Happy Earth Day Eastham! The Town of Eastham is creating a Climate Action Plan and is asking for the community’s input. The multi-year plan will outline town actions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and their climate impacts. Residents are encouraged to express their ideas and priorities by completing the Eastham Climate Action Survey. It takes less than 10 minutes and all responses are anonymous.

To access the survey here at Eastham Climate Action Survey it can be done on your phone, laptop, tablet, or computer.

If you have questions about the survey, feel free to contact the Eastham Climate Action Committee (EasthamClimate@gmail.com).   

Out of an abundance of caution, the Eastham Health Department has posted advisories at Great Pond and Wiley Park for Cyanobacteria.  Following a complaint, a site visit was made and blue green algae was found at Great Pond in and amongst decomposing vegetation on the pond’s edge. Based on the visual inspection we do feel it is warranted to post these advisories as this is where many families and pets go to swim. Further testing will be done tomorrow by APCC and Barnstable County, that may result in an official closure.

Cyanobacteria blooms may affect people, animals, and the environment.  They have the ability to make toxins called cyanotoxins and can make people and animals sick. The best protection is to avoid swimming and boating in areas where you see discoloration, foam, scum, or mats of algae.  Children and the elderly should be discouraged from ingesting pond water. Pets also should avoid drinking and swimming in this water. If you come in contact with water containing cyanobacteria, rinse off as soon as possible with clean fresh water.  

For more information on Cyanobacteria click here https://www.cdc.gov/habs/index.html 

For a quick and informative FAQ Click here https://www.cdc.gov/habs/pdf/cyanobacteria_faq.pdf 

From the Eastham Police Department Facebook page:

Please join us in welcoming the newest member of our department, Officer Knowles! The impressive statue is named in honor of Chief Winfred “Winnie” Knowles, the first official Chief of the Eastham Police Department. Chief Knowles was appointed as chief in 1954 and served as such until he retired in 1968.

Deputy Chief Deschamps and Lieutenant Schnitzer received this impressive gift from Thomas Simeone earlier today. Fun fact, Chief Knowles is actually Deputy Chief Deschamps great-grandfather!!

“Officer Knowles” was built and donated by Mr. Simeone with the assistance of Bob Nelson. The lumber used to create Officer Knowles was donated by Shepley Wood Products and the paint was donated by Baskin’s Ace Hardware. We’d like to thank everyone involved for this generous gift!

Feel free to stop by and visit Officer Knowles as he stoically stands guard at our front entrance!

From the Eastham Natural Resources Facebook page:

As coyotes have been the talk of town, Natural Resources is sharing a message from Eastham’s Animal Control Officer. If you would like more information, updates on progress, or have questions, please contact Animal Control directly at (774) 801-0502.

The Department is aware of five coyotes that have various progressions of mange, one of which has a more severe case than the rest. The coyotes have been monitored for a few months and will continue to be monitored, with attempts to catch the ones with the most severe cases of mange by means of net or catch pole (trapping is illegal for Animal Control, rehabbers, and the public). Monitoring and attempts to catch and bring coyotes for treatment/rehabilitation are done in consultation with Cape Wildlife Center in Barnstable, and with biologists at Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife.

DO NOT FEED THE COYOTES!! This is for both human and animal safety. We have been combatting an issue with people attempting to feed coyotes with mange. This is unsafe for humans, and pets, as it may result in a bite or contact with rabies vector species. If there is a suspected contact between a person and a coyote, then the animal will be euthanized to be tested.

Again, DO NOT FEED!! It is also unsafe for the animals because the food has drawn the animals to regularly be in or near the road, is not a healthy diet for a wild animal, and results in the spread of mange. Putting food out for wild animals attracts both sick and healthy animals. Since these feeding efforts have taken place, mange has spread to other coyotes in the community (mange spreads through contact/animals using the same area regularly). If animals are fed by humans, they are also unlikely to be candidates for rehab because either 1) they will be euthanized to be tested based on assumed contact, or 2) they are highly likely to bite someone once habituated to receiving food and are a public safety risk.

From Mass Wildlife:
“Trapping and the distribution of medication have the potential to lead to the spread of disease, the habituation of wildlife, and the poisoning of non-target individuals and species and therefore are not permissible…

It is illegal for anyone, wildlife rehabilitators, animal control officers, or the general public to distribute any form of medication to free-ranging wildlife for any reason. It would also be illegal for a veterinarian to provide medication for said purpose. This would include giving Ivermectin to wildlife in an attempt to treat mange, which is often suggested when the public discusses animals with mange that they want to help. This is expressly prohibited…

In order to treat an animal heavily infected with mange they need much more [medication], but in specific doses so as not to poison them. This is not possible for a free-ranging animal.

Coyotes do have the ability to recover from mange on their own. The best long-term solution to dealing with the persistent mange in our fox and coyote populations is to eliminate human-associated foods around our communities and end all intentional feeding of wildlife.”

Attempting to medicate in the wild could result in death of the coyotes(s), other animals, or domestic dogs. Coyotes are wild animals, and while it is difficult to see them suffering, we ask that the public DO NOT FEED and DO NOT MEDICATE, and leave monitoring and efforts to catch to our professional animal handlers, wildlife biologists, and local wildlife veterinary staff. We are making attempts to capture and, if captured, will bring the affected animals for treatment at Cape Wildlife Center.

Again, questions and concerns are welcome from residents, visitors, and fellow animal lovers – please call me at (774) 801-0502 if you would like more information!

Eastham Animal Control

Additional state resources: https://www.mass.gov/info…/prevent-conflicts-with-coyotes

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is reporting that West Nile Virus has been detected in a sample of mosquitoes collected in Eastham in the area between Hemenway Road and the Fort Hill area on August 24, 2023. This represents the first time that West Nile Virus has been identified in Eastham this season. The positive mosquitoes are Culex pipens/restuans, which are human and bird-biting mosquitoes that generally bite after dark.

The detection of West Nile Virus in Eastham indicates the need for residents and visitors to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves from mosquitoes.

These precautions include the following: remove or drain standing water in gutters, drains, tires and containers; make sure screens on doors and windows are in good condition; if possible, avoid outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active (generally, from dusk to dawn); if outdoors when mosquitoes are active, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks and use a mosquito repellent with an EPA registration number on the label. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when using repellents and use bug netting on baby carriages and play pens.

More information on Massachusetts Arborvirus can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/…/massachusetts-arbovirus-update…

More information on mosquito and tick borne diseases can be found here: https://www.eastham-ma.gov/249/Mosquito-and-Tick-Information

Any questions please call the Health Department at 508-240-5900.

Update:
West Nile Virus Makes Its Annual Appearance Here (The Provincetown Independent, 13 Sep 2023)