May 29, 2006
Drought may Force Wildlife into Neighborhoods
AZGFD PHOENIX - Don't be surprised if you see more wild animals around your home in the next few months. Drought conditions may cause creatures like bobcats and coyotes to wander further into town than normal, as they seek out sources of food and water.
"Animals may go into search mode," says Joe Yarchin, urban and watchable wildlife project manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "If they can't find food and water in the forests, mountains and other areas where they normally live, then they head to places where these essentials can be found."
If you do see wild animals in your neighborhood, you should not try to help by feeding them. That can actually wind up doing more harm than good.
"You should never provide food, cover or water for wildlife around your home," says Yarchin. "Animals that receive help from people become habituated to human-occupied areas and can feel too comfortable around humans. That's how many human-wildlife conflicts begin, as some animals become aggressive. Often, the animals that wind up biting or attacking people were previously human-fed. This type of aggressive behavior also puts the animal's life in danger."
Here are some tips for discouraging wild animals from taking up residence in your neighborhood:
--Don't feed wildlife, and remove attractants, including pet food, water bowls and garbage, from around your home.
--Make possible den sites or shelters, including the crawl spaces under homes, unavailable by blocking them with fencing or other devices.
Also, if you see an animal that appears to be injured or orphaned, think twice about picking it up. If you handle an animal and get it used to human presence, you may doom it from being able to survive in the wild in the future. If you find a baby animal on its own, don't assume it's orphaned and in need of your help.
"Usually, the parents are not far away," says Yarchin. "They may be out gathering food or taking a short break from their young, and if you remove the baby, you're actually creating a problem. Also, this time of year, baby birds can be found on the ground. This is typically just a normal part of learning to fly."
Posted by The Naturalist at May 29, 2006 8:31 AM