Dear friends
& neighbors, Most
of the wild animals brought to our care suffer from injuries or problems
caused by humans. Since most people try to avoid causing harm to other
living creatures we have put together a list of things to do, or not
do, to help wildlife.
The list is in no particular order of importance, but if everyone followed
these suggestions our wildlife would have an easier time.
1. Before mowing
your lawn or rototilling your garden walk through the area first to
make sure no rabbits or ground-nesting birds are in harms way. It only
takes a couple weeks for these babies to grow and leave the nest. Be
tolerant and give them the time they need. Help them by keeping your
pets away from them.
2. Alert birds to
large expanses of glass in your home, such as patio doors or picture
windows. Use hanging, streamers, put bird silhouettes on the glass surface,
or allow the glass to be a little bit dirty. A screen over the window
can help. Reduce the reflection to cut down the numbers of birds who
collide, often fatally with windows and doors.
3. Pick up
litter and refuse. Many things such as six-pack connectors, bottle caps
and rings, monofilament fishing line, plastic bags and watch batteries
can cause asphyxiation or poisoning in animals.
4. Use non-toxic products on your lawn, garden and in your home.
5. Educate
children to respect and care for all wild creatures and their habitats.
Teach children that wild animals are not playthings and should be allowed
to go about their lives unmolested. Children should also be taught not
to destroy nests, burrows or other wildlife habitat.
6. As a general
rule, leave infant wildlife alone since they are not always truly orphaned.
A parent may be nearby or will return soon.
7. Place caps over
all chimneys and vents on your roof to prevent birds, ducks and raccoons
or squirrels from taking up residence and becoming a nuisance or getting
trapped.
8. Do not leave
fishing line or fish hooks un-
attended or lying about outdoors. Try to retrieve any fishing life or
kite string that has become entangled in trees or water.
9. Before doing tree
work or cutting down a tree check for birds' nests and small mammal
nests on branches and in tree cavities. Avoid cutting down dead trees
since they provide homes for a wide variety of wildlife.
10. Drive more slowly
and be alert for wildlife. This will give you the opportunity of seeing
many more wild animals and birds, and you can avoid many accidents with
deer and other creatures.
11. Prevent your
pet cats and dogs from attacking and/or "playing with" wildlife.
Don't allow them to run without supervision and raise your cats as indoor
pets. Dozens of animals arrive for care each year with wounds from cats
and dogs.
12. Motor oil and
anti-freeze should not be left unattended or in open containers. Please
dispose of these & all poisons safely.
13. Do not
attempt to raise, keep or rehabilitate wildlife yourself. Not only is
it illegal, but wild creatures do not make good pets and captivity poses
a constant stress to them. Young wild animals raised without contact
with their own species fail to develop survival skills and fear of humans,
virtually eliminating their chances of survival in the wild. If you
want to rehab please call us and we will mentor you and help you get
licensed.
14. Birdfeeders
need to be cleaned with a bleach solution once a week to prevent infections
such as conjunctivitis among song birds which causes blindness and death.
Consider planting trees and plants that provide food and habitat for
the song birds. Take the feeders in during bear season.
15. If you use bird
or deer netting mark it with
surveyor's tape so that the birds and small
animals become aware of it.
16. Please dispose
of all garbage in adequate
containers for your wildlife situation. Bear resistant garbage cans
are available from the group www.savenjbears.com To avoid attracting
bears to your home keep a clean yard, take down bird feeders, keep garbage
in resistant containers and clean your grill after every use. Right
after!
17. Walk slowly
and see, hear and feel the beauty all about you everyday. See what animals
come to you.
Listen to what they have to say!