Flamingos Signal Other Flamingos
PENSACOLA, Florida- A huge flock of flamingos seems to be able to signal other flamingos to land by forming the outline of a huge flamingo. Biologist Bink Legeaux reports, "We have seen this flock outline formation a bunch of times now, and when the flock makes this shape, it consistently brings in more birds. I have to say, it seems to be a plan, a cause and effect situation. It's kind of curious. Not yet scary, but curious."
Goose Defends Humans
ISHPEMING, Michigan- If you feed a goose it just might become your friend. That's certainly how it worked for Al Bachuber and his family. When a mother goose was lost to a fox Bachuber and his family adopted the goslings that remained. Now that they are adults the geese have stayed close to the Bachubers and when a fox recently tried to get after their cat, Leopold, Gabbert the Goose went screaming honkin' wild and chased the fox off. "Gabbert either remembers that a fox got mom, or he is paying us back for feeding him. He seems to get capitalism. Or, he hates foxes."
Big Animals Have Meetings
AUDUBON, Georgia- Most animal species don't hang out together. There are the "whose in charge here" and "are you going to eat me" issues so competing species tend to avoid one another. Except for at the Big Heart Sanctuary where never before seen interactions between dominant species are happening. Sanctuary Director, Sandy Qualm said "I don't know what they are up to, but it's always a relief to see they continue to get along. But I always worry they are talking about getting out of here, or something. If they worked together they could do just about whatever they want."
Deer Pummel Gun Shop Owner
BATTLE CREEK, Michigan-- A 65-year-old man is in serious condition after he was struck by a deer while walking on his own street. Witnesses indicated the man stopped for about 15 deer that crossed Lakeshore Drive near 24th Street. After the deer passed the recently retired gun shop owner proceeded to head home but three more deer came out of nowhere and pummeled the man into the pavement. "Next time I'll be packing," said the victim, who asked to remain anonymous.
Fun Loving Cat Loves To Fly
SHERMAN OAKS, California- Mary Holland has always been a dog person. Yet always ends up having cats. "I was never a cat fan but friends leave their cats with me while they are out on the road, doing gigs and then somehow they're just mine after awhile." Holland has been won over though by one particular cat named Quantas that just loves to fly. "An Australian bass player friend rescued Quantas and now when I come home, everyday, Quantas has turned on the ceiling fan and is spinning around the room til I make him stop." Her vet has advised Holland to not allow Quantas to do this anymore but she says, "Who am I to say No? This cat just loves to get airborne."
Bird Smile Signal To Rest of Flock
PENSACOLA, Florida- Birds have been observed recently flying in formations that seem to have some sort of symbolic intent. "We see smiles formations, arrows that point, and one day we thought we saw a bird question mark," reports resident Cindy Coyle. "I don't know what it means but I am keeping an eye on them."
Tyke Taunts Terrible Tom
AUSTIN, Texas- One of the great rodeo bulls of all time, Terrible Tom, has been retired to the Lazy D ranch owned by James J. "Jimmy" Morin. When Jimmy Jr. first met Terrible Tom he was a little intimated but now his dad says "Jimmy ain't backin' down from Terrible T, in fact, he's buckin' for a fight. I don't know what he thinks he's doing but Junior has a 'tude 'bout T.T. T.T. had enough one day and shoved Junior into the dust. Kind of funny. Hope my little guy learned something. Don't pick a fight with a bull."
Urban Coyote Snatches Daschund
MADISON, Wisconsin- A family is still looking for their dog that was snatched by an urban coyote. At 5:30 a.m. Mary Lee Wagnus let the family's Dachshund, Buster, out into the yard, left briefly and returned in time to see a coyote run off with Buster in its mouth. Experts say Madison has an endemic coyote population and the nocturnal animals are well-adjusted to urban life, coming out from parks and other areas at dawn and dusk. "They may not be viewing another dog as food," added Patrick Comfert from Public Health of Dane County. "They may be viewing it as competition for territory or a mate." Wagnus finds the idea that her little Buster could be perceived as competition for an amorous male coyote as insult to injury. "Old Buster could barely get himself back up our steps let alone service a coyote."
Buck Hates Christmas and Capitalism

BOUNTIFUL, Utah- Parents with little kids know they spend much of December waiting for Santa Claus to show up. Marla and Casey Keller's kids got their expected visit from Santa but a five-foot buck got inside the house, too. Not long after Santa stopped the deer came in and stomped all over the packages Santa had just left turning them into a pile of paper and ribbon and toy remains. "When you're waiting for Santa's reindeer to land on your roof, and one of them comes through your basement window, well, our kids are not gonna forget it," said Casey Keller. The buck tripped on a basement window-well and crashed though the egress window, then into the room where all the presents were. Marla said, "Our kids now think Santa travels with some pretty clumsy reindeer." Officers with Wildlife Resources came and had to put the deer down to get it out. To keep the kids from seeing it Casey drove them over to his parents but on the way another deer jumped in front of the car and hit them broadside. "I've had enough of these deer, I can tell you that."
Viral Bear Waving Video Could Backfire
SEQUIM, Washington- A video of a young girl waving to a giant Kodiak bear at the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim has gone viral on the internet because to her astonishment, and delight, the bear just as excitedly, waves back. This particular bear retired to the Olympic facility after a long career in show business, but zoologist Dieter Hanterschaum worries if kids grow up thinking all bears are as friendly as this one it could lead to disaster down the road. "If some kid on a field trip comes across a wild bear and waves at it, that is tantamount to saying, 'Eat me.'"