Have a question about interacting with wildlife? You just might find the answer in this section!

Questions & Answers

Q. What should I do if there is a snake in my yard?

A. Most snakes in New England are harmless to people, and some are even helpful to gardens. However, if you see a snake in your yard, it is a good idea to simply give it space and not disturb itb.

Q. What should I do if I see a wild animal, such as a raccoon or an opossum, in my yard?

A. If you see a raccoon or opossum in your yard, you should bring yourself and your pets indoors until the animal has left. These two animals specifically are nocturnal, which means that they are usually active at night, so it is not uncommon to find them wandering around in the evening. If, however, you see a nocturnal animal like this during daytime, or it appears to be acting aggressive, disoriented, or sick, the animal could be sick with Rabies, which is very dangerous to humans and pets. (For more information about Rabies in wild animals, click here). If you see an animal in your yard or neighborhood that is showing any of these signs, call your local animal control immediately to describe the animal and where you saw it.

Q. I found a baby bird. What should I do?

A. Resist the urge to touch or "rescue" a baby bird that seems to have fallen from its nest. There is a good chance that its mother is watching from above and waiting for an opportunity to come help it. The best thing you can do to help the baby bird is to simply leave the area, so the mother bird feels safe helping the baby. Make sure you bring any pets inside for a while, because they may disturb the baby or scare away the mother bird. IF you have allowed at least 4-5 hours of undisturbed, quiet time and the baby bird is still where you left it, check to see if the bird has any feathers. If so, it is normal for it to be on the ground. If not, ask an adult to carefully return the baby to its nest it one can be located, or call a local wildlife rehabilitator for advicec.

Q. Is it okay for me to put food out for wild animals in my yard?

A. While birdfeeders are okay to feed wild birds, in general you should not put food out for wild animals. Animals often return to places that they have found food in the past, and providing food near your home could result in some "unwanted visitors." Also, many types of human food may be harmful to wild animals that aren't used to the diets we eat.

Q. There is a turtle crossing the road. What should I do?

A. Turtles do not understand the danger involved in crossing roads, so it is not uncommon to find one crossing on a summer day in New England. Most turtles in New England are harmless to humans, and if you have a willing adult, you could assist the turtle in its journey by having the adult pick it up carefully (placing fingers on the shell where the turtle cannot turn its head to reach), and move it to the side of the road that it was heading toward. However, if the turtle is larger than a soccer ball, it should not be picked up, since it may be a snapping turtlea. In this case, an adult can use a solid object like a branch to encourage the turtle to move across the road.

Q. What are some guidelines for protecting pets and wildlife?

A. To protect your pet from diseases that can be spread by wild animals, speak to your veterinarian about what vaccines are necessary (all pets in the state of CT are required to receive regular Rabies vaccinations, and your veterinarian will probably be able to suggest other vaccines to protect your pet based on its risks). Another idea to keep your pet and wildlife safe is to walk your pet on a leash, to prevent it from disturbing wildlife. If this is not an option for you, try to at least do a quick visual scan of your yard before you let your pet outdoors to make sure that there are no wild animals or other hazards in the area.

Q. I am planning a campfire. What do I need to do to protect wildlife?

A. First, make sure that the area that the fire will be kept is well contained, and there is no risk of things outside of the fire pit catching fire (for example, branches that hang over fire pits present a risk of spreading the flame outside of the pit). Many states or towns have rules about where a fire can and cannot be held, so have an adult check to make sure that your fire will follow these guidelines. Never leave a burning fire unattended; make sure someone is watching it at all times. When the fire is finished, have an adult shovel enough dirt or sand onto the coals to smother them, so that the fire cannot re-ignite.

Q. Who can I call if I find a hurt animal?

A. The answer to this question depends on where you live, the type of animal, and the injuries it has sustained. First and most importantly, if you find a hurt wild animal, DO NOT touch it. Animals that are in pain often do not act rationally, and may strike out at you, because they do not understand that you are trying to help. Call your local animal control officer to ask their advice. They may know of a veterinarian that would be able to assist the animal, or have other ideas of the best way to deal with the situation.

Q. What are some important phone numbers to have handy in case of a wildlife emergency or issue?

A. Keep the phone number of your local animal control officer handy, because they are an excellent resource in knowing the best way to deal with an emergency involving a wild animal. If you have a pet, also know the phone number for their veterinarian, in case your pet were harmed by a wild animal.




References:

a) Wildlife profile: Snapping turtle. Retrieved April 3, 2009, from New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Web site: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/turtles/snapping_turtle.htm

b) Minter, C (20009). There's a snae in the yard! What to do (and not to do) when you see a snake. Retrieved April 3, 2009, from Ezine articles Web site: http://ezinearticles.com/?Theres-a-Snake-In-The-Yard!--What-to-Do-(and-not-do)-When-You-See-a-Snake&id=58683

c) Jacobs, S (1998). I found a baby bird, now what?. Retrieved April 6, 2009, from Healers of the Wild Web site: http://www.nwrawildlife.org/documents/jacobs_birds.pdf