Monterey County Local News: Animals

California Rodeo Salinas contributed $796,337 to local nonprofits, Western industry groups and community organizations in 2024, representing a 3.28% increase from last year’s donations, which had previously set the record for the highest contribution.

A stranded killer whale rescued at Carmel River State Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 10, died while in transport to Santa Cruz’s Long Marine Laboratory.

Why did the mountain lion cross Main Street in Oldtown Salinas?

Six endangered snowy plovers were released back into the wild on Aug. 9, more than a month after their eggs were rescued from the edge of a cliff.

It is a sight—and a smell, and a sound—to behold. Hundreds of sea lions have gathered in Monterey Bay, and when they're not swimming and hunting for fish, are resting on small beaches in the city of Monterey.

SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is currently caring for 145 wild patients, and the need for food is immense. They are asking the community for donations of eggs to help feed these animals.

County of Monterey Parks and Lakes Division, Environmental Health Bureau and Water Resources Agency staff reported Monday that data and testing results from water samples taken in the wake of a massive fish die-off at Lake San Antonio were “inconclusive,” but that a possible cause of the incident could be due to a natural algae phenomenon spurred on by high heat, which lowered the dissolved oxygen concentrations causing the fish to suffocate.

On Monday, July 22, the County of Monterey announced that Lake San Antonio, which the county Parks division closed on July 10, will reopen Wednesday, July 24 at 6am.

Monterey County officials are closing Lake San Antonio to visitors Wednesday and asking all campers to vacate following a mass fish dieoff that county staff first noticed last week.

A large number of fish were found dead at Lake San Antonio, in South Monterey County, the county’s spokesperson Maia Carroll said on Saturday.

The County of Monterey put out an unusual announcement today, as the Central Coast is in the throes of a heat wave.

With the recent reemergence of otter 841, the surfboard swiping sea critter raised in captivity, I'll be facilitating a panel conversation that includes several sea otter experts and the local photographer whose photos went viral about a year ago.

A bat found on June 7 near Portola Drive and Anza Drive in the Toro Park area of unincorporated Monterey County has tested positive for the rabies virus.

Monterey Bay Aquarium announced on social media June 5 the Aquarium’s oldest sea otter, Rosa, died at age 24 after her caretakers made the tough decision to euthanize her due to her age-related health conditions.

Hundreds of dead and dying pelicans have washed up on beaches in recent weeks all up and down the California Coast. The staff at the Santa Cruz Native Animal Rescue center have been swamped with underfed and hypothermic animals.

SALINAS — California Rodeo Association has announced its first-ever Junior Rodeo, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 9, at the Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main St., in Salinas.