Don't feed the wildlife, officials urge

FRIEND OR FOE?-This red-tailed hawk is one of just many predators that live in the area. For them to survive and for people to feel comfortable, residents must learn to respect their environment. The California Department of Fish and Game cautions everyone that feeding wildlife, whether directly or indirectly, is never a good idea. Problems from wildlife often increase with the availability of food, and feeding could result in an attack, damaged property, and often the death of the animal.

"When there are conflicts between humans and wild animals, the animals lose," said Allan Buckmann, a wildlife biologist. "Don't feed wild animals. They don't need our handouts, they need our respect. We all need to take responsibility for the wild animals whose habitat we share. When humans are careless, wild animals may pay the price."

Animals that become accustomed to feed will expand their activities to find more feed and can damage fences and structures, threatening human safety in the process. Feeding by well mean

ing people puts the animals at unnecessary risk and often disrupts the natural survival instincts of the animal.

Baby Mountain Lion "It's never a good idea to feed wildlife; it's as simple as that," Fish and Game Lt. Don Richardson said. "When people feed wildlife, the wildlife becomes habituated to that source of food, and that can lead to animals that are unnaturally bold or develop aggressive behavior. That type of aggressive behavior results in conflicts between wildlife and humans, and that, most often, leads to the death of the animal."

Preventing human and wildlife conflicts is the goal of Fish and game's "Keep Me Wild" campaign, which encourages people to respect all wildlife by keeping them wild. The public may download materials at www.dfg.ca.gov/ keepmewild/index.html.

The most common problems stem from leaving pet food out at night, directly feeding wildlife by putting out food, or by allowing access to crops.

Fish and Game urges pet owners to feed pets early in the day and to retrieve dishes at night. In addition, if a pet door is used, owners should exercise caution that wildlife-particularly raccoons and skunks-don't enter the house in search of an easy meal. There are lockable pet doors that have manual locks or open by a magnetic collar placed on pets.

Baby Red Fox Additionally, Richardson warned, people who feed wildlife are at greater risk of an attack when animals grow accustomed to being fed and have that feeding disturbed in some way. They are also at a greater risk for the spread of disease and parasites. Urban areas often have an invasion of skunks, opossums and raccoons coming to get food, with predators such as coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions following their prey down into housing areas. These animals can cause problems for pets and unsuspecting neighbors who may not want the visitors in their yard. It is illegal to feed big game, such as deer and bears, for these reasons.

Fencing is the best protection from wildlife problems.

Deer fences should be at least 8 feet tall or a combination of a fence 6 feet straight up with an 18to 24-inch top that leans in the direction of access. The modified top affects a deer's naturally poor depth perception, and it is less likely to jump. Place gates at the corners of fence lines with access to outside native habitat, as deer will walk down a fence line and continue straight out. The use of double cattle guards reduces the need for a gate, but the bars in the guard should be round to prevent the deer from walking on top.

Bear fencing should follow the fencing guideline for deer, but with the addition of electric fence or "hot wires" on the top. These fences work best with two hot wires, one on the front edge and one directly on top-and sometimes with one hot wire near the base of the fence, but keeping it clear of dry grass or brush.

Northern California vineyards have enjoyed success preventing bear access with this design. With a cattle guard gate, it may be necessary to add a temporary closable hot wire across the front or attached to the guard to make it hot.

When trying to protect against coyotes, opportunistic scavengers that will eat almost anything, the best protection is a dog-proof fence at least 5 feet tall. The fence should be placed just around yards or other areas where coyote intrusion is not wanted. For large properties, areas that do not require coyote protection should be left open for animal passage. An electric fence hot wire near the outside bottom edge can keep coyotes from digging under.

Bobcats, mountain lions, and foxes will all go after poultry if they are out in the open, particularly at night. It is best to bring poultry into caged enclosures after sunset.

All three species are good climbers, so it is important to have a secure roof on the cage.

Proper fencing is the best way to protect not only your property, but also the wildlife and public resources.