At the Cape Wildlife Center, staff receive calls nearly every day about conflicts between people and wild animals. Whether we're talking to a caller about how to help a skunk out of a window well or how to urge squirrels out of the eaves, we try to offer humane, lasting, and environmentally responsible solutions.
We're starting from a good place. Many Cape Codders already have a deep appreciation for wildlife and the environment, and want to resolve conflicts peacefully. All we have to do is provide the right tools.
Some "problems" arise out of irrational fears. We recently received a call from a Cape Codder concerned about a snake in her backyard. Once we assured her that there were no poisonous snakes indigenous to Cape Cod and helped her identify the snake as a common (and harmless) garter snake, she no longer felt that she needed to have the animal removed.
Other problems are real, but they require some patience. For example, a raccoon nesting in your attic should be urged to move on—but only after the kits begin leaving the den at night with their mother.
Both of these situations require tolerance and understanding, qualities fundamental to conflict resolution. The approach we use is based on a six-step evaluation:
Determine the problem—and consider whether it is a problem at all. Educating yourself about the natural history of wildlife will help you take a realistic approach to human-wildlife conflicts. Sometimes a little understanding can take care of a "problem."
If there is a problem, collect information. It is necessary to identify the species involved, the extent of the damage, how long it's been happening, whether there are young animals present, and what can be done to resolve the issue in a humane and permanent way.
Assess the seriousness and extent of the problem. Important considerations are whether there is a threat to the safety or health of people or pets, the likelihood of recurrence, and whether the damage appears to be seasonal or ongoing.
Take action, but only after collecting all the facts. Taking action should be one of your last steps, and it should not have to involve killing animals. Exclusion, environmentally sound repellents, changing commonly accepted practices, and habitat modification are all viable, nonlethal strategies.
Evaluate. Did your action resolve the problem or merely address the symptoms? Your solution should get at the underlying cause of the problem and be effective over the long term.
Seek help. You may not be able to resolve the problem by yourself. Click on the links below for information on where to buy appropriate products or seek help with sick, injured, or orphaned wildlife. If you're a Cape Cod resident or visitor and need more information, call the Cape Wildlife Center at 508-362-0111.
