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Uninformed and well-meaning residents may
end up paying for services that fail to solve the conflict,
or result in a behind-the-scenes animal death. These deaths
may occur through drowning, lethal injection with commercial
solvents or even the bludgeoning of animals by some commercial
pest or nuisance animal control firms.
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| We stress that live-trapping and relocation of
animals is yet another "quick-fix" remedy, which
fails to treat any underlying problem. In fact, these measures
may encourage
disease transmission and relocation is illegal
in some states. |
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"Whenever
people say, "We musn't be sentimental," you can take
it they are about to do something cruel. And if they add,,
"We must be realistic", they mean they are going to make
money out of it."
- Brigid Brophy |
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To better understand the pitfalls
of relocation, just imagine personalizing the relocation
concept with a human character. Let's imagine Alfred,
an uncle without any immediate family to rely on. He shows
up periodically, uninvited, for a holiday get-together. Somewhat
lacking in social graces, he tends to engage in loud munching,
belching and other annoying behavior at the dinner table.
What to do about Alfred… is the question for the holiday.
Would you pack up his belongings and tote him to an upscale
subdivision somewhere to dump him off on someone else? Frankly,
a subdivision is the perfect environment for him, isn't
it though? The homes have extra bedrooms and freezers packed
full with delicacies.
Although the perfect environment for Alfred, no one is willing
to open their door and invite him inside. Animals, territorial
by nature, will not receive newcomers in their area either.
In fact, allowing additional animals to move into occupied
territories can be potentially devastating to other resident
wildlife. |
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| Instead…a
humane pro-active approach |
In
1999, Wildlife Orphanage created a Wildlife Assistance Hotline
at (219) 362-6999 to provide callers with information
concerning humane, non-lethal alternatives for resolving
human/wildlife conflicts. These alternatives are cost-effective
and successful - more importantly, they are permanent.
Our hotline is operated by three licensed
wildlife control professionals, as well as several trained
and committed volunteers.
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The hotline receives close to 700 calls each year, and because
of the effective strategies advocated, the number of orphaned
animals treated annually at our facility was reduced by 50
percent.
Our organization has a contract with a licensed wild animal
control professional, who is responsible for humanely removing
mammals; sealing up entry holes to prevent re-entry, and
reuniting animal family units disrupted by the removal techniques.
The professional also provides residents with information
on habitat and human behavior modification options to prevent
future conflicts.
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"Non-violence leads to the highest
ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop
harming all other living beings, we are still savages"
- Thomas Edison
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Understanding a species' natural
behavior increases the success rate of removal by these means.
Once an animal has vacated the former den site, appropriate
repairs or exclusionary devices must be used to prevent other
opportunistic animals from moving in again. |
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| Critical to the removal effort,
is removing on-site food sources that contribute to the desirability
of the location.
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| How to deal
with our wild neighbors |
Animals are very adaptable, perhaps even more so than
humans. People are confronted with many wildlife species
as they enjoy the great outdoors or build their homes in
the country.
For humans, it can be difficult to master the
challenge of dealing with wildlife conflicts in a more
humane manner.
The challenge is in changing our thinking, and to refuse
to accept inappropriate and environmentally irresponsible
ways of dealing with wildlife conflicts. |
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What do you do if a member of the wildlife community
is discovered sharing your living space? There are in
fact, a variety of options for residents facing this
dilemma.
Many mammal conflict situations arise out of irrational
fear surrounding the presence of a wild animal. For instance
many urban dwellers are perplexed at the sighting of
a raccoon in their domain. This is not a new phenomenon
to be sure, as these opportunistic creatures are taking
advantage of a sustainable environment and doing rather
well.
Educating yourself concerning the natural behavior and
characteristics of wildlife helps to decipher if a particular
animal behavior is cause for concern.
A vast majority of complaints by residents occur during
the birthing season of animals as they seek suitable
environments to raise their young. Creatures are willing
to take advantage of humans who may unwittingly provide
dens and food sources.
And so, conflicts arise. First, check for footprints in order to determine the
kind of animal causing the problem or intrusion. Make
a note concerning the time of day that the animal appears.
Accurately determine the animal or animals involved;
the damage being done; and the possible reasons for the
behavior, (is there a mother animal using your attic
for a den to protect her young?). Look for alternatives
for resolving the problem - permanently and humanely. |
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| Eliminating
the problem with human behavior modification |
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Some
conflicts may be avoided by modifying our own behavior.
For instance, residents disturbed by raccoons raiding birdfeeders
are encouraged to bring in their birdfeeders at dusk, together
with any tarps or trays placed underneath the birdfeeders
for catching spilled seeds.
Garbage cans are also gourmet delights and open invitations
for a raccoon or other hungry animal. This is easily remedied
by taking refuse out for pickup in the morning hours -
after nocturnal creatures return to their dens. |
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If garbage must be placed out for collection in the evenings,
tall, plastic garbage cans with TWIST-ON lids are recommended.
Nocturnal snacking is precluded as raccoons are unable
to manipulate these lids and gain entry.
Keep in mind, our "people food" isn't
really good for animal consumption. Some food can cause
serious health problems for our animal friends. And, once
animals start to depend on humans as their food source,
(through hand-outs) they become dependent and lose their
natural skills for finding food.
Habituating animals to seek out food sources from humans
can be devastating as these imprinted animals routinely
approach humans – some of whom are uncomfortable
viewing wildlife up close and personal!
Here are some excellent sources of information concerning
wildlife conflicts and solutions:
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