OK, I have a soft spot for The Humane Society of the United States. What can I say? Obviously I have a stake in this. Some of the residents around Elmer Thomas Park don't particularly care for us furry neighbors. But, some folks, biologists, a few professors, and those who are in to more "natural" yards, welcome critters.
Here's an interesting piece from Rodi Rosensweig, a backyard wildlife expert from The Humane Society (with some of my own color commentary. - BB)
Summer is Best Time for Kids – and Adults – to Learn More about Wildlife
With kids spending more time outside, The Humane Society of the United States wants to set the record straight about the most common wildlife myths.
According to Laura Simon, field director of urban wildlife for The HSUS, “These popular myths have been around forever, passed on from generation to generation. We are hoping that educating the next generation will ultimately result in a better coexistence between humans and wildlife.”
Myth # 1: Feeding bread to geese and ducks is okay. (As you may know, we seem to have permanent geese in every body of water in Lawton. - BB)
Fact: Bread is bad for all birds because it offers little nutritional value. Severe health problems, including a debilitating condition called “Angel Wing” can be caused by bread diets. Feeding can also lead to dependency in ducklings and goslings who fail to learn how to find native foods on their own. Some birds can even become aggressive about being fed — leading to a tragic outcome if humans decide to remove them.
Myth # 2: If you find a fawn alone (...Nevermind. How far out in the woods is your yard for this one? - BB)
Myth # 3: If you touch a baby bird, the parents will abandon him. (OK, now this just happened at our place the other day. - BB)
Fact: Birds have a limited sense of smell, but are strongly bonded to their chicks. Parents will not abandon chicks handled by humans. The best thing humans can do if a baby bird falls from its nest, and is not well feathered and clearly learning how to fly, is to put him back in it. Watch carefully: The parents will return to feed him.
Myth # 4: If you see a raccoon during the day (...Oh, please. Just put out the anti-bacterial soap for it to wash with. - BB)
Myth # 5: If you get close to a skunk, you’ll get sprayed. (Or more likely the bottom of your car will get sprayed on our roads. - BB)
Fact: It is actually pretty difficult for a person to get sprayed by a skunk. These animals only spray to defend themselves, such as when a dog runs up and grabs them. But because they cannot “reload” very fast, skunks do not waste their odiferous weapon. Instead, they will stamp their front feet as a warning to get you to back off.
Myth # 6: Bats get tangled up in your hair (...Just do what normal folks do, run and scream like your hair's on fire. - BB)
Myth # 7: Cats belong outdoors and it is not fair to keep them inside the house.
Fact: Letting cats roam outside subjects them to perils of the outdoor world, particularly being hit by cars. Indoor cats live a healthier and longer life. Outdoor cats, no matter how well-fed, will hunt and kill wildlife like baby rabbits, chipmunks and baby birds who have not yet learned to fly. Wildlife and cats are both at risk when people let their cats out.
(There is even more helpful information at the Humane Society's Web site. - BB)
The HSUS Wild Neighbors Program promotes non-lethal means for resolving conflicts between people and wildlife and cultivates understanding and appreciation for wild animals commonly found in cities and towns. The program’s book, Wild Neighbors: The Humane Approach to Living with Wildlife (December 2007, Humane Society Press) is a useful reference for individuals and communities faced with resolving encounters with wild animals who find their way into yards, gardens, houses, parks and playgrounds. On the web at humanesociety.org/wildneighbors.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — on the web at humanesociety.org.