4 Ways to Coexist With Our Furry Neighbors in Colorado
For those who have a special place in their heart when it comes to our four legged fury friends and tiny critters- listen up. As the population continues to grow, the open space for wild animals is decreasing. We have to learn how to share this common space with each other because their lives are worth protecting.
- If it Doesn’t Grow in the Wild, it’s Not for Animals
As humans, we naturally want to come to the rescue for animals that appear lost and hungry. However, m&m trail mix and sunflower seeds are not a nutritious source for Bambi. It is illegal to do so in the state of Colorado because it destroys their digestive system when trying to process these foods and it also causes the animal to become way too accustomed to human interaction.
2. The More Plants the Better!
As the population of Colorado continues to grow, so does the number of housing developments and coffee shops around the corner. Wildlife park rangers encourage residents to plant “native flowers, shrubs and trees, as well as [control] noxious weeds and [create] wetlands” to help give back. Even leaving an open space of grassland can be helpful in supporting the diverse wildlife. Their habitat is continuously shrinking, and it’s up to us to help minimize the impact of our growing presence on them.
3. Keep a Safe Distance
While it may be tempting to capture that perfect selfie with the cute black bear you just spotted in the woods, it can actually be a death sentence. For park rangers in Oregon, this is exactly what happened in their area and they were faced with the tough decision of euthanizing the bear. Find more about this story at The Washington Post. When wild animals don’t show any signs of fear towards humans and become comfortable around them, it’s alarming because this means they are at a greater risk of attacking a person. Next time, try using the zoom feature to capture that perfect picture and keep a safe distance.
4. Don’t Be A Hero
You might think a subscription to Green Peace and that one animal biology class you took in high school is enough to save an abandoned fox, but you’re wrong. 9 times out of 10 it is best to leave the animal alone and call the expertise in to do their job (aka Colorado Park and Wildlife Rangers). Find more information and who to contact at Living With Wildlife .
