Friday, May 24 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:26:15 GMT
Several Jackson County neighbors are extra cautious of their surroundings these days after some unusual sightings in their neighborhoods. A big black bear has been spotted this week roaming around theMore >>
Several Jackson County neighbors are extra cautious of their surroundings these days after some unusual sightings in their neighborhoods. A big black bear has been spotted this week roaming around the St. Martin community. Those close encounters have some neighbors a bit nervous.More >>
Monday, May 13 2013 12:24 PM EDT2013-05-13 16:24:04 GMT
MARION COUNTY, MS (WDAM) - A weekend-long drug raid left 22 individuals behind bars, and more arrests to come. According to Marion County Sheriff Berkley Hall, the drug raid is the result of severalMore >>
A weekend-long drug raid left 22 individuals behind bars, and more arrests to come.More >>
Saturday, May 25 2013 7:00 AM EDT2013-05-25 11:00:14 GMT
(RNN) - An active six months is predicted for the 2013 North Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center has called it an "extremely active"More >>
An active six months is predicted for the 2013 North Atlantic hurricane season.More >>
Dan Sligh and his wife were in their pickup truck on Interstate 5 heading to a camping trip when a bridge before them disappeared in a "big puff of dust."More >>
The trucker was hauling drilling equipment when his load bumped against the steel framework over an Interstate 5 bridge. He looked in his rearview mirror and watched in horror as the span collapsed into the water behind him....More >>
Saturday, May 25 2013 7:00 AM EDT2013-05-25 11:00:14 GMT
(KTXL/CNN) - A California man scarfed down more than 11 pounds of apple pie ... and somehow lived to tell the tale. Jamie "The Bear" McDonald consumed two giant apple pies in an attempt to break two worldMore >>
Eleven pounds of pie in 10 minutes? No sweat. More >>
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -
Several dead dolphins have been found shot and mutilated in the Northern Gulf this week.
In addition to the shootings, detectives with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are reporting instances where the mammals have been stabbed and, in other cases, their jaws have been removed.
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport is working with the NOAA in this case.
"We responded to one dolphin from Alabama that had its tail cut off. We responded to another dolphin this morning from Ship Island that had its lower jaw cut off," said IMMS Executive Director Moby Solangi. "In the last week, we had a dolphin with a bullet hole in it. Something is going on. I think its important that everyone understand that this is not only cruel, but its also illegal. You could face serious fines or even go to jail."
According to NOAA, the Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits, with certain exceptions, the "take" of marine mammals. That means "harassment, hunting, capturing, killing or collecting," or the attempt to do so. Violations can result in a civil penalty up to $11,000 as well as criminal penalties up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to a year or both.
"Solving these crimes is difficult for many reasons: it's a big ocean, marine mammals are consumed or decompose quickly in the water, and witnesses don't come forward or even exist," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul Raymond. "It is important that we try because marine mammals are at the top of the food chain and, if their numbers are diminished, it could harm the ecosystem."
To report feeding or harassment of wild dolphins, call the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Enforcement Division at 1-800-853-1964.
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