Living with Wildlife
Development continues to destroy natural habitats of wild animals at an alarming rate, decimating many wild animal populations and leaving others vulnerable to dangers in our cities and towns. Many animals have survived the destruction of habitat and other changes associated with urban sprawl by adapting to city living. We now share developed land with them, living side by side with wild animals.
Living in close proximity with wild animals increases the likelihood of encountering animals in our neighborhoods, or even homes in search of food and shelter. Every year millions of wild animals considered “nuisances” by some are killed without exploring viable alternatives. Exploring alternatives would allow city-dwellers, suburban families and farmers alike the means to find non-violent solutions to peacefully cohabit this increasingly crowded planet with our other-than-human animal friends.
The methods used for “pest control” include incredibly cruel poisoning, gassing and trapping of wild animals. Such methods cause animals to slowly die and many suffer starvation or bleed to death in traps. The lethal poisons and traps harm unintended victims as well, like beloved companion animals who stumble upon the indiscriminate and deadly devices. In addition, these methods are often ineffective because as long as a particular area remains desirable and accessible to animals, it will continue to attract others.
The good news is that caring people have developed humane alternatives to lethal “pest” and population control that work. The effects of employing these methods are not exclusive to a single species. For example, fencing a garden, or taking other measures to dissuade rabbits from eating vegetation, will reduce the presence of rabbits around your home, and by extension, dissuade predators such as coyotes from coming near your home in search of prey. People can best make their businesses, farms, and homes a safer place for animals by keeping all of the species in their area in mind as they work to solve conflicts with animals.
With a little work and persistence, we can spare thousands of animals from cruel deaths by using humane alternatives to “pest” control.
More information on controlling and dissuading specific species from entering your property.
What You Can Do
If you ever see glue traps being used to capture and kill animals, contact those responsible, ask them to stop using glue traps and provide information on humane alternatives.
If you find a bird showing signs of poisoning or suffering from convulsions, transport the animal to a veterinarian immediately. If he or she determines that the bird has been poisoned, contact your local animal control bureau immediately.
If your city is planning a wildlife “cull,” contact IDA at idainfo@idausa.org or (415) 448-0048 for humane alternatives that you can present to city officials.
Click here for a list of companies that sell humane mice traps. |
