wildlife

Louisville Zoo's Oldest Polar Bear, Arki, Dies

Erica Peterson — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:22:24 +0000

Louisville Zoo officials say the zoo's oldest polar bear passed away today from unknown causes.

Regulators Investigating Second Fish Kill in Two Weeks in Harlan County Creek

Erica Peterson — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:20:14 +0000

For the second time in two weeks, fish have been found dead in an eastern Kentucky creek, and state regulators aren’t sure what factors are to blame for the fish kill.

This time, hundreds of dead fish were found in Catrons Creek, in Harlan County. The dead fish range from more than a foot long to minnows.

But no one knows what caused the fish kill yet. People living near the creek reported seeing black water, and the culprit could be some kind of discharge of chemicals upstream from a coal mine or other industry.

LG&E's Falcon Chicks Are Growing Up

Erica Peterson — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:24:01 +0000

It's only been a little more than a week since I was down at Mill Creek, watching several fluffy white peregrine falcon chicks being banded. But already, visible on the live webcam, you can see that those fluffy feathers are nearly gone and the chicks are getting ready to learn to fly.

Look at Mill Creek's Peregrine Falcon Chicks!

Erica Peterson — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:22:37 +0000

The peregrine falcon chicks that hatched in a nesting box at Louisville Gas and Electric’s Mill Creek power plant are one step closer to leaving home.

LG&E, Division of Wildlife Launch Live Web Stream of Peregrine Falcons Nesting at Power Plant

Erica Peterson — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:49:38 +0000

Like watching live streamed videos of animals while you're at work? The Kentucky Division of Fish and Wildlife and Louisville Gas and Electric have launched a webcam for the public to view a pair of peregrine falcons which are nesting at LG&E's Mill Creek power plant.

There's not a lot of action in the nesting box right now, but there are five eggs which are expected to hatch sometime this week. Here are some archived videos.

Experts Discuss Climate Change, Polar Bears...and Polar-Grizzly Bear Hybrids

Erica Peterson — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:27:54 +0000

Last week, on International Polar Bear Day, WFPL and the Louisville Zoo hosted a discussion about polar bears and climate change in WFPL's studio. The panelists were:

Researcher Says Carbon Dioxide Could Stop Spread of Asian Carp

Erica Peterson — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:54:47 +0000

A researcher at the University of Illinois has found a new way to possibly stop the spread of Asian carp throughout the country's waterways: carbon dioxide.

Here's the story from the University of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences:

Deadly Bat Disease Found in Mammoth Cave National Park

Erica Peterson — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 17:11:59 +0000

White Nose Syndrome has been confirmed in Mammoth Cave National Park.

White Nose Syndrome is caused by a white fungus, and is deadly to bats. Since 2006, the fungus has been found in 21 states. The disease has killed more than 6 million bats in four Canadian provinces and 19 states, including Kentucky. Mammoth Cave has been taking steps to keep the fungus out of its caves--like making visitors walk over cleansing mats--but park superintendent Sarah Craighead confirmed the disease's presence today.

From the news release:

92 Birds Killed in Kentucky's Second Sandhill Crane Hunting Season

Erica Peterson — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:42:35 +0000

Kentucky’s second sandhill crane hunting season is officially over. This year hunters killed 92 birds—42 more than last year.

Kentucky Lets You Shoot or Watch Sandhill Cranes This Season

Erica Peterson — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:21:58 +0000

If you want to look at sandhill cranes--or just shoot them--opportunities abound this season.