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Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, where some of the nation's nuclear arsenal is stored and the bombers capable of delivering it are stationed, is facing a threat the military may not be equipped to defeat. Squirrels. Yes, squirrels. Minot AFB is under siege by thousands of Richardson Ground Squirrels, a.k.a. "Dakrats." The ground squirrels have been a problem for the base for years, mostly because the base tries to keep the animal's natural predators out. The foxes, coyotes, and badgers stay outside the fence, while the Air Force's BASH team scares off the hawks and eagles to minimize...

At the top of Yosemite National Park’s Vernal Fall on a recent holiday weekend, amid the throngs of tourists snapping photos and feasting on snacks and picnic lunches, a squirrel crept across smooth granite toward a resting backpacker.

PINE CITY, N.Y. (WETM) — A New York Assemblyman from Long Island has proposed an amendment to a New York State Environmental Conservation Law aimed at reforming animal seizure protocols following the euthanization of ‘P’Nut the Squirrel’ after he was taken from his home in Pine City by DEC agents on Wednesday. Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz of the 15th Assembly District in Long Island announced on Saturday, Nov. 2, a proposal for an amendment called “Peanut’s Law: Humane Animal Protection Act.” This proposed law would amend Section 11-0512 of New York’s Environmental Conservation Law to prevent incidents like what happened to...

Following the public outcry about the state's Department of Environmental Conservation raiding a local man's home and euthanizing his pet squirrel who had hundreds of thousands of social media followers, New York authorities announced Peanut the squirrel had died of COVID-19. Officials revealed Peanut's cause of death in an effort to calm the backlash that resulted from what many people have labeled a blatant example of government overreach and misaligned priorities. "We're saddened to announce that COVID-19 has claimed yet another victim," Governor Kathy Hochul told reporters. "An autopsy conducted yesterday revealed Peanut's caretakers had evidently failed to administer the...

Donald Trump Jr. and J.D. Vance discussed the internet-famous squirrel Peanut, killed by the New York State department of environmental conservation this week, during a rally Sunday in Sanford, North Carolina. The candidate Donald Trump has yet to comment on the martyrdom of the squirrel. "Justice for Peanut!" declared the younger Trump. "Our government will let in 16,000 rapists, 13,000 murderers, 600,000 criminals across our border, but if someone has a pet squirrel without a permit, they'll go in there and kill the squirrel." "They'll allow all that to happen, but if someone adopts a baby pet squirrel... That's the...

Peanut has been a social media celebrity for seven years. An animal rescue nonprofit was built around him, saving hundreds of animals, from rodents to horses, from abuse, neglect, or simply bad luck. His story and his antics charmed millions of people, and helped people escape from the grittier and nastier realities of living in an unforgiving world. Until the New York government decided to raid his home and kill him

Elon Musk has sparked a social media storm after expressing outrage over the state-mandated euthanisation of Peanut, a beloved pet squirrel and internet sensation. In a string of fiery posts on his X account, the tech mogul criticised the decision, which saw New York state officials seize Peanut from his owner’s home before euthanising the animal. Referring to the incident as a case of “government overreach,” Musk didn’t hold back, describing Peanut’s seizure as a "kidnapping" and his death as an "execution." Musk’s indignation on the matter has quickly drawn attention from his followers and sparked passionate discussions online, with...

Elon Musk expressed outrage on his social media platform X Saturday over news that rescue pet and internet sensation Peanut the Squirrel was seized from his owner’s home and euthanized by state officials in New York. The SpaceX and Tesla founder fired off a barrage of posts expressing his disdain for officials with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation taking the Instagram-famous Peanut, along with another rescue animal, away from owner Mark Longo’s home and animal sanctuary near the Pennsylvania border. The state then inexplicable euthanized the docile and trained animals so they could be “tested for rabies.”

The Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment (PDPHE), in conjunction with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), is currently investigating a human case of plague based on preliminary test results. The plague bacterium, known as Yersinia pestis, can be transmitted by fleas and wild rodents, such as prairie dogs, squirrels, rats, and rabbits. According to the CDC, “Humans usually become infected through the bite of an infected rodent flea or by handling an infected animal. Plague can be cured with antibiotics, but these must be given promptly to prevent serious illness or death.” Symptoms of plague...

The How Do Gardener, describes his moderately epic quest to keep squirrels from terrorizing his garden, and the ONE solution that is SO STUPID, that it just might work better than anything... WATCH THE VIDEO

Leprosy, one of the oldest recorded diseases in human history, remains prevalent in Asia, Africa, and South America, with over 200,000 cases every year.1,2 Although ancient DNA (aDNA) approaches on the major causative agent, Mycobacterium leprae, have elucidated the disease’s evolutionary history,3,4,5 the role of animal hosts and interspecies transmission in the past remains unexplored. Research has uncovered relationships between medieval strains isolated from archaeological human remains and modern animal hosts such as the red squirrel in England.6,7 However, the time frame, distribution, and direction of transmissions remains unknown. Here, we studied 25 human and 12 squirrel samples from two...

I am watching the silly squirrels in my back yard. Why are they behaving that way? They throw themselves up in the air and flip over ... then squirm all around. They do this repeatedly

The Weekly Gardening Thread is a weekly gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you. If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located. This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked. It is impossible to hijack...

VIDEOA few days ago I looked outside and spotted these two squirrels, Chip 'n' Dale, on my patio. Yeah, I know they are not chipmunks but what else was I going to call them? One interesting thing that I wasn't able to record is that they finally got used to me enough that in my second attempt to approach them without the window barrier, they allowed me to pick them up but they didn't seem crazy about the idea so I quickly put them back down. Finally they perform a rather surprising encore.

A 71-year old Iowa City, Iowa, man was fined $855 for shooting and injuring a U.S. Marine with an air rifle in October 2021. In April, Philip Olson, who claimed he was hunting a squirrel, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor crime after turning himself in to the police, violating a local ordinance prohibiting the discharge of toy guns and slingshots, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen. He accidentally shot 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Gabe Heefner in the head while the Marine was driving by, leaving the Marine severely injured.

In this video, Learn how to keep squirrels out of your garden, the ONE thing that works, and all of the others that do not.

The trial of a Limestone County, Alabama, man who allegedly kept a squirrel supplied with methamphetamine to make it attack people has been delayed. Mickey Joel Paulk’s trial was scheduled to start Monday, but it was continued until Feb. 28, according to court documents. Paulk faces charges for possession of a wild animal, stolen property and possession of a weapon by a felon. He was arrested in June 2019. Paulk, 39, has other charges to deal with, too, according to court records. He was arrested Dec. 23, 2021, on charges of chemical endangerment of a child and trafficking methamphetamine, as...

UK residents were left reeling after a crazed gray squirrel went on a wild Christmas rampage in Buckley, Wales, injuring a staggering 18 people in two days. “Warning, vicious squirrel that attacks,” wrote Nicola Crowther in the Buckley Residents Facebook Group on Dec. 26 along with a grainy photo of the furry culprit on a fencepost. “Has bitten me, attacked my friend … and multiple other people.” Another bite recipient, Sheree Davidson, told SWNS that she was taking out the recycling when the “psycho” squirrel jumped out at her from behind the bins and chomped her on the hand. The...

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers will offer a free online squirrel hunting webinar on Jan. 6 from 7-8 p.m. Topics will include species habits, habitats, scouting, essential equipment, effective shot placement, hunting strategies, cleaning, cooking techniques and dish ideas. The class will conclude with an interactive question and answer session. “The webinar is open to all skill levels,” said R3 Hunting Specialist Walter “Deet” James. “However, it’s especially intended for people who have never hunted and lack access to a hunting mentor.” Space is limited and pre-registration online is required. Participants will receive a Zoom...

IN 1722, A PET SQUIRREL named Mungo passed away. It was a tragedy: Mungo escaped its confines and met its fate at the teeth of a dog. Benjamin Franklin, friend of the owner, immortalized the squirrel with a tribute. “Few squirrels were better accomplished, for he had a good education, had traveled far, and seen much of the world.” Franklin wrote, adding, “Thou art fallen by the fangs of wanton, cruel Ranger!” Mourning a squirrel’s death wasn’t as uncommon as you might think when Franklin wrote Mungo’s eulogy; in the 18th- and 19th centuries, squirrels were fixtures in American homes,...