Wildlife

Winged Tragedy

Wildlife experts in Idaho Falls, Idaho, say a gaggle of more than 100 geese found dead in a parking lot and on nearby rooftops were brought down by lightning in a “freak accident.”

A violent hailstorm was in progress just before the migrating snow geese fell from the sky.

But since the dead birds had exploded internal organs, Idaho Department of Fish and Game officer Jacob Berl said it’s proof lightning caused their demise.

“Mother nature is sometimes cruel to the wildlife kingdom,” said colleague James Brower. “We worry about accidents with cars and trucks — sometimes animals are affected just by the weather.”

Zombie Raccoons

Seemingly crazed raccoons standing on their hind legs have terrorized a city in Ohio. Dozens of people have called the police in Youngstown to report the normally nocturnal animals standing up in broad daylight, baring their teeth then falling over in what was described as a comatose state.

Wildlife biologists say the weird behavior could be caused by distemper, which isn’t a threat to humans.