The Columbian

Pets & Wildlife

Some local veterinarians are recommending pet owners immunize their dogs against canine influenza, particularly social dogs who frequent dog parks, doggie day cares, groomers, boarding facilities or dog shows. While there have not been any confirmed cases of canine influenza in Southwest Washington, local veterinarians say they won’t be surprised to see local cases.

Yes, dogs can get the flu, too

March 8, 2018, 7:08pm Clark County Health

While flu season appears to be winding down for humans, it may be heating up for man’s best friend. Read story

Dead Steller sea lion washes ashore in Cannon Beach

March 5, 2018, 10:22am Northwest

People gathered this weekend to watch researchers perform a necropsy on a Steller sea lion that was found dead near Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach. Read story

Stink strait: New Mexico town battling growing skunk crisis

March 5, 2018, 9:39am Life

Something stinks in one southeastern New Mexico town and residents want police on the case. Read story

Is there a menace clucking in your backyard?

March 5, 2018, 6:00am Clark County Health

Backyard chickens are great for fresh eggs, but, health officials warn, they’re also a great conduit for illness. As the number of backyard poultry flocks increases, so do the number of people contracting salmonella from their feathered friends. Read story

Handler Elin Bentsen poses with Hudson before the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska. Hudson bolted from his crate and was missing for about three hours Saturday during the ceremonial start in Anchorage. Musher Lars Monsen said he took the team to the last known spot where Hudson was seen Saturday, and Hudson either heard or smelled his pack and came back.

Mushers hit the snowy trail as Iditarod kicks off in Alaska

March 4, 2018, 3:37pm National Sports

WCompetitors took to the snowy trail as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicked off Sunday in Alaska following a trying year for the annual event. Read story

An estimated 150 unbranded feral bulls and cows live in the new Sand to Snow National Monument near Palm Springs, Calif.

Feral cattle terrorize hikers, devour native plants

March 4, 2018, 6:02am Life

SAND TO SNOW NATIONAL MONUMENT — Sand to Snow National Monument is a quiet place — its mountainous high desert and cascading streams a draw for those seeking panoramic views, tranquility and solitude. Read story

Musher Aliy Zirkle runs her team during the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Saturday, March 3, 2018, in Anchorage, Alaska. Zirkle has finished as high as second in the race.

Mushers, fans gather for world famous sled dog race

March 3, 2018, 8:14pm National Sports

Cheering fans lined the streets as mushers took their dog teams for a short sprint in Alaska’s largest city Saturday for the ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Read story

Sudan, the last male northern white rhino, eats inside his enclosure in 2015 at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Nanyuki, Kenya.

With last male ailing, the northern white rhino almost gone

March 3, 2018, 7:18pm Life

The beleaguered northern white rhinoceros moved closer to extinction last week after conservationists announced that the health of the only surviving male of the species was deteriorating. Read story

A musher drives his team across the frozen Norton Sound near Nome, Alaska, during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. The 46th running of Alaska’s famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicks off Saturday, March 3, 2018, amid the most turbulent year for organizers beset by multiple problems, including a champion’s dog doping scandal, the loss of major sponsors, discontent among race participants and escalating pressure from animal rights activists, who say the dogs are run to death or left with serious injuries.

Troubles hang over Iditarod as race kicks off this weekend

March 2, 2018, 12:30pm National Sports

The 46th running of Alaska’s famed Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race kicks off Saturday amid the most turbulent year ever for the annual long-distance contest that spans mountain ranges, the frozen Yukon River and dangerous sea ice along the Bering Sea coast. Read story

Yellow cardinal dazzles birders

March 2, 2018, 5:00am Life

Jeremy Black, an Alabama wedding and wildlife photographer, recently spent five hours in a friend’s backyard in the hope of capturing an image of what he called “the most captivating cardinal in Alabaster, Alabama.” Read story