Kennewick man dead after being shot in hunting accident in Oregon
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Bird flu outbreak causes mass layoff at Michigan egg supplier
Egg producer’s Michigan flocks hit by avian influenza
BOSTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – An estimated 400 workers will be laid off by a poultry ranch that operates several mid-Michigan farms due to a bird flu outbreak.
Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, a Michigan company that produces and distributes eggs in the U.S., said this week that it plans to lay off hundreds of employees, though largely temporarily. The company’s hen populations at several of its farms in mid-Michigan have been “unexpectedly impacted by the avian influenza,” impacting operations, officials said.
Herbruck’s sells regular and organic eggs in the U.S., and supplies eggs sold by the popular brand Eggland’s Best.
In a required letter written to Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Herbruck’s wrote this week that layoffs would begin Wednesday, May 15 due to the outbreak. About 400 hourly, salaried, and contracted employees were expected to be laid off from five of the company’s farms in Ionia County, just east of the Grand Rapids area.
The layoffs were expected to be “largely temporary,” though some layoffs would be permanent, Herbruck’s wrote. It was not specified which workers would be temporarily laid off.
Many workers will be rehired in the future as “hen replenishing and egg production increases,” officials said.
The bird flu is an upper respiratory illness that spreads quickly among bird populations through direct contact with infected birds, or indirectly through contact such as with contaminated equipment, or clothing and shoes of caretakers. Highly pathogenic bird flu — which was first reported in Michigan in 2022 — can cause serious disease and death, especially among domestic poultry, according to the USDA.
Cases of the bird flu have been on the rise this year, affecting the poultry industry in the U.S. and beyond. Egg prices reached near-historic highs in many parts of the world earlier this year as the market deals with the disease and other issues like rising farming costs.
—> Bird flu found in Michigan commercial poultry flock: What to know
Bird flu has also been impacting other animals and markets, with viruses found in cow milk products. Dairy cattle in Michigan tested positive for the bird flu earlier this year.
Officials say they’re confident that the nation’s beef supply is safe. The USDA also said in April that it would be testing ground beef for the bird flu.
Health officials are urging people to avoid consuming raw, or unpasteurized, milk or milk products, particularly as the bird flu spreads. These products may contain bacteria and viruses that aren’t killed off as they would normally be during the pasteurization process.
—> There’s bird flu in US dairy cows. Raw milk drinkers aren’t deterred
Federal Experts Talk Bird Flu ‘What Ifs’ in WebMD Live Event
Kelowna raccoon injured by misused trap sparks discussion
The raccoon is still believed to be alive but is now missing its front limb
Jacqueline Gelineau
about 23 hours ago
- https://www.vernonmorningstar.com/trending-now/kelowna-raccoon-injured-by-misused-trap-sparks-discussion-7360852
Animal welfare experts are speaking out and asking the public to think twice before setting traps on their property after an injured raccoon was spotted with a snare stuck to its leg on May 2.
Sydney Shepherd, executive director of the Wild Things Rehabilitation Society, said the animal rescue organization was contacted after a resident in Kelowna’s Mission neighbourhood spotted a raccoon whose front leg was stuck in an unsecured trap.
In an effort to catch and help the critter, Wild Things and B.C. Conservation Officers set up live traps nearby.
Ken Owens, a Conservation Officer in Kelowna said that based on the photos and video of the injured raccoon, it looks like it was ensnared in an ‘egg trap’ which is designed to capture raccoon by front paw.
“Egg traps when used and not securely fastened by property owners create this situation,” said Owens.
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“Each year we receive several calls to our RAPP line related to injured raccoons running around town with egg traps, attached to their paws.”
Unfortunately, the attempts to catch and free this raccoon were unsuccessful and sightings over the following two weeks revealed the animals still to be ensnared, said Shepherd.
After disappearing for several days, the raccoon reappeared with its entire lower front limb and hand missing.
“The suffering endured by this young raccoon deeply saddens us,” said Shepherd.
Shepard added that urban environments present unique challenges for wildlife and said that is important to necessitate “humane solutions for peaceful coexistence.”
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Owens explained that while trapping and relocating raccoons without a permit is technically allowed if the critters are causing damage to a person’s property, it can be challenging to trap animals in a safe and humane manner.
With support from the B.C. Trappers Association, the B.C. Conservation Service has requested law changes in regard to trapping wildlife and are specifically calling for a ban on egg traps and snares in favour of live traps.
Owens said the Trappers Association is also lobbying for mandatory education for anyone wanting to trap certain wildlife, that fall under Schedule B or C, in an urban setting “to avoid situations like this.”
Owens requested that the public contact professional animal control companies if dealing with a persistent raccoon problem, rather than attempting the critter on their own. There are also specific rules and regulations regarding the relocation of raccoons if they have babies, which are called kits. He also noted that it is illegal to use poison to kill raccoons.
Raccoons are protected under the BC Wildlife Act. To learn more, visit wildsafebc.com.
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“We hope this incident sparks greater awareness and dialogue about safer approaches to wildlife management in our community,” said Shepherd.
To report an injured animal or human-wildlife conflict call the conservation service at 1-877-952-7277, or email the Interior Wildlife Rescue organization in the Central Okanagan at info@interiorwildlife.ca.
Torrance coyote trapper investigated for possible violation of state law
Kentucky finalizing ban on hunting feral swine in hopes of slowing their advance
Hunting Claims Man’s Life in Ukuvagilu Village
Hunting Accident Claims Life in Chikkamagaluru
Costa Rica Finally Does Away With Public Zoos
https://www.newser.com/story/350387/costa-rica-finally-does-away-with-public-zoos.html
Its final 2 state zoos have closed
| By Kate Seamons, Newser StaffPosted May 15, 2024 1:40 PM CDT |
“Captivity is only justified when animals cannot return to the forest for either physical or behavioral problems that prevent them from living in freedom”—a stance that obviously clashes with the concept of a zoo. It’s Costa Rica’s stance, with that line said in a Saturday video posted to Facebook by its minister of environment and energy in announcing the country’s last two state zoos have closed. It’s a move a long time coming, reports the New York Times: In 2013, Costa Rica banned the keeping of wildlife in captivity, intending to shutter government-funded zoos in 2014. But Fundazoo, the foundation that operated them, put up a legal fight.
story continues below
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That appears to have reached its end. The Ministry of Environment and Energy on Saturday said Fundazoo’s contract, which expired Friday, was not renewed, allowing the closure of the Simón Bolívar Zoo and the Santa Ana Conservation Center. Eighteen private zoos in the country are unaffected. As for the 287 animals held in the last two public zoos—a jaguar, crocodiles, spider monkeys, and a sloth among them, per the Tico Times—they’ll be evaluated by biologists and vets, quarantined, and either returned to the wild or placed in an animal sanctuary. (Something noteworthy happened in one of the zoos last year.)
Scientists sound alarm over powerful geomagnetic storm engulfing Earth
RBC UkraineFollow
114.8K Followers
Story by Liliana Oleniak
• 17h • 2 min read
A powerful magnetic storm hits the Earth (collage: RBC-Ukraine)© RBC-Ukraine
The powerful geomagnetic storm that recently hit the Earth has already caused radio and GPS to malfunction. Scientists emphasize that it can also cause a wave of hurricanes and storms.
RBC-Ukraine explains what theory the researchers have put forward, what it is based on, and whether the consequences of the magnetic storm threaten Ukrainians.
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Sources: Daily Mail, Meteoagent, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Researchers’ theory
According to a recent study, a solar storm that hits the Earth can cause hurricanes and storms.
As part of their work, a team of scientists used a model that:
・studied the activity of tropical cyclones over the past 5500 years
・identified 11 time periods when there were 40% more storms on Earth than usual
The only common feature of these periods was extreme solar activity.
Scientists’ theory is that when the sun is overly active, it sends more energy to the Earth, which heats the oceans and becomes fuel for tropical storms.
Right now, the United States is in the midst of the so-called hurricane season, but given the solar activity, it could be a record-breaking one.
Scientists sound alarm over powerful geomagnetic storm engulfing Earth© RBC-Ukraine
An active sunspot in May 2024 (screenshot: youtube.com/@noaanationalweatherservice)
Geomagnetic storms impact on Earth’s orbit and surface
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) also reported that geomagnetic storms can affect infrastructure in Earth orbit and on the Earth’s surface.
Related video: NOAA Issues Rare Warning Following Powerful Solar Event (Dailymotion)
According to experts, such solar activity can significantly affect communications, power grids, navigation, radio, and satellite operations.
Professor Yang Wang from Florida State University clarified that it is not always easy to predict the impact of the Sun on the Earth’s surface. Therefore, it is not worthwhile to say definitively that the geomagnetic storm will increase the number of tropical cyclones this year.
She adds that the role of solar activity in modulating tropical cyclone activity is complex.
“As the oceans warm up, they have more energy available to be converted into tropical cyclone winds, thus creating more favorable conditions for the development of stronger storms,” she explains.
The scientists note that solar activity can be an important driver of climate variability and tropical cyclone activity through its effects on atmospheric circulation, ocean currents, and sea surface temperatures.
Scientists sound alarm over powerful geomagnetic storm engulfing Earth© RBC-Ukraine
The Sun’s influence on the Earth (infographic: meteoagent.com)
Is there threat to Ukrainians?
Given that Ukraine is located relatively far from the ocean, it is unlikely to be threatened by tropical cyclones or powerful hurricanes.
At the same time, many studies conducted by scientists point to a possible relationship between magnetic storms and human activity.
Savings AccountsBig Banks Are Offering Record High CD Interest Rates – Up to 12%!
The point is that super-powerful solar energy can negatively affect a person’s mood and well-being.
Some people emphasize that health can deteriorate during magnetic storms, with headaches, heart problems, sleep disturbances, and weakness.
Earlier, we wrote that the planet was covered by a powerful red magnetic storm of the highest level.
Read also about magnetic storms in May – what days you should take care of your health.
