DENVER (KKTV) – CPW reported that they suspect the exotic Patagonian Mara seen in Colorado is an abandoned domesticated pet.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife reported that a Patagonian Mara was recently seen in a park in Lakewood. They believed that the Patagonian Mara may have been an illegal domesticated pet that was abandoned by its owners.

They said they are continuing to search for the Patagonian Mara. CPW hopes they can find it and put it in an “appropriate institution” to be properly cared for.

Following the exotic animal sighting, CPW wanted to remind pet owners to never release unwanted pets into the wild as it poses risks to the pet and the community.

Whether a native or non-native species, domestic animals typically cannot fend for themselves in the wild, causing risks in finding food and shelter. Releasing domesticated pets into the wild can also introduce new diseases, parasites and dangers for wild species.

CPW says that unwanted pets can be surrendered to local shelters, or owners can contact animal control for other options. To surrender exotic wildlife, owners need to contact CPW’s office for further directions.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife asks anyone who experiences a Patagonian Mara sighting to report it to 303-291-7227.

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On Sunday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced a total of five human cases of avian influenza in workers responding to the outbreak at a commercial egg layer operation. Four cases have been confirmed, and the fifth is “presumptive positive and pending confirmation at CDC.” Previously, there were four confirmed cases in humans following exposure to dairy cows, as well as one case from poultry from 2022. 

According to the announcement the workers had “mild symptoms” and none were hospitalized. Specifically, they had pink eye and “common respiratory infection symptoms.” Public health officials suspect the workers got infected by working directly with infected poultry. On Friday, the CDC said the risk to the general public remains low. “There are no signs of unexpected increases in flu activity otherwise in Colorado or in other states affected by H5 bird flu outbreaks in cows and poultry,” the agency said.

This latest development is one part of a multi-month story. In late March, a worker on a commercial dairy farm in Texas developed a case of pink eye. He eventually tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza Type A H5N1, also known as bird flu. Scientists were shocked to find out that cattle, not birds, were the host — and that large amounts of H5N1 were found in the infected cattle. As Salon has previously reported, experts have raised concerns that more human cases than those that have been reported have gone undetected since then. 

Notably, the Colorado workers are believed to have been infected by poultry, not cattle. This news follows a report that suggested the bird flu is mutating to better infect humans.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — We wanted to hear from Colorado lawmakers on their thoughts after President Biden gave a rare address, condemning the attack on Former President Donald Trump.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers we talked to agree with President Biden’s message. He began his speech by saying it’s time to “Lower the temperature” in politics and to remember that despite disagreements, “we are not enemies.”

The chair of the Colorado Democratic party, Shad Murib agrees with the president. So does State Representative Ryan Armagost- a Republican- they both tell Scripps News in Denver that it’s a scary time to hold public office, for different reasons.

Murib says “We’re walking down a dangerous path but we all have the power to turn this around.”

They went on to add they hope that in this moment, while the country, is at a standstill, there’s the chance to come together.

Armagost says “Everything that he did and said was necessary. And talking about unity, talking about coming together, and without pointing blame to party, you know, partisanship or anything else, I think that was a good way of handling the situation,”

As far as the reaction from here springs, I went to Acacia Park and talked with you, the community, about the attack.The vibe there was that this attack was horrible, regardless of your political orientation.

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