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Tucson Audubon Society Encountering and observing wildlife can be a wonderful experience. It is important that people know some simple guidelines for encountering wildlife that keep the experience wonderful for both humans and wildlife. Issues in Human-Wildlife Interactions If you encounter wildlife, remember that human-wildlife interactions that threaten (or even appear to threaten humans) can lead to the wildlife being killed or relocated. Studies show that relocations of rattlesnakes, mountain lions and bears are often not successful. Relocated animals may be disoriented, they may not know where to find food, or they may run into direct competition from others of their own species that have already established territories. Many relocated animals die or find their way back to areas where there are humans. Keeping human-wildlife interactions positive helps to keep wildlife alive. Keep in mind that interactions with large and/or toxic wildlife (in our area species like mountain lion, bobcat, deer, javelina, coyote, rattlesnake, Gila monster) almost always occur when humans enter their territories in the wilderness or when human settlements encroach upon undeveloped areas. So humans have some responsibility for manufacturing these interactions. In addition, animals do not exercise judgment and modify behavior based on learning to the extent that humans do. It is up to humans to learn how to make interactions with wildlife safe for both humans and wildlife. Urban and Suburban Areas One way to minimize negative human-wildlife interactions is to avoid doing things in homes, yards, schools and businesses that attract large wildlife into developed areas. Do not feed wild mammals. Feeding javelinas creates herds of them that roam suburbs looking for handouts. You may know how to act around them, but somebody else in the neighborhood may think it's okay to try to pet them or feed them from their hand. This is a recipe for disaster. In addition, feeding javelinas, squirrels, skunks, or other small mammals will increase the number of these creatures in suburbs. While it is nice to see such animals, remember that these animals are prey for mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes. When numbers of prey go up, numbers of predators can go up. Having these predators in suburbs or urban areas causes trouble for people and, ultimately, for the predators themselves. Even feeding birds can have unwanted consequences. If a lot of bird seed ends up on the ground, squirrels may eat it and become numerous. This, again, can attract predators. See the article on safe backyard bird feeding to avoid this problem.
Bird questions? Check Birding | General questions? Contact: Tucson Audubon Society | Webmaster: Email This page was updated on 02/09/06 |