Iowa couple find rare armadillo roadkill

[May 19, 2010]  WEVER, Iowa (AP) -- Rural southeastern Iowa resident Greg and Linda Wilbert say they've found a rare piece of roadkill for the state -- an armadillo.

The pair from Wever near Burlington were driving on U.S. 61 when they saw the animal. Linda Wilbert said it caused her to say "Oh my God, is that an armadillo?" The Wilberts said they put the animal in their pickup truck and showed it to surprised friends and family.

Ron Andrews is a biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. He said the armadillo could have made its way to Iowa as the species expands its range northward. Andrews said the animal also could have been captured, brought to Iowa and dumped. Andrews also says armadillo also could have stowed away on a truck or train and fallen off in Iowa.

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Information from: The Hawk Eye, http://www.thehawkeye.com/

[Associated Press]

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