Latest news with #Itemlive
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Resident stunned as trail cameras capture images of elusive creature prowling backyard: 'Like hitting the lottery'
Bobcats are the most common wildcats in America, yet they're also rarely seen by anyone outside of a zoo. As home security technology continues to become more prevalent, however, that's beginning to change. Ring camera doorbells, home security cameras, and cellular or Wi-Fi trail cameras are doing what humans struggle with — spotting bobcats. "It's like hitting the lottery," said David Crockett, Animal Control Officer in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, according to Itemlive. It was a trail camera that captured an image of the elusive wildcat in a Lynnfield resident Steve Fantone's backyard, an extremely rare find despite the bobcat's extensive range, which spans the southern provinces of Canada, through all 48 contiguous states, and into Mexico. "It was similar in size to a small or medium-sized dog," Fantone said. "Bobcats have always been here because it's a habitat that has things for them to eat, like mice and birds and I have some video showing one stalking a rabbit. This is what makes trail cameras so important in several ways, well beyond just spotting evasive bobcats. They offer a noninvasive method for scientists to study animals, their behavior, patterns, long-term data collection, and habitat use. We've long known that human presence affects animal behavior, as a study published in the Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens shows. From a conservationist perspective, trail cameras are powerful tools of discovery, contributing to population monitoring, demographics, abundance, density, human encroachment, diseases, invasive species, anti-poaching, and general evidence collection. The information gathered from a single trail camera is enormously helpful in these efforts. Now, imagine several of them strategically spread out across a geographic area. These smart measures, coupled with ever-advancing technologies, help preserve these animals, ensuring their longevity, health, and rehabilitation when necessary. Animals exist on countless interconnected food chains, from primary producers to primary and secondary consumers, and so on. Remove one species from the equation, and it potentially mimics the game of Jenga, with everything crashing down in chaos. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Pollinators, plants, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, etc., each impacting the next in positive or negative ways. A trail camera can record this information without meddling with the cycles. The bobcat is a primary example of this. Human intervention, if only to observe from a quiet, camouflaged viewpoint, creates a disturbance that elusive, solitary animals can detect. It's difficult to spot a bobcat in person for a reason. "Real wildlife is happening all around us. We've pushed them out of their environment," Crockett continued. Wildlife persists, and ultimately, conservation efforts will continue to strive for healthier and more diverse ecosystems. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Mass. town employee quits after racist comments heard during graduation livestream video
An employee of the town of Lynnfield has resigned after 'inappropriate and racist words' were heard during a high school graduation livestream Friday, with an investigation into the incident now underway. On Monday, the town announced that one of the employees heard during the livestream had resigned and was no longer working for the town, according to a statement. 'The town has begun an investigation into the recorded conversation that occurred on Friday before the Lynnfield High School graduation,' the statement read. '...The investigation into this matter is ongoing and there is no further information or comment at this time.' The statement did not release the name of the person no longer working with the city. The remarks were made while people were waiting for the graduation ceremony to start. The livestream has since been removed. The people heard in the video have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, town officials said. At least two racist words can be heard clearly, Itemlive reported. 'We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately,' a town statement shared on Facebook read. Lynnfield School Committee member Jamie Hayman previously said students 'are now watching what we do next.' If we treat this only as a personnel issue, we miss a critical opportunity to lead, to grow, and to teach,' he said. Though one African-American student's father came forward during a June 3 school committee hearing to tell the school committee that his son had dealt with 'some incidents.' After a school principal told the student's father, Carl Allien, about 'some of the harsh things that my son has been enduring,' Allien told MassLive that he wanted to meet with the superintendent about what has happened. He did not provide details about these incidents. '... it's been challenging for a young African-American kid in the schools,' Allien said. 'I'm struggling right now.' Two school board members encouraged Allien to leave his contact information with the district secretary for further conversation. Another school board committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Public comment is available. Families of 3 workers killed on I-91 in March attend suspect's arraignment Mayor Wu seeks transparency on ICE arrests, 'secret police tactics' Runners race for a cause at Flutie 5K in Bernardston Sex offender arrested after woman in Mass. Target fitting room is filmed while changing U.S. House committee demands Harvard send them hiring policies for review Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘I'm not feeling seen': Racist graduation remarks highlight earlier concerns brought to officials
Parents and students in Lynnfield have raised concerns about how the town's schools address race — from the limited portrayal of Black history to reports of racism among students. Now, officials are being forced to confront those concerns after 'inappropriate' remarks were made during a high school graduation livestream. Lynnfield town employees could be heard using 'inappropriate and racist words' during a graduation livestream Friday. The video has since been remove but was seen and heard by people waiting to watch the Lynnfield High School graduation on Friday. The people in the video have been placed on administrative leave during the investigation, town officials said. 'It is especially regrettable that this incident took place on what is and should be a night to celebrate our incredible seniors. Such incidents, however, must be confronted directly and openly and a full investigation and appropriate action will be taken,' a statement by the town read on Facebook. The video was of people setting up chairs on the football field prior to the ceremony. At least two racist words can be heard clearly, Itemlive reported. 'We, as town leaders, stand together in outrage over what has been reported this evening and wish to state emphatically that racist language and behavior has no place in our town and will be dealt with immediately,' the town's statement continued. Select Board member Alexis Leahy spoke out against the comments and thanked the town administration for acting quickly. 'Discrimination not only undermines the values of equity and justice that a community is built upon, but it also divides us at a time when unity and understanding are more important than ever,' she wrote. Jamie Hayman of the school committee also spoke out stating that hundreds of students have now heard these words. 'And just as importantly, they are now watching what we do next. If we treat this only as a personnel issue, we miss a critical opportunity, to lead, to grow, and to teach,' he said. But it isn't the first time this issue has been brought up to the school board committee this year. On June 3, the school committee hearing prior to graduation, a parent, Carl Allien, told the committee that his son was dealing with 'some incidents' as an African-American. The school's principal had called Allien about 'some of the harsh things that my son has been enduring.' Although he did not provide any specifics, he said it wasn't about any specific person and asked for a meeting with the superintendent about these issues. '... it's been challenging for a young African-American kid in the schools,' he said. 'I'm struggling right now.' Two school board members encouraged Allien to leave his contact information with the district secretary for further conversation. In February, Joseph Dixon and his mother, Wendy, went in front of the committee to urge them to have better education and celebration of Black history. 'I'm not feeling seen,' Wendy Dixon said her son told her. Joseph Dixon said during his years at Lynnfield public schools, he has not seen Black history talked about beyond slavery and Martin Luther King Jr. 'We should learn about the many things that black people have contributed to our society and not just the struggle and hurt that they've been through,' he told the committee. He also encouraged education on other cultures too. 'I agree with you that we can do better,' Superintendent Tom Geary said. 'Thank you for being willing to speak. It's something we will talk about administratively on how to move forward with that.' Another school board committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. Public comment is available. Ex-con arraigned on home invasion and armed robbery charges Rally to be held in Boston in response to ICE raids in LA 'Devastated' music legend cancels more shows due to health issues Hearing for Newton judge accused of helping man evade ICE begins Monday How a Springfield agency's mission evolved since its founding after the Civil War Read the original article on MassLive.
