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Ten key moments in Missouri’s animal headlines this year

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Missouri has witnessed major shifts and surprising headlines in its animal world this past year. The rescue of Gus, a friendly senior dog saved from euthanasia and adopted by a new family, captured hearts and highlighted ongoing animal welfare efforts. Kansas City faced both wildlife surprises and policy questions—from the search for a missing alligator at a middle school’s petting zoo event to multiple sightings of a black bear near a Taco Bell. Concerns about public safety and animal control intensified after a deadly dog attack led officials to reconsider who should manage Kansas City’s animal control services.

Meanwhile, conservation success stories included the hatching and tracking of downtown falcon chicks and the launch of Missouri’s only live bald eagle nest camera for public viewing.

Officials from KC Pet Project and the Kansas City Fire Department search for a small alligator that went missing from a petting zoo event at Lakeview Middle School on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

NO. 1: A SMALL ALLIGATOR IS AT LARGE IN KC’S NORTHLAND. WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE ONGOING SEARCH

Currently, the creature most at risk is the alligator itself. We explain what happened, what to do if you see the reptile and what the laws say about keeping one as a pet. | Published May 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Natalie Wallington

A pit bull/terrier mix named Gus needs a new home after his previous owners asked to euthanize him — even though he didn’t need to be.

NO. 2: ‘FRIENDLY’ DOG NAMED GUS SAVED AFTER OWNER WANTED HIM PUT DOWN. NOW HE HAS A NEW HOME

“He loves people and is eager to please,” the Missouri shelter said of the 8-year-old dog. | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mike Stunson

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

The Animal House built in 1909 was the first building for animals at the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park. It looks a lot different today. By Monty Davis

NO. 4: THE KANSAS CITY ZOO STARTED IN THIS BUILDING IN SWOPE PARK. WHAT’S IT LOOK LIKE NOW?

Can you still find the Kansas City Zoo’s first building on the grounds of the sprawling zoo? | Published October 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Randy Mason Monty Davis

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.

NO. 5: AFTER DEADLY DOG ATTACK, KANSAS CITY OFFICIALS CALL FOR CITY TO TAKE BACK ANIMAL CONTROL

The nonprofit KC Pet Project has been contracted by the city for animal control since 2020. After a pack of dogs killed a man last month, officials are calling for change. | Published December 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Noelle Alviz-Gransee

A bald eagle carrying a fish is tailed by a crow over the Arkansas River south of downtown Wichita on Thursday. By Travis Heying

NO. 6: MISSOURI’S ONLY NESTING BALD EAGLE CAMERA IS LIVE. HERE’S HOW TO WATCH IN KANSAS CITY

The City of Blue Springs says the specific location of the nest will not be disclosed to ensure the safety of the pair and their young. | Published March 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Joseph Hernandez

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

A wild morel blending into the forest floor, delicious and difficult to spot.

NO. 8: IT’S MOREL HUNTING SEASON IN MISSOURI. TIPS FOR FORAGING, IDENTIFYING AND EATING THEM

The wild, edible mushrooms only grow for a few weeks in spring under specific circumstances. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rhiannon Saegert

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.