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| Living in harmony with wild predators an ever-increasing challenge in Atlanta |
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| Written by Mack Hayden |
| Friday, 13 August 2010 19:26 |
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When a 20-year-old male silverback gorilla named Taz charged - and cracked - a glass barrier in the Atlanta Zoo back in May, the exhibit area was quickly evacuated and all safety measures were taken. Though fortunately there were no injuries to Taz or any of his human keepers or visitors, the incident was a powerful reminder that even in a zoo, wild animals are...well, wild. As our cities expand ever outward and we "tame" the environment to our purposes, we also threaten the animals that have called those areas home for thousands of years. News stories about coyotes casually strolling into the local Starbucks, or mountain lions padding into the corner convenience store, have become commonplace all over the U.S. As we encroach ever deeper into their habitat, our encounters with those animals become more frequent, and sometimes disastrous for the animals and ourselves. However, that relationship need not be adversarial. All we have to do is use a little common sense, and show some respect for the creatures that share our environment. Perhaps the biggest challenge we face is how to deal with the predators we encounter in our idyllic neighborhoods. Coyotes, foxes, skunks, bats, and snakes are by necessity learning how to adapt to coexisting with humans, and for the most part, they are able to do so without incident. Those times when a problem does arise are typically due to human ignorance and fear. If we would just learn a few simple guidelines, those problems would virtually disappear. The first rule we need to learn is that wild animals are not pets, and they don't live for our amusement. A healthy animal's instinct is to avoid human contact at all costs. So while that cute squirrel in our yard might simply be accustomed to being approached, it's just as likely that the animal is sick. Especially with predators such as fox, coyote, and skunks, which are even more wary of contact, a seemingly "friendly" animal should be looked at warily, and contact avoided at all costs. After all, it was only a couple of years ago that Georgia found itself in the middle of a rabies epidemic, with dozens of people bitten by rabid animals. Despite all our efforts, we haven't been able to change the fact that some wild animals continue to carry and spread the disease. When we come into predators' habitat, they are faced with choosing whether to move elsewhere or make the best of the situation living alongside humans. If we make it easier for them to stick around, say, by providing them with food or cover, there will be no reason for them to leave. Last month, the Berkeley Lake (Gwinnett County) City Council passed an ordinance making it illegal to feed any wild animal within its corporate limits, the only exceptions being birds and fish. This might appear cruel, but it is, in fact, an act of genuine kindness to the animals, and is a model that should be implemented throughout the state. Common sense dictates that if we remove the incentive for animals to remain in areas where they're likely to come in contact with humans, there will be fewer chances for unpleasant confrontations. We also need to keep in mind that not feeding wild animals means both refraining from intentionally feeding them and consciously eliminating all potential food sources. Not leaving our pets' food outside is a good start. Not allowing pets to roam free should be a no-brainer, though many people think nothing of allowing their pets - especially cats - their freedom. To a coyote or a fox, a domestic cat or small dog can represent a tempting meal, especially when other natural food sources have been diminished. So keep your pets - and their food - somewhere that is less tempting to predators. And use that common sense in all dealings with the natural world. For additional information on how to deal with suburban animal encounters, go to http://www.awareone.org/ . And speaking of wild animals (of the less threatening kind), it's not too late to enter Zoo Atlanta's "Name the Baby Giraffe" contest. You have till August 25 to throw your name suggestion in the hat. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites |
