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10 of the most interesting stories about animals in Missouri

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of stories examines recent animal events and issues throughout Missouri.

One highlights the appearance of an invasive snakehead fish that can breathe air and move on land, creating challenges for native species and anglers. Another notes the increasing presence of armadillos on Missouri roads, linking this to shifting habitats and warmer winters.

Dog attacks and animal control are community concerns, including a neighborhood where aggressive dogs caused fear and tragedy, as well as debates over KC Pet Project's approach to handling owner infractions. Elsewhere, the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium faced a winter storm by housing staff onsite to care for its animals, and free dog adoptions were offered in response to shelter overcrowding.

Further stories capture the sighting of black bears near city spaces, a human bird flu case with unclear animal contact, and the hatching and banding of Peregrine falcon chicks on a downtown rooftop.

Read the stories below.

Missouri residents report finding armadillos across the state. The armored mammal is shown in this photo from the Missouri Department of Conservation. Screenshot May 23, 2024. By Provided

NO. 1: SEEING MORE ARMADILLOS ON MISSOURI ROADS? HERE’S WHY & WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE CRITTERS

In Kansas City, they’ve become more common in recent years. | Published May 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

An invasive snakehead fish in seen in Missouri. Breeding populations have established themselves in the state’s waterways, threatening native fish and local ecosystems.

NO. 2: A FISH THAT CAN BREATHE AIR AND ‘WALK’ ON LAND SPOTTED TWICE IN MISSOURI IN 2 WEEKS

“The size of the fish that were caught in the last two weeks indicate that there are breeding adults out there,” one expert warned. | Published June 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture announced on Feb. 14, 2022, a confirmed case of high pathogenic avian influenza — deadly bird flu — in a flock of commercial broiler chickens in Fulton County, with a second suspected case in Webster County. By Peter Garrard Beck

NO. 3: HOW DID A MISSOURI RESIDENT CATCH BIRD FLU SPREADING IN LIVESTOCK? WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

The patient reported no contact with animals, leaving experts wondering how they contracted the flu — and whether the virus is now traveling between humans. | Published September 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington

Nuniq the polar bear relaxes in his enclosure at the Kansas City Zoo after the first snowfall of 2025, which brought subzero windchills and 8-12 inches of snow to some parts of the metro.

NO. 4: HOW DID ANIMALS AND STAFF AT THE KANSAS CITY ZOO WEATHER WINTER STORM? TAKE A LOOK

More than 20 staff members from the animal care and facilities teams slept overnight in the zoo’s brand-new aquarium during the weekend blizzard. | Published January 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington

El 26 de octubre, una mujer llamó al 911 para reportar que su esposo de 60 años trató de estrangularla con una cuerda mientras ella miraba televisión, escribió la policía en el reporte del arresto.

NO. 5: THREE DOGS MAUL COUPLE, KILLING WOMAN AS MAN TRIES FENDING THEM OFF, MISSOURI COPS SAY

The man attempted to fend off the dogs with a broom, and eventually gunshots, Missouri police said. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kate Linderman

Six Chihuahuas were brought to KC Pet Project after their owner was evicted from his hotel/apartment. By Nick Wagner

NO. 6: KC PET PROJECT OFFERS FREE DOG ADOPTIONS AFTER SHELTER FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH CANINES

Interim CEO Steve Kaufman said the situation is “a community issue” of pet owners bringing dogs to their shelters.  | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by PJ Green

Members of KC Pet Project’s Animal Services Division, were brought in Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, to help wrangle loose goats that have been living along side the Riverfront Trail in Kansas City, Missouri. By Dominick Williams

NO. 7: KC PET PROJECT ACCUSED OF BEING TOO LAX ON ANIMAL CONTROL. HERE’S WHAT THE DATA SHOWS

Kansas City is set to take back control of its animal services after contracting with nonprofit KC Pet Project since 2020. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

Natalie Martinez’s chickens roam in her south Kansas City yard. Dogs allegedly owned by John Thibeaux Jr. killed one of Martinez’s birds before they fatally mauled Chris Culbertson in November. March 26, 2025. By Noelle Alviz-Gransee

NO. 8: NEIGHBORS SAY THEY FEARED DOGS WHO FATALLY ATTACKED KC MAN: ‘WE RAN INSIDE’

Kids and pets were kept under close supervision, and some adults even carried weapons for self-defense. | Published April 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Eleanor Nash

A Black Bear is seen walking in a yard near 13th Street and Skyline Drive, where a resident took a picture. Multiple sightings of bears have been recently reported in the Kansas City metro, authorities said.

NO. 9: BLACK BEAR FOUND NEAR A TACO BELL AMONG MULTIPLE SIGHTINGS ACROSS THE KC METRO

People are urged not to approach the bears and call 911 if they see one. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kendrick Calfee

Chris Cain of the Missouri Department of Conservation, weighs a peregrine falcon chick on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Kansas City. The chick, one of three, hatched on the roof of the Shook, Hardy & Bacon building in late March. Since 2016, the law firm has partnered with the Missouri Department of Conservation to provide a nest box on the roof which has resulted in 28 chicks. By Tammy Ljungblad

NO. 10: MEET GOALDEN, SASSAFRAS & MOOSE: 3 PEREGRINE FALCON CHICKS HATCHED IN KC

Shook, Hardy & Bacon’s Kansas City law office, in partnership with the Missouri Department of Conservation, banded and named three Peregrine falcon chicks that were hatched on their downtown firm’s rooftop. | Published May 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Tammy Ljungblad Zuri Primos

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.