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Abby Wetherell, 12, was injured Thursday by an attack by a black bear in Wexford County, north of Cadillac. Abby was airlifted to Munson Medical Center where she underwent surgery and is in stable condition and under observation. She suffered deep lacerations in her thigh.
Conservation Officers Sam Koscinski and Holly Pennoni from the DNR were quickly on scene following the attack, which occurred shortly after 9 p.m. in Haring Township. Abby, who lives in Haring Township, was returning from a cabin down a two-track road when she caught sight of a bear. She began to run in hopes of reaching nearby homes. The bear attacked and clawed her. Abby was able to get to her feet and ran again. The bear caught up with her and attacked a second time. She shouted for help and a neighbor heard her and ran to her aid calling her name. This startled the bear and the bear ran off.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
The Michigan DNR has announced it has stocked 4,160,502 walleye fingerlings in 120 water bodies located throughout Michigan this spring and summer.
Walleye ponds are a critical component of the DNRs coolwater fisheries management and have been used extensively since the mid-1970s. A total of 30 walleye ponds located throughout Michigan were used this year, and most rely heavily on the support of local sportsmen organizations. These organizations assist with the ponds finances and supply volunteers to help with fertilization, pond maintenance and fish harvest.
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By Louie Stout
The Michigan DNRs proposed community park and boat access to Eagle and Juno lakes is moving through the system and gaining support - despite continued resistance from lakefront property owners.
The proposed development was approved by the Michigan Waterways Commission recently and now awaits final approval from the DNR Natural Resources Commission at its meeting Aug. 8.
But first, the DNR must present a preliminary review of its plans to the Ontwa Township Planning Commission Aug. 7.
Along with its blessing, the Waterways Commission recommended the DNR make the site fee-based, meaning users would have to purchase a recreation Passport sticker that also provides access to state parks, campgrounds and other fee-based boat launch sites.
Once the DNR Commission gives its approval, officials can finalize the $600,000 purchase from 1st Source Bank and start developing. The property sits across from the Eagle launch ramp and served as parking area for boaters before 1st Source Bank obtained it in a foreclosure. It consists of 9.62 acres on the east side of Eagle Lake Road.
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(Provided by Michigan DNR)
Photo Provided by Michigan DNRFew wildlife restoration programs have been more successful than Michigans effort to reintroduce osprey to southern Michigan. Starting in 1998, when some northern Michigan birds were moved to the Kensington Metropark in Livingston and Oakland counties, the DNR and a number of partner organizations have seen osprey numbers jump significantly across the southern third of the state.
Our goal was to have 30 breeding pairs in southern Michigan by 2020, said DNR wildlife biologist Julie Oakes. We were over 50 as of this year. Weve definitely been very successful.
Now, the DNR and volunteers are taking the program a step further, installing GPS-tracking transmitters on young male ospreys to see where and how they migrate.
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Red Swamp CrayfishThe Michigan DNR has discovered that anglers are purchasing red swamp crayfish from food markets and using them as live bait. It is illegal to import any live species of crayfish into Michigan for commercial bait purposes. Red swamp crayfish ("Procambarus" "clarkii") are native to the southeastern United States and are considered an invasive species in Michigan.
This crayfish was found in two Wisconsin ponds in 2009, proving its ability to live in northern states such as Michigan, said Nick Popoff, the DNRs Aquatic Species and Regulatory Affairs Program supervisor. The DNR is in the process of reviewing potential actions to prevent any introduction of this species of crayfish into our waters.