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Several people spotted a sick deer in Ste. Genevieve County and notified MDC. The sick deer was humanely shot by MDC staff and a tissue sample was submitted for CWD testing. The disease was confirmed, and MDC staff properly disposed of the carcass.
It can take between 18 months to two years from the time a deer is infected with CWD to look visibly sick. The animals can still spread the disease before they look or act sick, MDC says.
Although most deer that test CWD-positive don t show signs, the deer that do may show symptoms like dramatic weight loss, abnormal behavior, and excessive thirst, drooling or urination.
Dogs catching young rabbits and lawn mowers running over their nests are other common issues.
“Rabbits seldom survive in captivity and can actually die of fright from being handled,” Russell said. “Even if the animal is injured, it’s best to return it to the nest because the mother will most likely return.”
Human scent does not cause wild mothers to reject their young, Russell said. Also, most newborn animals do not survive in captivity.
“People have good intentions, but the care and rehabilitation of wild animals require special training, facilities and permits,” Russell said. “Without such care and knowledge, wild animals will remain in poor health and could eventually die. Not to mention, it’s illegal to possess many wild animals without a valid state or federal permit.”
Springfield News-Leader
With a plethora of invasive Callery pears planted across the state, conservation officials are offering a buyback program with a free replacement tree pickup in Columbia. All people have to do is send in at least one photo of each Callery pear tree they cut down and register.
“Callery pears have been a tree many people have enjoyed for years,” said Ann Koenig, MDC Community Forester, via news release. “However, besides the fact that these trees often break apart in storms, and that they have foul-smelling flowers, it turns out these trees are spreading throughout fields and forests, causing problems in our more natural areas. We are excited to work with our partners to provide great, native trees to those who are ready to replace them.”
Springfield News-Leader
A dozen loggerhead sea turtles are preparing to return to the wild after a rehabilitating stay at Wonders of Wildlife.
The sea turtles were found stranded along the coast of Cape Cod due to a phenomenon known as “cold stunning” and brought to the aquarium in December 2020.
In usual circumstances, migrating sea turtles will forage in coastal habitats along the northeastern shores before heading south to warmer waters. Because of the hook-shaped peninsula at Cape Cod, some turtles get disoriented and can’t continue migrating. Once the temperature gets below 50 degrees, hypothermia leaves sea turtles with what’s called “cold stunning,” and the creatures began to be beached.
Two green sea turtles injured in the ocean are now landlocked, but are thriving at Wonders of Wildlife, their caretakers say.
Izzy and Ms. Pam are ambassadors at Bass Pro’s Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield. Izzy was found floating awkwardly along the surface of the water off the coast of North Carolina. Ms. Pam was found during a red tide event a term used when harmful algae bloom in a harbor near Sarasota, Florida.
Mike Daniel, general curator for the aquarium, said both turtles had injuries that made them unreleasable.
Izzy had a fracture at the base of her skull and multiple irregular air pockets in her carapace, or shell.