Animals
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
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
'It's a Different World'
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Nov 14, 2018 at 4:00 PM
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office posted a tear jerker of a video to Facebook today showing SWAP Farm manager Jeff Dishmon after Correctional Deputy Samantha Freese and other deputies pitched in to get Dishmon special glasses that for the first in his life allowed him “to see all the colors.”
See what happens for yourself in the video below:
Monday, October 1, 2018
APD: Reports of Mountain Lion Near LK Wood
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Mon, Oct 1, 2018 at 12:12 PM
The Arcata Police Department has received reports of a mountain lion being spotted at the bus stop at California Street and LK Wood and on the porch of a nearby residence, although few other details were immediately available.
According to an APD Facebook post, the time of the sightings was unknown but the department reminds residents not to run away from a mountain lion but to make noise and appear as large as possible.
Read the APD Facebook post below"
According to an APD Facebook post, the time of the sightings was unknown but the department reminds residents not to run away from a mountain lion but to make noise and appear as large as possible.
Read the APD Facebook post below"
APD has received reports of mountain lion sightings near lower California Avenue. The mountain lion has been seen at the bus stop at California and L.K. Wood (unknown what time of day) and on the porch of a nearby resident.
If you encounter the mountain lion, make as much noise as possible and make yourself look big. Do Not Run Away!
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Cows on 101 Near Loleta Cause Series of Crashes
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Aug 29, 2018 at 10:15 AM
Loose cows caused a series of accidents on U.S Highway 101 near the Loleta Drive exit last night and this morning, leaving at least one person with serious injuries as law enforcement continues to work the scene, which is not expected to be completely cleared up until this afternoon.
At least one of the cows got out again around 9 a.m., according to the CHP.
At least one of the cows got out again around 9 a.m., according to the CHP.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Judge Finds Animal Cruelty Case Against Rancher Can Proceed to Trial
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Fri, Aug 17, 2018 at 12:45 PM
A Humboldt County Superior Court judge has ruled there is enough evidence for local rancher Raymond Christie to stand trial on charges related to his treatment of animals and the disposal of dead livestock at properties across the region.
According to a Times-Standard report, Judge Kaleb Cockrum held Christine to answer Thursday to three felony charges of animal cruelty and 47 misdemeanors related to large amounts of cattle carcasses dumped near state waterways, including sloughs in Trinidad and Arcata.
Cockrum’s decision came after a three-day preliminary hearing with witnesses, including law enforcement officers and a state environmental specialist.
Christie was arrested March 19 after what the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office described at the time as a “long-term investigation” initiated by "ongoing complaints" of animal cruelty and reports of dead animals being improperly disposed of near or in waterways.
Christie has pleaded not guilty in the case and will be rearraigned on the current charges Aug. 30, the T-S story states.
According to a Times-Standard report, Judge Kaleb Cockrum held Christine to answer Thursday to three felony charges of animal cruelty and 47 misdemeanors related to large amounts of cattle carcasses dumped near state waterways, including sloughs in Trinidad and Arcata.
Cockrum’s decision came after a three-day preliminary hearing with witnesses, including law enforcement officers and a state environmental specialist.
Christie was arrested March 19 after what the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office described at the time as a “long-term investigation” initiated by "ongoing complaints" of animal cruelty and reports of dead animals being improperly disposed of near or in waterways.
Christie has pleaded not guilty in the case and will be rearraigned on the current charges Aug. 30, the T-S story states.
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Mountain Lion Sighting on Fickle Hill
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Tue, Jul 17, 2018 at 11:18 AM
The Arcata Police Department is reporting that a mountain lion has been spotted off Fickle Hill Road in the Arcata Community Forest area.
While noting that such sightings are not usual, the department is asking residents and forest visitors to be “aware and alert” and reissued advise on what to do should an encounter occur, warning people not to run or bend down and to do all they can to appear intimidating.
While noting that such sightings are not usual, the department is asking residents and forest visitors to be “aware and alert” and reissued advise on what to do should an encounter occur, warning people not to run or bend down and to do all they can to appear intimidating.
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Moses the Yak Dies at the Zoo
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Jul 11, 2018 at 12:33 PM
The Sequoia Park Zoo today announced via Facebook that Moses, a domestic yak, has died. He was estimated to be 15 and was suffering from age-related arthritis that increasing left him in pain.
According to the post, Moses was “a very sweet and endearing individual” that came to the zoo in 2012 with his sister Scarlett. Read more about the zoo’s history and how the end of the lives of other denizens have been chronicled here.
Facebook post from the Sequoia Park Zoo:
According to the post, Moses was “a very sweet and endearing individual” that came to the zoo in 2012 with his sister Scarlett. Read more about the zoo’s history and how the end of the lives of other denizens have been chronicled here.
Facebook post from the Sequoia Park Zoo:
Sequoia Park Zoo is saddened to announce the passing of Moses the domestic yak. Moses came to Sequoia Park Zoo in 2012 with his sister Scarlett. While many in Humboldt are used to seeing cattle, guests often rejoiced in trying to guess what Moses was - often exclaiming “Buffalo!” or “Ox!” before learning more about wild and domestic yak alike. He was a very sweet and endearing individual and will be missed by many.
At an estimated age of 15, Moses was in his twilight years and in February of this year began experiencing age related arthritis and joint issues. Staff worked with vets to establish a regimen and treatment plan, and kept Moses active and comfortable for many months. Ultimately, Moses began showing increasing signs of pain and an overall decrease in quality of life, with no further options for pain management – the much difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him.
