10/3 Red sea urchin, guinea fowl, rabbit cull, urban animals, WSF fares

Red sea urchin [WDFW]

Red sea urchin Mesocentrotus franciscanus
The red sea urchin and the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) occur in large numbers throughout the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet, and the San Juan Islands but are also found in the inland waters of Puget Sound. Red urchins live primarily in rocky habitat at depths up to 400 ft while green urchins move around in larger groups on gravel, sand, and muddy habitats at depths that range from the intertidal to >3,000 ft. Sea urchins graze actively on seaweed using sharp jaw parts (found in a structure called Aristotle's lantern) to chew up kelp, a favorite food source. (Swinomish Indian Tribal Community)

Pet or Pest? Guinea Fowl Have Their Day in BC Court
Can a guinea fowl be a pet in the city of Vancouver? A provincial court judge ruled that the “rather chatty” birds kept by one resident do qualify as companion animals. Therefore, a city bylaw that prevents people from keeping “fowl” on their property does not apply, Judicial Justice Zahid Makhdoom ruled in a Sept. 12 judgment. Jen St. Denis reports. (The Tyee)

Group protests cull of Granville Island rabbits
A group rallied at Ron Basford Park on Vancouver's Granville Island on Sunday to protest the culling of domestic rabbits that have spread in the area. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which manages Granville Island on behalf of the federal government, says the rabbits were attracting coyotes, which pose a threat to visitors and their pets. Michelle Gomez report. (CBC)

In the Big City, Wildlife Researchers Are On the Prowl
Scientists are studying urban animals and the diseases they carry, to understand the potential risks to people, pets and the animals themselves. Emily Anthes reports. (NY Times)

The price to ride a Washington state ferry just went up
It's now more expensive to ride a ferry in Washington state. A 4.25% rate increase went into effect Sunday, Oct. 1. The rate hike was approved by the state's Transportation Commission over the summer. Another 4.25% rate increase is slated for October 2024. (KUOW) https://kuow.org/stories/the-price-to-ride-a-washington-state-ferry-just-went-up

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  233 AM PDT Tue Oct 3 2023   
TODAY  Light wind becoming NW 5 to 15 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves less than 1 ft becoming 2 ft or less in the afternoon. W  swell 7 ft at 13 seconds. Areas of drizzle. A slight chance of  showers in the afternoon. 
TONIGHT  W wind to 10 kt. Wind waves 1 ft or less. W swell 6 ft  at 12 seconds. A chance of showers after midnight.

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