Latest news with #Don'tLetItLoose
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials stunned by massive creature discovered in local waterway: 'Problem that can last decades'
Goldfish may be low-maintenance pets, but they can do damage pretty quickly when released into the wild. A discovery in Pennsylvania is an example of what happens when something small and cute turns into a massive, long-term problem. A giant goldfish, described by officials as a "megalodon," was pulled from a waterway at Presque Isle State Park in Pennsylvania, according to People. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found the oversized fish during a routine electrofishing survey and used the opportunity to issue a warning: Releasing pet fish into local waterways can cause serious harm. "Someone released it, thinking they were being kind," the agency wrote in a Facebook post. "Instead, they created an invasive problem that can last decades." In the wild, pet goldfish don't stay small. They can grow to the size of a football and live longer than in a tank. And they aren't rare. Research from the University of Toronto found tens of thousands of invasive goldfish in Canadian lakes alone, thanks in part to illegal releases and bait dumping. Goldfish look cute, but they wreak havoc on local ecosystems because they are an invasive species. These bottom-feeders stir up sediment, tear up plants, and cloud the water, making it harder for native species to breathe, eat, and survive. They also reproduce fast and often. Without natural predators in many U.S. waterways, their populations can explode. Researchers estimate that "millions" of goldfish live in the region's freshwater systems. And with them come disease risks, water quality issues, and major expenses for local governments trying to contain the damage. As the USFWS points out, invasive species can stick around for generations — long after the original pet owner has moved on. The most important thing is to never release a pet into the wild. Goldfish, turtles, frogs — even plants — can become invasive under the right conditions. If you can no longer care for your pet, look for a rehoming option through a local aquarium, pet store, or rescue group. You can also help by not dumping live bait into rivers or lakes and by reporting invasive sightings to your state's department of natural resources. Conservation and awareness efforts such as Minnesota's Don't Let It Loose campaign help spread the word, and artificial intelligence-powered systems such as Epiwatch help detect invasive species and disease outbreaks earlier by analyzing real-time data from multiple sources. Protecting our waterways protects our communities, and keeping our pet fish out of the wild is one easy step we can all take. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
CBC
20-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- CBC
Think twice before gifting a bunny this Easter, animal advocates urge
While some kids will enjoy searching for treats from the Easter Bunny on Sunday morning, others may be receiving actual live rabbits as a holiday surprise. And while not all animal welfare advocates are totally against giving pets as gifts, they are wary of bunny buyers who don't realize the commitment they are taking on and may release their rabbit into the wild in the coming months — a pattern that has resulted in invasive populations in several parts of B.C. Kahlee Demers, the B.C. SPCA's manager of companion animal welfare and policy, said animals aren't always a bad gift idea, but they are never good as a surprise. "It is a big responsibility," she said, noting there's a lot to learn about rabbit care. Instead, she said, opt for the chocolate option this Easter. "I encourage parents and guardians to stick to the chocolate bunnies, the chocolate Easter eggs and the candy chicks, which I think are a great Easter alternative. Who doesn't like sugar?" WATCH | Bunnies don't always make the best Easter gifts: Advocates in B.C. advise against getting a bunny for Easter 1 year ago Duration 1:47 Rabbits may seem like low-maintenance pets, but Demers said they require time out of their cages every day, lots of mental stimulation, and room to move around. "Rabbits are really smart, they're social and they like games," she said. As for food, they need more than just carrots, Demers said; fresh leafy greens like kale and lettuce, as well as hay, high-fibre rabbit pellets and lots of water, are all part of a healthy rabbit diet. According to the B.C. SPCA, rabbits can live up to 15 years — something Demers said people don't often realize. Animal rights lawyer Victoria Shroff suggested anyone considering adopting a rabbit start by fostering one first, to see if they are able to properly care for a pet bunny. "Make sure you do your homework," Shroff said. "Rabbits are not just a pet for Easter." Releasing pets into the wild Huge invasive rabbit populations have taken over several areas in B.C., including Vancouver's Jericho Park and Rathtrevor Beach on Vancouver Island, after people started releasing their unwanted pets into the wild. Though they likely had good intentions — hoping the bunnies would live out their lives in the fresh air with lots of grass to nibble on — pet rabbits cause major problems for natural ecosystems, according to Invasive Species Council of B.C. executive director Gail Wallin. They carry disease, damage the environment and compete with native species, among other things. They also reproduce quickly and several times a year, with multiple babies in each litter — meaning one rabbit released in June could be responsible for a dozen more in mere months. If that's not enough to deter people from releasing pets into the wild, it's actually illegal to do so, Shroff said. The Invasive Species Council of B.C., along with other similar organizations in other provinces, have launched a campaign called Don't Let It Loose, asking pet owners not to release any domesticated pets into the wild. Instead, Demers said rabbit owners should do everything they can do rehome unwanted pet rabbits. "There are a lot of great owners out there who are willing to take on rabbits," she said. "When in doubt, you can reach out to your local B.C. SPCA and see what resources they have — we do have food banks, so if it's a food necessity that you need, we can help. But you can always chat with your local animal shelter or rescue to see what your surrender options are."
