Big cat mauls Keepers of the Wild owner

An unspecified "large cat" seriously injured the owner of the Keepers of the Wild exotic-animal sanctuary along Route 66 north of Kingman, Arizona. The Lake Havasu News-Herald reports the founder of the sanctuary, Jonathan Kraft, was flown to a Las Vegas hospital for emergency treatment after he was attacked by one of those animals. According … Continue reading Big cat mauls Keepers of the Wild owner

Metal turkey stolen from Route 66 turkey tracks site

A small metal turkey sign that helps mark 1920s turkey tracks on old Route 66 near Nilwood, Illinois, was stolen earlier this month. Crime Stoppers of Macoupin County posted on Facebook: Sometime on or before November 11th, 2018, person or persons unknown stole a commemorative sign marking the spot of the “Turkey Tracks” on Old … Continue reading Metal turkey stolen from Route 66 turkey tracks site

Look out for black bears along Route 66

If you travel Route 66, you need to stay aware of possibly hitting wild animals on the highway -- deer, turtles, snakes, coyotes and even antelope and elk in the western states. In Missouri, travelers may need to be aware of a new wild animal along the Mother Road -- black bears. Earlier this week, … Continue reading Look out for black bears along Route 66

Man injured trying to rescue turtle on Route 66

A man suffered injuries Sunday while trying to move a turtle on Route 66 near Claremore, Oklahoma. The Tulsa World reported: Phillip Smith, 79, of Claremore, stopped his vehicle around 9:45 a.m. on Oklahoma 66, less than 2 miles north of Claremore, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report. Smith was attempting to “save a … Continue reading Man injured trying to rescue turtle on Route 66

Vandalism at Blue Whale prompts security upgrades

The iconic Blue Whale in Catoosa, Oklahoma, soon will receive security improvements after vandalism occurred at the Route 66 landmark earlier last weekend. KOTV in Tulsa had some details about the damage: Volunteer Linda Hobbs remembers the phone call she got earlier this week saying someone vandalized the beloved Blue Whale Park. "Had pulled picnic … Continue reading Vandalism at Blue Whale prompts security upgrades

Water project may endanger Bonanza Springs in Mojave Desert

For years, Cadiz Inc. has sought to pump tens of billions of gallons of underground water from the Mojave Desert and pipe it to thirsty Southern Californians. Given the desert's arid landscape, people may shrug and say "So what?" to that piece of news. But experts now have told The Desert Sun in Palm Springs … Continue reading Water project may endanger Bonanza Springs in Mojave Desert

Contraceptive program launched for wild burros in Oatman area

A contraceptive program in the Oatman, Arizona, area aims to eventually cut the number of wild burros there. The Kingman Daily Miner reports the Bureau of Land Management and Humane Society of the United States have trapped female burros and inoculated them with an immunocontraceptive vaccine known as porcine zona pellucida, or PZP, then administers … Continue reading Contraceptive program launched for wild burros in Oatman area

Formerly injured bald eagle released at lake near Litchfield

A female bald eagle that endured months of recovery after being injured in a fight in April with a male bald eagle at a Litchfield, Illinois, lake was released back into the wild Saturday. The release occurred with hundreds of spectators watching at Lake Lou Yaeger, just north of Litchfield. The lake lies about two … Continue reading Formerly injured bald eagle released at lake near Litchfield

Buried alive with poisonous snakes on Route 66

Sue Blesi, a historian, dug up the bizarre story of a man who was buried alive for a week in a pit with poisonous snakes and an alligator to draw visitors to the Silver Star Court motel and restaurant on Route 66 near St. Clair, Missouri. Blesi, who recounted the tale in the Washington Missourian … Continue reading Buried alive with poisonous snakes on Route 66

Seeing Route 66 from a covered wagon

Ray Hascall of Tecumseh, Oklahoma, dreamed for decades of riding horseback hundreds of miles to visit the area where he grew up in southwestern Missouri. But when the time finally came to do so, Hascall, now 72, compromised a bit and made the round-trip journey of more than 700 miles by horse-drawn covered wagon -- … Continue reading Seeing Route 66 from a covered wagon