If you want to help wildlife in your community the first thing to look at is human behaviour. In many cases when an animal is killed by authorities, it stems from conflict, which is frequently borne from problems created by people – problems that we have the power to fix.
Here are three easy things you can do at home to make life a bit safer for the wildlife in your community:
- Clean up around the house. Grease traps that haven’t been cleaned and citronella candles will attract bears. Fallen fruits from trees will bring in coyotes. And unsecure garbage is an enticing neon sign for raccoons. Every now and then take a critical look at your property and see what might be attracting animals – and take steps to clean it up before problems begin.
- Follow the garbage rules. Many municipalities have clear rules on when garbage, recycling, and organic waste bins can be placed at roadside. In bear country, it’s quite common to keep waste inside or in a secure location until the morning of pick up. Make sure you’re following these rules, as accessible garbage is frequently the first part of conflict that may lead to the killing of animals.
- Education and enforce. It only takes one house in a neighbourhood not taking care of attractants or feeding animals to create conflict. Talk with your neighbours, friends, and family about these issues, and if you know someone isn’t following the rules, report it to your local by-law enforcement office or municipality.
We can all play a role in keeping wildlife safe – and a lot of it doesn’t even require you to leave your property.
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