Wild & Free: Let it Be!

By Tammy O'Neil, Wildlife Care Manager

Watching our native wildlife is a treat even in our own backyard! Springtime is the best time to watch for nest building and the arrival of young.

Backyard wildlife needs very little from us, as long as we remember to give them the peace and quiet they need to successfully raise their young.

The most important thing to remember is that wild parents know what’s best for their young. We don’t need to get involved! Young animals don’t have a scent. If the parents have hidden them in the grass or elsewhere, predators will not be attracted to them.

Here are some suggestions for a wildlife-friendly backyard:

• Check for nests before cutting down a tree or clearing brush. 
• Place caps on chimneys, vents and window wells to prevent wildlife from falling in or nesting there.
• Keep pets under control so that they don’t injure or eat backyard wildlife.
• Demonstrate respect for wildlife and their homes; teach children not to catch or harass them.
• Exercise caution when driving and watch the roadsides for wild animals, especially at dawn and dusk. When at home or visiting the parks, remember to keep animals wild and healthy by not feeding them.

Feeding wildlife creates unhealthy conditions. Many people find it enjoyable to go to a park to feed the animals. Animals congregate in areas where they are fed, causing several problems. They exceed the carrying capacity of their habitats and become overcrowded. High levels of fecal matter are concentrated in one area, which causes unsanitary conditions for animals and people. Diseases can be passed from one animal to another when areas are overcrowded.

Processed foods such as bread, popcorn and cereal are “junk food” to wild animals. They lack many of the nutrients the animals need in order to stay healthy.

Feeding wildlife causes loss of wild instincts. Wild animals that are hand-fed can lose their natural instincts to migrate and search for food. They become dependent on humans for food and lose their healthy fear of them. Hand-fed animals lose their ability to care for themselves.