Chicago Wildlife News: Welcome to Chicago Wildlife News

Welcome to Chicago Wildlife News

Welcome to ChicagoWildlifeNews, a just-launched free online publication providing news and commentary about nature and the environment -- with a special emphasis on the wild creatures of the Chicago region.

With eight million people in the metro area, and seemingly endless sprawl, there obviously isn't as much nature as there once was -- but there's also more than many people think.

Hawks and falcons now are not uncommon sights in certain parts of the city; coyotes make themselves known -- even in the Loop -- from time to time; and birds and fish with no real business in Chicago manage to turn up occasionally (through natural means, and irresponsible people.)

This site (www.chicagowildlifenews.com) is not agenda-driven, and it's not affiliated with any organization. It's an independent news site that operates as a subsidiary of Niche Chicago News Corp.

The purpose of ChicagoWildlifeNews is to educate, inform and entertain readers, and perhaps instill in them an appreciation for the natural world that exists amid the asphalt, skyscrapers and bustle of our city and suburbs.

We’d like to hear from you -- your thoughts on the site (which is a work in progress) and on the issues churning out there.

For general inquiries, please email [email protected]
To send a letter to the editor for possible publication on the web site, please email [email protected] and clearly mark the correspondence "Letter to the Editor."

To provide a confidential news tip or send along a press release, please use [email protected]

To reach a live person on the telephone, you may try (773) 706-3207.

We appreciate your readership as we move forward. We will strive to provide a quality product for you.

—Robert Herguth, editor-in-chief
September 2009

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Quick Hits -- Updated Regularly

(JAN. 27) Durbin, Biggert calling summit to address Asian carp invasion.

(JAN. 26) Hawk burned in plane crash getting rehabbed at suburban wildlife center. (Note: after visiting link, scroll down for story.)

(JAN. 26) Two new executives join Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum to plan exhibits and raise money.

(JAN. 25) Red fox not the only fox variety around.

(JAN. 25) "Assault" begins at Palatine-area forest preserve, where invasive species are being targeted.

(JAN. 25) Dreaded emerald ash borer has "invaded" Matteson.

(JAN. 25) Deer smashes into home Downstate, stunning occupants.

(JAN. 25) "Chicagoans are still getting their coyote-legs."

(JAN. 24) Sport fishermen worry about impact of Asian carp.

(JAN. 22) Hunters bag almost 200,000 deer in Illinois in latest season.

(JAN. 21) Rivers in the region to be tested for dreaded Asian carp.

(JAN. 21) "Summit" on Asian carp threat being planned.

(JAN. 21) Major "assault" planned at Deer Grove forest preserve "on invasive plants and trees including European buckthorn, box elder, honeysuckle, green ash, bass and maples."

(JAN. 20) Land Conservancy inviting public to help clear far northwest suburban prairie of invasive species.

(JAN. 20) Lake County Forest Preserve District planning to spend millions more on land purchases.

(JAN. 20) Asian carp DNA found in Lake Michigan, officials reveal.

(JAN. 19) U.S. Supreme Court declines to take up Asian carp case.

(JAN. 19) Crows flock to Indiana town year after year, and nobody knows why.

(JAN. 19) Chicago lawyer, who worked on eagle recovery programs along the Mississippi River, dies.

(JAN. 18) Mount Prospect residents complaint about feral cats.

(JAN. 15) ComEd pledges to do better while cutting trees, brush.

(JAN. 15) "Once they became established in cities, it turned out cities weren't all that bad as far as coyote life is concerned, so they've been thriving."

(JAN. 14) Local group advocates use of native plants in landscaping.

(JAN. 14) Closing off local waterways to protect Lake Michigan from Asian carp could have dramatic impact on businesses, way of life for some.

(JAN. 13) Mount Prospect tries to deal with feral cats.

(JAN. 13) Profile on Willowbrook vet, who treats all kinds of animals, including opossums with frostbite.

(JAN. 13) Sen. Durbin on Asian carp in Illinois: "We are not in denial about the threat of this invasive species."

(JAN. 13) Farmland disappearing in Lake County.

(JAN. 12) Asian carp DNA -- but no live fish belonging to the invasive species -- found in Chicago River. (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(JAN. 12) U.S. Supreme Court to listen to Asian carp case on Friday.

(JAN. 11) "Land of Oz" preserve opening in McHenry County.

(JAN. 11) On the growth -- and noise -- of our Canada geese population.

(JAN. 8) Lake County officials take step closer to creating new forest preserve after committee votes on 59-acre parcel.

(JAN. 8) Muskie show in Palatine expected to draw 5,000 people.

(JAN. 8) Stricter smog rules proposed by EPA.

(JAN. 7) More on snake relocation project in Lake County.

(JAN. 7) Illinois attorney general said states suing over Asian carp shouldn't be able to force the closure of local waterways.

(JAN. 7) Snakes released into "hibernaculum" as part of Lake County relocation project.

(JAN. 7) "What to do about those monstrous Asian carp"?

(JAN. 6) Science questioned in Asian carp case.

(JAN. 6) Plane crashes in forest preserve, river in north suburbs.

(JAN. 5) Illinois to fight efforts to close "Chicago-area shipping to keep the voracious Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes." (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(JAN. 4) New York's attorney general joins growing effort to fight Asian carp in Chicago area, Great Lakes.

(JAN. 3) Asian carp not only threaten Great Lakes, but they "are now setting off strife on land as well."

(JAN. 3) Bison at Elgin zoo dies.

(JAN. 1) Indiana backs lawsuit aimed at keeping Asian carp out of Lake Michigan.

(DEC. 31) Ferruginous hawk hit by train in Canada, ends up in Chicago area, where it's found and rehabbed.

(DEC. 31) Hunters likely responsible for dead geese in Naperville.

(DEC. 30) Grisly discovery in Naperville: four Canada geese found "mutilated."

(DEC. 29) The number of deer killed in Illinois during firearm season is down.

(DEC. 28) Minnesota taking sides in court fight over Asian carp entering Lake Michigan through Chicago's waterways.

(DEC. 28) Beavers causing flooding problems in Merrillville.

(DEC. 26) Rare murrelet, which resembles penguin, spotted in northwest Indiana.

(DEC. 26) Willowbrook Wildlife Center looking for old Christmas trees to enhance habitats for critters.

(DEC. 25) Coyote busts in to Cook County Jail. (Note: after visiting link, scroll down in column to read item.)

(DEC. 24) More signs of gypsy moth turn up in Mount Prospect.

(DEC. 23) More swans being spotted on Chicago-area ponds.

(DEC. 21) Michigan suing "to force Illinois to close Chicago-area locks to try to stop the advancement of invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes."

(DEC. 21) A slew of fish at the Slough: "By last winter, the Slough was returning to its old glory as a top panfish spot near Chicago."

(DEC. 18) More than 2,000 coyotes estimated in Chicago region; there's a coyote explosion nationwide.

(DEC. 18) Driver in Downstate Illinois swerves to avoid deer, ends up dying in wreck.

(DEC. 16) Millions of dollars going to keep Asian carp out of Lake Michigan.

(DEC. 14) Cranes over Chicago.

(DEC. 13) New flap over backyard chickens.

(DEC. 12) Fish kill shows other invasive species in area.

(DEC. 11) So far chronic wasting disease not a big deal with wild game in McHenry County.

(DEC. 11) "Pricey options" for Oak Forest as it weighs how to eradicate ash borer bugs.

(DEC. 10) Oak Park resident tracks "rapid evolution."

(DEC. 9) No Asian carp found in channel south of Chicago, among 800 netted.

(DEC. 8) Golf courses enlisting plywood dogs to shoo away geese.

(DEC. 7) Fishermen using nets in Cal-Sag to try for dreaded Asian carp.

(DEC. 7) How plants, animals handle the "stress" of winter.

(DEC. 7) Wildlife officials worry about spread of bat disease.

(DEC. 7) Proposed road widening has some worried about fate of wildlife in area.

(DEC. 6) Chicago Park District restoring two swaths of lakefront land in projects that should attract more wildlife.

(DEC. 4) One Asian carp found in canal fish kill.

(DEC. 4) Bird count planned in Kane County.

(DEC. 4) Spate of coyote sightings in Illinois. One of the animals was shot by a cop Downstate.

(DEC. 3) After canal laced with poison, no Asian carp have yet to turn up belly up.

(DEC. 3) Geneva deals with feral cats.

(DEC. 3) Poison dumped in six-mile stretch of canal to kill off Asian carp.

(DEC. 2) Fox goes after dachshund in Elgin, but is chased away before making off with meal.

(DEC. 2) Coyotes go suburban -- to Evanston -- where they find plenty to eat, but a leery human population.

(DEC. 1) "Unprecedented fish kill" planned for six-mile stretch of Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, aimed at Asian carp.

(NOV. 30) Assistant football coach at Eastern Illinois University killed in car crash after vehicle swerved to avoid deer.

(NOV. 26) Spike in coyote sightings has west suburb issuing "safety suggestions" for residents.

(NOV. 25) Deer spotted in abandoned section of Bensenville that Daley administration wants for O'Hare expansion.

(NOV. 25) Was a cougar spotted in West Chicago?

(NOV. 25) Glenview parks enlist coyote decoys to keep away geese. Do they work? "Sort of."

(NOV. 24) Emerald ash borer claiming trees in St. Charles.

(NOV. 24) Asian carp worry fishermen in Lake Michigan.

(NOV. 23) At least 17 people in the Elgin area have reported seeing a panther-like creature since 2007.

(NOV. 23) Romeoville barrier may have failed to contain Asian carp.

(NOV. 21) Asian carp found in waterways within seven miles of Lake Michigan.

(NOV. 19) Community grapples with what to do about feral cats.

(NOV. 19) Deer smashes through storefront window -- belonging to shop that processes deer meat Downstate.

(NOV. 18) St. Charles cops shoot two raccoons in recent days.

(NOV. 18) Wildlife in Indiana dunes threatened by climate change.

(NOV. 17) Plan to poison Asian carp could kill off numerous other fish.

(NOV. 16) Throngs of people migrate to northwest Indiana to view visiting sandhill cranes.

(NOV. 16) Conservation group lays out ambition plans to preserve land.

(NOV. 16) Nature Conservancy buys nearly 140 acres adjacent to other parcels that are rich with wildlife.

(NOV. 14) Poison being tapped to wipe out Asian carp.

(NOV. 13) Coyotes stirring up trouble in St. Charles; one spotted dragging deer across lawn.

(NOV. 13) Officials in West Chicago respond to concerns over coyotes.

(NOV. 13) Scientist on monk parakeets in Chicago: "We're watching an invasion."

(NOV. 12) Elk, bison win reprieve at Elgin zoo.

(NOV. 9) Whooping cranes get fixed-wing escort over Illinois.

(NOV. 8) Lake County looking to expand its forest preserves.

(NOV. 6) Are wind farms bad for the birds? Event to focus on that question.

(NOV. 6) Wheeling streambank project completed.

(NOV. 6) Love is in the air -- so drivers should beware of deer in the roadway.

(NOV. 5) Mountain lions reportedly spotted in southern Wisconsin.

(NOV. 5) Coyote near St. Charles school making residents uneasy.

(NOV. 5) Cook County Forest Preserve District gets 176 acres from Oak Forest Hospital.

(NOV. 3) More on Chicago-area coyote study.

(NOV. 2) Kane County forest preserve the "front line" against deer disease.

(NOV. 2) Dyer, Ind., tries to cope with pesky geese.

(OCT. 28) White deer reported in south suburbs.

(OCT. 28) Cook County leads the state in deer-car collisions.

(OCT. 24) Forest Preserve near Lake Villa being restored.

(OCT. 23) The focus is on owls in Northwest Indiana.

(OCT. 23) Feral cats "stir passions" in far western suburbs.

(OCT. 21) Cook County Forest Preserve District budget: no tax or fee hikes.

(OCT. 21) A Frankfort farmer tries "to undo decades of farming techniques he believes are harmful to your health."

(OCT. 20) Write-up on Chicago's urban coyote project.

(OCT. 20) DuPage forest preserve district sues former fund-raising arm.

(OCT. 20) Naperville's "most enigmatic neighbors" are its owls.

(OCT. 20) Bodies found in forest preserve near Calumet City.

(OCT. 19) Girls sickened in salmonella outbreak had been swimming in backyard pool with pet turtles.

(OCT. 19) Resident finds coyotes only ones to help clean up deer carcass.

(OCT. 18) Bear visits Wisconsin grocery store, heads to beer cooler.

(OCT. 17) Volunteers to remove trash, invasive species from Kishwaukee River in Woodstock.

(OCT. 17) Elmhurst man cited for illegally trapping skunk, which he later killed with pellet gun.

(OCT. 17) Cougar sightings in Midwest rarely legitimate -- but tell that to the public.

(OCT. 16) Fox roams Chicago's Morgan Park neighborhood.

(OCT. 15) School district uses coyote decoys to keep away geese.

(OCT. 15) Motorola workers comb woods for buckthorn.

(OCT. 15) Montgomery man shoots neighbors dog, mistaking it for coyote.

(OCT. 14) With the change of seasons, drivers are being warned to be on the lookout for deer.

(OCT. 14) New forest preserve opens this weekend in Kane County.

(OCT. 13) Bolingbrook woman runs exotic bird rescue operation.

(OCT. 13) Are beavers just "ordinary rodents"?

(OCT. 12) Volunteers "re-green" forest preserves.

(OCT. 11) Two hundred pounds of garbage cleared from Fox River.

(OCT. 11) Brookfield Zoo keeper going on polar bear quest.

(OCT. 11) Homer Glen looks to drop millions on 98-acre farm parcel that would be converted into park.

(OCT. 10) Former Wheaton mayor to run for DuPage County forest preserve post.

(OCT. 9) Tentative OK given for Lake County Forest Preserve District to expand, including new perserves near Lake Villa and Wadsworth.

(OCT. 9) Event in Lake Villa to benefit foundation that helps ferrets.

(OCT. 8) Emerald ash borer found in Arlington Heights.

(OCT. 7) Des Plaines River clean-up planned in far north suburbs.

(OCT. 7) Lake County Forest Preserve district looking to pay out $10 million for more land.

(OCT. 7) Study looking at Chicago's monk parakeets.

(OCT. 7) "Delineated wetland" in McHenry should be saved, not turned into disc golf course, according to reader.

(OCT. 6) More "hobby farms" springing up.

(OCT. 6) The horses of Oak Brook.

(OCT. 5) Animal rescue center discussed near Tinley Park.

(OCT. 5) Oak Park tries to improve canopy by increasing planting distance between trees.

(OCT. 5) Roughly 200 species of birds in the Chicago area "are headed for their winter digs."

(OCT. 4) Wildlife expert Jeff Corwin to appear at event in Elgin.

(OCT. 1) "You, too, could have a canoe for a day."

(SEPT. 30) Horse ban at Joliet park irks riders.

(SEPT. 30) Genoa girding for emerald ash borer "invasion."

(SEPT. 30) Economic downturn responsible for more folks abandoning horses.

(SEPT. 29) Bird exhibit being held at Aurora University.

(SEPT. 29) Large marijuana-growing operation unearthed in cornfields of McHenry County.

(SEPT. 29) Old racetrack in suburban forest preserve getting new surface.

(SEPT. 29) Now's the time to plant trees.

(SEPT. 29) One in every 228 Illinois drivers will hit a deer this year, according to an analysis by an insurance company.

(SEPT. 28) Suburban school districts look to wind farm to save on power costs, help environment.

(SEPT. 28) Wildlife park in southwest Michigan, owned by Chicagoans, closing because no bidders stepped up.

(SEPT. 27) Chicago students participate in bog restoration project in dunes.

(SEPT. 27) Invasive plant overtaking nature area in south suburbs.

(SEPT. 26) Emerald ash borer found in Buffalo Grove.

(SEPT. 26) Would Chicago Olympics facility "squeeze out" bird sanctuary?

(SEPT. 26) Grant money coming through to help repair Little Calumet levies.

(SEPT. 26) Big stink in Evanston over skunk population.

(SEPT. 26) Anglers, hunters "serve community in many ways."

(SEPT. 26) West Dundee woman ordered to pick up roadkill for stabbing two pet lizards.

(SEPT. 26) Yorkville man arrested for allegedly growing pot in forest preserves.

(SEPT. 25) "Women work to bring Lyme disease to surface."

(SEPT. 25) South suburban resident on marsh restoration: "The land was very beautiful, and it's all ruined now. When you walk through the trails, it's like a cemetery."

(SEPT. 24) Beach Park tightening up leaf-burning rules.

(SEPT. 24) Wind turbines eyed for Waukegan lakefront.

(SEPT. 24) Controlled burn considered at Batavia marsh.

(SEPT. 24) Kane County woman cares for red-tailed hawk.

(SEPT. 24) NW Indiana town braces for emerald ash borer.

(SEPT. 24) Dreaded emerald ash borer beetle found in LaGrange.

(SEPT. 24) Curious find in DuPage River near Bolingbrook, Naperville.

(SEPT. 24) Madigan going after Bloomingdale animal rescue shelter in lawsuit.

(SEPT. 24) Two carriage drivers found guilty of mistreating horses.

(SEPT. 23) Highwood rolling out the barrels -- rain barrels for residents.

(SEPT. 22) Learning about the animals of the dunes.

(SEPT. 22) So long summer, welcome autumn.

(SEPT. 22) Kane County forest preserve cops may get new headquarters.

(SEPT. 22) Visitors to the Botanic Garden can check more than plants -- they can watch researchers at work.

(SEPT. 22) A snapshot of some of the area's hiking spots.

(SEPT. 22) Several local colleges tracking Chicago's monk parakeets.

(SEPT. 21) So, is it a weed, a wildflower?

(SEPT. 21) Suburb considers "leaving" the leaf pick-up business.

(SEPT. 21) Will Oak Forest farm, buildings be saved?

(SEPT. 20) Orchard in Hobart, Ind., now "branching out."

(SEPT. 20) Three Addison students turn science experiment into lesson on recycling, environment.

(SEPT. 20) Morton Arboretum revisits Darwin in exhibit that "shows how Darwin studied plants to help validate his theories of evolution."

(SEPT. 20) Butterfly experiment taking flight in suburbs. "This is one of the flashier butterflies in this state."

(SEPT. 19) Naperville Park District planning garden plots at DuPage River Park.

(SEPT. 18) Rolling Meadows park district official has elephants in "his blood."

(SEPT. 18) "Urban refuge" being restored on Northwest Side, on one of the last big swaths of nature in the city.

(SEPT. 17) Developing the Waukegan "savanna" -- could be trails, an organic farm, even a dog exercise area at 772-acre site.

(SEPT. 17) Pottawatomie Garden Club plants flowers on bridges -- been doing it for more than 30 years.

(SEPT. 17) Bizarre find in DuPage River: statues of Hindu gods.

(SEPT. 17) Emerald ash borer found in West Dundee.

(SEPT. 17) Waukegan Police Department trying to keep mounted unit amid budget cuts.

(SEPT. 17) St. Charles-area woman killed in horse incident.

(SEPT. 16) Wildlife park animals OK for sale in SW Michigan, official insists.

(SEPT. 16) Naperville plans to clear 20 acres of trees, brush for new park.

(SEPT. 16) Founder of Lake County forest preserve system dies.

(SEPT. 15) Animals at amusement, wildlife park that's for sale to be quarantined before auction.

(SEPT. 15) Coyote pup spotted on South Side. More]

(SEPT. 14) "Bioneer" symposium being held in McHenry County.

(SEPT. 14) Arlington Heights woman and sister -- both senior citizens -- embark on 2,700-mile cycling "adventure" along East Coast.

(SEPT. 14) Daley administration proposing new lakefront bike path. (Note: registration might be required to view story.)

(SEPT. 13) Homewood has cut down 623 trees since November "to combat the onslaught of the emerald ash borer." Now residents are being urged to plant more.

(SEPT. 13) Once an active quarry, now "area is flush with flora and fauna as well as hikers, fishermen and tour groups."

(SEPT. 13) River flooding, inspections and money.

(SEPT. 13) "Glorious gardens" in Chicago region revealed.

(SEPT. 12) Chicagoans trying to sell amusement, wildlife park in southwest Michigan. "Ever wanted to own a bobcat or a cougar?"

(SEPT. 12) Wildlife regulators in Wisc. thinking about extending deer hunting season to better control herds.

(SEPT. 11) "We, and the world we live in, have a remarkable capacity to recover and renew."

(SEPT. 11) Profile on Deer Grove's hiking trails.

(SEPT. 10) Tinley Park teenager tends to a "flying squirrel, three bearded dragons, an African gray parrot, a blue and gold macaw, two leopard geckos and two parakeets."

(SEPT. 10) Zebra mussels making deeper incursion into Indiana.

(SEPT. 10) New eco-friendly path at Morton Arboretum built with help from Wisconsin beer drinkers.

(SEPT. 10) Indiana dunes park to grow after land donation from conservation group.

(SEPT. 10) DNR offering free fishing day at state parks this month.

(SEPT. 10) Woodstock High School's "envirothon team" does well at national competition focusing on natural resources.

(SEPT. 10) Mosquitoes with West Nile virus detected in Homer Glen.

(SEPT. 9) Let the hiking season commence.

(SEPT. 9) Chicago Botanic Garden furthers "mission of conserving the world's flora" by opening multimillion-dollar Plant Science Center.

(SEPT. 8) Wisconsin motorcyclist severely injured after apparently hitting deer.

(SEPT. 7) Column on an "odd little chunk of vestigial prairie south of Kaneville."

(SEPT. 7) New book by Chicago-area ecological designer and restorationist. He "offers an intriguing vision for sustainability that includes shared hiking trails, floodwater-management landscapes and organic farming."

(SEPT. 7) Bobcat population growing in parts of Indiana.

(SEPT. 7) "Neighbors may shudder at the sight of such botanical anarchy, but my lawn -- rather, my un-lawn -- is a paragon of health."

(SEPT. 7) Lake County poised to add a new forest preserve, expand another.

(SEPT. 7) Horse shelter hosting auction to raise funds.

(SEPT. 6) McHenry woman's passion for art being tapped by Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources.

(AUG. 30) Suburban coyotes subject of upcoming presentation.

(AUG. 30) Naperville naturalist seeks out "urban landscapes."

(AUG. 25) Elgin zoo's days could be numbered.

(AUG. 25) Petition drive launched to save Elgin zoo.