Latest news with #AnimalCare
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Toronto Zoo to become home of Cedar, a blind baby moose rescued near Ottawa
Blind baby moose, two-month-old Cedar, who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month is shown at Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue in Dunrobin, Ont., in this handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Kim Cambell Rooney (Mandatory Credit) The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Cedar was brought to Holly's Haven Wildlife Rescue, where he spent the last three weeks getting professional veterinary aid and care. 'The moose calf was blind and wandering on its own with no sight of a mother,' said Lynne Rowe, the rescue organization's director of operations. Rowe said staff immediately set up a room to assess Cedar's health, and found he has partial sight in one eye. By the next day, a small outdoor enclosure was created for him to move into. While Rowe said they would usually turn to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., to secure permanent shelter for rescued animals, they were told the sanctuary was at capacity with moose. So Rowe shifted gears and reached out to the Toronto Zoo, which they said felt like a 'fantastic alternative.' In order to get Cedar to the zoo, Rowe had to obtain approval from the provincial Ministry of Natural Resources. It came in within a day of applying. 'Moose cannot be taken out of the wild to be put in a zoo,' Rowe explained. The only way a native Canadian animal like a moose can end up in an enclosure is if it is deemed unfit to be released back into the wild. Cedar The Toronto Zoo will soon become home to a blind baby moose who was rescued near Ottawa earlier this month. The two-month-old baby moose, now named Cedar, was found by an animal rescue group on a rural road in Hawkesbury, Ont. Dolf DeJong, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, said the zoo has a suitable moose enclosure and would be happy to welcome Cedar. A full zoonotic disease scan and other risk assessment steps will be taken before the move. 'Anytime you're moving ungulates around the province, that's really important,' DeJong said. 'Our veterinarians will connect with their veterinarians now so we can get a full understanding of Cedar's condition and make sure we're able to provide that support he needs for him to thrive.' DeJong said the best-case scenario would have been for the animal to be healthy and released back into the wild. But there are upsides to this alternative solution. 'Many Canadians don't have the chance to see a moose, have never realized that they are massive, incredible animals with really fun diets and some really unique adaptations,' he said. 'And if he needs a forever home, we're excited to be able to share that story and to provide that care for him.' At this time, DeJong said there is no set date for when Cedar will be moved to the zoo or when visitors can see him. The priority is making sure Cedar is in good health, he said. 'This is a visually impaired moose who will have his list of challenges. So our team will be doing their homework to make sure he's got the highest probability of success possible,' he said. 'He's certainly been through a lot,' DeJong said. 'It's an honour and a duty we don't take lightly.' Cedar will continue living at Holly's Haven until he is cleared by vets to be in good shape to travel and all required paperwork at the zoo's end is complete, Rowe said. 'I'm very eager to see him settled into his new place,' Rowe said. 'I will definitely visit him at some point in the future.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 25, 2025. Fatima Raza, The Canadian Press
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.
