Wildlife News
Outbreaks, law changes and seasonal activity that affect your home, checked with state agencies before we publish.
Coyote that bit backyard furniture in Haverhill later attacked man near child's party
A coyote that was seen biting backyard furniture in Haverhill later attacked a man near a child's party, the man told The Cool Down.
Minnesota DNR makes CWD sampling mandatory for southwest deer hunters
Minnesota DNR requires chronic wasting disease sampling for deer harvested in southwest zones during firearms opener Nov. 7-8, with carcass transport rules in place.
In Oregon, woman tracks foul smell beneath her house, finds skunk 'blasting every ounce of stank'
A Lakeview, Oregon homeowner traced a foul odor under her house to a skunk that sprayed for nearly an hour, as reported by The Cool Down.
Arizona firefighters responded to 1,100 snake-related calls as summer heat drove snakes to homes
Arizona firefighters handled 1,100 snake-related calls in a season as summer heat pushed snakes into homes. The busiest shifts saw multiple runs before noon.
69 rabid bats confirmed in Los Angeles County this year, officials say
Los Angeles County has confirmed 69 rabid bats this year at schools, offices, and backyards, according to public health officials. The count highlights how easily bites can go unnoticed.
Virginia family says overgrown cell tower site keeps drawing rats, snakes, and city notices
A Virginia family says an overgrown cell tower lot near their home keeps attracting rats, snakes, and multiple city nuisance notices.
West Turin Raccoon Tests Positive for Rabies, No Humans or Pets Exposed
A raccoon in West Turin, New York tested positive for rabies this week, with no human or pet exposure reported by Lewis County Public Health.
In California, a backyard raccoon may be LA County's first rabies case since 1973
A raccoon found in a Los Angeles County backyard tested positive for rabies, possibly the first local case in over 50 years.
New Mexico closes Bear Management Zone 10 as harvest limit reached
New Mexico Game and Fish closed Bear Management Zone 10 on October 9, 2026, after hunters reached the harvest cap. Five zones are now shut to bear hunting.
86-Year-Old Idaho Man Bitten and Scratched by Raccoon While Getting Mail
An 86-year-old Pocatello man was bitten and scratched by a raccoon while getting his mail. Idaho Fish and Game responded.
Guilford County Confirms Fourteenth Case of Animal Rabies in 2026
A raccoon on Kearn Street in Jamestown tested positive for rabies on October 8, marking Guilford County's fourteenth confirmed case of 2026.
Boston builds rat 'dictionary' with AI to predict where pests strike next
Boston is using AI and a rat behavior 'dictionary' to forecast where rat activity will spike next, giving the city a new tool to target its control efforts.