It’s Spring And Wildlife Is On The Move

Each year Wildlife in Crisis, Fairfield County’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, receives more than 10,000 calls regarding injured and orphaned wildlife, and the bulk of these calls come between the months of April and September.

It is hoped the following information will help to reduce the numbers of injured and orphaned wildlife this spring and summer.

The majority of Connecticut’s wildlife lives in proximity with people –– a situation that creates numerous hazards for wildlife every day. The spring and summer months are particularly important for wildlife to raise young.

As the weather warms up and we spend more time working and playing outside, it is important to be aware of wildlife around us. Here are some tips on coexisting peacefully with Connecticut’s wildlife.

Cap The Chimneys

Your chimney looks just like a nice, cozy hollow tree to mother birds, raccoons, and squirrels. If you don’t want spring and summer visitors to move in, install a chimney cap. This device, available at hardware stores or through your chimney sweep, keeps leaves, rain, and animals out of your chimney while letting smoke escape freely.

A cautionary note: Make sure there are no residents already in your chimney before installing the cap. Never start a fire to drive animals out of your chimney, as babies will not be able to climb out and will be badly burned. Mothers using your chimney as a nest will move out as soon as the babies are mobile –– usually a matter of just a few weeks. So be patient if your chimney is occupied and install a cap in the fall.

Trim Overhanging Branches

Animals often gain access to your roof and chimney using overhanging branches. Trim branches over your roof (rather than cutting down entire trees) to keep squirrels and raccoons away from chimney or attic areas.

Other types of animals can enter your house through openings under the eaves, in attics, dryer vents, near foundations and basements, or under porches or sheds. Check these places for possible entry holes and ensure they are unoccupied before covering with heavy gauge wire.

Place covers (available at hardware stores) over window wells, as animals with poor eyesight, such as skunks, can easily fall in and become trapped.

Leave A Few Snags For Wildlife

“Dead” trees are home to many animals, including helpless babies in the spring and summer. Call a tree surgeon to try to save trees that pose a danger. If they must be cut down, wait until October when babies have grown and gone.

Animals near the road this time of year are often mothers leading babies across. If you see one animal, wait for more before continuing on. Drive carefully and watch for animals at the side of the road, especially early in the morning and at dusk.

Don’t litter and pick it up when you see it. Fishing line can be particularly dangerous to wildlife such as turtles, muskrats, or great blue herons that may be easily caught in it. Fish and turtles may try to eat plastic bags, mistaking this material for food.

Cover Outside Trash Receptacles

Raccoons, skunks, or even bears getting into the trash is a complaint that is easily resolved by building or buying enclosures with a lid for the trash cans.

Additionally, it is good practice to wash recyclable food containers with soap (to remove those yummy smells) before putting them out. Animals’ heads may become stuck in jars while going after the food left behind in them.

Dogs and cats disturb and kill many types of baby (and adult) animals and birds. Supervise dogs while they are outside, and keep cats indoors.

Cats kill millions of birds and small mammals every year in the United States. Indoor cats are healthier and live longer than those that go outside, but if cats must go outside, place two large square bells on their collars to help warn nearby wildlife.

Never trap wild animals. Animals trapped in spring and summer are often new mothers. Trapping these females leaves helpless babies to slowly starve to death, which can take weeks. Additionally, trapping is ineffective. Removing one animal simply creates a space that another animal will quickly move to fill.

For more information about Wildlife In Crisis and for answers to the most frequently asked questions, please visit the website at www.wildlifeincrisis.org.