Big Wolf Bounties Needed. The counties north of the Kankakee are beginning to realize the mistake they made some years ago, when they quit paying bounties on wolves. Thus permitting those destructive animals to get numerous again, whereas if the bonnty had been increased, instead of repealed, in all those oounties the wolves would have been practically exterminated by this time. Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 117,Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1903 in the Hoosier State Chronicles Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program.
It is baby season and we are feeling it with the high amount of wildlife calls we are receiving. We are appreciative of people with good intentions who try to help wildlife when they think they need assistance, but sometimes those baby animals don't need help and you could be baby wildlife-napping.
We encourage you to read through the slides we have created with information from The Humane Society of the United States. You can read the full article here: Found an orphaned or injured baby wild animal? How to tell if baby animals are orphaned, injured or perfectly fine—and what to do if they need your help
The most important thing to remember is baby wildlife has the best chance at survival with their mom (the same goes for kittens!) If they are in immediate danger or are injured, please call us at (260) 427-1244 option 1 or your local wildlife rehabber. You can visit Indiana DNR to search for licensed rehabbers in your area: Indiana DNR Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitators
***FWACC can only assist with injured or sick wildlife calls. Unless the wildlife is stuck inside your home, we legally cannot relocate wild animals off your property; remember this is their home! Please do not touch wildlife with your bare hands. Learn more on our website: Wildlife
Mammals
Beavers - Castor canadensis
Beavers (Castor canadensis) were once rare in Indiana due to overharvesting but are now abundant. In 1935, the Indiana Department of Conservation obtained a few breeding pairs from Wisconsin and released them on Jasper-Pulaski Fish & Wildlife Area. Beaver populations expanded, aided by strategic relocations to certain parts of the state to help with expansion. Presently, beavers are found in almost every county. Copied from Beaver at Indiana Department of Natural Resources. "Although the species currently is considered secure across its range, unregulated fur harvest and habitat destruction caused severe declines or extirpation of beavers by 1900 in many parts of the United States." From North American eaver (Castor canadensis): A Technical Conservation Assessment Prepared for the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Species Conservation Project February 6, 2007 at fs.usda.gov.
Several beavers living in the rivers in Downtown Fort Wayne have been gnawing the bark off the base of large trees along...
Several beavers living in the rivers in Downtown Fort Wayne have been gnawing the bark off the base of large trees along the riverbanks, which eventually kills the trees and can lead to the tree falling into the river, said Dan Wire.
Happy International Beaver Day! Beavers were once rare in Indiana due to overharvesting for their fur but are now...
Beavers were once rare in Indiana due to overharvesting for their fur but are now abundant.
In 1935, the Indiana Department of Conservation obtained a few breeding pairs from Wisconsin and released them in strategic relocations to certain parts of the state to help with expansion.
The population expanded and now beavers are found in almost every county.
Black bears (Ursus americanus) were historically abundant across Indiana, excluding the northwest portions of the state dominated by prairie. Unregulated hunting and habitat loss caused black bears to be extirpated from Indiana and much of the Midwest by 1850. Today, black bear populations are expanding and they may pass through Indiana from established populations in adjacent states. In recent years, four black bears have been confirmed (2015, 2016, 2018, 2021) in Indiana. Copied from Black Bear at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
A couple of 1908 books of fiction about a boy growing up in early Indiana bear and Indian country.
Yesterday in Indiana History, 1901, "Bears of Blue River" was published by Charles Major of Shelbyville, Indiana. The...
Yesterday in Indiana History, 1901, "Bears of Blue River" was published by Charles Major of Shelbyville, Indiana. The story about a boy growing up in the woods of early Indiana has become a classic in children's literature.
Here's some exciting news! The first wild black bear to wander into Indiana since 1871 was confirmed in St. Joseph County.
Black bears eat mostly plants and berries this time of year, and especially love bird seed due to the high fat content. They are still a wild animal, so keep your distance, but feel free to observe from afar and send any photos or sightings to dfwinput@dnr.in.gov.
A trail camera photo of a black bear from November 23 in Clark County, Indiana was recently confirmed by DNR staff. The bear can be seen walking along the edge of a standing soybean field. This is likely the same bear that was reported in the New Albany area on Nov 18 after being struck by a vehicle. These reports are 10 miles apart indicating that the bear was still active and moving after the accident. A black bear is not cause for concern, but citizens are encouraged to be BearWise to minimize potential conflicts and not leave out food for the bear or attempt to approach it. Visit bearwise.org for tips on living with black bears and read our factsheet below for bear information. Learn more about black bears, report sightings, and download the pdf of the factsheet at our black bear webpage: Black Bear
DNR biologists have confirmed a black bear sighting that occurred in northeast Vanderburgh County before sunrise this morning. The closest town to the location is Elberfeld, in Warrick County.
Biologists confirmed the bear from photos taken by the landowner.
“This is Indiana’s fourth confirmed black bear,” said Brad Westrich, DNR mammalogist. “With expanding bear populations in neighboring states, this is expected.
“Human-bear conflicts can be avoided if you remove or secure potential food sources from your yard. Bears can smell food from more than a mile away.”
Black bears are rarely aggressive toward humans.
If you see a black bear:
— Do not feed it.
— Observe it from a distance.
— Do not climb a tree.
— Advertise your presence by shouting and waving your arms and backing slowly away.
— Report bear sightings to the Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife at Report A Mammal
Most problems that occur with bears arise when bears associate food sources with humans and lose their fear of people.
More guidelines for reducing or eliminating the potential for bear-human conflicts:
— Remove bird feeders and bird food if a bear is reported in your area.
— Clean and store away grills after use.
— Eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed.
— Pick ripe fruits and vegetable as soon as possible or place an electric fence around them to ensure bears cannot reach them.
— Consolidate beehives you may have and place an electric fence around them.
— Don't leave pet food outside overnight.
— Don't add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
— Don't climb a tree if you encounter a bear; wait in a vehicle or building for the bear to leave the area.
As winter fades and spring begins, black bears emerge from their dens and new cubs get their first glimpses of the outside world.
For the first several weeks, the bears wander lazily, snacking on fresh leaves and stealing nut caches from squirrels. Their appetites increase as berries and acorns become abundant and the cubs quickly learn survival skills like foraging and climbing. Not everyone can get by on their cute looks alone.
Seeing a bear in the wild is a special treat for visitors on public lands. While it is an exciting moment, it is important to remember that these bears are wild and can be dangerous.
If you see a bear, remember you are a visitor in its home. Keeping your distance and not surprising bears are some of the most important things you can do to avoid an encounter. Pay attention to your surroundings and make a special effort to be noticeable in bear country.
Our gift for you today: the chance to squee over these cute bear cubs. As the days reach their shortest, the black bears at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico work hard to finish building the fat stores they worked on all season. Once food becomes unavailable, they make their way to their dens for a good slumber. Momma bear will get her cubs through their first winter and send them on their way in spring. Video Description: A mother bear ambles along a refuge service road while her two cubs run ahead of her. USFWS
Our gift for you today: the chance to squee over these cute bear cubs.
As the days reach their shortest, the black bears at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico work hard to finish building the fat stores they worked on all season. Once food becomes unavailable, they make their way to their dens for a good slumber. Momma bear will get her cubs through their first winter and send them on their way in spring.
Video Description: A mother bear ambles along a refuge service road while her two cubs run ahead of her. USFWS
Would you like to see black bears back home in Indiana?
Geriann Albers, a Furbearer Biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, told WANE 15 that bobcats started to move into southern Indiana in the late 1900s. Now, they’re migrating into northeast Indiana. “They’re doing this because they like to follow our river corridors,” Albers explained. “So, they moved to the southern part of the state and they’re following our rivers, basically, up into northern Indiana and over. Now they’re moving down into our northeastern and eastern part of our state.” While bobcats are more nocturnal, secretive animals, Albers said more and more sightings are happening thanks to trail and security cameras.More bobcat sightings are occurring in northeast Indiana; why are they coming here? Rex Smith June 20, 2023 on CBS WANE-TV NewsChannel 15.
Here kitty, kitty! Want to see a bobcat? Don't forget to look up! Bobcats are great at climbing and will often use...
Want to see a bobcat? Don't forget to look up! Bobcats are great at climbing and will often use trees to wait for prey or even escape larger predators. While they typically hunt at dawn and dusk, they're more active during the day in the winter.
courtesy of Nicholas Shaw
Coyote
This coyote, along with a friend, was seen roaming southwest Fort Wayne last week. Fort Wayne Newspapers employee Jean...
This coyote, along with a friend, was seen roaming southwest Fort Wayne last week. Fort Wayne Newspapers employee Jean Sheets sent us this photo from her sister, who lives in the Fall Creek addition off Bass Road near the University of Saint Francis.
Greetings Fort Wayne. Just wanted to give a #CopProTip for those of you calling 911 for coyote sightings. FWPD and FW...
Greetings Fort Wayne. Just wanted to give a #CopProTip for those of you calling 911 for coyote sightings. FWPD and FW Animal Care and Control want to let you know it isn't necessary to call 911 to report sightings. However, please call 911 if you see any of the following:
Coyotes strapped to rockets
Coyotes carrying boxes labeled ACME
Coyotes posting signs that say "free bird seed" or "detour"
Coyotes detonating TNT
Coyotes dropping anvils from hot air balloons
Coyotes in possession of very large magnets
In all seriousness coyotes live with us. Yes, some are #CityDwellers but most stick to county areas. They are probably more visible now that the leaves are off the trees. Their mating season will soon start so sightings may increase. They generally won't harm humans but Roadrunner, if he catches you you're through also small dogs too. Remember, they are animals so always use caution if spotted.
RIP headphone users! Volume down, for the sake of your ears. A trail camera at Occoquan Bay NWR caught three coyotes having a screaming contest! Kidding, but these vocalizations of yipping, howling, and barking all are ways coyotes communicate, build social bonds, or deter predators. 📹USFWS Video description: Three coyotes howling with one another in the middle of the night.
RIP headphone users! Volume down, for the sake of your ears.
A trail camera at Occoquan Bay NWR caught three coyotes having a screaming contest! Kidding, but these vocalizations of yipping, howling, and barking all are ways coyotes communicate, build social bonds, or deter predators.
USFWS
Video description: Three coyotes howling with one another in the middle of the night.
Last Friday morning, our dispatchers received a call from a concerned citizen about an injured fox in her yard near the road. Officer Taylor urgently responded to the call and drove to the house to safely confine the fox and bring him to our medical team to examine.
Pictured is our Veterinarian Dr. Riebe, Vet Tech Keely and Field Coordinator/Animal Control Officer Steadman. It was determined that this fox had head trauma, likely from being hit by a car. The rest of his body was in good condition.
In the meantime, our dispatch team worked on finding a wildlife rescue that would take in the fox to rehabilitate, with the end goal being released back into the wild. Thank you to the wonderful people at Green Leaf Wildlife Rescue who were able to help by taking him into their care! They have posted a few updates on this fox if you wanted to follow along his healing journey.
This fox rescue was a team effort and we are grateful for everyone involved that saved this fox's life. Please visit our website to learn more about when to call for help with wildlife. Please note it is never safe to handle wildlife and you should always wait for a trained professional: https://www.cityoffortwayne.org/general/wildlife.html
Be aware of a Ring and Runner in the neighborhood. 😆 What does the Fox say? "Ring-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding! Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding! Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding!"
Punxsutawney Phil says spring is right around the corner!
Or is it?
Although Groundhog Day is a great tradition enjoyed by millions of Americans, groundhogs might not be the best weather forecasters…but they are still very impressive animals. Click the link to see what Purdue Extension Wildlife Specialists have to say on the subject: Groundhogs can’t predict the weather but they do poop underground
Happy Groundhog Day! It’s that time of year again where we wonder: To winter or not to winter? Since we can’t control spring like Persephone, we’ll tune in to a furry little “forecaster” named Punxsutawney Phil. While his accuracy rate has fallen to 30% over the past decade, you can always count on him to look cute and grumpy at the same time.
This year, he didn’t see his shadow, which means an early spring! Whether you’re rejoicing that your cardigan can get more outings or celebrating that those pale noodles called your legs might finally see some sun—we’re just happy to hop back into bed. Learn more about Phil’s past predictions here: http://bit.ly/GroundhogsAndClimate#PunxsutawneyPhil
*FUN FACT FRIDAY* The answer to TALK TO ME TUESDAY's Who am I clues is... the GROUNDHOG! Here are some more fun...
The answer to TALK TO ME TUESDAY's Who am I clues is...
the GROUNDHOG!
Here are some more fun facts:
Groundhogs are sometimes called whistlepigs. This funny name comes from their habit of whistling at potential mates.
Some people refer to groundhogs as woodchucks. The name comes from a Native American word, wuchak.
Groundhogs are known for digging huge burrows to live in, and they can move up to 700 pounds of soil to create their home.
When the groundhog builds its home, it actually builds a bathroom. It’s a designated place away from the space where the family sleeps or stores its food.
Groundhogs can eat more than a pound of food in one sitting!
Groundhogs can hold their breath for up to 5 minutes when diving into water to escape danger.
It’s found only in the United States and Canada.
They may not look like the squirrels you’re used to seeing, but groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family.
Two of the groundhog’s 22 teeth — the top incisors — continue to grow throughout the animal’s life at a rate of 1/16 of an inch every week.
The answer to Talk to Me Tuesday is... the Raccoon!!
Here are some Fun Facts for you:
• The popular nickname for Raccoons is Trash Panda because they am intelligent and adaptable so have learned to source food around humans.
• Raccoons “see" with their hands
Raccoons are often seen “washing” their food in water before they eat it. This behavior is because raccoons have very dexterous front paws, which they use to feel around and explore their surroundings. Their paws are way more sensitive than human hands and can pick up on things that we would never notice.
• When raccoons do their “washing” routine, they actually feel the texture and temperature of objects and things in their environment and try to determine if those are safe to eat or not. Raccoons also have 5 fingers on each paw, which gives them a very human-like grip. This gives them the ability to open jars, doors, and even latches.
• Raccoons prefer to be out at night. (nocturnal)
• They do not truly hibernate but put on extra fat in the fall so when they need to sleep during an extra cold they will still be okay.
• They are great climbers with hind feet that rotate 180 degrees, allowing them to descend head first.
• Once people feed raccoons, they will become a nuisance because they will eat almost anything.
• In the wild, raccoons eat clams, crayfish, frogs, fish, snails, insects, dead animals, bird eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
• Raccoons live in abandoned burrows, under rock piles, hollow logs, and holes in trees. Or, you might find me in attics, crawl spaces, chimneys, and abandoned vehicles.
Wolves became such a menace because of the abundant game that bounties were offered, and farmers competed with one another in the number of wolf traps they could set.
courtesy of Nicholas Shaw
In all seriousness coyotes live with us. Yes, some are 
USFWS
What does the Fox say?
Happy Groundhog Day! It’s that time of year again where we wonder: To winter or not to winter? Since we can’t control spring like Persephone, we’ll tune in to a furry little “forecaster” named Punxsutawney Phil. While his accuracy rate has fallen to 30% over the past decade, you can always count on him to look cute and grumpy at the same time.