"Always check multiple sources before posting a story"
That was the title accompanying an email with this story
The story below was posted on a local police department’s Facebook page. We use those often as a resource for stories and information. My assignment editor called me over and asked me to check this one out:
«Researchers for the Arkansas Department of Transportation found over 200 dead crows near I-49 in NWA recently, and there was concern that they may have died from Avian Flu.
A Bird Pathologist examined the remains of all the crows, and, to everyone’s relief, confirmed the problem was definitely NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be vehicular impacts. However, during the detailed analysis it was noted that varying colors of paints appeared on the bird’s beaks and claws.
By analyzing these paint residues it was determined that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with trucks, while only 2% were killed by an impact with a car.
ARDOT then hired an Ornithological Behaviorist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus car kills.
He very quickly concluded the cause: When crows eat road kill, they always have a look-out crow in a nearby tree to warn of impending danger.
They discovered that while all the lookout crows could shout “Cah”, not a single one could shout “Truck.”»
The PD later updated their post with a disclaimer: Warning: Dad Joke Ahead. I won’t lie…they had me going until that last sentence, and then I laughed my ass off.