Latest news with #VirginiaDepartmentofWildlifeResources
Axios
19-05-2025
- General
- Axios
Birds in Virginia and nationwide are vanishing — fast
Birds that call Virginia's coast and mountains home are in serious decline. Why it matters: Birds are indicators of the health of their habitats and signal early warnings of broader trouble to the environment, and potentially people. By the numbers: In the past 50 years, Virginia species like Wilson's Plover — a signature bird of Virginia's barrier islands — have lost half of their population, per the North American Bird Conservation Initiative's 2025 State of the Birds report. The plover and the Golden-winged warbler are now labeled a "Tipping Point" species, meaning they could vanish within the next half-century without urgent conservation action. The cerulean warbler in Virginia's mountains has also seen its population crash in the past 50 years. Zoom in: The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources has said pollution, changing climate and "the sea level rise that comes with it" can impact Virginia's coastal birds. The report noted declines in eastern forest birds, like the Bachman's sparrow in Virginia, are partly due to habitat loss from residential development. Threat level: A blow to birds is a blow to the economy. From birding tourism to pest control and pollination, birds generate nearly $280 billion annually for the U.S. economy, the report finds. The big picture: It's not just Virginia. Researchers tracked species nationwide and found declines almost everywhere — even among birds once thought resilient, like waterfowl. Roughly one-third of U.S. bird species — 229 in total — are now classified as high or moderate conservation concerns. Yes, but: There are signs of hope. Thanks to wetland protections, dabbling and diving duck populations have jumped 24% since 1970, while waterbirds are up 16%, per the report.
Axios
07-05-2025
- Health
- Axios
Maymont's tiny black bear turns 20
Maymont's Little Bear celebrated his 20th birthday over the weekend with some apples and honey. Why it matters: Due to his chronic conditions, he likely wouldn't be alive today if he was left in the wild. Catch up quick: The American black bear has been with Maymont since May 2006, after the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources rescued him from a highway near Roanoke. Little Bear is smaller than average due to his dwarfism and symptoms that mimic Addison's disease, Maymont spokesperson Melissa Abernathy tells us. Those symptoms can include chronic fatigue and joint pain, which Abernathy says Maymont helps manage with medication. That also means that his companion Big Bear, who is about his same age, is almost 100 pounds heavier than him (476 pounds vs. 384). Fun fact: Abernathy tells Axios that Little Bear and Big Bear have a "big bro/little bro" relationship and that Little Bear's favorite napping spot is on the cliff.
Axios
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Snag a chance to cuddle up to Richmond's falcon chicks
A few lucky locals can meet the newly hatched Richmond peregrine falcon chicks through a now-open raffle from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Why it matters: It's a rare chance to get up close and personal with these aerial predators while they're still babes. Plus, there's beer! This is Richmond, after all. The big picture: DWR has been breeding peregrine falcons in downtown Richmond for 25 years, and since 2017, they've run the Richmond Falcon Cam livestream of the nest, which sits atop Riverfront Plaza. This year, DWR is partnering with folks from Richmond's own Triple Crossing Beer brewing — who happen to be big Falcon Cam fans — for the raffle. Triple Crossing's flagship IPA is also called... Falcon Smash. Plus: Spring is prime hatching time, Three of four chicks this year have hatched as of press time. How it works: The raffle will allow three winners to join biologists on Banding Day, when they give each chick an ID band about 30 days after hatching. The winners get an invitation to Banding Day, a DWR swag pack, a DWR and Triple Crossing collaboration T-shirt, and a Triple Crossing Brew Day tour at the Fulton location.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
DWR: Springtime means more bear activity in Virginia
VIRGINIA (WJHL) — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is reminding people that spring brings an increase in bear activity. 'The spring months are a busy time for wildlife, especially black bears as they emerge from their winter dens hungry and in search of an easy meal,' a news release from the DWR said. 'During this time of increased activity, it is important for Virginia residents to secure all potential food sources to reduce bear encounters in their neighborhoods and near their homes.' Due to natural foods possibly being scarce during the start of spring, the DWR states bears often look for easy food sources, including garages, compost piles, barbeque grills, birdseed and pet food stored outside. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The DWR provided the following steps to avoid attracting bears near your home: Secure your garbage Keep in a locked shed or inside until collected or use a bear-resistant container. Take down the bird feeders For tips on attracting birds, not bears, visit the BearWise webpage. Secure pet and/or livestock feed in bear-resistant containers or inside locked sheds Clean up porches/decks Clean grills, remove any potential food sources and remember a screened-in porch is not a 'secure' storage area from a bear's point of view. Never leave food, trash or pet/livestock feed inside your vehicle Bears are naturally cautious of humans, but can overcome wariness if people reward them with food, either intentionally or unintentionally, according to the DWR. In 2024, the most common types of bear conflict calls reportedly involved unsecured trash and bird feeders. Springtime is also when females with cubs emerge from their den to start exploring the landscape, the DWR stated. UT AG Extension: Soil tests show positive results months after Helene 'During this time, bear cubs can become separated from their mothers for short periods of time,' the DWR said. 'In almost all instances, no intervention is necessary, and the cubs should be left alone.' If a bear cub has a visible injury, is lethargic or has been seen in the same location for more than 24 hours, residents are asked to call the DWR Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 1-855-571-9003. Residents can also call the helpline to report any concerns about bears in their area and receive additional advice on preventing and mitigating wildlife conflicts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
See it: Virginia black bears released back into wild after rehabilitation
WAYNESBORO, Va. – After more than a year of care, two young black bears are now roaming through the forests of Appalachia, thanks to efforts by staff at the Wildlife Center of Virginia. The bears, known as Double Blue and Double Lavender, had been under human care since April 2024 but were released on Wednesday. Video shared by staff from the Wildlife Center showed the giant mammals quickly departing their transport containers and making their way into the dense forest. "All of the bears are healthy, strong, and ready for life on their own — and that's exactly what we've been working toward," wildlife staff posted on social media. The center regularly rehabilitates orphaned and injured wildlife, with the ultimate goal of quickly returning animals to their natural habitats. The Bear Necessities Of Living Safely With Florida Black Bears Black bears are native to Virginia and are the most common bear species found across North America. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources estimates the population of black bears across North America to be around 900,000, which outnumbers other species such as brown bears and polar bears. According to wildlife officials, female black bears commonly weigh upwards of 250 pounds, while adult males can weigh anywhere from 130 to 500 pounds. Double Blue and Double Lavender were taken to the wildlife center as cubs, where they spent a year building muscles and developing natural behaviors before being released to live on their own. Did The National Weather Service Capture A Photo Of Bigfoot During A Pennsylvania Storm Survey? Wildlife specialists said spring is an ideal time to release animals, as food sources start becoming more abundant and the weather is not as harsh as during the winter. The Wildlife Center of Virginia was established in 1982 and annually provides care to thousands of animals. According to the center, staff treat a wide range of animals from the mid-Atlantic, from birds and mammals to amphibians and even reptiles. Earlier in the month, the staff released two additional black bears, nicknamed Double Yellow and Red, who were said to be doing well. With the recent release of Double Blue and Double Lavender, the center says all of the cubs rescued in 2024 have now been successfully returned to the article source: See it: Virginia black bears released back into wild after rehabilitation
