Tag:

Wildlife Conservation

Ocean
News
Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge
Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge A beloved lion has died after spending a decade in the care of an Ocean County animal refuge. Simba died "after a very long and full life" at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, the Lacey Township sanctuary announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Apr. 30. He was brought to the park with three other big cats in 2014. Popcorn Park said Simba was among several animals that needed care after their owner in Alabama became sick and could no longer help them. "Simba was very personable and when we'd walk by he'd always get up to greet us," Popcorn Park executive director John Bergmann said in a sta…

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by Chris Spiker
Columbia Greene
News
Search For Cubs Underway After Mama Bear Killed On Taconic State Parkway In Spencertown Search For Cubs Underway After Mama Bear Killed On Taconic State Parkway In Spencertown
Search For Cubs Underway After Mama Bear Killed On Taconic State Parkway In Spencertown Despite social media buzz and some help from a couple of drone operators, there’s still no sign of a family of black bear cubs days after their mama was struck and killed on a highway in the region. The Columbia County incident happened Friday evening, April 19, on the Taconic State Parkway near Exit 99 in the hamlet of Spencertown. Two or three 10-pound cubs that are still nursing were left orphaned when the adult bear was hit and killed, according to the wildlife nonprofit Lucky Rehabilitation Center. “We located the body of their mom and will be gathering hair samples this morning in th…

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by Michael Mashburn
Ocean
News
Blind 'One-Of-A-Kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies Blind 'One-Of-A-Kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies
Blind 'One-Of-a-kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies A blind kangaroo who was beloved at an Ocean County animal refuge has died, officials said. The red kangaroo named Winnie died after receiving care for "a myriad of health issues" at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, the park said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Apr. 18. Winnie arrived at the Lacey Township sanctuary in June 2022. Popcorn Park caretakers gave Winnie daily medicine and special veterinary visits so she could have "a peaceful, loving home." "However, throughout the past few weeks, her health began to decline, and unfortunately she was not responding to any medications or…

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by Chris Spiker
New Haven
News
CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases
CT Officials Urge Residents To Take Down Birdfeeders As Bear Activity Increases As black bear activity increases following winter denning season, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) reminds residents to do their part by not reinforcing behaviors resulting in human-bear conflicts.  At a Tuesday, April 9 event in New Haven County in Southbury, with representatives from the National Audubon Society, speakers highlighted an important reminder to help reduce bear conflicts with people: take down birdfeeders.  DEEP officials said birdfeeders are an easy and tasty source of calories for bears. They regularly bring bears close to …

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by Kathy Reakes
Ocean
News
Humpback Whale Found In Long Beach Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows Humpback Whale Found In Long Beach Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows
Humpback Whale Found In Long Beach Died From Blunt Force Trauma, Autopsy Shows The first whale found dead along the Jersey Shore in 2024 was killed by blunt force trauma, according to a marine animal rehabilitation center. The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) released the humpback whale's autopsy findings in a Facebook post on Friday, Apr. 12. The whale was found in the surf near 51st Street in Long Beach at around 6:45 a.m. on Thursday, Apr. 11. MMSC said the whale was a one-year-old male that was 24 feet 10 inches long. The initial findings showed the whale's head had bruises, several skull fractures, and a hematoma. The autopsy also showed the whale suf…

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by Chris Spiker
South Orange
Police & Fire
Greenwood Lake Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence Greenwood Lake Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence
Greenwood Lake Homeowner Shoots Black Bear Who Entered Residence A black bear is still on the loose after breaking into a Hudson Valley home and being shot by the homeowner. The incident occurred in Orange County on Thursday, March 28 in Greenwood Lake. According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), a department police officer responded to the residence after a homeowner called 911 to report a black bear broke into an enclosed front porch.  The homeowner reported shooting the black bear once with a handgun and the bear ran off into the woods, DEC officials said. Attempts to locate the bear were unsuccessful. DEC’s investiga…

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by Kathy Reakes
Capital District
Lifestyle
Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up' Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up'
Where's Albert? 11-Foot Gator's Seizure From NY Home Sparks Backlash: 'Kind Of Messed Up' Where is Albert the alligator? That’s what a New York man and his thousands of supporters are demanding to know after state wildlife officials seized his 11-foot, 750-pound gator from his home. Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officers showed up to Tony Cavallaro’s Erie County residence in the town Hamburg on Wednesday, March 13, after learning that he had built an addition to his home and installed an in-ground swimming pool to keep the gator. Officers accused Cavallaro of allowing members of the public, including children, to get into the water and pet Albert while the all…

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by Michael Mashburn
Ocean
News
'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies 'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies
'Majestic And Beautiful' Tiger At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies A beloved tiger has died after spending eight years at an Ocean County animal sanctuary, officials said. Eli the tiger died after his health declined in recent weeks, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge announced in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Mar. 6. The tiger experienced "discomfort and decreased mobility" despite the efforts of the veterinarians at the Lacey Township sanctuary. Eli and his sister Jess arrived at Popcorn Park in December 2016. "After exhausting all options and considering his quality of life, we made the difficult decision to say goodbye," Popcorn Park's post said. "His days we…

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by Chris Spiker
Franklin PA
Police & Fire
Mama Bear Killed, PA Mom Hospitalized After Walking Dog Near Cubs: Police Mama Bear Killed, PA Mom Hospitalized After Walking Dog Near Cubs: Police
Mama Bear Killed, PA Mom Hospitalized After Walking Dog Near Cubs: Police A 55-year-old Pennsylvania woman is in the hospital after she went to walk her dog in her backyard and unknowingly went past three bear cubs on March 5, authorities say. Lee Ann Galante was letting her dog out of the backdoor of her home on Bellefield Drive, Butler Township at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday when the bear attack began, as detailed in a release by the area Chief of Police John Hays. Galante didn't see the bear cubs (known as yearlings) in a tree before the mama bear (a sow) attacked, according to authorities. The sow left Galante with injuries to her head, neck, face, and arms, Chief …

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by Jillian Pikora
New London
News
Team From Mystic Aquarium Investigating Fatal Whale Stranding: 'This Animal Is Now At Peace' Team From Mystic Aquarium Investigating Fatal Whale Stranding: 'This Animal Is Now At Peace'
Team From Mystic Aquarium Investigating Fatal Whale Stranding: 'This Animal Is Now At Peace' A team from Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium is investigating what caused a 25,000-pound fin whale to become stranded in a pond and die as a result.  The 42-foot-long whale was discovered stranded at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29 in Potter Pond in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, according to Mystic Aquarium spokeswoman Meagan Seacor.  Soon after the whale's discovery by a local resident, the aquarium's Animal Rescue Team and officials from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) responded to the scene to try and help the stranded animal. After arriving, …

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by Ben Crnic
Clarkstown
News
Clarkstown Man Admits Selling $70K In Elephant Ivory Pool Cues, DA Says Clarkstown Man Admits Selling $70K In Elephant Ivory Pool Cues, DA Says
Clarkstown Man Admits Selling $70K In Elephant Ivory Pool Cues, DA Says A Hudson Valley man has been convicted for his part in the illegal commercialization of elephant ivory worth more than $70,000. Rockland County resident Kenneth Kerner, age 59, of Clarkstown, was convicted on Thursday, Feb. 22 after pleading guilty to the crime on Thursday, Feb. 8, said the New State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and New York County District Attorney’s Office. Kerner, who was sentenced to five years probation, 200 hours of community service, and an obligation to donate $10,000 to a wildlife organization was caught as part of an investigation that began…

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by Kathy Reakes
Norfolk
News
'She Fought Until End': Raccoon Dies After Being Set On Fire In Quincy 'She Fought Until End': Raccoon Dies After Being Set On Fire In Quincy
'She Fought Until End': Raccoon Dies After Being Set On Fire In Quincy A raccoon that was set on fire by a 63-year-old man in Quincy has died, two days after the shelter that saved her shared she was making a recovery. The raccoon underwent a third surgery for her burns on Thursday, Jan. 11, but more tissue had become necrotic since the last procedure. Related: Raccoon To Survive After Being Set On Fire In Quincy Cape Wildlife Center said in a follow-up Facebook post on Friday, Jan. 12: “We removed the damaged tissue and applied honey to help with the healing process. Her vitals were stable throughout the process. This morning we found her more lethargi…

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by Khier Casino
Ocean
News
NJ Waging War Against Spotted Lanternflies — With Cash NJ Waging War Against Spotted Lanternflies — With Cash
NJ Waging War Against Spotted Lanternflies — With Cash Communities across New Jersey can get help from the state to squash the invasive spotted lanternfly. The state's agriculture department says counties can apply for up to $50,000 to battle spotted lanternflies from 2024 to 2026. Municipalities can receive up to $20,000. Counties and municipalities can be paid back for chemical treatment activities to kill the invasive insects. Spotted lanternflies don't harm humans or animals but can hurt about 70 types of trees and plants. The agriculture department says many local governments took advantage of this grant program in 2023. “The expand…

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by Chris Spiker
Somerset
News
‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Rainbow Hill Nature Preserve Opens At Sourland Mountain ‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Rainbow Hill Nature Preserve Opens At Sourland Mountain
‘This Is Our Legacy:’ 1,150-Acre Rainbow Hill Nature Preserve Opens At Sourland Mountain Rainbow Hill, a pristine nature preserve featuring an 8-acre lake, hiking trails, and farm fields nestled between Hunterdon and Somerset County, is officially open to the public. The New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJ Conservation) held the grand opening for Rainbow Hill at Sourland Mountain Preserve — located just 30 miles east of Bucks County, PA — on Friday, Nov. 3. The site spans 1,150 acres and includes woodlands, fields, and several freshwater tributaries of the Neshanic River. Meanwhile, there are plenty of opportunities for passive recreational activities like hiking, horseback…

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by Valerie Musson
Newtown
News
Bald Eagle Comes Back To Life After Being Found In Newtown Road Bald Eagle Comes Back To Life After Being Found In Newtown Road
Bald Eagle Comes Back To Life After Being Found In Newtown Road In the midst of spooky season, a bald eagle seemingly came back from the dead after it was found lifeless on a Fairfield County road.  The incident happened on Monday, Oct. 9, when Newtown Police and Animal Control responded to Mount Pleasant Road, where a possibly dead bald eagle was found in the street.  According to the department though, after a short amount of time, the bald eagle roused, walked away from the road, and flew into a nearby tree, turning the day from tragic to joyous.  The department later thanked the passerby who managed to spot the bird and keep it safe …

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by Ben Crnic
Fairfax
News
Kite Fight Crackdown: Fairfax County Puts Stop To Sharp-Stringed Game Kite Fight Crackdown: Fairfax County Puts Stop To Sharp-Stringed Game
Kite Fight Crackdown: Fairfax County Puts Stop To Sharp-Stringed Game Officials in Fairfax County are cracking down on a popular kite game involving sharp and dangerous strings. The Fairfax County Park Authority has banned "kite fighting" among its parks, citing an uptick of reports of harm to wildlife, vegetation, maintenance equipment and the inherent risks to public safety.  Individuals seen kite fighting will be asked to stop, and those who refuse or repeatedly violate this rule, may be banned from park use. "Kite fighting is noted for its super-sharp string used to attack and cut the lines of opposing kites," the FCPA explains. "Kite fighters …

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by Cecilia Levine
Capital District
News
Mystery Predator: Animal That Killed Deer In Driveway Caught On Video By NY DEC Staffer Mystery Predator: Animal That Killed Deer In Driveway Caught On Video By NY DEC Staffer
Mystery Predator: Animal That Killed Deer In Driveway Caught On Video By NY DEC Staffer That darn cat. Or was it? An incident that happened in upstate New York last week required a teamwide effort by members of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. A video from the town of Wilmington in Essex County, about 12 miles northeast of Lake Placid, captured the predator that killed a deer in a local resident's driveway. "The incident was reported to DEC wildlife, with an eyewitness description of the event and the mystery predator," the DEC said in a Facebook post. "A DEC wildlife biologist responded to the scene and set up a trail camera overlooking the carcass in …

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by Joe Lombardi
Washington
Business
Thousands Of Trout Found Killed At Hagerstown Fish Hatchery: Maryland NRP Thousands Of Trout Found Killed At Hagerstown Fish Hatchery: Maryland NRP
Thousands Of Trout Found Killed At Hagerstown Fish Hatchery: Maryland NRP There is something fishy going on in Washington County, and Maryland Natural Resources Police investigators are looking for answers. Thousands of dead trout were found at the Albert Powell Fish Hatchery in Hagerstown this week and their deaths have been deemed possibly suspicious by Maryland NRP officers. The ghastly discovery was made at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Monday, April 17 by employees at the hatchery. Investigators say that someone closed one of the discharge valves in one of the raceways, resulting in the deaths of thousands of trout, though no suspect or motive has been identif…

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by Zak Failla
Cape May
News
Why Drones Are Putting Robots On Power Lines Across South Jersey Why Drones Are Putting Robots On Power Lines Across South Jersey
Why Drones Are Putting Robots On Power Lines Across South Jersey Have you wondered what those tiny UFOs are doing along South Jersey power lines? "Bird mitigation." In other words, setting up a system for scaring off birds that would otherwise be killed striking into or landing on the lines. The drones place tiny robotic devices on the lines. In the past, utility workers used to dangerously dangle from helicopters to accomplish the same tasks, according to the Wetlands Institute.  The "bird diverters" were most recently placed along the north side of Stone Harbor Boulevard, according to the Institute. In addition to sparing the birds from electroc…

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by Jon Craig
Nassau
News
Dead Whale Found In Lido Beach Dead Whale Found In Lido Beach
Dead Whale Found In Lido Beach An investigation is underway after a dead whale was found beached on Long Island. Emergency crews in Lido Beach were called at around 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, with reports of a beached whale at Lido Beach West Town Park. The male humpback is about 35 feet long and weighs several tons, ABC 7 reports.  A 35ft humpback whale has washed shore at Lido Beach. A necropsy is set for tomorrow @News12LI pic.twitter.com/NBGe4COuoG — Tara Joyce (@tarajoycetv) January 30, 2023 Officials told the outlet the animal washed ashore overnight and was dead by the time crews arrived Monday morning. Video …

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by Michael Mashburn
Ulster Sullivan
News
Man Accused Of Illegally Killing Deer Near Home In Town Of Rochester Man Accused Of Illegally Killing Deer Near Home In Town Of Rochester
Man Accused Of Illegally Killing Deer Near Home In Town Of Rochester A Hudson Valley man has been issued multiple tickets by state conservation officials for allegedly killing a deer out of season. The incident took place in Ulster County on Friday, Oct. 28 at a home in the town of Rochester. The state Department of Environmental Conservation officials responded to a home in Rochester after receiving reports of multiple deer being killed with the aid of bait, according to the DEC. The person responsible, who was not identified, admitted to shooting the deer behind his property and claimed the large trough of corn and horse feed in his backyard was intended …

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by Kathy Reakes
Ulster Sullivan
News
Mother Bear Illegally Shot, Killed In Ulster County, DEC Says Mother Bear Illegally Shot, Killed In Ulster County, DEC Says
Mother Bear Illegally Shot, Killed In Ulster County, DEC Says A man from the region was ticketed after allegedly illegally shooting and killing a bear in the Hudson Valley. The incident took place in Ulster County in the town of Rochester in October, said the state Department of Environmental Conservation. According to a report from DEC, two department officers received reports that someone had illegally killed a bear. The complainant said a local hunter shot the female bear with a bow and then, with two accomplices, tracked the animal into the woods and killed it with a shotgun.  The hunter posted several pictures of himself and the two ac…

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by Kathy Reakes
Suffolk NY
News
Bald Eagle Euthanized After Being Struck By Car In Manorville Bald Eagle Euthanized After Being Struck By Car In Manorville
Bald Eagle Euthanized After Being Struck By Car In Manorville A bald eagle has died after being struck by a car on Long Island, state wildlife officials announced. Suffolk County Police were called Thursday, Sept. 22, with reports of a bald eagle that had been struck by a vehicle in Manorville on the Sunrise Highway. Police requested additional support from officers with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), who helped safely capture the juvenile bird and place it in a cage, the agency said. The animal was then taken to a local rehabilitator for an X-ray and further treatment. Upon closer examination, however, the rehabilitator disco…

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by Michael Mashburn
Alexandria
Police & Fire
No Matter How Small: Fairfax Officer Restores Winged Victim Back To Health No Matter How Small: Fairfax Officer Restores Winged Victim Back To Health
No Matter How Small: Fairfax Officer Restores Winged Victim Back To Health Fairfax County Fire and Rescue recently saved a small bird suffering a medical emergency, officials said.The bird's savior gave it some fluids to restore it to better heath. Feeling up to flying, the bird was ready to take off after a nice treatment from the Fairfax officer.

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by AJ Goldbloom
Stafford
Police & Fire
Venomous Snake Saved By Deputy After Its Capture In Stafford Home Venomous Snake Saved By Deputy After Its Capture In Stafford Home
Venomous Snake Saved By Deputy After Its Capture In Stafford Home A Stafford County Sheriff's deputy was being praised by local residents for saving a venomous snake that made its way into a local home. Deputy E.M. Brooks carefully removed the snake, sparing its life, after it snuck into a garage of a townhouse in England Run Thursday, July 7. Stafford residents took to the Sheriff's Office Facebook page to express their gratitude to Deputy Brooks for relocating and saving the snake, rather than killing it.  "Thank you so much for relocating vs. killing," one user wrote.  "Even venomous snakes serve a huge purpose in our ecosystem. This is a beautif…

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by AJ Goldbloom
Orangetown
News
12-Year-Old Attacked By Bear At Harriman State Park 12-Year-Old Attacked By Bear At Harriman State Park
12-Year-Old Attacked By Bear At Harriman State Park A 12-year-old Boy Scout is on the mend after an encounter with a black bear left him with minor injuries, ABC7 reports. Henry Ayers told the outlet he was with his troop from Cooperstown camping at Harriman State Park, located in both Rockland and Orange counties, Sunday, May 1, when he awoke to a sharp pain in his leg. "I look up and it was a giant bear,” Ayers told ABC7. “I thought it was a nightmare. It was honestly crazy. I didn't think I was awake." The Scoutmaster, Diana Nicols, told the outlet the bear bit through the boy’s sleeping bag, leaving him with minor cuts and bruises. He…

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by Michael Mashburn
Gloucester
News
NJ Closes These Wildlife Areas To Block Partiers, ATVs, Illegal Swimmers: Report NJ Closes These Wildlife Areas To Block Partiers, ATVs, Illegal Swimmers: Report
NJ Closes These Wildlife Areas To Block Partiers, ATVs, Illegal Swimmers: Report Six New Jersey wildlife areas are being closed to the public for the summer to limit illegal behavior, NJ Advance Media reports. They have become problem areas for partying, all-terrain vehicles and illegal swimming, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation. The following state-owned land will be off-limits beginning Wednesday through Labor Day: Cedar Lake Wildlife Management Area in Monroe Township, Gloucester County; Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area (Two spots: Parker's Pit and Clay Holes, both in Ocean County);  Manantico Ponds Wildlife Management A…

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by Jon Craig
Rye
Lifestyle
Tiny Goldfish Dumped In Lakes Are Growing To Football Size As Officials Issue Warning Tiny Goldfish Dumped In Lakes Are Growing To Football Size As Officials Issue Warning
Tiny Goldfish Dumped In Lakes Are Growing To Football Size As Officials Issue Warning Do not release your pet goldfish in lakes or ponds. That's what officials are saying after a huge goldfish was recently pulled from a Minnesota lake, an issue that has been seen across the United States in recent years. National Geographic said while a goldfish typically weighs just 0.2 to 0.6 pounds, they can weigh more than five pounds in the wild, CBS News reported. "They grow bigger than you think and contribute to poor water quality by mucking up the bottom sediments and uprooting plants," the City of Burnsville, Minnesota, tweeted on Friday, July 9.  In recent years, huge g…

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by Nicole Valinote
White Plains
News
Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Shark Trafficking Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Shark Trafficking
Hudson Valley Man Convicted Of Shark Trafficking The tide has turned on a Hudson Valley man who was convicted of shark trafficking protected species that he kept in his pool with the intent to sell, the Attorney General announced. Dutchess County resident Joshua Seguine, age 40, of Lagrangeville, pleaded guilty to illegal commercialization of fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and wildlife, for the illegal possession with intent to sell seven sandbar sharks, a protected species under New York law New York AG Letitia James and the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation Commissioner (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced that…

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by Zak Failla
Ramapo
News
Rise In Ramapo Bear Sightings Sparks Concerns Rise In Ramapo Bear Sightings Sparks Concerns
Rise In Ramapo Bear Sightings Sparks Concerns After a recent rise in the number of reported bear sightings in Ramapo neighborhoods, the town's supervisor is advising residents to take precautions. "My office has received multiple calls from residents who are rightfully concerned about recent bear sightings," said Supervisor Michael Specht.  In an effort to help, Specht offered some tips to help deter bears from entering local properties courtesy of the state Department of Conservation. Black bears have been raiding area garbage cans in Ramapo and the surrounding area.NY Department of Conservation According to the Department of Con…

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by Kathy Reakes
Morris
Obituaries
Prominent Morris County Photographer, Nature-Lover Jill Homcy Dies, 54 Prominent Morris County Photographer, Nature-Lover Jill Homcy Dies, 54
Prominent Morris County Photographer, Nature-Lover Jill Homcy Dies, 54 Jill Marie Homcy of Lincoln Park, a nature-lover who founded a massive Facebook page dedicated to wildlife, died on Sept. 30. She was 54. Born in Passaic, Homcy was a Montclair State graduate known for her love of art and nature, her obituary says. She worked as a Production Manager for Strategic Content Imaging, a digital printing company in Secaucus, for 13 years. Homcy was also known for creating and running a Facebook group called NJ Nature and Wildlife, which had more than 10,000 members to date. Her photography projects have helped raise awareness of local environmental issues, such …

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by Valerie Musson