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What To Do Wednesday: Issue #6

April 9, 2014/in Blog, What To Do Wednesday

What to do if your neighbor is feeding wildlife.

A cougar family that was relocated after preying on human-fed deer in an urban area (Photo: Jackson Hole News & Guide / courtesy photo)

A cougar family that was relocated after preying on human-fed deer in an urban area (Photo: Jackson Hole News & Guide / courtesy photo)

They say everyone likes a little drama. While we at The Cougar Fund typically prefer to get straight to “the facts,” we have decided to delve deeper into one of the more controversial issues when it comes to wildlife. Feeding wildlife – such as putting out salt licks for ungulates or grains to attract small mammals (bird feeders aren’t a problem, so long as you hang them properly and at the right time of year) – is one such issue, and a perfect topic to discuss in our What To Do Wednesday series.

Make no mistake about it: Feeding wildlife is not appropriate, and it often has unintended consequences. As we (and other organizations and agencies) always warn, if you’re attracting prey, predators are sure to follow; and attracting predators into developed, human-inhabited areas brings with it a whole slew of concerns. But there are other risks to feeding wildlife too, including increased disease transmission, habituation, and mortality associated with roads and vehicles, not to mention, the danger habituated animals pose to humans and their property (even deer can injure children or pets).

It’s an issue that really hits home for The Cougar Fund. A few years ago, a family of cougars was trapped near Jackson, Wyoming and relocated elsewhere (relocated cougars have very low survival rates). The family had been frequenting a high use area with residences, preying on deer that were being fed. A misguided decision to feed deer likely resulted in the death of a mother cougar and her three kittens, and it also put Wyoming Game & Fish’s staff in a highly undesirable “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation.

A big part of the problem is that state wildlife managers don’t have a whole lot of control over this issue – until the damage has already been done. After all, people feeding wildlife are almost always doing it on their private land. So, what should you do if your neighbor or someone you know is feeding wildlife?

First, put yourself in the shoes of your buy valtrex in hong kong neighbor. Why are they feeding wildlife in the first place? It is almost certainly the result of misguided kindness, of an individual doing what they think will help the animals (but, as we’ve already discussed, it will likely result in more harm than good). If you approach your neighbor, it is important to be sensitive to the possibility that they are not aware of the potential repercussions of their actions, and that they are simply doing something they think to be right.

Share with them the facts related to feeding wildlife, and be prepared to engage in a lively but civil conversation. Offer up alternative ways in which they can help wildlife, such as:

  • Supporting a wild animal sanctuary or rehab center.
  • Donating to a land trust or similar organization that works to protect habitat.
  • Volunteering in habitat improvement projects.
  • Landscaping their property with native plants that create habitat for wild animals.
  • Visiting a park or refuge to view wildlife.

Reaffirm, if necessary, that they are not “bad” people, and that you understand they are simply trying to help wild animals.

This deer is a little too friendly, and possibly dangerous. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6344645)

This deer is a little too friendly, and possibly dangerous. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6344645)

Of course, there are people who have probably been feeding wildlife for decades, and just about nothing you say is going to change their mind. There are regulations in many locales that discourage the feeding of wildlife (and activities that attract large carnivores), but it is always better to try and reach some sort of resolution, rather than seeking punitive action. If no such agreement can be reached, however, it could be time to take this route. After all, the safety and well-being of humans and wildlife is the highest priority.

Coexisting with wildlife isn’t easy, but it can be done. If you live in an area inhabited by bears, then you’ve certainly heard the mantra, “A fed bear is a dead bear.” While the euthanization of a habituated bear is tragic, feeding wildlife such as deer can have cascading effects that result in the death of multiple animals. Hopefully this post has gotten straight to “the facts” about feeding wildlife, and you are now better prepared to deal with a sticky situation should it arise.

For more information on the effects of feeding wildlife, check out:
http://www.paws.org/feeding-wildlife
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/74763.html

https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png 0 0 Penny https://cougarfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/CougarFundBlack.png Penny2014-04-09 08:21:102014-04-09 08:21:10What To Do Wednesday: Issue #6

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An important new study adds to the body of evidence being amassed by researchers that supports the important ecological contributions of cougars as a keystone species. A direct quote in the article from Panthera's Puma Program Director Mark Elbroch as follows, "To those who care for the well-being of wildlife and the wild habitats sustaining all living beings, these findings yet again demonstrate the value and need to conserve the Americas' pumas." ... See MoreSee Less

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Study suggests pumas utilize sly strategy of fertilizing plants that recruit prey to hunting grounds

phys.org

A new Panthera study published today in Landscape Ecology has found that pumas might utilize a sly hunting strategy known as 'garden to hunt,' by which puma kills fertilize or deposit nutrients in soi...
4 days ago
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Remember all the things you did before they went into the den?BEAR SPRAY, MAKE NOISE, RECREATE IN GROUPS, FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS, and be aware that energy out is very expensive for a bear after not eating for a few months so if there is a trail or winter track, that is probably the route the bear will choose...
Lets protect them by minding our own behaviour!

Remember all the things you did before they went into the den?BEAR SPRAY, MAKE NOISE, RECREATE IN GROUPS, FOOD STORAGE PRECAUTIONS, and be aware that energy out is very expensive for a bear after not eating for a few months so if there is a trail or winter track, that is probably the route the bear will choose...
Let's protect them by minding our own behaviour!(News Release) On Tuesday, March 7, a Yellowstone National Park wildlife biologist on a radio telemetry flight observed the first grizzly bear of 2023 to emerge from hibernation. The adult bear, estimated at 300-350 pounds, was seen near the remains of a bison carcass in Pelican Valley, in the central-eastern part of the park.

The first bear sighting of 2022 also occurred on March 7.

Male grizzlies come out of hibernation in early March. Females with cubs emerge in April and early May. When bears emerge from hibernation, they look for food and often feed on elk and bison that died over the winter. Sometimes, bears will react aggressively to encounters with people when feeding on carcasses.

“Spring visitors skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking in Yellowstone National Park are reminded to carry bear spray and be especially alert for bears near carcasses and areas with early spring green-up. These are the first foods sought out by grizzlies after emerging from hibernations,” said Kerry Gunther, the park's bear management biologist.

All of Yellowstone National Park is bear country: from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful. The park restricts certain visitor activities in locations where there is a high density of bears, along with elk and bison carcasses. Restrictions will begin in some bear management areas on March 10.

Learn more about how to protect yourself and the bears that people come here to enjoy: go.nps.gov/23006
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3 weeks ago
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I'm in the Southern Sangre de Cristo mountains. It's been a mild winter, very little snow, so I'm betting the Black Bears will be popping out soon.

I would love to see a bear. (From a safe distance for both of us, of course).

Better yet, don't stop being responsible in the wilderness under a false sense of security provided by pop-media ideas that they're in comas underground. Bears experience wakefulness during their supposed hibernation, and especially during periods of warmer weather they will come out for snacks.

Please protect our bear’s from Stupid people!!!!

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PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!
UTAH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EMERGENCY
A couple of days ago we a shared delightful national article about cutting edge studies of cougars in Utah. Today those cougars need your help. HB469 will remove management of mountain lions from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and allow them to be HUNTED and TRAPPED year round without limit or regulation. HB469 passed without notice or opportunity for public comment. Wildlife is held in trust for ALL the public, not a few special interest groups. Elected officials also represent more than a few stakeholders and need to seek advice from seasoned researchers and scientists before making decisions about wildlife. Please POLITELY ask Governor Cox at 801-538-1000 to not sign HB469, currently on his desk. or email cs.utah.gov/s/submit
The video below was shared by Denise and the crew of @Utah Mountain Lion Conservation who are working tirelessly to study and protect lions and ensure their place as a keystone species in Utah.
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4 weeks ago
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Congratulations to Denise Peterson, dedicated to mountain lions, and to sharing the results of her hard work.
Thank you Denise!
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Trail Camera Catches Something Conservationists Have Been Dying To See

www.msn.com

Denise M. Peterson had been waiting months for this. Ever since Peterson, founder of the Utah Mountain Lion Conservation, noticed a female and male mountain lion roaming the area together, she'd been ...
1 month ago
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Thanks! I can't wait to get back up to check these cams to see how they're doing!

I saw this on The Dodo this morning. A mom with two kittens!

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