Salem-News.com Animals articles

Homes Sought for Rescued Horses

The horses’ former owner pled guilty to multiple counts of animal neglect, first degree theft, and tampering with physical evidence

(SALEM, Ore.) - Six horses rescued from neglect by Willamette Humane Society (WHS) over the summer are now available for adoption.


The adoptable horses were seized from the Early Rise Ranch in July due to starvation and neglect. For the past four months, these horses (and more than 20 others removed from the Ranch) have been in foster care with WHS undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

California Seabird Specialists Respond to Fatal Foaming

Oil Spill Experts from California Answer Call of Oregon Wildlife Groups Fighting to Save Hundreds of Seabirds from Deadly Ocean Foam.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - California-based seabird specialists International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) are rushing to the aid of seabirds threatened by an unusual algal bloom off the Oregon Coast.

The world-renown team from International Bird Rescue, who have saved thousands of seabirds from oil spills around the world, are in a race against time to transport red-throated loons, and other highly sensitive migratory birds, to a state-of-the-art rescue facility in San Francisco Bay.

Cat House

A lighthearted look at frolicking feline fun for your Friday.

(CALGARY, Alberta) - “Cats are a standing rebuke to behavioral scientists wanting to know how the minds of animals work. The mind of a cat is an inscrutable mystery, beyond human reach, the least human of all creatures and at the same time, as any cat owner will attest, the most intelligent.” (Lewis Thomas)

While I’ve lived with many cats in my life—when married, we had as many as three cats in the household—Max, the tabby in the picture, is the first cat with whom I’ve had ever had an individual bond. Max was given to me on March 31, 1997 by Colleen Way, a woman I was dating at the time.

Court Fines Oregon Man Who Bagged Great White Shark

Oregon Man Cited for Possession of Great White Shark caught in August.

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - An Oregon fisherman from the town of Warren will pay a fine of $299.00 for harvesting a 12-foot Great White August 8, 2009 and gutting it on the docks at Depoe Bay.

Angler Jason W. Robinson, age 32, of Warren, Oregon, told an investigating state police trooper that he was responsible for the shark, and that it become entangled in their crab gear and was pulled to the surface when they were bringing in a crab pot.

Landowners Need to be Able to Defend Property from Wolves

When I see the emotional polarization in the news and wolf forums and opinion boards, I realize this 'wolf experiment' is a very complex issue.

(JACOBS RANCH, Keating Valley, Ore.) - On Good Friday morning three generations of Jacobs' got to experience firsthand the havoc two wolves could wreak. Just a two-minute jaunt from our sleeping households, four of the five documented wolf attacks occurred on what we call the "Home Ranch," a 640-acre chunk of farm and pastureland, just a part of what we make a living on in this high desert country.

From that day in April until today, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife and Animal Damage Control confirmed 29 lambs, a pet goat and one calf killed on two ranches. This act stirred and spread the hotbed of debate in our small ranching community of Keating Valley to the Legislature in Salem and beyond.

Horse Throws Woman After Being Spooked by Swarm of Bees

70-year old female horseback rider injured and rescued on the Pacific Crest Trail‏.

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - A 70-year old female horseback rider was thrown and injured when her horse was spooked by a swarm of bees on the Pacific Crest Trail Sunday, according to Jim Strovink with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

He says it happened Sunday at approximately 3:30 p.m., as 5 females were riding horses on the Pacific Crest Trail, near the Twin Lakes trail. A swarm of bees spooked the horse,and Strovink says it is likely that one of the animals stepped on a nest of bees along the trail.

House Hears Testimony on Need for Legislation to Conserve Rapidly Disappearing Migratory Birds

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has already passed H.R. 2213’s Senate counterpart.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Legislation that reauthorizes the existing Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (NMBCA) at significantly higher levels is the subject of a House hearing today. Sponsored by Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Jim Gerlach (R-PA), H.R. 2213, is required to meet the growing needs of migratory bird species.

“This legislation is urgently needed because hundreds of songbird species are now in decline or facing serious threats; effective conservation projects supported by the NMBCA can help us to start turning that around,” said Darin Schroeder, ABC’s Vice President of Conservation Advocacy, who is testifying in support of the legislation at today’s hearing.

Killer Whales Have a Fighting Chance to Survive...Us

The preponderance of protected stretches of both ocean and coasts gives orcas a boost in their struggle to stay one step ahead of extinction.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Dear EarthTalk: How are populations of the world’s orca whales faring these days? Are we still in danger of losing them all in the wild? -- J. Witham, Bangor, ME

ET:The largest member of the dolphin family and a major draw at marine parks, orcas (also known as “killer whales”) are highly intelligent and social marine mammals that, because of these traits, have come to be known as ambassadors for nature and marine ecosystems around the world.

Oregon Wildlife Officials Kill Two Wolves Tied to Chronic Livestock Losses

A rancher was given a permit to kill the wolves if they attack his livestock again.

(BAKER CITY, Ore.) - Two problem wolves involved in five separate incidents of livestock depredation in the Keating Valley area were killed in Baker County this morning by USDA Wildlife Services.

ODFW authorized Wildlife Services to kill the wolves on Saturday, Aug. 29 after both agencies investigated and confirmed the last two depredation incidents at a private ranch in the Keating Valley area of Baker County.

Police Say Officer Shot Pit Bull After Dog Charged

Police say the dog was aggressive toward several people.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police responded to a report of a pit bull running loose and charging at people in the area of Liberty Elementary School located in the 4800 block of Liberty Road S. Wednesday at 6:52 p.m.

Lieutenant Keith A. Blair with Salem Police says the officer received additional information that the pit bull had attempted to bite a female that was walking nearby.