The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is investigating the shooting of a male bald eagle near the town of Belgrade in southern Washington County. The incident occurred at the intersection of Highways C and Z and is believed to have happened on Feb. 3 or 4. On Feb. 5 MDC Washington County Conservation Agent Jaymes…
(Editor’s note: This is the final article in a four-part series about Missouri’s efforts to bring elk back to the state.) January 21 A set of reporters showed up today from Columbia, MO with Tina Brunjes of Kentucky G&F. They took pictures from the holding pen and Trap #2. I met the reporters at noon…
The prairie chicken is hard to find nowadays. When was the last time you have come across a scorpion, prairie chicken, hellbender, jackrabbit or blue racer? I bet some young people haven’t even seen one of these animals in the wild, much less in a zoo. These creatures have gradually disappeared from view, slowly but…
(Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series.) Missouri Preservation has announced its 2019 Places in Peril list which includes many places in Traveler country. Places in Peril is an annual list of endangered historic places in the state of Missouri. These places are nominated by concerned individuals and decided upon by a…
Although rattlesnakes won’t win many wildlife popularity contests, everyone who loves Missouri’s outdoors should be rooting for the Prairie Massasauga rattlesnake to hold on in the state. As is the case with many other wildlife species in decline, the story of the Prairie Massasauga rattlesnake’s trouble is a tale of disappearing habitat. A reduction in…
A creature that thrives on death could help biologists learn more about life in Missouri’s outdoors. American burying beetles are scavengers that benefit humans by helping clear the landscape of dead animal carcasses, but their value isn’t defined solely by their diet. Studying their nocturnal routines could provide more insight into the affects light pollution…
King rail with young July, 1999 Many people have never heard of a king rail, but making sure this state-endangered bird continues to find suitable wetland habitat in Missouri is a goal that benefits everyone. When people think of wildlife species that motivate us to do more to save Missouri’s outdoors, it’s doubtful many picture…
Neosho Madtom (Noturus placidus):Spring River @ CR 360 (Kafir Road). Jasper County, Missouri A declining population is one of the trademarks of an endangered species, but Missouri’s Neosho madtom population seems to defy that unwritten rule. It’s believed this small catfish is as numerous as it’s probably ever been in the state. However, because that…
