CWCOA, Author at Colorado Wildlife Control Operators Association

Colorado Rabies Update

Rabies in Colorado 2019

Rabies is regularly found among wildlife (especially skunks and bats) in Colorado, even in urban areas. We monitor wildlife and test animals showing signs of rabies to determine how far the disease has spread among skunks.

Rabies is a serious threat to humans and animals. Our lab-based monitoring helps us prevent cases in people and control the spread of rabies in animals, decide what treatment to use when humans have been exposed, figure out how to manage animals that might have been exposed, and add to the science of the disease.

So far in 2019, 134 animals from Colorado tested positive for rabies. Of those, 102 rabid animals are known or strongly suspected of exposing 207 domestic pets, 57 livestock animals, and 43 people. These numbers may change as additional information is acquired.

Bat’s appearance at Indiana Pacers game may have exposed people to rabies 7-11-2019

Officials are warning of possible rabies exposure to anyone who had contact with a bat during the Indiana Pacers and LA Clippers game last week. Indiana health officials are urging game attendees who may have had contact with a bat that flew around Bankers Life Fieldhouse during the game Thursday, to contact a health care provider and get a rabies vaccination. MORE

Colorado wildlife officials warn residents as bears awake from winter slumber

DURANGO — Colorado wildlife officials are warning residents to take precautions as bears begin to wake up from their winter slumber.

The Durango Herald reported bears usually start emerging from their dens during the first weeks of April. But Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Joe Lewandowski says wildlife officials mark April 15 as the day bear activity is typically expected to pick up.

He says male bears are usually the first to start stirring around. Female bears, especially those nursing cubs, tend to stay in their dens a few weeks longer to conserve energy and wait until there are more available food sources in the forest.

DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife continues to remind people that feeding wildlife is illegal.

To further enforce the law, Colorado Springs recently passed a city ordinance that increases the fine to $500 for anyone caught doing so.

Wildlife officials say the best thing to do if deer, elk or smaller animals are seen is to let them get comfortable in yards, shoo them away or use an air horn.

“I think a lot of people may mean well when they see wildlife and feed them, but in actuality, it does more harm than good and disrupts their natural digestive systems,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Jason Clay said. “It leads to further problems.”

Two decisions on wildlife made by Colorado Springs City Council

A fine of up to $500 for feeding wildlife and a delay on reducing the city’s deer population are two decisions made this week by the Colorado Springs City Council.

On Tuesday, the council officially passed an ordinance to ban the feeding of all wildlife except birds. Violators will first receive a warning and repeated violations will result in fines of increasing severity.

Climate Assessment Warns More People will be Exposed to Pest-Borne Diseases

Climate change is projected to alter the geographic range and distribution of disease-carrying insects and pests, according to a new government report. The federally mandated National Climate Assessment (NCA) was released on Friday, and the fourth annual report warned of the devastating impact of climate change, including projections that the U.S. economy could lose hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century.

Judge Continues Block of Grizzly Hunt

A federal judge in Missoula, Mont., has extended the temporary restraining order in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear hunt – blocking any hunting of the recovered apex predators for up to another two weeks. On Aug. 31, U.S. District Court Judge Dana Christensen issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting grizzly bear hunting that was scheduled to begin on Sept. 1 in Idaho and Wyoming. More information

Massachusetts: Bill Restricting Trapping Sent To Governor

The Massachusetts Legislature has sent a bill to Gov. Charlie Baker that would ban water-set traps. Senate Bill 2646 was revealed by the Massachusetts Conference Committee on July 31, and with no warning, included a provision banning water-set traps in the otherwise unrelated animal-abuse bill. The bill was promptly approved by the full House and Senate on August 2, with no chance for public debate. More information

Activists File Trapping Petition in Oregon

Five animal-rights organizations have filed a petition pressuring the state of Oregon to ban forms of trapping in four areas of the state. The professed reason for the petitioned ban is to avoid potential mortality to Humbolt martens – a small mammal related to other martens, minks and otters. The Humbolt marten is not currently listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, although it is under consideration for listing. More Information

HSUS Abandons Arizona Wildcat Ban – For Now

Arizonans for Wildlife, a front group for the Washington, D.C., -based Humane Society of the United States, has suspended their signature-gathering effort to qualify an initiative that would have banned the hunting and trapping of wildcats, primarily mountain lions, in the state. Kitty Block, the acting president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States since the sex-scandal resignation of Wayne Pacelle earlier this year, said the decision was due to local obstacles and national-level issues. More Information

Author: CWCOA