wildlife

Around Town

Spring brings more wildlife calls in Alexandria as wildlife experts encourage hands-off approach

By Emily Leayman
A deer fawn (via Erika Fletcher/Unsplash)

With spring underway, wildlife help lines are receiving increasing calls about baby animals that residents believe need help. But wildlife experts say intervention is often unnecessary.

Tony Rankin, chief of Animal Services at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, told ALXnow wildlife calls begin to increase in mid-March and steadily rise through early October. Last year, the city’s animal services responded to nearly 1,000 wildlife calls during that period, and most were resolved by educating residents about wildlife.

Go to Spring brings more wildlife calls in Alexandria as wildlife experts encourage hands-off approach Read more
News

Health officials suspect rabies after two people report raccoon attacks in Old Town

By Katie Taranto
The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (Credit: Alexandria Health Department)
The entrance of the Alexandria Health Department (courtesy of the Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is advising residents to be cautious around wildlife after two people reported being bitten by a raccoon in Old Town yesterday (Tuesday).

According to AHD, two people said they were bitten by a raccoon near N. Henry Street, N. Patrick Street and Cameron Street in Old Town. It’s unclear if the bites came from the same raccoon, “but the incidents happened close together in time,” according to an AHD announcement this afternoon.

Go to Health officials suspect rabies after two people report raccoon attacks in Old Town Read more
News

Dept. of Wildlife Resources delivers hundreds of trout to Lake Cook for fishing program

By Katie Taranto
Department of Wildlife Resources staff restock Lake Cook with trout (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

With buckets, nets and a whole lot of trout, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources restocked Lake Cook’s fish population earlier this week.

DWR staff deposited about 350 pounds of trout across the four-acre lake on Monday as part of the department’s Urban Fishing Program. In total, some 200 to 300 fish made the journey to Alexandria from a DWR hatchery in Montebello, about three hours southwest, fisheries biologist John Odenkirk told ALXnow.

Go to Dept. of Wildlife Resources delivers hundreds of trout to Lake Cook for fishing program Read more
News

Take a gander: Geese briefly take over portion of I-395 in Alexandria this morning

By Vernon Miles
Geese on I-395 (image via VDOT)

If you were wondering about all the honking on I-395 this morning: a gander of geese briefly took over a portion of the express lanes near Edsall Road this morning.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) briefly shut down two lanes of I-395 and received an escort from Virginia State Police and Safety Service Patrol.

Go to Take a gander: Geese briefly take over portion of I-395 in Alexandria this morning Read more
News

Arlington and Alexandria residents asked to be on the lookout for the invasive spotted lanternfly

By Mavis Chan
Spotted lanternflies on a branch (courtesy of Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia)

Residents in Arlington and Alexandria can now report suspected sightings of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect spreading around the region.

Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia has launched an online survey for people to report suspected cases of the spotted lanternfly. The organization is a volunteer group working to promote “environmentally sound gardening practices,” in partnership with Virginia Cooperative Extension, according to its website.

Go to Arlington and Alexandria residents asked to be on the lookout for the invasive spotted lanternfly Read more
News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Residents keep reporting sick birds, officials investigating — “In late May, wildlife managers in Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia began receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs. No definitive cause of death is identified at this time.” [Alexandria Living]

Alexandria Aces open season at Frank Mann Field — “The Alexandria Aces took on the Gaithersburg Giants June 8 in the opening game at Frank Mann Field, losing to their Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League rivals 10-7. Sheriff Dana Lawhorne threw out the ceremonial first pitch with his grandson Ryan Kaskela and team owner Frank Fannon joining him on the mound. Pitcher Chris Knight from George Washington University opened the game with Matt Stone, a catcher at Georgetown, behind the plate. The team roster consists of more than 40 elite college baseball players from across the country.” [Gazette]

Go to Morning Notes Read more
News

City investigating chlorine contamination at Lake Cook

By ALXnow.com

After reports of dead fish and birds along the banks of Lake Cook, officials have investigated and found high levels of chlorine contaminating the lake.

According to Raytevia Evans, senior public information for the Alexandria Fire Department, a HAZMAT team on site confirmed high levels of chlorination.

Go to City investigating chlorine contamination at Lake Cook Read more
News

Injured Bald Eagle Found Near Van Dorn Metro Dies

By Airey

(Updated at 12 p.m.) A bald eagle rescued on Metro tracks has died — but not before revealing something interesting.

The eagle died earlier this week after being rescued near the Van Dorn Metro station tracks and rushed to the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center in Boyce, Virginia. His broken wing was a deep fracture down to the bone, and it was located too close to his elbow to ever heal properly, said service providers at the wildlife hospital.

Go to Injured Bald Eagle Found Near Van Dorn Metro Dies Read more