Wildlife in Crisis prepares for baby season

The babies are coming soon! Our summer interns will be arriving to help us care for the thousands of orphaned babies headed our way. It is our hope that people will be tolerant of wildlife in their midst. We can reduce the numbers of injured and orphaned wildlife by taking a few simple steps.

1. Supervise pets: Unsupervised pets maim and kill countless wild animals. Many of the animals we receive at WIC are the result of a dog or cat attack. Please keep cats indoors, it is safer for your cats as well as vulnerable wildlife.
2. Leave trees standing: Trees provide us with clean air, shade and natural beauty. Trees also prevent erosion and flooding in many areas. Trees provide homes and nutrition to wild animals of all shapes and sizes. Many species of birds and mammals nest in the hollows of trees or make their nest in the tree canopy. Acorns and other seeds and nuts produced by mature trees provide year-round nutrition to countless wild species. Even so-called "dead" trees or snags provide shelter and nourishment. Spring and summer months are a particularly bad time to be cutting down trees, since there are likely to be mothers with babies hidden in them. Instead of cutting down whole trees, try just trimming branches that overhang your house.
3. Watch for wildlife when driving. When you see one animal cross the road, chances are there are more to follow. During rainstorms there will be many frogs in the road near wetlands and waterways.
4. Be aware when gardening or clearing land that there are probably salamanders and other amphibians living under the rocks and leaves in your yard.
5. Enjoy spring!! :0)