Latest news with #Alameda
Miami Herald
14 hours ago
- General
- Miami Herald
‘They eat everything': Wild pigs increase around the Bay Area, causing headaches for homeowners, parks and water agencies
The wildlife you see on your next hiking trip? The rustle in your backyard at night? It might not be a raccoon or a deer. A steady increase in the population of wild pigs - a marauding, non-native animal that can grow sharp tusks and weigh 250 pounds or more - is causing growing problems for parks, water districts and homeowners across the Bay Area. The hogs wallow in streams, dig up lawns and gardens, eat endangered plants and animals and occasionally charge at people. They carry diseases like swine fever and can spread pathogens like E. coli to crops in farm fields. "We've seen the impacts increasing," said Doug Bell, wildlife program manager at the East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland. "They are omnivores. They vacuum up California quail, Alameda whipsnakes and other wildlife. They eat everything. They'll come in and destroy lawns and all your landscaping overnight. Sometimes people can be hurt by them. We had a hiker who was run over by a wild boar and injured her leg. A firefighter was knocked down by one in 2020. They can be frightening." Hoping to slow the spread of the ravenous razorbacks, several large public land agencies are expanding their efforts to trap and kill the animals. Last month, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, an agency in San Jose that has preserved 30,000 acres of land for hiking, biking, horse riding and wildlife, approved spending $243,000 to hire a contractor, Full Boar Trapping and Wildlife Control, based in Contra Costa County, to trap and shoot wild pigs over the next three years on its properties. Typically, trappers set up circular net pens and bait them with fermented corn. The pigs enter and can't get out. Sometimes temporary metal corrals are used, with gates that can be observed on video cameras and closed remotely. Trappers also use smaller cage traps. Because it's illegal in California to release trapped wild animals elsewhere, the pigs are shot and often taken to landfills or rendering plants. "We are seeing a lot more pig damage," said Aaron Hébert, natural resources manager with the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. "Trying to control the population and not just trying to haze them is now part of the strategy." Domestic pigs first came to California in 1769 with Spanish explorers. But things went hog wild starting in 1924. That's when George Gordon Moore, an eccentric Canadian millionaire, purchased Rancho San Carlos, a 22,000-acre ranch in Carmel Valley. He held polo matches and hosted lavish parties with movie stars and wealthy Jazz Age captains of industry. To hunt with guests, he introduced Russian boars. Not surprisingly, some escaped. They bred with local pigs and spread far and wide. Now they are in 56 of California's 58 counties. The animals are legal for sport hunters to shoot, like deer or ducks. Last year, 3,327 wild pigs were reported killed by hunters in California, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. But their population keeps growing. Females can have up to two litters per year, with as many as 10 piglets per litter. There aren't exact population totals. But from 2013 to 2017, 489 pigs a year on average were killed by the East Bay Regional Park District, East Bay Municipal Utility District, and state parks in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, according to a study by East Bay Parks. That number doubled to 944 between 2018 and 2022. In December, East Bay Parks published a plan it compiled with other agencies to do more. The study showed that the animals, found commonly around Mount Diablo, Calaveras Reservoir and the Dublin Hills, would grow tenfold without a hunting and trapping program. It recommended agencies work together to use drones with thermal imaging to track the pigs at night, fit some with GPS collars, put fencing around sensitive areas - although that can cost $20,000 a mile and block other wild animals - collect better data, and enlist the public's help through a hotline or website to report sightings. "We are trying to go from being reactive to proactive in the wider region," Bell said. In the South Bay, the Santa Clara Valley Water District in December signed a five-year, $125,000 contract with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to trap and kill wild pigs on land it owns at Anderson Reservoir and Coyote Ridge east of San Jose. After the water district drained Anderson Reservoir in 2020 to replace its aging dam for earthquake safety, wild pigs began coming out of the Diablo Range. They would walk across the dry lake bed, and wreck lawns in the Holiday Lake Estates neighborhood and other residential areas between San Jose and Morgan Hill. "In some cases, there are 25 or more pigs at a time," said Sean Mulligan, a Holiday Lake Estates resident. "They are doing damage. People are building fences. They are causing hillside erosion, digging into lawns." For several years, water district officials told angry residents there was nothing they could do. The residents got a lawyer and argued the district was violating the California Environmental Quality Act by not dealing with the problem as part of the dam project. "We didn't have any activity until they drained the lake," Mulligan said. "Then the pigs started showing up." Since January, trappers have killed 24 wild pigs around Anderson Reservoir and at nearby Coyote Ridge, said John Bourgeois, a deputy operating officer of the district, "This is an effort to be a good neighbor," he said. "It's been in the works for a while." Multiple land managers said three wet winters in a row in Northern California have caused an increase in grasses, acorns and other food for wild pigs, which is believed to be why their numbers are growing steadily. "We do get complaints," said Bell, of East Bay Parks. "People will call up and say, 'Your pigs are destroying our property.' When 10 or 20 run through a neighborhood, it can be kind of frightening if you have small children and pets. We respond to that and increase trapping. But it's a constant effort." Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tensions rise in Los Angeles as police declare ‘unlawful' assembly
Tensions mounted in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon as police clashed with protesters on a freeway and declared another protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center 'unlawful.' Dozens of protesters were arrested throughout the day. About 300 National Guard members were deployed in the city, after President Trump made the extraordinary decision to send members of the military to counter what he called 'insurrectionist mobs.' The protesters, responding to the Trump administration's immigration raids in the city, blocked the 101 freeway starting at about 3:30 p.m. in Los Angeles. Police officers, firing tear gas canisters and other projectiles into the crowds, managed to clear the highway by 5 p.m. Hundreds of people continued to line the surrounding streets. Shortly after 3 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced that a separate pocket of protesters outside the city's prison in Alameda was illegal and that arrests were underway. 'An UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared for the area of Alameda between 2nd St and Aliso St. A DISPERSAL ORDER has been issued. Arrests are being made,' the LAPD wrote on the social platform X. CNN reported that police officers were seen striking and pushing protesters and deploying flash-bangs and tear gas into the crowd. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D), who slammed Trump's decision to send the National Guard into the city, issued a warning to protesters who did not remain peaceful. 'We will always protect the constitutional right for Angelenos to peacefully protest. However, violence, destruction and vandalism will not be tolerated in our City and those responsible will be held fully accountable,' she wrote on X. She later said the chaos on Sunday was 'provoked by the administration.' Dan Bongino, the deputy FBI director, also issued a warning as tensions mounted through the afternoon. 'If you choose violence tonight, this message is for you. We will be investigating and pursuing all available leads for assault on a federal officer, in addition to the many arrests already made,' he wrote on X. All 23 Democratic governors issued a statement Sunday afternoon slamming Trump's decision to federalize California's National Guard, using a law that hasn't been used in decades, arguing it was both unnecessary and escalatory. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) office sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Sunday asking him to rescind the order deploying armed forces into the city. Trump spoke briefly to reporters before boarding Air Force One en route to Camp David on Sunday afternoon. He said he would meet military leaders at the presidential retreat but did not say what they were meeting about. Asked by reporters whether he would invoke the Insurrection Act, which expands the president's powers during a national security crisis, Trump suggested the protests were not yet an 'insurrection.' However, soon after that, he described the protesters as an 'insurrectionist mob' in a post on Truth Social. 'I am directing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, in coordination with all other relevant Departments and Agencies, to take all such action necessary to liberate Los Angeles from the Migrant Invasion, and put an end to these Migrant riots,' Trump wrote. 'Order will be restored, the Illegals will be expelled, and Los Angeles will be set free.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Lilo and Stitch' star honored with an official day
HILO, Hawaii (KHON2) — 'Lilo and Stitch' star Maia Kealoha is being honored with her very own day. Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda has announced that June 3, 2025, is officially Maia Kealoha Day, honoring the achievements of Kailua-Kona's own. 'Lilo & Stitch' becomes 2nd highest grossing film of 2025 At only 8-years-old, Maia has already found the way into many hearts with her starring role in the highly anticipated live action remake of Disney's 'Lilo and Stitch.' The ceremony took place at the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, where a small group gathered to celebrate Maia's achievements, including members of Alameda's cabinet and Maia's family. 'Maia is not only a talented young actress, she represents the dreams of many children in our island community. By stepping into this iconic role, she has shown that opportunities are limitless,' stated Alameda during the ceremony. 'Proclaiming June 3 as Maia Kealoha Day is a tribute to her inspiring journey and serves as a beacon of hope for local girls and kids to pursue their dreams, no matter how big.' Maia is the daughter of Palani and Brittney Kealoha and sister to her little brother, Micah. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'I'm so grateful to receive this amazing recognition from Mayor Alameda and our County,' Maia said. 'I hope to inspire others in our community that no matter their age or where they come from, they should never give up on their dreams and continue to reach for the stars. My goal is to continue growing in this industry and share our culture and aloha with the world.' 'Lilo and Stitch' is the second highest grossing movie of the year, earning $280 million in domestic sales. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Large clipper ship sinks in Alameda
ALAMEDA, Calif. - A large clipper ship sank Sunday night in the waters in Alameda. Firefighters arrived at 6:15 p.m. at Blanding Avenue, just behind a shopping center by Nob Hill Foods, to find the dock underwater, and the vessel sinking. Firefighters cut the ship's lines to keep it from dragging down other boats and safely moved one vessel out of harm's way. The ship was unoccupied at the time. Crews are working with the Oakland Fire Department, the Coast Guard and state emergency officials to contain any oil, and keep it from leaking into the water.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Coast Guard relieves Bay Area commander due to 'loss of confidence'
ALAMEDA, Calif. - The U.S. Coast Guard relieved a commander of duty at a Bay Area base on Tuesday due to "loss of confidence." What we know The U.S. Coast Guard, a division of the Department of Homeland Security, issued a news release regarding Capt. David Melton, who reports to Base Alameda. "Rear Adm. Carola List, commander, Operational Logistics Command, temporarily relieved Capt. David Melton due to loss of confidence. This temporary relief is not due to misconduct," the brief statement read. The statement continues that Base Alameda remains fully operational and that there is no impact to public safety. Capt. Brian Winburn will temporarily assume the position of commander the statement read. According to his bio, Capt. Melton graduated from the Coast Guard Academy more than 25 years ago. KTVU has reached out to the Coast Guard for more information. This is a developing news story.
