Life In The Weeds

The Answer to My Deer Problem

It may not be an immediate fix, but it has long term potential.  All I need to do is order a Burmese Python and when it gets too big to keep as a pet, I'll let it slither off into the woods and become my Deer Eliminator...or, maybe just, Animal Eliminator.

Just ask the folks in the Everglades National Park down in Florida. In areas where the pythons have established themselves, marsh rabbits and foxes can no longer be found. Sightings of raccoons are down 99.3%, opossums 98.9% and white-tailed deer 94.1%, according to a paper out Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

This 16 footer just put down a 75lb White Tailed Deer. Honestly, I would not mind a decrease in raccoons and ground hogs either.

Sure, there might be a safety issue.  Unless, we were to implant a tracking device in each Python we let loose into the "wild" of Elm Ridge Park.  I mean let's face it, Pythons are not the quickest, most agile things...so, they would not be difficult to track.  We could put their movements on the local Township TV Channel.  "Before you go outside and play kids, check channel 72 to see where the Pythons are at today"..."okay Mom, will do."

Sure, we would have a few casualties with pets and toddlers in the beginning, but once we realled honed the system, I think maybe this just could work!

mj

Halloween is for the Dogs

I friend of mine shared this photo with me and it is worth passing along...clearly, Halloween is not just for children.

mj

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh Yes

Yesterday was a memorable day for those residents that lived in the vicinity Zanesville, Ohio.  Exotic animals were on the loose...forcing local schools to close and making for some interesting 911 calls. The owner of all these animals,Terry Thompson, apparently opened up all the gates on the animals pens, prior to fatally shooting himself.

The collection of animals Thompson set free included 18 extremely rare Bengal tigers, 17 lions, six black bears and one baboon...56 in all.

Muskingum County sheriff's deputies killed 49 of the animals over a 24-hour period. Authorities were able to tranquilize ONLY six animals — a grizzly bear, three leopards and two monkeys, which were taken to the Columbus Zoo. In other instances, however, the increasing risk posed to the public as darkness fell late Tuesday forced deputies to shoot to kill.

Really?  Did they have to kill all these animals?  Let's remember, all these animals have been out of the wild and in cages for many years...were they really running around trying to eat everything in their path?

Obviously, it's hard to judge form a distance.  I guess if I saw a Bengal Tiger in my back yard, maybe I would be inclined to want it killed...but some of the stories seem a little exaggerated...as if these animals were attempting to leap into open windows to get at people.

Interestingly, Ohio is one of eight states that have almost no restrictions on owning exotic animals.  It looks like our neighbor, Pennsylvania, does not have much restriction on owning exotic animals.

I wonder if I could report "wild" deer to the Hopewell Township Police...the ONE Albino Deer must be exotic.  Nothing would please me more than watching Andy and Barney firing of rounds into a heard of dear.

Be extra careful when you head over the river, and watch for charging elephants.

mj

 

Shamu gone Wild

Recently, an orca whale killed a Sea World trainer...a tragedy to be sure!

As it turns out, this is the third trainer related death involving this particular orca, named Tilikum. From what I have read, the whale grabbed the veteran trainer by her long pony-tail and dragged her into the water.  According to the medical examiner, she likely died of traumatic injuries and drowning.

So the questions have been swirling about what to do with the whale.  In a recent statement, by the President of Sea World, Tilikum will not be punished and will remain an "active, contributing member of the team."

What other choice do they really have?  Release it into the wild?  Keep the whale even more isolated?

Scary thing about orca whales...they are smart as hell.  I think Tilkum new exactly what it was doing when it grabbed this trainer. 

Take a look at this video showing a group of orca whales teaching a young calf how to hunt.  Or this clip sneaking up on it's pray...ON THE BEACH.  Or this one!

You tell me...you think these whales know what they are doing?  

mj

There is dog heaven - absolutely

We lost our first dog a few months back. The kids asked if Robie would go to heaven and I reflexively said, yes.

I've thought about that question some more and now I absolutely believe that dogs go to heaven.

Where else would God send a creature that is so consistently characterized by selflessness, joy, gratefulness, fun, forgiveness, protection and service. Maybe God gave us dogs as companions to provide a constant example as to how we should act - maybe dogs are angels.

You see those signs, "Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am". Maybe there should be a sign that says, "I need to live my life like my dog does".

O.D.O.o.O.D.B.