Endangered Species In Ohio

Protecting the states most vulnerable

A bill that is advancing in Congress this week could help Ohio's endangered species. The Recovering America's Wildlife Act would provide more than $1.3 billion a year to implement federally approved wildlife conservation efforts. Ohio's portion of the bill could be up to $28 million per year. This would go to help protect a plethora of endangered species in the state, including the Indiana Bat, which plays an important role in our environment.

The Indiana Bat has been listed as endangered since 1967 across the United States. Like other little brown bats, Indiana bats migrate to caves in southern Ohio and neighboring states to hibernate. These bats are nocturnal and only feed one or two hours before or after sunset. They are important to our ecosystem as they help control pests by feeding on various bugs.

For information on bat removal, visit Critter Detective.

Bill Would Provide $28 Million to Protect Ohio's Endangered Species

More than a third of America's fish and wildlife species are at increased risk of extinction, but a bill advancing in Congress this week could help.

The Recovering America's Wildlife Act is scheduled for markup in the House Natural Resources Committee Thursday.

Ohio's portion of the fund would be approximately $28 million each year.

There are 94 species listed as endangered in the Buckeye State, including the black bear, Indiana bat and Allegheny woodrat. Read more

Summary: A bill that is advancing in Congress this week could help Ohio's endangered species. The Recovering America's Wildlife Act would provide more than $1.3 billion a year to help protect wild animals.

There are 94 species listed as endangered in the Buckeye State, including the black bear, Indiana bat and Allegheny woodrat. But Congress is considering a bill that could help. https://t.co/fbTPvl3Wxs

— Cincinnati CityBeat (@CityBeatCincy) December 5, 2019

Indiana Bat Information

The Indiana bat has been listed federally under the Endangered Species Act since 1967. They have been declining over the years due to reductions in available habitat. It was not until 1974 that the first maternity colony was discovered in Indiana.

Like little brown bats (to which they bear a close resemblance), Indiana bats migrate to caves in southern Ohio and neighboring states to hibernate. Learn more

Summary: The Indiana Bat has been listed as endangered since 1967 across the United States. Like other little brown bats, Indiana bats migrate to caves in southern Ohio and neighboring states to hibernate.

Post Source Here: Endangered Species In Ohio

source https://critterdetective.com/endangered-species-in-ohio/

Mating Season Is Starting Early For Skunks

Milder temps and no snow to blame

In Ohio, mating season for skunks usually begins in the month of February. However, officials have been getting more and more calls about active skunks in the state, about two weeks earlier than normal. This is likely due to the lack of snowfall and the warmer temperatures that have hung around for longer than is typical for the midwest. Residents have complained about smelling skunks more frequently and seeing them more often than they have in the last few months. If locals have a skunk in their yards, they can call the ODNR for help removing the animal.

An Ohio Wildlife council has received numerous proposals to make changes to hunting seasons in the state. The proposals were primarily for small game and bird hunting. However, part of the proposal included requiring a fur taker permit for coyote hunting and adding the animal to the list of species that can be hunted during the furbearer trapping season. Coyote sightings have increased in the last few years in many places across the United States.

For information on skunk removal, visit Critter Detective.

Why skunk mating season is early this year

You can blame no snow and milder temperatures for skunks being more active.

“Since we’ve been uncommonly warm, they come out more and not so much see them, but you smell them,” said Matthew Hunt, a state wildlife officer with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Although the skunk mating season doesn’t officially start for another two weeks, the ODNR already is seeing an uptick in calls about them across the Miami Valley. Read more

Summary: In Ohio, mating season for skunks usually begins in the month of February. However, officials have been getting more and more calls about active skunks in the state, about two weeks earlier than normal.

Ohio Wildlife Council receives small game hunting season proposals

Proposed small game and migratory bird hunting seasons that begin in the fall of 2020 were presented to the Ohio Wildlife Council on Wednesday, Jan. 15, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Included among the proposals are several changes recommended to increase hunting opportunities for those who enjoy spending time in Ohio’s great outdoors.

New proposals also include requiring a fur taker permit for coyote hunting and trapping, and adding coyote to the furbearer trapping season. Learn more

Summary: An Ohio Wildlife council has received numerous proposals to make changes to hunting seasons in the state. The proposals were primarily for small game and bird hunting.

 

 

Original Source Here: Mating Season Is Starting Early For Skunks

source https://critterdetective.com/mating-season-is-starting-early-for-skunks/

Ohio State Reports On Vampire Bats

The little creatures may make lifelong bonds

Vampire bats were the center of a study recently in which they were observed in captivity for an extended period of time. The lead co-author of the study is an Ohio State assistant professor. The study found that the vampire bats formed social bonds during captivity that they then maintained once they were released back into the wild. Vampire bat "friendship" is unusual in that individuals pay a cost to help others: They regurgitate food, their ingested blood meals, to feed non-relatives.

For a long time, dogs and dog bites were the primary suspect when a human contracted the rabies virus. However, thanks to a large-scale vaccination campaign started in 1947, deaths from rabies transmitted from dogs have plummeted. A few Americans still get rabies each year and the disease is more likely to come from wild animals, especially bats. In 2015, CDC noticed that in the United States, bats were surpassing raccoons among animals that tested positive for rabies.

For more information on bats and removal, visit Critter Detective.

Vampire bats give a little help to “friends”

In a new study, scientists documented vampire bats developing social bonds during captivity that they maintained once they returned to the wild – a sign that the relationships weren’t borne only of convenience while they lived together in a cage.

Vampire bat cooperation is rare in that individuals pay a cost to help others: They regurgitate food, their ingested blood meals, to feed non-relatives.

“What’s quite common in animal cooperation is doing something where we both benefit simultaneously: Let’s live together, let’s hunt together. I’m benefiting, you’re benefiting,” said the study’s co-lead author Gerald Carter, assistant professor of evolution, ecology and organismal biology at The Ohio State University. via Ohio State News

Summary: Vampire bats were the center of a study recently in which they were observed in captivity for an extended period of time. The lead co-author of the study is an Ohio State assistant professor.

Vampire bats cooperate in some ways that are similar to humans, and new @OhioState research shows they form friendship-like social bonds in captivity that continue in the wild. #SpookySZN | @OhioStateNews https://t.co/bgDGH1dlAc

— Ohio State News (@OhioStateNews) October 31, 2019

Bats now the primary source of U.S. rabies deaths

For centuries, dog bites had been a leading source of transmitting the rabies virus. Starting in 1947, though, that began to change as the United States launched a massive campaign to have pet owners vaccinate their dogs. Since then, human rabies deaths due to dog bites and scratches have nosedived. A few Americans still get rabies each year. But these cases are now more likely to come from wild animals, a new study finds — especially bats. Read more

Summary: A few Americans still get rabies each year and the disease is more likely to come from wild animals, especially bats. The primary culprit before a massive vaccination campaign in 1947 was dogs.

More Information Here: Ohio State Reports On Vampire Bats

source https://critterdetective.com/ohio-state-reports-on-vampire-bats/

Squirrel Born Disease Detected in Ohio County

The disease that is passed from squirrels to mosquitos

The disease known as encephalitis has been detected in an Ohio county last month. The disease is typically found in those under the age of 16. It is often contracted via a mosquito bite after the mosquito has fed off of other mammals. The most common host for these mosquitos are squirrels, such as the gray squirrel or fox squirrels. The county issued signs and symptoms that residents should be on the look out for and tips on how to reduce their risk.

One Ohio family go a little surprise a few weeks ago. A squirrel had crawled into their chimney and had become encased in the fireplace behind the glass screen. The family shared a video of the removing the little invader and it went viral. Squirrels are a common occurrence in places like fireplaces where they can easily crawl in from the outside to escape the weather.

For information on squirrel removal, visit Critter Detective.

Ohio Department of Health confirms first case of encephalitis since 2014

The Ohio Department of Health has notified the Lake County General Health District that a resident in that county has a confirmed case of La Crosse encephalitis.

La Crosse encephalitis is a viral disease spread to people by the bite of an infected Aedes triseriatus (Eastern tree hole) mosquito. Tree hole mosquitoes are generally found in woodland/forested environments, including suburban areas, and are rare in open areas. The females most often feed on the blood of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Main hosts for this mosquito are the eastern chipmunk, the gray squirrel, and fox squirrels. Read more

Summary: The disease known as encephalitis has been detected in an Ohio county last month. The disease is typically found in those under the age of 16. It is often contracted via a mosquito bite after the mosquito has fed off of other mammals.

Ohio Department of Health confirms first Lake County case of La Crosse encephalitis since 2014 https://t.co/DJ68WXhyE7

— WKYC 3News (@wkyc) December 9, 2019

Video shows couple trying to get squirrel out of their Canton home

Haylie Ferguson and her husband, Mitch, were watching television in their living room on Friday when she says she started hearing noises from her fireplace.

"I just heard a band against the glass and I thought it was a bird," she said.

Upon further inspection, they found a squirrel had made its way in through their chimney and was now encased in the fireplace behind the glass screen. See more

Summary: A squirrel had crawled into an Ohio family's chimney and had become encased in the fireplace behind the glass screen. The family shared a video of the removing the little invader and it went viral.

Original Site Here: Squirrel Born Disease Detected in Ohio County

source https://critterdetective.com/squirrel-born-disease-detected-in-ohio-county/

Endangered Bats of Ohio

Officials taking action to help protect them

The Indiana Bat is one the many varieties of bat species that call Ohio home. They have been endangered since 1967 due to many different reasons. Human disturbance, disease and more urbanization have all caused bat numbers to drop drastically over the last few decades. The Indiana bat is very important to keep the ecosystem (and insect populations) in control and working properly.

The governor of Ohio took action to help preserve the states bat populations last October. He proclaimed the final week of the month of October to be bat week to raise awareness about the need for conservation. Bat populations have been declining in Ohio and all over the United States due to more development, disease and harmful effects of pesticides. There are around 10 different varieties of bats that are found in Ohio and they are crucial to the ecosystem.

For more information on bat removal, check out Critter Detective.

More Insects In Ohio? Save The Indiana Bat!

Indiana bats have been endangered since 1967. They have been rapidly dying for many reasons. The scientific name of the Indiana bat is Myotis sodalis. Myotis means “mouse ear.” The Indiana bat has small, mouse-like ears.

Human disturbance of caves that bats use for winter hibernating is the first reason they have been dying.

During hibernation, they cluster in groups of up to 500 per square foot. Learn more

Summary: The Indiana Bat is one the many varieties of bat species that call Ohio home. They have been endangered since 1967.

Gov. DeWine named last week of October 'Bat Week'

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine proclaimed Oct. 24-31 of 2019 as Bat Week to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation.

The bat populations in Ohio are declining because of a combination of threats from disease, land development and contamination from pesticides.

There are at least 10 species commonly found in Ohio. Two species, Indiana bats and northern long-eared bats, are federally listed as endangered. The remaining are protected under state law. Read more

Summary: The governor of Ohio took action to help preserve the states bat populations last October. He proclaimed the final week of the month of October to be bat week to raise awareness about the need for conservation.

Original Source Here: Endangered Bats of Ohio

source https://critterdetective.com/endangered-bats-of-ohio/

Orphaned Squirrels Need Nuts

Local organization asking for donations

A local organization, Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue, is asking for donations of shelled nuts. They're for the anticipated 500 orphaned squirrels that they may be feeding in 2020. The organization says each squirrel goes through a minimum of one pound of nuts in the shell for their stay so they’ve set a goal of 500 pounds. They're asking residents to pick up a bag of shelled nuts the next time they're at the grocery store.

Earlier this year, there was a power outage at the Hamilton County Justice Center due to a squirrel. The squirrel got into the electrical equipment, which tripped the fire control system and shut down power partially to the building. Duke energy says it was a transmission outage at a substation which controls the justice center.

For information on squirrel removal, contact Critter Detective.

Wildlife rescue seeking donations of shelled nuts for orphaned squirrels

Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue is holding a nut drive to feed their anticipated 500 orphaned squirrels in 2020.

According to a Facebook post, the rescue is in need of nuts in the shell (unsalted) for the hundreds of orphaned, displaced or injured squirrels.

Nature Nurses says each squirrel goes through a minimum of one pound of nuts in the shell for their stay so they’ve set a goal of 500 pounds. Read more

Summary: A local organization, Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue, is asking for donations of shelled nuts. They're for the estimated 500 orphaned squirrels that they may be feeding in 2020.

Got nuts? Wildlife rescue seeking donations of shelled nuts for orphaned squirrels #wildlife #squirrel https://t.co/39eA0jtFxI

— Squirrel Beebz 🐿 and Dan (@SquirrelBeebz) October 23, 2019

Squirrel in equipment caused power outage at Justice Center

Power is back on at the Hamilton County Justice Center, Duke Energy officials say.

A squirrel got into a piece of electrical equipment, which tripped the fire control system and shut down power partially throughout the building, they say. The squirrel did not survive.

Duke Energy said it was a transmission outage at a substation which feeds the justice center. That went out and impacted the transformer near the justice center which shut down to protect the building from damage.

Officials say situations with squirrels getting into electrical equipment is fairly common. Learn more

Summary: A squirrel caused a power outage at the Hamilton County Justice Center earlier this year. Squirrels and other animals are often the cause of power outages.

See More Here: Orphaned Squirrels Need Nuts

source https://critterdetective.com/orphaned-squirrels-need-nuts/

Orphaned Squirrels Need Nuts

Local organization asking for donations

A local organization, Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue, is asking for donations of shelled nuts. They're for the anticipated 500 orphaned squirrels that they may be feeding in 2020. The organization says each squirrel goes through a minimum of one pound of nuts in the shell for their stay so they’ve set a goal of 500 pounds. They're asking residents to pick up a bag of shelled nuts the next time they're at the grocery store.

Earlier this year, there was a power outage at the Hamilton County Justice Center due to a squirrel. The squirrel got into the electrical equipment, which tripped the fire control system and shut down power partially to the building. Duke energy says it was a transmission outage at a substation which controls the justice center.

For information on squirrel removal, contact Critter Detective.

Wildlife rescue seeking donations of shelled nuts for orphaned squirrels

Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue is holding a nut drive to feed their anticipated 500 orphaned squirrels in 2020.

According to a Facebook post, the rescue is in need of nuts in the shell (unsalted) for the hundreds of orphaned, displaced or injured squirrels.

Nature Nurses says each squirrel goes through a minimum of one pound of nuts in the shell for their stay so they’ve set a goal of 500 pounds. Read more

Summary: A local organization, Nature Nurses Wildlife Rescue, is asking for donations of shelled nuts. They're for the estimated 500 orphaned squirrels that they may be feeding in 2020.

Got nuts? Wildlife rescue seeking donations of shelled nuts for orphaned squirrels #wildlife #squirrel https://t.co/39eA0jtFxI

— Squirrel Beebz 🐿 and Dan (@SquirrelBeebz) October 23, 2019

Squirrel in equipment caused power outage at Justice Center

Power is back on at the Hamilton County Justice Center, Duke Energy officials say.

A squirrel got into a piece of electrical equipment, which tripped the fire control system and shut down power partially throughout the building, they say. The squirrel did not survive.

Duke Energy said it was a transmission outage at a substation which feeds the justice center. That went out and impacted the transformer near the justice center which shut down to protect the building from damage.

Officials say situations with squirrels getting into electrical equipment is fairly common. Learn more

Summary: A squirrel caused a power outage at the Hamilton County Justice Center earlier this year. Squirrels and other animals are often the cause of power outages.

See More Here: Orphaned Squirrels Need Nuts

source https://critterdetective.com/orphaned-squirrels-need-nuts/