Wildlife and humans encroach on each other

One of the more distressing sights for me as I drive the streets and highways in and around the Denver Metro urbanized areas is urban wildlife road kill. Road kill is typically associated with rural and mountain highways, but it is just as common in the urban residential and commercial areas and is taking a serious toll on small wildlife in our metro area communities.

Provided

Kestrel falcons can co-exist in urban areas.

Buy this photo

The other high profile wildlife issue that is growing in frequency is wildlife’s encounter with people. In recent months there as been numerous sightings of aggressive coyotes in subdivision trail systems, bear and deer encounters or sightings and even occasional mountain lion conflicts with the urban population. Concerning? Worrisome? Frustrating? Threatening? Yes, for people and our wildlife. But surprising? No.

Ignorance, people-first mentality and food chain thinking all prevail among the human population, but we seem anxious to avoid the intrinsic value of an urban wildlife population. Why do we think that anything but conflict and encounter would result when “man moves into wildlife’s domain, habitat, home?”

Wildlife is not any more threatening to people than at any time in the past. Nor has wildlife migrated from its centuries-old living environment into our back yards. What has occurred, however, is that humans have invaded their homes, their backyards, their habitats. And we have done it without regard to the fact “they were there first” and are not capable of making accommodations. That is man’s responsibility. Eons of natural process has put wildlife in places they have protection, food sources, trees, water and security from mankind. Man has in the last century and at an ever-increasing rate, moved into those natural-selected wildlife homes and habitat.

So what should be done about this growing conflict? Those who are committed to protecting our wildlife, our

environment and our natural world are in a seemingly ongoing debate with those insensitive to wildlife’s place in urban life. We can do more. Some could be simple steps, some new policies driven by new philosophies.

Many would agree the presence and sighting of squirrels, prairie dogs, fox, rabbits; even ducks, geese, hawks and eagles actually contribute to a more interesting, intriguing and natural environment in our open spaces, parks and even our neighborhoods. Many of these urban species of wildlife can, in fact, co-exist with man, if given the opportunity; even in view of fact some of their natural habitat has been destroyed by urban development.

New technology is being tested and installed in some of Colorado’s mountain highways. Cameras scan frequently used wild game roadway crossings and then send a signal two or three hundred yards ahead to approaching vehicles when the camera observes approaching wild game. This technology alerts drivers to wildlife crossing and allows drivers to slow vehicles and avoid impacts. A smaller version of this equipment is being studied for smaller wildlife in urban areas.

On a more simple and practical level, we could simply be more watchful for the next squirrel or rabbit or fox that may dart out from an adjoining pathway or curb line, slow or stop and let the small animal cross unharmed. Where there is a more defined population of small wildlife, warning signs could be installed cautioning motorists. Protection could be provided at eagle and hawk nesting sites. This sounds so simple we fail to recognize how many in city road kills could be avoided if we were more watchful.

A more significant policy approach should be considered. That is what I will refer to as”wildlife Impact Statement.” The Environmental Protection Agency through Congressional legislation adopted the familiar environmental impact statement decades ago to protect our environment, water, land and air. Today the EIS is a commonplace policy for all governments and land developers to follow.

For the moment, let your thoughts roam on the unnecessary loss of urban wildlife and ponder new wildlife protection and preservation approaches. It may sound like a wild idea, but worth integrating into our community’s planning and development.