Animals

Bill To Move Wolves West No Joke For Conservationists

Jessica Robinson — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:40:09 +0000

This week, a Republican lawmaker who represents eastern Washington ranch country introduced what many see as a poke in the eye for his colleagues who support wolf recovery. The new bill would move wolves to the west side of the Cascades. The proposal was immediately taken as a joke. But some conservationists say moving wolves west is not a bad idea.

Volunteers Search For The Elusive Marten In Olympic National Forest

Ashley Ahearn — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 14:51:51 +0000

The American Marten is a small elusive member of the weasel family. People trap them and sell their pelts on the fur market where they’re known as “sable”. Their numbers are healthy in Canada and some northern parts of the U.S. But scientists worry that marten populations have severely declined in coastal mountain ranges - like the Olympic National Forest.

Ashley Ahearn from our EarthFix team reports on one organization that’s trying to help scientists get some answers.

CWU Eventually Wants To Replace Chimps Who Died

Tom Banse — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:16:27 +0000

The director of a chimpanzee institute at Central Washington University says she feels urgency to bring in new animals. The education and research program in Ellensburg is now down to two aging chimps after the weekend death of another ape known for his sign language abilities. Correspondent Tom Banse reports.

Lawsuit Seeking To End Sea Lion Killing Moves Ahead

Chris Lehman — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:45:25 +0000

Supporters of an effort to stop the government from killing sea lions at Bonneville Dam made their case to a federal judge in Portland Friday. The animals are targeted because they feed on endangered salmon.

WSU To Dedicate Richland Site For Wine Science Center

Anna King — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:18:08 +0000

Washington State University is known for its study of agriculture. This week, the university is dedicating a site that will be a research hub for wine.

Wounded -- And Possibly Cranky -- Grizzly Bear Loose In Idaho

Jessica Robinson — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 00:16:12 +0000

Idaho wildlife officials are worried a wounded grizzly bear on the loose could be a danger to people. A group of hunters shot the bear after it charged them in the eastern part of the state, across the border from Yellowstone National Park. Apparently, both the hunters and the bear were after the same elk.

County Takes Hard Line Against Leaving Fido In Hot Car

Jessica Robinson — Sat, 18 Aug 2012 00:44:49 +0000

One Northwest county is taking a hard line against dog owners who leave man’s best friend in the hot car this summer. Animal protection officers in Spokane County, Wash., say a prolonged trip to the mall could earn you criminal charges for animal cruelty – and a broken window.

South Korea Ban On Fresh Northwest Potatoes

Emilie Ritter Saunders — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:31:04 +0000

Starting Friday, fresh potatoes from Idaho, Oregon and Washington can no longer be exported to South Korea. As Capital Press reported earlier this week, Korea’s export ban results from concerns over an insect-borne disease that causes light yellow potato flesh to darken and stripe — the zebra chip.

Northwest Ag Industry Cashing In On Strong Grain Prices, Yields

Anna King — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 00:43:02 +0000

Drought that’s sizzling the rest of the nation has largely left the Northwest states alone. Furthermore, the Midwest’s farmers’ misfortune is actually benefiting farmers here. That’s because grain prices are going up because of the Heartland’s decimated yields. Meanwhile, many Northwest farmers crops are above average.

Oregon Removes Bald Eagles From Threatened List

Chris Lehman — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:21:21 +0000

Bald eagles are no longer considered threatened by the state of Oregon. The state's Fish and Wildlife Commission voted Friday to remove the iconic bird from the state list of endangered species.