How to Co-exist with Native Wildlife

Here is some basic, helpful information and some additional Resources about our wildlife friends. Please do your part to co-exist!”

Prevention

1. Do not leave pet food and water outdoors, especially overnight.
2. Do not leave small pets and children unattended - even if fenced in an active wildlife area.
3. Quickly harvest ripe or fallen fruit.  Rodents who eat the fruit ultimately attract predators such as coyotes, bobcats and foxes.
4. Trim all trees and bushes within 4 feet of a house so that animals cannot reach the roof.
5. Make sure that compost piles are kept in secure, closed containers.
6. Place trash cans away from structures and secure lids with bungee cords.  Deposit smelly refuse in trash shortly before pickup.
7. Cover all access opening to a house with mesh securely attached to house and install chimney caps.
8. Put woodpiles on raised platforms at least 18” high to discourage nesting by rodents and other animals.

Negative Reinforcement

Sound, water, lights, odors and bright moving objects can keep animals from feeling “at home” on your property. Keep a loud whistle, air horn or tin can filled with washers, bolts & small rocks handy so you can shack it or throw it to shoo animals away. . Keep in mind the animal needs to fear the method being used, or be surprised by it, thus you may have to vary the combination to keep the animals from getting used to any one deterrent.

If You Encounter an Animal in the Wild

1. Carry a bear pepper spray. Do not turn your back on the animal and run away. Running may stimulate the animal to chase you.
2. When hiking in wilderness areas, taking a good size dog on a leash is a good idea.  Dogs have keener senses & can provide you with an early warning of the presence of a predator.
3. Making a reasonable amount of noise, conversation, whistling, crunching on leaves, etc. can forewarn animals of your presence in their vicinity & chances are they will leave the area to avoid you.
4. Do not stare into the animal’s eyes as that can be interpreted as a challenge. Look at the side of the animal’s face so your peripheral vision can gauge the animal’s intent.
5. If you do encounter a mountain lion or bear, stand your ground and make yourself appear big and as imposing as you can, e.g.. stand straight, raise your arms wide. If you have a jacket or shirt spread it over your head to look like a sail & speak in a stern voice while backing away. The animal will most likely be intimidated by your posture & leave. If attack is eminent use pepper spray & fight for your life.

What to Do When You Find an Orphaned or Injured Animal

People, with good intentions, attempt to rescue baby animals. Sadly, a lack of training in the proper care & diet, can lead to fatalities. Sometimes an animal
may not even need to be rescued! If the animal appears healthy & there in no immediate danger, the following guide may help you to re-unite the baby
with the parents.

Birds -not fully feathered should be put back in the nest or nearby in a makeshift nest, such as a box or plastic container lined with shredded tissue. The parents have no sense of smell & will not reject the baby. The parents will not feed their baby if you’re visible so observe from afar. If a parent does not return within two hours, rescue should be initiated.

Birds - fully feathered but unable to fly more than a few feet along the ground are fledglings & are usually being taught to fly & find food on their own. If adults are present, do not interfere. They will take care of the baby until he can fend for himself.

Tree Squirrels:If the squirrel is able to walk steadily & climb on his own, place him on a high branch & watch to see if a parent leads him back to the nest. If the squirrel is unable to climb, or his eyes are not yet open, follow the same procedures as for the not fully feathered baby birds.

Ground Squirrels: Since infants are rarely seen above ground, you may have caught the mother in the process of moving him. He should be rescued if he does not retrieve him within thirty minutes.

Raccoons & Skunks: People should wear gloves when handling raccoons as they can carry rabies & other diseases. Since skunks can be rabies & leptospirosis vectors, do not attempt to catch the animal yourself, call a professional.

Opossums babies can survive on their own when they are at least six inches long, not counting the tail. If you find a deceased female check the pouch for any live young. If found, wrap in a soft, ravel-free towel & transport to a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Young opossums cannot survive long outside the pouch environment. Opossums are generally shy, will avoid people & will appear dead when extremely frightened & may also emit a foul odor to dissuade predators from eating them! If found in your yard, put your dogs in house, leave area & give the opossum time to recover. Do not immediately place the opossum in a plastic bag or garbage can! If after at least 4 hours there is no movement or signs of life, contact animals control for disposal.

Hopefully these guidelines will help you help us. If you have any questions about your rescue and you live in the Los Angeles area, please give call us – do not email!

Wildlife Waystation
7am-5:00 pm (PST)
Emergencies only after 5:00 pm
(818) 899-5201

If you do not know if there is a wildlife rehabilitation center or sanctuary in your area, please refer to the following link.

www.wildliferehabinfo.org -(click on “Locate a Wildlife Rehabilitator” for state by state listings that provides information on the species we have covered as well as bats, turtles, raptors, foxes, fawns, reptiles and more)