Creature (Dis)comforts

Humans and animals have long had an indifferent, yet co-habitative relationship. Although close to our domesticated dogs and cats, we maintain a cool distance with our urban wildlife. We grumble about raccoons attacking the garbage and have found ways to effectively keep the critters out of our abodes...but every so often the status quo is disrupted, as described in a recent article on black squirrels in Washington, DC.
Investigative journalist Elizabeth Crawford comments, "What I thought was interesting is that DC is one of the most racially segregated cities, and here are these squirrels living happily with each other and then people start projecting their racism on the squirrels!"

The story of Washington's black squirrels -- which scientists say arejust a color variation within the common gray squirrel species --still has its shades of mystery. Scientists say the black variety now comprises 5 to 25 percent of thesquirrels in some neighborhoods. Here's why some scientists believe the black squirrels weremultiplying: In winter, their dark coats allowed them to retain heatfrom sunlight, leaving them less desperate for warmth than their lighter-colored cousins. In Montgomery, the squirrels are spreading into Gaithersburg and Rockville -- though not without a little controversy.Some residents have called to complain that the new squirrels areaggressive, driving out the friendly gray squirrels, said Bill Hamilton of the county Department of Park and Planning. He said he reassures residents: "It's the same squirrel," just a different color. Among themselves, the squirrels appear to feel the same way, accordingto Vagn Flyger, a retired University of Maryland professor. He has studied their behavior -- now using feeders rather than Valium-- and determined that the squirrels don't appear to treat each other differently because they are black or gray."They don't seem to care," he said.

In farther reaches of the world (all the way in Japan!), a runaway Macaque is truly causing problems.

TOKYO -- Japanese officials are struggling to capture a rogue monkey roaming the streets of Tokyo. Believed to be a Japanese macaque that has come out of the wild, the monkey has been sighted at least 11 times since April 30 perched atop roofs, telephone poles and scampering among trees in backyards.
Though it has caused little damage -- yet -- police and animal welfare officials are in hot pursuit of the monkey, which has been traversing some of the capital's most densely populated neighborhoods.
"It's a bit of a problem. The animal welfare staff is trained to catch dogs but not monkeys," said Tokyo city official Hiroyuki Satsuke.
In rural Japan, the macaques -- an endangered species -- have been known to attack and bite humans. The average adult weighs about 33 pounds and stands about two feet tall, but their thick fur can make them appear much larger.
Teaching staff ushered children to safety when the monkey entered an elementary school in Tokyo's Kita ward on May 2, Satsuke said. The Asahi newspaper quoted a priest at a nearby temple who saw the monkey scattering flowers left on graves.
"We just can't seem to locate it ... but there is a possibility it could cause physical damage," said a National Police Agency spokesman.
It was not clear why the animal may have wandered into the city, officials said.

With people involved in conflict with other people around the world, it is not surprising that our anxieties and agressions have turned to animals in nature. Derive what morality from these stories that you like...


**Editor's note: see CNN article for rhino/goat friendship.