Wildlife

Rare wolf attack on baby foxes found on Isle Royale

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For the first time, scientists have documented an adult wolf killing red fox kits in their den. The event occurred in Isle Royale National Park, where researchers found evidence that an adult male wolf known as 016M attacked the kits, killing and possibly feeding on at least two of them – and possibly also killing a third littermate.

Commentary

June: The Cruelest Month?

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All through the spring, baby fish hatch and laze in the sun-warmed shallows, bird chicks take their first wobbly flights, bunnies get their first taste of the greens in my garden and seedlings sprout and reach for the sky. And then they die.

Homepage Featured

Rising water makes Lake Michigan wetlands vulnerable to invaders

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European frogbit, an invasive species, has been documented in Wisconsin, where it could threaten native plants, fish and invertebrates. The small, green, heart-shaped lily pad, forms dense mats along the surface of the water, blocking out sunlight that submergent plants need to survive.

Echo

Ontario jumping worm invasion threatens to leap borders

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For the first time, Asian jumping worms were found in Ontario in March. The discovery of the invasive worms follows sightings in all Great Lakes states except for Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York. Removal of invasive species once they are established is extremely difficult, making prevention essential.

Echo

Backyard habitats: TikTok edition

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In our newest TikTok, Echo reporter Rayna Skiver interviews Natalie Cypher, naturalist and educator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Adventure Center.

Echo

Backyard habitats

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Backyard habitats benefit both wildlife and the people making them. For wildlife, they provide food and a safe place to nest. People benefit because of the positive feelings associated with added greenery and the presence of wildlife.

Commentary

May: Good fish, fun fish, bad fish, sunfish

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May is a good time to look for sunfish nests. The sunfish family includes some of Michigan’s most popular sport fish: largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegills, pumpkinseeds, crappies, rock bass and others. They are also among the world’s worst invasive fish species.

Wildlife

Commentary: Bullfrogs are my favorite band

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Bullfrogs are hard to spot, even though they’re loud and large. Using environmental DNA can be helpful in locating and understanding elusive creatures like bullfrogs.