will kick off a public art initiative scheduled for next summer.
The initiative will combine art and citizen science to “promote clean water and healthy habitats where we live and play,” using a fun scavenger hunt across five counties in the North Coast, a junior ranger program and an Eo Day/Otter collaboration to support the River Otter Citizen Science Project. The initiative is a celebration of otters, Black said.
Black is still continuing his search for sponsors and hosts, as the scavenger hunt will incorporate business across Humboldt, Del Norte, Siskiyou, Mendocino and Trinity counties. To learn more about hosting or sponsoring an otter click here.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Reward Offered in Poaching of Roosevelt Elk
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Tue, May 21, 2019 at 5:39 PM
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced this week a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the December shooting deaths of four Roosevelt elk, including a pregnant cow.
In a release, CDFW states the investigation is continuing, “including processing evidence left at the crime scene. The department also thanks the four organizations — California Bowmen Hunters, California Houndsmen for Conservation, the Oranco Bowmen from Ontario and the Orange Belt Field Archers — for pledging the reward money."
Wildlife officers responding to a poaching report found the slain animals Dec. 9 in the Maple Creek area, southeast of Blue Lake.
“This poacher shot these animals and left them for dead,” said CDFW Law Enforcement Division District Capt. AJ Bolton. “The vast majority of hunters are ethical and law-abiding citizens, but this is poaching, plain and simple.”
Read the CDWF release below:
In a release, CDFW states the investigation is continuing, “including processing evidence left at the crime scene. The department also thanks the four organizations — California Bowmen Hunters, California Houndsmen for Conservation, the Oranco Bowmen from Ontario and the Orange Belt Field Archers — for pledging the reward money."
Wildlife officers responding to a poaching report found the slain animals Dec. 9 in the Maple Creek area, southeast of Blue Lake.
“This poacher shot these animals and left them for dead,” said CDFW Law Enforcement Division District Capt. AJ Bolton. “The vast majority of hunters are ethical and law-abiding citizens, but this is poaching, plain and simple.”
Read the CDWF release below:
Monday, April 22, 2019
CHP to the Rescue for this Feathered Family (Video)
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Mon, Apr 22, 2019 at 11:37 AM
Just because it's cute. Here is some video the CHP posted of a local officer lending a helping hand to a wayward family of Canada geese that he found wandering along the side of U.S. Highway 101 while on patrol south of Eureka.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Record Rain Wreaking Havoc on Humboldt
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Feb 27, 2019 at 2:11 PM
Roads are flooding, rivers are rising and the Coast Guard is urging boat owners to check on their vessels in the wake of record rainfall over the last two days that has inundated the region.
According to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services, the local Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Fortuna Fireman’s Pavilion, located at 9 Park St., “for residents impacted by flooding to receive information about resources available.”
The center is slated to remain open until 4 p.m. but that may be extended depending on need.
The Eel River is expected to reach 53.2 feet in Scotia around 3 p.m. and to hit 25.7 feet around 4 p.m. today at Fernbridge, the later a height that hasn’t been seen since February of 1986, according to NOAA historic records. The bridge has been closed since this morning due to flooding on Highway 211.
According to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services, the local Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at the Fortuna Fireman’s Pavilion, located at 9 Park St., “for residents impacted by flooding to receive information about resources available.”
The center is slated to remain open until 4 p.m. but that may be extended depending on need.
The Eel River is expected to reach 53.2 feet in Scotia around 3 p.m. and to hit 25.7 feet around 4 p.m. today at Fernbridge, the later a height that hasn’t been seen since February of 1986, according to NOAA historic records. The bridge has been closed since this morning due to flooding on Highway 211.
Friday, February 22, 2019
Hey, People, Leave Those Pups Alone
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Fri, Feb 22, 2019 at 2:03 PM
The Northcoast Marine Mammal Center is reminding the public that pupping season is here and that adorable little baby seal on beach is likely just waiting for its mom to return from a food-finding foray.
In other words, as the center emphasizes, “please do NOT touch it!”
“Most likely its mom is foraging offshore and knows exactly where she left her pup and she will not return if people and/or animals are near,” a Facebook post states.
The center has a stranding line at (707) 951-4722 or you can use the “call now” function on the nonprofit’s Facebook page.
In other words, as the center emphasizes, “please do NOT touch it!”
“Most likely its mom is foraging offshore and knows exactly where she left her pup and she will not return if people and/or animals are near,” a Facebook post states.
The center has a stranding line at (707) 951-4722 or you can use the “call now” function on the nonprofit’s Facebook page.
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Steps Made to Protect the Klamath Spring Run Chinook
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Thu, Feb 7, 2019 at 3:35 PM
A first step in protecting Klamath–Trinity spring run Chinook as a separate species took place this week with the California Fish and Game Commission making the fish a candidate for an endangered species listing in the state.
According to a release from the Karuk Tribe and the Salmon River Restoration Council, a final decision will be made within one year but, in the meantime, the so-called springers will “be afforded all the protections of a listed species.”
That includes fishing restrictions but the release notes that the tribe and the council want to work with fishermen and the agency for “common sense” regulations.
"There is a population of hatchery born spring Chinook on the Trinity River that can and should be fished," Karuk Tribe Executive Director Joshua Saxon said in the release.
With spring run teetering on the brink of extinction, the tribe and SRRC have pushed for a state and federal listing, finally backed with DNA evidence that shows the fall and spring Chinook runs are genetically different.
According to a release from the Karuk Tribe and the Salmon River Restoration Council, a final decision will be made within one year but, in the meantime, the so-called springers will “be afforded all the protections of a listed species.”
That includes fishing restrictions but the release notes that the tribe and the council want to work with fishermen and the agency for “common sense” regulations.
"There is a population of hatchery born spring Chinook on the Trinity River that can and should be fished," Karuk Tribe Executive Director Joshua Saxon said in the release.
With spring run teetering on the brink of extinction, the tribe and SRRC have pushed for a state and federal listing, finally backed with DNA evidence that shows the fall and spring Chinook runs are genetically different.
Friday, January 25, 2019
'Sweet Victory' for SpongeBob Fans at the Super Bowl? Stay Tuned
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Fri, Jan 25, 2019 at 1:48 PM
Fans of SpongeBob SquarePants aren’t looking back in their months-long effort to have “Sweet Victory” sung during half time at the Super Bowl as an ode to Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the fantastical world Bikini Bottoms, who died Nov. 27.
More than 1 million people have signed the Change.org petition to honor the 57-year-old Humboldt State University graduate, who announced last March that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.
“As some of you may or may not know, Stephen Hillenburg — the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants — has passed away recently,” the petition reads. “As a tribute to his legacy, his contributions to a generation of children and to truly showcase the greatness of this song, we call for Sweet Victory to be performed at the Halftime Show.”
Half time headliner Maroon 5 set the Twittersphere a twitter earlier this month when the band released a Super Bowl teaser that includes a brief appearance by SpongeBob. (Check out the 32 second mark.)
More than 1 million people have signed the Change.org petition to honor the 57-year-old Humboldt State University graduate, who announced last March that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a neurodegenerative disease more commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease.
“As some of you may or may not know, Stephen Hillenburg — the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants — has passed away recently,” the petition reads. “As a tribute to his legacy, his contributions to a generation of children and to truly showcase the greatness of this song, we call for Sweet Victory to be performed at the Halftime Show.”
Half time headliner Maroon 5 set the Twittersphere a twitter earlier this month when the band released a Super Bowl teaser that includes a brief appearance by SpongeBob. (Check out the 32 second mark.)
#SBLIII pic.twitter.com/dWKJQDS9ap
— Maroon 5 (@maroon5) January 13, 2019
