Animals
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
Thursday, December 13, 2018
North Coast's Abalone Season Closed Until 2021
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Thu, Dec 13, 2018 at 2:00 PM
As we wrote about in the Dec. 6 edition of the Journal, the California Fish and Game Commission has extended the closure of the North Coast’s red abalone season until April of 2021.
The board made the decision Wednesday after once again hearing there is no positive news to report about the prized mollusks’ situation, the result of what scientists are calling a “perfect storm” of ecological events.
In short, the abalone are starving, unable to compete with marauding bands of purple sea urchins that are stripping bare local reefs and once thriving undersea forests of bull kelp following the mysterious starfish wasting disease outbreak that decimated the urchins' main predator.
According to a commission release, the vote was unanimous.
The board made the decision Wednesday after once again hearing there is no positive news to report about the prized mollusks’ situation, the result of what scientists are calling a “perfect storm” of ecological events.
In short, the abalone are starving, unable to compete with marauding bands of purple sea urchins that are stripping bare local reefs and once thriving undersea forests of bull kelp following the mysterious starfish wasting disease outbreak that decimated the urchins' main predator.
According to a commission release, the vote was unanimous.
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Three Dogs Stolen From Fortuna Animal Rescue
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Tue, Dec 11, 2018 at 3:17 PM
Officials are hoping the public can help find three dogs that were stolen from Miranda’s Rescue.
Deputies were called to the Fortuna shelter around noon Dec. 8 on a report the animals had been taken from their kennels. One is a pitbull mix named “Lucy” and the other two are 4-month-old Rottweiler/Mastiff mix puppies.
Deputies were called to the Fortuna shelter around noon Dec. 8 on a report the animals had been taken from their kennels. One is a pitbull mix named “Lucy” and the other two are 4-month-old Rottweiler/Mastiff mix puppies.
Friday, December 7, 2018
Fish and Wildlife Says the Crab Aren't Ready Yet
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Fri, Dec 7, 2018 at 2:16 PM
The North Coast’s crab woes continue as local crustaceans just aren’t fattening up enough for the commercial season to begin, prompting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue a second delay in opening day — which is now slated for Dec. 31.
According to a release, results from the Dec. 4 quality test “continue to show that Dungeness crab are not yet ready for harvesting." Another round of meat weighing is slated for Dec. 21, the results of which could either trigger a tossing of the crab pots or another postponement until mid-January.
According to a release, results from the Dec. 4 quality test “continue to show that Dungeness crab are not yet ready for harvesting." Another round of meat weighing is slated for Dec. 21, the results of which could either trigger a tossing of the crab pots or another postponement until mid-January.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
SpongeBob Creator, HSU Alum Hillenburg Dies at 57
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Tue, Nov 27, 2018 at 10:33 AM
Stephen Hillenburg, the Humboldt State University graduate best known for creating the beloved animated world of SpongeBob SquarePants, has died. He was 57.
Hillenburg credited his time at HSU for nurturing his fascination with marine biology and love of art, which ultimately merged together in the colorful creatures of Bikini Bottom, including a young sponge who lived in a pineapple under the sea.
In a nod to the role the university played in his success, Hillenburg and his wife Karen recently created the Stephen Hillenburg Marine Science Research Award Endowment at HSU with a $135,000 gift “to provide grant awards for student research projects in marine biology, oceanography and marine fisheries,” according to a September release from HSU.💛 We are sad to share the news of the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. Today, we are observing a moment of silence to honor his life and work. 💛
— Nickelodeon (@Nickelodeon) November 27, 2018
