LOUISIANA

NEWS FROM THE LA. DEPT. OF WILDLIFE & FISHERIES
The Public Information Section of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is responsible for the distribution of LDWF news releases and the department's biweekly newsletter.

2008-253 (December 2, 2008)

COUGAR CAPTURE IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD UNSUCCESSFUL

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and Bossier City Police Department (BPPD) responded to a call on Sunday, Nov. 30 that a cougar had been spotted in a residential neighborhood in Bossier City. LDWF’s efforts to immobilize the 125-pound cat with a tranquilizer dart were not immediately successful and BPPD officers shot the animal to minimize the possible threat to public safety.

The state’s third documented cougar sighting in three months was witnessed by neighbors in Bossier City, as well as law enforcement officers, state biologists and news media representatives. The cougar was discovered in the same neighborhood where a black bear was treed three years ago. That incident resulted in capture and relocation of the bear.

“This neighborhood is situated close to the Red River,” said Maria Davidson, LDWF Wildlife Division. “Animals will utilize forested corridors along rivers and streams to cover great distances between forest woodlots.”

LDWF staff worked with the BPPD to secure the area for the public’s safety in advance of biologists’ efforts to tranquilize the animal. When the 125-pound cat was hit with the tranquilizer dart, it was startled and began to move within the tree where it was situated. BPPD officers then shot the cougar out of concern for public safety.

“Our standard procedure is to tranquilize the animal in a situation such as this and relocate it to ensure public safety as well as the welfare of the animal,” said Davidson. “It simply did not work in this situation.”

Dr. Jim Lacour, LDWF veterinarian, performed a necropsy on Monday to take DNA samples and uncover any clues to help determine if the cougar was a wild animal or possibly an animal that had been kept as a pet and then released.

“Currently, all indications are that this cougar was a wild, free ranging animal,” Davidson reported. “A three- to four-year-old male cougar is within the most common age class to roam long distances in search of a new home range.”

Photographic evidence submitted to LDWF in September verified the presence of cougars in the state. A Sept. 4 photo from Natchitoches Parish and an Allen Parish photo on Sept. 29, both from citizens utilizing trail cameras, may have captured the same cougar’s image. It has not been determined whether or not the Bossier City cougar is that same animal.

Anyone holding a captive cougar in Louisiana must have a permit issued by LDWF, as captive cougars may compromise public safety. LDWF may issue permits to existing owners in the state in order to reduce difficulties associated with determining the validity of reported cougar sightings.

The mountain lion, cougar, panther or puma are names that all refer to the same animal. Their color ranges from lighter tan to brownish grey.

Cougars in Louisiana are protected under state and federal law. Penalties for taking a cougar in Louisiana may include up to one year in jail and/or a $100,000 fine. Anyone with any information regarding the taking of a cougar should call LA Operation Game Thief, inc. at 1-800-442-2511. Callers may remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward.

To report verifiable sightings of cougars containing physical evidence such as photos, tracks and/or scat please call Maria Davidson at 337-948-0255 or the nearest LDWF Region office at:

Minden 318-371-3050
Monroe 318-343-4044
Pineville 318-487-5885
Ferriday 318-757-4571
Lake Charles 337-491-2575
Opelousas 337-948-0255
Baton Rouge 225-765-2360

2008-348 (December 2, 2008)

COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSES AVAILABLE IN BOURG FROM DEC. 16 TO 18

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Licensing Section will be selling commercial fishing licenses from the Bourg office from Dec. 16 to 18.

Most commercial fishing licenses will be available for purchase from Tuesday, Dec. 16 through Thursday, Dec. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. The office is located at 468 Texas Gulf Road in Bourg and their contact number is 985-594-4130.

Fishermen are reminded that only cashier’s checks, money orders and cash will be accepted at the Bourg office. No credit cards or personal checks will be taken. To avoid processing delays, those purchasing licenses are asked to bring their license renewal notices with them.

In addition to continual sales in Baton Rouge, LDWF has offered commercial licenses from its office in Bourg twice a year since January of 2002. It has successfully provided LDWF with an improved method of customer service and has proven to be a convenient way for commercial fishermen to keep their important licenses current.

2008-352 (December 2, 2008)

LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING TO AIR HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FIFTH ANNUAL
GREAT AMERICAN SEAFOOD COOK-OFF

If you were not able to catch the action up close and in person at the 5th Annual Great American Seafood Cook-Off, presented by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, there is still time to look on as some of the nation’s best chefs battle it out for the title of King or Queen of American Seafood.

From the comfort of your home you will be able to see highlights from this sizzling event on Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. on the Louisiana Public Broadcasting television network. The show covers both days of the competition, which was held in August at the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s Foodservice EXPO.

On day one, there were 15 chefs preparing their signature dishes with domestic, sustainable seafood from their state. Things really heated up on day two of the competition when the five remaining chefs were challenged to create a dish using domestic sustainable seafood and mystery ingredients from Whole Foods Market, Southwest Airlines and Michelob Brewing Co. The chefs also had to make sure that this dish was something that would be easy for a home chef to recreate.

When the judges’ votes were tallied, Chef John Currence of City Grocery Restaurant Group in Oxford, MS took home the prize with his Mississippi Redfish Courtboullion and Seafood Dirty Rice. In 2nd place was Chef Brian Landry of Galatoire’s Restaurant with his Louisiana Shrimp and Andouille Cassoulet.

The competition was not over yet, it was now time for the people to cast their vote and during the entire month of October, seafood lovers from all over the country had the opportunity to view the top five recipes at GreatAmericanSeafoodCook-Off.com and decide which chef’s recipe was the best. When the online votes were counted, the people’s choice was Louisiana’s own Chef Brian Landry.

Tune in to LPB on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. where Chef Brian Landry will appear live to talk about his experience in the Great American Seafood Cook-Off and you will be able to take part in the fun as you watch him and his fellow competitors create their award winning dishes!

2008-347 (November 25, 2008)

GROUP RISK CROP INSURANCE COVERAGE APPROVED FOR LOUISIANA OYSTER GROWERS

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Federal Crop Insurance Corporation recently approved a pilot insurance program that will offer group risk insurance coverage to Louisiana oyster growers for oyster crop losses due to natural disasters.

This is the first time any kind of insurance has been offered to Louisiana oyster growers. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, members of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force saw how necessary it was to have the same kind of assistance that farmers of other crops receive.

“Many people don’t think of oysters as a farmed product, but they are harvested much like other crops, they just happen to be under water,” said Al Sunseri, chairman of the Louisiana Oyster Task Force. “We want to thank Congress for supporting this proposal and the Federal Crop Insurance Board for supporting this risk management plan to assist us in recovering from catastrophic events.”

Under the pilot program, oyster producers will be able to purchase a guarantee that the oyster harvest from a basin will be at least 90 percent of the expected oyster harvest. Growers can select a guarantee between 65-90 percent of the basin average, based on the proportion that they contribute to the average basin harvest.

Rob Cerda, president of Crop Insurance Systems, Inc., has been a consultant to the oyster industry and helped develop this plan that will provide the oyster industry financial support to aid in recovery from devastating losses.

“Crop insurance coverage can return an insured grower to the financial position they may have expected at the start of the crop season despite severe crop loss,” said Cerda. We think this program will be a significant step forward in helping them manage their risk of crop loss.”

For more information about Louisiana oysters, visit www.LouisianaOysters.org.