slipped/animals

Photo Credit - Thomas Breuer / Wildlife Conservation Society via AP
Wildlife researchers said Tuesday that they've discovered 125,000 western lowland gorillas deep in the forests of the Republic of Congo, calling it a major increase in the animal's estimated population.

From the page: For years, the grey squirrel held sway - driving its red cousin into the remotest corners of the country.
But now the black squirrel has arrived - and is rampaging through parks and woodlands.
Scientists say the testosterone-charged black is fitter, faster and more fiercely competitive than both reds or greys.

Photo Credit - Richard T. Bryant
From the page: Each month, National Geographic magazine features breathtaking photographs in Visions of Earth. Browse through visions of the world as seen through a photographer's eye.

From the page: No hunting season for mountain lion has been established in Kansas, and they may not be killed for mere presence. Landowners are permitted to destroy wildlife, including mountain lions, found in or near buildings on their premises or when destroying property, but may not possess such animals with intent to use unless authorized.

Photo Credit - Bo Rader/The Wichita Eagle
From the page: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game warden Tracy Galvin displays the pelt of a mountain lion that was killed in Barber County last November. Galvin has been investigating the rumor that a mountain lion had been killed in Kansas for the past several weeks. This is probably the first confirmed wild mountain lion in Kansas in over 100 years. Charges are pending against the individual who killed the lion.

From the page: A wondrous event occurred just before sunset on Tuesday evening--a week before Christmas. Twenty-four Black-footed Ferret pups were released in the wild to begin the restoration of a vibrant part of the Kansas wildlife heritage missing for fifty years. This was a heart-warming and historic occasion. The ferrets were released on private properties in Logan County, Kansas. Fourteen were divided between two release sites approximately two miles apart on ranchlands owned by Larry Haverfield, Gordon Barnhardt and Maxine Blank.

From the page: In Uniontown Kansas a near disaster was averted by compassionate horses lovers raising an alarm and then coming to the rescue of a man and his too many miniature horses. On September 17 a cry for help was issued by Chances Miniature Horse Rescue when it was notified of the plight of nearly 100 miniatures horses severely undernourished and in visibly poor condition. Through the joint efforts of caring Kansas citizens, Southern Winds Equine Rescue and Recovery Center, Chances Miniature Horse Rescue, Windingroad Rescue, Kansas Miniature Horse Club and numerous other groups 16 horses in the worst condition have been voluntarily surrendered by owner Vernon Trembly. Trembly, 71, has devoted his life to his herd of miniature horses and found himself unable to provide the care needed to keep his beloved animals healthy. The local sheriff had a Kansas State University veterinarian examined the balance of the herd and announced that they were NOT in imminent danger. Trembly has been told that he must reduce the number of animals he owns and clean all of the debris from his property. Donations of money, services, feed, medicine, equipment and support items have come to the rescue groups from around the world to help the Trembly minis. Work days are being organized for Sunday, October 14 and Saturday, October 27 to assist in cleaning up the property for the safety of the animals and to haul in hay and feed to assist the elderly man. Victor McMullen of Southern Winds Rescue is organizing a schedule for regular visits to assist in the care of the animals. Virigina St. Pierre of Chances Miniature Horse Rescue is working to identify buyers and foster homes to assist Trembly in reducing the size of his herd. Local miniature horse lovers have offered to provide mare care for his pregnant mares so they may safely give birth to healthy foals. Offers for purchase of his excessive herd are flowing from around the world. Rather than stripping Trembly of his life long companions, the miniature horse community is coming to his aid.

From the page: When Vic McMullen observed horses that were starved, weakened, deprived of food and water for several weeks, he took action. "They were just a bag of bones," said McMullen. Their owner "just totally ignored them." It's illegal to feed another owner's horses, but McMullen fed hay bales to the animals to ease their suffering. He reported the abuse to law enforcement and let the owner know about it. "When he found out the sheriff was coming, he put them down," McMullen said.
It's legal for a horse owner to euthanize his animals. That incident compelled McMullen to start an organization that would care for abused and neglected horses.