Today's "feel-good" news story was one I really loved to read about.

In Michigan, when I was growing up, one year there was an abundance of porcupines in the U.P. So the Michigan DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources), in its infinite wisdom, introduced fishers to the area. They were once described to me as a cross between a mongoose and a wolverine. Those of you in Europe might know them as polecats. They're fairly vicious, from what I understand, and they were brought in because they can climb trees, therefore the porcupines couldn't get away.

Once the area was nearly 100% out of porcupines, guess what? The fishers started going after cats and small dogs, including one of our cats, actually. So what then? The DNR brought in wolves. To hunt the fishers. And now? People hate the wolves (not all of them, obviously, but those who feel the effects of the wolves who aren't finding enough natural prey).

Augh!

Now, ridiculous as I find all of this to be, I have to give them credit for at least TRYING to do something natural. Many people/organizations choose to just go out and slaughter whatever's bothering them.

Case in point, the wolves around Yellowstone. Ranchers are losing cattle, so they just kill the predators. Well, I think there are better ways to do things in order to help enable mother nature to better handle those situations. One rancher did find a better way, actually. He found that wolves have different howling "messages" .. and with the help of a researcher, he figured out the "this is our area, you better stay away!" message, and hooked up speakers on the perimeter of his property. When the wolves would get close he would play those howling noises and guess what? The wolves didn't come onto his property anymore! Is it a long-term solution? I don't know. But I think it's better to let the wolf packs figure out who's going to survive amongst themselves, rather than letting man decide for them.

Nature has a way of working things out, you know? Introducing the wolves into Yellowstone has helped strengthen the bear and other predator population, too - and also has helped strengthen the prey animals. Wolves help weed out the weak, and they leave behind some of their kill, which allows other scavengers to eat, too. I happen to think mother nature is pretty damned smart and that this stuff rarely needs intervention from us.

Ok, enough of my opinions, here's the news story. I like their alternative solution to the problem.

In Toronto's Tommy Thompson Park, a massive colony of double-breasted cormorants have set up more than 7,200 nests, destroying much of the area's tree cover. But as far as the city goes, that's no big concern: Rather than initiating a cull, as other areas have done, Toronto plans to create ways to bring people into the park, which should keep the federally-protected birds at bay.

"Establishing a tai chi class there every morning will be most of the deterrent we need," City Councilor Glenn De Baeremaeker told The Globe and Mail. Roller skating around the area is also encouraged.

This way, the birds will get to keep their large habitat in the park, but will be discouraged from entering the human-occupied areas. Sounds like a good way for birds of a feather to flock together – while the non-avian residents get to enjoy the calm and quiet of a peaceful park.

This is PuppyBowl III, at 3 p.m. on Sunday on Animal Planet. The first year I watched the entire thing while I was working .. SO damned cute! It runs for 3 hours and then repeats. The last couple years they've added a Kitty halftime show. I missed that one last year, but this is really a cute alternative for something to run in the background (not sure it could hold your full attention the whole 3 hours). For more information or to view video clips of past years: http://animal.discovery.com/convergence/puppybowl/about/about.html



Enjoy! :)