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Urban Wildlife

Living next door to bees: The pitfalls and perks

Submitted by Susan Endres, Madison Commons Reporter
Friday, April 19th, 2013, 5:26pm
Living next door to bees: The pitfalls and perks

Madison buzzed last year when urban beekeeping became legal, but not everyone loves living near a hive. While they are relatively few, the city has received some complaints about beekeepers over the last year.

According to zoning administrator Matt Tucker, there are 39 beekeeping licenses out in Madison, and only about three or four have had complaints lodged against them since the ordinance passed in February 2012. This is comparable to complaints about Madison's urban chicken raisers, Tucker said.

He noted the issues that most commonly come up with beekeepers have to do with the personal responsibility of keepers, like hives resting closer to lot lines than the ordinance allows.

Loni Broesch has filed multiple complaints about her neighbor and said she's miserable living next to a beekeeper.

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Madison flora and fauna slowly signal spring

Submitted by Yilang Peng, Madison Commons Reporter
Friday, April 12th, 2013, 12:08pm
Madison flora and fauna slowly signal spring

Although March 20 marked the arrival of the spring equinox, Madison is still shivering in cold temperatures. According to the National Weather Service Offices, the average temperature on March 20 was 15 degrees this year, while the same day last year reached 71 degrees.

"[We've] got snow covering the ground for a longer period than normal, and we still have it now," said Levi Wood, a naturalist at UW Arboretum, after guiding a public tour titled "End of Winter" in the Arboretum on March 24. That day turned out windy and snowy, with a high temperature of 31 degrees.

"This is becoming one of the longer lasting, snowier winters any of us can remember," wrote Wood in the trip's note on the Arboretum website.

In the freezing wintry air, a few species still surfaced to herald the spring in Madison, including the skunk cabbage, a plant distributed near the Wingra Woods in the Arboretum.

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New African lion arrives at Henry Vilas Zoo

Submitted by Channel3000 Web Staff
Thursday, March 7th, 2013, 4:33pm
New African lion arrives at Henry Vilas Zoo

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi on Thursday announced the arrival of a new female African lion at Dane County's Henry Vilas Zoo.

The lion came to Madison from the Sedgewick County Zoo in Wichita, Kan.

Ronda Schwetz, director of the zoo, said that Shakura is just over two years old and is a young adult. The Lion Species Survival Plan, which works to preserve a species over generations, sent Shakura to pair with Henry, the older male lion currently at the zoo.

The SSP makes matches to help produce the healthiest and most genetically sound offspring possible for the long-term health of the whole population.

"Shakura is very energetic and fun to watch on exhibit. She has taken to her new surroundings very well," said Schwetz in a Dane County news release.

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Mayor proclaims Saturday ‘Bird Day’ in the city

Submitted by Tabatha Wethal, Channel3000.com Community Reporter
Friday, January 4th, 2013, 5:59pm
Mayor proclaims Saturday ‘Bird Day’ in the city

Local, national protection groups bringing awareness to pet birds    

The City of Madison joins a national non-profit in celebrating the feathered kind on National Bird Day Saturday.

On Dec. 19, Mayor Paul Soglin signed a proclamation making Jan. 5 Bird Day in the city. Soglin wrote he “encourage[s] our citizens to conserve and protect the world’s birds from cruelty and extinction.”

The city’s Bird Day coincides with the same day it is celebrated nationwide through Born Free and the Avian Welfare Coalition.

Monica Engebretson, wildlife biologist with Born Free, said National Bird Day is about to protecting and appreciating birds.

“Birds are actually not domesticated animals like cats and dogs,” Engebretson said. “They belong in the wild and it is very challenging to meet their needs in a home environment.”

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Hotel RED, Vilas Zoo Team Up For Fundraiser

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor
Friday, January 13th, 2012, 5:46pm
Hotel RED, Vilas Zoo Team Up For Fundraiser

Henry Vilas Zoo and Hotel RED are teaming up to present RED Panda Night, a grand opening celebration and Henry Vilas Zoo Benefit on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m at Hotel RED.

The evening features:

  • $10 donation with all proceeds benefiting the Animal Welfare Fund at the Henry Vilas Zoo
  • Donation includes one free drink
  • Complimentary appetizers, wine and cheese tasting
  • Cash bar available, featuring a special "RED Panda" drink
  • $1 from each RED Panda cocktail through February 29th will go toward the Zoo's Animal Welfare Fund!
  • 5:30 p.m. - Official ribbon cutting ceremony
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See Images Of Goats Hard At Work On UW Campus

Submitted by Scott Beedy, Channel 3000 Community Editor
Wednesday, July 27th, 2011, 6:11pm
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Car Show Organizers Talk About Saturday's Event

Submitted by David Hyland, Staff Writer
Saturday, June 4th, 2011, 1:00pm

Organizers of "Cars On State" discuss this weekend's event on State Street in Madison.

 

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