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ODNR Officials Investigating Big Cat Sighting Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials have taken plaster molds of a big cat’s paw prints, but won’t say for now whether or not it is some sort of mountain lion/cougar. Reported sightings of a big cat in Gahanna, east Columbus and Pataskala began in May 2004, and now even another big cat sighting is under investigation. This encounter, however, comes with photographic proof. Rufus Hurst, of Granville, provided DNR officials pictures of his cat sighting. Hurst photographed the cat in his backyard in December. He also photographed the cat’s paw prints in the snow. Antelope Finds New Habitat After Being On The Lam One can see a lot in North Toledo, but an antelope is an unusual sight. But one antelope that was spotted around the city has found a home in a petting zoo. The antelope had been running loose around Toledo, and across the border in Michigan, for more than a month. It was also spotted recently walking through rush-hour traffic. The animal was finally cornered on Woodlawn Drive near Alexis Road, but was captured after a Toledo homeowner called News 11. The antelope is now being housed in a petting zoo in Temperence, Mich., until someone can claim it. 1,000 Deer For Chronic Wasting Testing In State The number of hunters submitting whitetail deer for chronic wasting disease testing in West Virginia has far exceeded state wildlife biologist’s expectations. According to the Division of Natural Resources, 1,000 deer carcasses were submitted for chronic wasting disease testing during the two-week firearms season, doubling the amount DNR officials hoped to sample. The sampling took place in Hampshire County, where five deer had previously tested positive for the disease. The DNR takes samples from the whitetails’ lymph nodes . The samples have been sent to a lab in Minnesota for testing. West Virginia University Offers Course On Hunting You won’t learn how to hunt in this class, but it may get you thinking about hunting in a different way. West Virginia University offers one of the few classes in the country on hunting. Topics include the evolution of hunting in society, its role in wildlife management, traditions, ethics, animal rights, gun control and economic impact. Nearly everyone in the class is an experienced hunter, but one of the professors who designed the course says he hopes that will change. James Anderson says he likes to present both sides of controversial issues, which is why he occasionally brings in guest speakers from organizations opposed to hunting. One woman who took the course hasbeen around hunting all her life but had no interest in it until now. Amy Morgan says the class has changed her view about a sport enjoyed by many members of her family. Now she says she wants to “check it out.” Whitetail DNA Sample Used As Evidence A 1997 murder could be prosecuted with DNA evidence from a whitetail deer. During the December murder trial an animal DNA expert testified there’s a high probability deer entrails found near a Fayette County hunter’s body in 1997 match that of meat seized from a suspect’s freezer. Lawrence J. Cseripko, 60, of North Union Township, is charged with the shooting death of Paul Horvat Jr. in Menallen Township. Horvat, 54, lived in Amend, Georges Township. Prosecutors are seeking a first-degree homicide conviction for Cseripko. Police had seized deer steaks and chops from Cseripko’s freezer after the murder, and DNA experts had also examined samples from two piles of deer guts found near Horvat’s body. DNA samples from wildlife are increasingly being used by wildlife agencies to prosecute poaching cases.
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