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Potential Problems Of Trapping
& Relocating Wildlife
From a biological standpoint, trapping nuisance animals can cause
a problem as far as population growth is concerned. The effects
of trapping apply not only to squirrels, but also to most forms
of wildlife. However, since squirrels can breed two times a year,
and are highly visible, the results of trapping can be noticed
relatively quickly.
Low or moderate levels of trapping (or predation) can actually
cause a wildlife population to increase. How quickly this occurs
is dependent upon a wide variety of factors such as food availability,
quality of habitat and weather.
Many wildlife populations increase and decrease naturally in
response to food, nesting areas, etc. When an animal is trapped
or relocated from its habitat, a void is created. The food and
nesting habitat once used by the trapped animal is now available
to other animals. As long as the habitat is suitable, another
animal or ecologically similar species moving into the area may
fill the void. If too many voids are created by trapping and relocating
the animals, pregnancy rates and the number of young born per
litter will increase in order to fill the voids and take advantage
of the available resources. This ultimately results in a population
increase.
Wildlife managers, biologists, hunters and trappers have used
limited hunting and trapping for years in order to manipulate
game populations. The result has been high numbers of game animals
for the hunting public.
Trapping and relocating is not always the most humane thing to
do. An animal that is relocated may not have a good chance for
survival without the relocator having knowledge of the habitat
and other requirements of the animals.
It is best to use animal exclusion tactics, otherwise known as
animal proofing. Inventory your property to identify attractive
habitat, such as access to food, water or shelter. Remove or modify
identified problem areas before animals move in. Animal proofing
can be as simple as not leaving pet food outside. More complex
tactics are available, depending on the animal and problem. Specific
animal proofing strategies can be developed for individual homeowners
as well as larger public areas.
The best way to deal with pest wildlife problems is to avoid
them.
Click on these tips for more information:
- Information provided by the Colorado Division
of Wildlife, with additional information from Urban Wildlife Rescue,
Inc.
Animal
Control Home | Colorado
Div. of Wildlife
Urban
Wildlife Rescue | Table
Mountain Animal Shelter
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