Even though it seems like life slowed down for the majority of us as shelter-in-place went into effect, that memo was not received by the world of nature. WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital has been incredibly busy during the COVID-19 pandemic. In just one day recently it admitted 38 animals needing care. “This is partially because people are home to see and rescue the animals that fall from nests, fly into windows, or get caught by cats,” says Alison Hemance, Director of Communications at WildCare. “It’s also because people are doing yard and garden projects just at the moment that animals need our yards, trees and bushes to raise their young.” As restrictions lift, WildCare anticipates seeing more patients as human activity increases — don’t let this become deadly for wildlife. Here are some ways you can help from our friends at WildCare.
1. Drive more slowly and watch the road for animals. Animals have become accustomed to less traffic and quieter roads. Young animals born within the past three months have never even seen “normal” traffic patterns.
2. Buildings have been empty, offering tempting places for nesting and denning. Especially warehouses and industrial buildings, but also many retail spaces have been empty for months. If you find birds nesting in eaves or on overhangs, please use other walkways or doors until the babies have fledged.
3. Hiking or biking? Watch the trail for animals like fledgling birds, slugs and lizards. Please remember that these trails have been virtually empty of cyclists and hikers for months and animals got used to that. Ride and hike with care.
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Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.
