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VANCOUVER, BC – The Humane Society of Canada wants to remind
people that wild animals are extremely vulnerable at this time
of year. "Animals having and raising their young are
particularly susceptible to human activities," warns Al Hickey,
Humane Society of Canada (HSC) Western Regional Director.
"Fledgling birds learning from their parents how to fly, feed
and care for themselves are often mistaken as abandoned and
‘rescued’ by well meaning people" says Hickey. "As long as these
animals are not in immediate danger, they should be observed
from a distance, so as not to frighten the parents, for a couple
of hours before deciding if they need assistance. The best thing
that you can do while checking to see if the fledgling bird’s
parents are still caring for the young bird is to keep children,
dogs and cats away from the area. Many fledglings require
several days to learn the necessary skills needed to survive."
Wild animals who are injured or orphaned and who require human
assistance should be taken to a qualified wildlife
rehabilitator. If you are not sure if a wild animal needs help
or if you need help finding a wildlife rehabilitator in your
area contact The Humane Society of Canada at 1-800-641-KIND
(5463).
"A common situation where a bird does require
human assistance is when a hatchling or nestling has fallen out
of the nest," advises Michael O’Sullivan, HSC executive director.
"If you know where the bird’s nest is, you can gently put the
young bird back. The belief that parent birds will reject a baby
bird touched by a human is wrong," states O’Sullivan. "Birds have
a poor sense of smell."
"There are numerous other ways that people can help wild animals
in a world that is often polluted and hostile," advises
O’Sullivan:
- Wildlife-proof your home to avoid human/animal
conflicts. Make sure that animals are not already using
your home before you wildlife-proof it.
- Inspect your lawn before you mow it. Baby birds,
rabbits, snakes and toads are just a few of the animals
who may be in the grass that you are about to cut.
(Rabbits as well as some birds like killdeer and
meadowlarks nest on the ground.)
- Learn about when a wild animal needs help and
when he/she needs to be left alone. If you’re not sure,
call a wildlife rehabilitator or The Humane Society of
Canada (1-800-641-KIND (5463)). Also learn how to rescue
wild animals in need. By knowing who to contact and how
to rescue animals ahead of time you will be prepared
should such an emergency arise.
- Educate others about how they can help wild
animals.
- Plant native trees, bushes and flowers.
- Don’t prune trees in the spring or summer – if at
all. If you must prune a tree the best time to do so is
in the winter or in the fall after the tree has lost its
leaves.
- Avoid cutting down dead trees, unless absolutely
necessary, as they provide food and shelter for many
wild animals.
- Place falcon silhouettes (and similar items) in
your windows to prevent birds from flying into the
glass.
- Keep pets confined in your yard, on a leash or
indoors and ask others to do the same. Each year, dogs
and cats are allowed to run at large kill and injure (or
are killed or injured by) many wild animals.
- Do not use pesticides, herbicides or rodenticides.
There are safe, humane alternatives.
- Provide appropriate housing for birds, bats,
toads and other animals. Besides sometimes
needing assistance in finding good shelter in a rapidly
increasing urbanized world, these creatures naturally
control pests consuming vast quantities of insects.
- Don’t encourage wild animals (either
intentionally or otherwise) by leaving out garbage, pet
food or allowing them access to the garage, shed or
other areas.
- Pick-up garbage. Besides harming the environment,
animals can be become entangled and die in many items,
like six-ring, plastic can holders.
- Drive safely and obey the speed limit. If
possible, try to minimize driving at night when many
animals are killed, and please for the sake of people
and animals if you have to use your cell phone, pull
over to the side of the road first.
- Learn about, respect and preserve natural areas and
wildlife species – and encourage others to do the
same.
- Never try and keep wildlife as pets – many well
meaning people are understandably caught up in the
beauty and majesty of wild animals and birds, and all
too often are also entranced by Hollywood’s portrayal of
living with a wild animal or bird in your home. The sad
truth is that you will be confining a wild animal or
bird that should be thriving in his/her natural habitat,
and you may be breaking the law. Please, leave wildlife
in the wild, where they belong.
"As we become a more urbanized society, we need to stop for a
moment and realize how lucky we are to be surrounded by the
beauty of nature," said O’Sullivan.
CONTACT:
Al Hickey or Michael O'Sullivan by toll free 1-800-641-KIND or
Michael on his cell phone (416) 876-9685 or at
www.humanesociety.com
[For more than 17 years, Al Hickey was the Chief Executive of
the BC SPCA and before that headed up the Alberta and BC
Chambers of Commerce, and the Executive Director of the Boys and
Girls Club of Greater Vancouver. He has 6 grandchildren.
A father with two children, and a houseful of dogs and cats,
O'Sullivan has worked across Canada and in over 100 countries
during the last 40 years helping people, animals and nature.]
The Humane Society works to protect dogs, cats, horses, birds,
livestock, lab animals, wildlife and the environment. They
carry out hands on programs to help animals and nature, mount
rescue operations, expose cruelty through hard hitting
undercover investigations, work to pass laws to protect animals,
fund non-invasive scientific research, support animal shelters
and wildlife rehabilitation centres and spread the word about
how to help animals and nature through humane education.
A registered charity, The Humane Society of Canada depends
entirely on donations to support our programs to help animals
and the environment. All donations are gratefully acknowledged
with a receipt for income tax purposes. If you would like to
support our campaign to protect animals and the earth, please
make a donation here. Because when it comes to fighting
cruelty, we don’t give up. Ever.
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