Springtime's Emerging Wildlife

It's that time of year again!  Yes, the wildlife is out in full force.  They are out and about searching for food and simply enjoying the nice weather.  Our department gets numerous calls a week about various species of wildlife roaming the rural neighborhoods of Ellington.  Most commonly foxes, coyotes, skunks and racoons.  In the past year or two, there have even been a couple of bear sightings.

Wildlife out during the day:  You will see wildlife out during the day.  They do usually prefer the night because there is less human activity, but they are getting used to neighborhood noises and people out in their yards.  This activity no longer deters them from wandering about, all hours of the day.  Our major concern is if they are exhibiting strange behavior, staggering, acting disoriented, falling over, unable to walk, acting aggressive, or if they have had contact with your pets.  If you see any wildlife with any of these characteristics please call us.  Remember, just because they are out during the day, does not necessarily mean they have Rabies. 

Also, make sure your pets are up to date on their Rabies vaccination.  We can not stress this enough.  There have been positive Rabies cases in the area recently.  It is a real thing and could be a potential threat to you and your pets.  FYI: If your pet is not up to date on their Rabies vaccination and they come in contact with an animal that tests positive for Rabies, you will have to euthanize your pet, or we are required to put the animal in quarantine for six months.  This is not a chance you want to take!

Wildlife Taking up Residence in the Back Yard:  They get used to neighborhood noises and take up residence where it is convenient for them.  This may be because of an easy food source (cats, small dogs, bird food, compost pile) or just simply a warm, dry place to live and give birth.  Many people have the back yard sheds that sit on top of the ground.  This is the perfect den for several species of wildlife.  It is highly recommended to secure the bottom of your sheds with something to deter wildlife from making it their home.  It is much easier to be proactive than try to get rid of the problem.  Before doing so, especially this time of year, please make sure nothing is under the shed before doing this.  It is common for wildlife to give birth under these structures.

Trapping and Relocating:  We are commonly asked if we can come out to trap nuisance wildlife and take it away.  It is actually illegal to relocate wildlife.  You can trap to get them out of your house, shed, etc., but you can not relocate them.  Our department has very few traps for lending and we need to keep what we have for domestic animal problems.  Several hardware stores carry the havahart traps in several different sizes if you wish to buy one.  If you have nuisance wildlife problem we recommend you call a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator.  They are licensed by the State of Connecticut to deal with nuisance wildlife.  The CT DEEP and our office has a list of current contacts.

Deterring Wildlife:  If you have wildlife living where you don't want them, there are a few methods you can try to get them to move.  Some garden stores sell wildlife deterrents which are usually urine scents of enemy species.  You can also try placing moth balls in the area.  Placing a portable radio can also deter them and encourage a move.

Living with Wildlife:  We live in a very rural town.  You are going to see wildlife.  They are in our backyards so we have to adapt, just like they have.  As more neighborhoods go up, more wildlife encounters are going to happen.   We highly recommend that if you see wildlife in your yard, you try to deter them any way you can as safely as possible.  Open a window and bang some pots and pans, spray them with a garden hose, yell and wave your arms.  They are becoming unafraid of humans and we need to make them more uncomfortable and fearful.  Otherwise they will move in closer and become more of nuisance.

Wildlife & Children:  We have many people call concerned for their children's safety when playing in the yard.  It is very important to educate your kids about wildlife behaviors and dangers.  Again, we are a rural town and you are going to see wildlife.   Direct human and wildlife encounters are extremely rare.  Unless they are sick, all kinds of wildlife want to avoid human contact as much as possible.  They may be getting braver about coming into your yard, but they are still wild animals.  They will take flight unless they are provoked to fight.

Baby Wildlife:  If you see any kind of young wildlife, please leave it where you found it.  If you don't see the mother, she is probably very close by.  There are circumstances where babies get abandoned, but you have to give it time.  Make absolutely sure that nothing is caring for them, before deeming them abandoned.  Do not remove from an area or try to relocate.  Call our office or the DEEP for a list of Wildlife Rehabilitators.  We do not take them here at our Animal Control Office.  The Wildlife Rehabilitators are trained and licensed to care for them.  You can also visit this website for more information:  http://www.wildlifehotline.org/home.html

In closing, please take this information and use it as guideline.  Do not hesitate to call us with any questions.  Every situation is different and it's better to call if you have concerns.  We will either investigate the situation, give you advice or refer you to the proper person for more information.  Please visit the links below for more information on how to live with your wildlife neighbors.

Living with Coyotes:
http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/outreach/fact_sheets/problemcoyotes.pdf

Preventing Coyote Conflicts:
http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/wild_neighbors/preventing_coyote_conflicts.pdf

Dealing with Distressed Wildlife:
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=326228&deepNav_GID=1655

Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitator List:
http://www.cwrawildlife.org/findarehabilitator.html

List of Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators:
http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/nwco/nwcodir.pdf

Nuisance Wildlife Control and Rabies Information:
http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2723&q=325944&depNav_GID=1655&pp=12&n=1

Choosing a Wildlife Control Company:
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/choosing_wildlife_control_company.html

Black Bear Sighting Report Form for DEEP:
http://www.depdata.ct.gov/wildlife/sighting/bearrpt.htm

Moose Sighting Report Form for DEEP:
http://www.depdata.ct.gov/wildlife/sighting/mooserpt.htm

Ellington Animal Control
(860) 870-3155

Resident Trooper
(860) 875-1522

CT Department of Environmental Protection (DEEP)
(860) 424-3011
CT DEEP Wildlife Emergencies
(860) 424-3333