California's Official Marine Reptile

California's new official marine reptile is the leatherback sea turtle.

Illegal Wildlife Trade Captured

An internet sting called "Operation Cyberwild" was connected to a dozen people in California and Nevada. They were suspected of selling endangered and protected species. Agents disguised as buyers on Craigslist, eBay, and other online stores. People found animal skin rugs, an elephant foot, a polar bear pelt, and numerous live animals. The California Fish and Game, the US Fish and Wildlife, and the Humane Society of the US helped stop this. Three people face California State Charges, and nine people face Federal Charges. They could face six months in prison, and fines up to $100,000.

List of Sold Items

a pair of Loggerhead sea turtle leather boots.

 leopard skin coat.

a rug made out of an endangered tiger.

a live Western Scrub-Jay.

an Asian arowana.

two live Red-whiskered Bulbul birds.

a Hawksbill sea turtle shell.

three birds, including a Eurasian kestrel and a Black-shouldered Kite, for $150

an elephant's foot, a mounted hawk and a mounted owl.

a bear skin rug.

a live piranha.

Banana Sam Found

On Thursday, a monkey was stolen from San Francisco Zoo. The thieves had cut two holes into the monkey exhibit and took the monkey. There is a $5000 reward for the person who finds and brings back the monkey to San Francisco Zoo.

Banana Sam after he was rescued

At Stern Grove Park, minutes before 9 p.m. on Saturday, a resident found Banana Sam, a male Squirrel Monkey ( see Monkey Stolen From Zoo for more information), walking by a tree. The resident coaxed the Squirrel Monkey into their own backpack. The person returned Banana Sam to San Francisco Zo, and later zoo officials verified its identity. Banana Sam looked hungry, thirsty, and frightened. It's not certain that the rescuer got the reward. Zookeepers returned Banana Sam to the other 17 Squirrel Monkeys. This is an act of vandalism and trespassing. The police are trying to find the burglar. No one has been arrested yet.  On Friday, the news about how Banana Sam got stolen spread very quickly. Someone had also set up a fake Twitter account tracking the whereabouts of Banana Sam. The zookeepers and workers at San Francisco Zoo are very happy about the return of their beloved Squirrel Monkey, Banana Sam, the oldest in all of the Squirrel Monkeys at the zoo.

Monkey Stolen From Zoo



Banana Sam before he got stolen



Banana Sam, a male Squirrel Monkey, was stolen from San Francisco Zoo. On Thursday night, two guards were patrolling the 100 acre zoo when a man stole Banana Sam. San Francisco Zoo has doubled the security to prevent the burglars from entering again. The other 17 Squirrel Monkeys are held indoors for prevention of loss. Banana Sam was 17 years old, one of the oldest in the group. It is illegal to own a Squirrel Monkey as a pet in California, but it is not true in all states. There are many pet traders who take Squirrel Monkeys. They would probably sell Banana Sam since Squirrel Monkeys cost from $100- a few thousand dollars. The thieves had cut through a back perimeter gate. They then cut through the mesh surrounding the monkey exhibit and stole Banana Sam. Zookeepers are hoping the robbers will reconsider keeping the Squirrel Monkey and return Banana Sam. squirrel Monkeys have large teeth, and they will bite. The good thing is that Banana Sam has a microchip implant so the zookeepers can identify him. San Francisco Zoo has dealt with animal robberies before. Two teenagers were caught stealing a Koala to impress their girlfriend. A reward of $5000 will be given to the person who finds and brings back Banana Sam to San Francisco Zoo.

Hawk With Nail in Head Rescued

The hawk with the nail in its head has been found and had later been brought to the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley and has been healing for the past few days. During its transport after it had been capured, the nail had fallen out with no trauma or bleeding. WildRescue had been notified after several attempts to capture it had failed. The rescuers that tried to save it had used a trap called the bal-chatri. The bal-chatri is a trap made of a wire mesh. A reward of 10,000 dollars has been offered for information on the arrest and conviction of whoever harmed the bird. Next time you see an animal in crisis, take the initiative, and call the nearest animal rescue or wildlife center.

Deer Stuck in Rope Swing

In Auburn, California, a deer got stuck in a rope swing. The deer got its antlers tangled in rope and it couldn't get out. The deer struggled and struggled, but nothing worked. Soon, the game warden came and tranquilzed it in order to cut it loose. After cutting it loose, they cut off the antlers so hunters won't follow its release. The deer woke up shaky, they say it will be fine. Remember to keep your environment safe so if a wild animal comes, it won't get trapped.

Rescue Group Searches for Hawk

A Rescue Group has been searching for a hawk in San Francisco. This Hawk is so important because it has a nail stuck in its head. When researchers saw the hawk, they saw that it had been shot by a nail gun intentionally. They also noticed it had a lot of pain. It was having trouble eating a squirrel, which is supposed to be easy. The rescuers have set traps to catch the bird. The hawk is protected because of the law, and consequences are 6 months in jail, with a $15,000 fine. If you see the Red-tailed Hawk with the nail in its head, contact the WildRescue at 831-429-2323 or at rescue@wildrescue.org. They are also offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the man who shot the bird, and conviction of whoever harmed the bird. Be sure to keep an eye out for it. It may just have chance to survive.

Lions and Tigers shot in Ohio

In Zanesville, Ohio, 50 wild animals were shot. 18 tigers and 17 lions were just some of them. The owner let the animals loose and then commited suicide moments afterward. The inhabitants of Zanesville hid in there houses until all the animals were killed. Terry Thompson, owner of the Muskingum County Animal Farm , is to blame. Police armed with guns went out to shoot these animals. So far, 48 animals are dead, 3 leopards, a grizzly bear, and 2 monkeys were sent to Columbus Zoo, a monkey still on the loose, and 6 black bears, 2 grizzlies, a wolf, a baboon, and 3 mountain lions were found dead and were buried at the Animal Farm. So remember, don't go hurting animals unless it is needed.