Wildlife, Cars and a Quiet Rural Setting

Dear Bob:

I wish to bring to the attention of your readers a particular concern of mine: wildlife and cars.  As a 20 year veteran wildlife rehabilitator, it pains me each and every time I find a wounded or dead wild animal at the side of the road.  This is hardly necessary in such a lovely and quiet rural setting as we are blessed to live in.

 

At this time of year, and in the weeks to come, there are several "wild" behaviours that motorists should be aware of.  Squirrels, bluejays, chipmunks, and other small animals will be dashing across roads to collect the harvest of wild nuts and some berries that fall upon these death-ways.  Please, take your time getting to your destination and watch for these animals darting hither and yon.  They are, essentially, grocery shopping - you wouldn't want to be run down by a maniac driver at Shop Rite, would you?  Additionally, in weeks to come, hunting season will be in full swing.  Many deer flee from the sound of guns, and flee they do over our roads, please be aware of areas where they commonly cross the roads, and try to slow down in those areas.  Also, as the buck deer begin their rutting season, let's just say they are blinded by love (and hormones) and not always aware of traffic.  A buck deer flying into your windshield can seriously harm you and other drivers.  BE AWARE.  Also at this time, animals like opossums, raccoons, and smaller game are foraging and trying to store up enough fat for the winter.  Try to be kind, and not turn them into road kill.  Migrating birds at this time of year rarely cause traffic interactions, but some do take off low from the sides of the road, so try to be aware of your surroundings as you drive.

Finally, we come to the predators: the coyotes, bobcats, bear and mountain lion (yes one has been spotted in Philmont!)  Do NOT leave out cat and/or dog food, and don't leave these out either on a screened-in porch.  A hungry predator will not stop at a "barrier" such as your front door if there is the smell of food about.  If you feed feral cats, try to move the location to a more clandestine area away from your front or back door.  And be aware if you allow your dog(s) and/or cat(s) to roam free: they could become someone's lunch.  These predators are not doing anything that we, also predators, don't do: they are trying to survive, but now they are doing it in a world more and more inhabited by these strange two-legged beings who apparently, don't like or trust them.  BE AWARE and PLEASE CARE about wildlife.

Finally, if you have a wildlife emergency or problem, do not assume that there is no help to be had: there are many rehabbers in our area, and you can get a list from the DEC.  If you accidentallt hit an opossum and it isn't dead, the answer is not to run it over two or three more times!!  That is cruel and inhumane.  BUT - you can call a rehabilitator.  If anyone needs my help, please contact me at 325-1415, but please also get the DEC list in case there is someone closer to your location.  If you get my machine, leave a message.  I am always here, but cannot always get to the phone in time.  Injured animals should be approached with caution - and it help if you call a rehabber and stay at the scene so we can find you on a dark night.  If you have a blanket in your car, you can throw it over the injured animal for warmth and to protect from shock and stressful eye contact.  Again, for more info, feel free to give me a shout.  Hoping this is useful to folks out there.

 

Very Drooly Yours,
Morgana Washington