Latest news with #AnimalCare
CBS News
04-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Coyotes reclaiming San Francisco spaces as residents contemplate how to coexist
Coyotes have made a steady comeback in San Francisco after once being nearly wiped out, renewing a debate between those who want to protect coyotes and others who see them as a growing threat. Three years ago, Alison Lufkin was walking her dog Oliver in the city's Presidio when something happened that she said she'll remember the rest of her life. A coyote slipped out of the brush, and, in an instant, Oliver was gone. "I tore back toward him, screaming, and he turned around and looked at me with my dog in his mouth," said Lufkin. "My dog's eyes met my eyes, and it was just so heartbreaking. Then he ran off with my dog." Lufkin still visits the site with her two current dogs, leaving flowers in Oliver's memory. She doesn't blame the coyotes. Oliver wasn't on a leash - a choice she said she still regrets. "That day was probably the worst day of my life," she said. Lufkin is part of a growing number of people calling for something, anything, to prevent this from happening again. According to San Francisco Animal Care and Control, in 2024, over 1,000 coyote sightings were reported in the city, a 40% jump from the year before, though that may be due to better reporting. There was also one case near the Botanical Garden in Golden Gate Park where a 5-year-old girl was bitten. Decades ago, coyotes were nearly wiped out by hunting and widespread poisoning. But in the early 2000s, they returned from a few bold strays to about 100, staking their claim in a city still unsure about how to handle them. For 18 years, Janet Kessler has been tracking and photographing coyotes, saying the real problem isn't the coyotes, it's us. Around here, she's simply known as the Coyote Lady. "I feel protective because they are the most persecuted animal in America," said Kessler. "They have been shot on sight just for being coyotes." Doctors Tali Caspi and Christine Wilkinson have studied how coyotes and people cross paths - and not just here in San Francisco. "It sort of captivated people around the world is the fact that these animals are here in big cities and not just in San Francisco where you can see them in Golden Gate Park where we are right now, but they're in New York City and they're in Chicago and they're in Los Angeles," Caspi said. And that raises the question: what, if anything, can be done? "Some people are gonna look at this and they're gonna say, why not just get rid of them?" Caspi said. "Even if we wanted to remove every coyote in here and you were able to do it somehow, they would come right back," Wilkinson said. Relocating them doesn't work either. Not only is it illegal, but many of them may not survive it. The good news, experts said, is that coyote numbers have likely stabilized. The Coyote Lady believes coexistence isn't just possible, it's practical. Don't feed them. Keep dogs tethered. And remember: serious incidents are rare. "I'm hoping that enough people can come to a respectable understanding of them," she said, "and if they don't learn to like the coyotes, at least learn how to live with them."
CTV News
02-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Calgary Zoo announces new addition to gorilla troop
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has welcomed a new gorilla into the fold. Officials say western lowland gorilla Johari arrived at the zoo last week. The 24-year-old female came from the Toronto Zoo. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan recommended Johari as a potential breeding partner for Calgary silverback Jasiri. 'We're absolutely thrilled to welcome Johari to our troop,' said Colleen Baird, the zoo's director of animal care, health and welfare, in a Wednesday news release. 'She brings a charismatic personality and playful spirit that will be a wonderful addition—especially alongside Dossi, as they both share an endearing habit of accessorizing with enrichment items.' Johari will spend a couple of weeks in quarantine in the African Rainforest building before being gradually introduced to the troop. Gorilla Johari The Calgary Zoo's newest member is gorilla Johari. (Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo) Her arrival follows the death of two-year-old Eyare, who died last November after being hit by a hydraulic door. Officials said the death was the direct result of human error. In the time since, the zoo says it has completed a full review of its practices and implemented 'significant changes' to enhance safety and animal wellbeing practices. 'We will never forget Eyare,' said Baird. 'We owe it to her and to all the animals in our care to uphold the very highest standards of welfare.' Johari's arrival brings the total number of gorillas in the troop to seven.
Newsweek
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Tears at Shelter Dog Realizing He's Back After a Day of 'Adventures'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A TikTok video showing a shelter dog's heartbroken realization that his day of "adventures" was over has left viewers in tears. In the video, the creator posted footage of Lector, a 5-year-old male dog, whose demeanor visibly shifts as he understands his return to the Broward County Animal Care shelter in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lector appears to understand suddenly that his day of fun is over, and rests his head sadly on the center console of a car. "Lector realizing he's back at the shelter after a day of adventures," the creator captioned the video. "Lector is looking for love, a quiet place to sleep and an arm he can rest his head on. Please consider adopting this sweet soul … Mellow, walks great on a leash, knows to sit for treats." Stock photo: A golden retriever looks out of a car window. Stock photo: A golden retriever looks out of a car raw emotion displayed by Lector resonated deeply with viewers who urged those close to Fort Lauderdale to adopt him. One TikTok viewer commented: "My heart is broken! Thank you for giving this precious baby a break from the shelter. I pray that someone adopts this baby … It always hurts me to see all the babies needing forever homes. But for some reason this baby has been on my mind and heart." Many users expressed admiration for those who take shelter dogs on these "day out" trips, acknowledging the emotional toll it must take. "I don't know how you are able to do these doggy day out dates, I couldn't go through with it," one wrote. "Thank you so much for taking him out, I hope he finds a forever home soon." Another user offered a supportive perspective to those feeling the sadness: "The people who think they 'couldn't do this' don't understand what it's like for these babies in the shelter," they wrote. "Any break, even for 15 minutes, is a huge deal for them! It's of course sad to bring them back, but you made a huge difference for them during their shelter experience!" @fablinds Lector is looking for love, a quiet place to sleep, and an arm he can rest his head on. Please consider adopting this sweet soul 💔 • Lector #A2417161 • Broward County Animal Care • Fort Lauderdale, FL • 5 years old • Male, neutered • Mellow, walks great on a leash, knows to sit for treats 🤍 @BrowardCountyPetOfTheWeek @BCAC Volunteer @Julie ♬ Stuff We Did - Michael Giacchino Dogs Know When They Return to the Shelter Newsweek previously spoke to Ana Arias, marketing manager at the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia (HSNEGA), about dogs' awareness of their return to the shelter—and if they are really as perceptive as they seem. Her response? They absolutely are. "We have witnessed dogs realizing they are back at the shelter," Arias said. "We need to remember that they are highly sensitive to smells, and they know once they are back, first because they know where they live, and, most probably, they can even smell and recognize where they are." The dogs' reaction to returning is somewhat like "Cinderella after the ball," Arias added. While they might have the most magical day out, their reality is still a life of waiting for safety and connection. Despite the widespread emotional response to Lector's video and numerous comments expressing interest, a second clip from the creator revealed a heartbreaking update: Lector has yet to receive any interest or visits from potential adopters. Newsweek reached out to @fablinds for comment via TikTok.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Broward animal control officer hospitalized after dog attack, police say
A Broward County Animal Care officer was hospitalized Thursday evening after an American Staffordshire Terrier attacked her at a home in Fort Lauderdale, police and Animal Care officials said. A woman called 911 shortly after 7 p.m., screaming about a dog 'mauling' an animal control worker in the 700 block of Southwest 14 Terrace, according to Fort Lauderdale Police spokesperson Casey Liening and the 911 call released Friday. The animal control officer was on a call for a wellness check at the time of the attack, Zachary Rinkins, spokesperson for Broward County Animal Care, told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. 'Emergency, please!' the woman who called 911 screamed. 'What's the address?' the dispatcher asked. 'The dog is mauling her! There's a dog mauling her!' the woman shouted back. The caller said the woman who was being attacked was 'screaming for help.' The dispatcher struggled to get any information out of the woman who called 911. She screamed and shouted for help to come continuously. Her son was trying to help the woman, she told the dispatcher. The dog could be heard growling and barking at one point in the background while the woman who called 911 yelled 'No!' repeatedly. Fort Lauderdale Police arrived three minutes after the 911 call. The animal control officer was taken to Broward Health Medical Center, Liening said. She remained there Friday with serious injuries but is expected to recover. The woman was taken to the trauma unit at the hospital, Rinkins said, and the dog was humanely euthanized. The dog had been injured during the struggle when witnesses tried to intervene, Liening said. She did not provide further information about how the injuries occurred. Broward County Animal Care is investigating, along with police, Rinkins said. Liening said the department is not expecting to conduct any criminal investigation as of Friday.
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
How to use City of Edmonton services if postal service stops
In case of mail service interruption that could start later this week because of a pending Canada Post workers strike, the City of Edmonton has alternatives for services that would be affected. More than 55,000 mail workers across Canada could go on strike starting at 12 a.m. ET on Friday, bringing mail and parcel deliveries to a halt. City bills Paying facility rentals, uninsured damages to city property, rent and leases can continue to be paid online, through their bank, by phone or in person at the Edmonton Service Centre. Property taxes Due on June 30; Pay at most banks, by phone or online banking; Do not pay by mail as cheques may not be received in time. Traffic, bylaw offence tickets For City of Edmonton bylaw tickets (e.g. parking tickets), pay online or in person at the Edmonton Service Centre. Provincial violation tickets Pay online at Alberta Fine Payments. Pet licensing Renew or purchase a pet licence online or in person at the Animal Care and Control Centre; Renewal notices will not be sent by mail during the service disruption. Development permits and notifications List of applications will be posted online to Public Notices on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Neighbourhood renewal updates Shared on project web pages. Residential parking program permits Lost or damaged ones can be requested online; Pick-up at the Edmonton Service Centre mail counter; Users will be notified when permits are available. Submitting a claim against city Online or call 311; Claim payments may be delayed. Serving city with legal documents Contact Legal Services at legalservicesreception@ or 780-496-7200. Vehicle for hire licences Contact businesslicenceapplications@ to request a notice to pay by email. Business licences
