At the Cape Wildlife Center, we often care for animals whose
injuries could have been prevented, and for orphans whose
parents would still be alive if people knew how to live
harmoniously with wildlife. For this reason, we offer these
tips on how to live peacefully with the wild animals who share
our environment. To learn more, contact the Cape Wildlife
Center.
Boats and Cars
Fuel
Reformulated gasoline has an additive (MBTE) that harms wild
animals and their habitats. Personal watercraft and boats with
two-stroke engines leak this chemical into the water, but all
vehicles using reformulated gas (including most cars, boats,
and off-road vehicles) may release it into the environment.
Minimize vehicle use whenever possible and stick to
established roadways to avoid harming vegetation and
wildlife.
Driving
Slow down—it's safer for you, other drivers, and the
animals. Stay alert when you drive, paying special attention to
wildlife on roads at dawn and dusk, during early evening, and
after rainstorms. Assume that animals don't know how to get out
of your way. And dim your dashboard display lights at night to
make it easier for you to see your headlights reflected in
animals' eyes.
New Construction
Destroying and fragmenting animal habitat for new buildings
and parking lots magnifies the human impact on the environment.
Preserve green spaces in your community—particularly those that
aren't manicured parks and those connected to undeveloped
land.
Your Yard
Enhance the Habitat
Cultivate native plants around your home to make your yard
more attractive to wildlife. You can find more information
about how to do so in the Urban Wildlife Sanctuary Program
section of this website.
Lawn Chemicals
Fertilizers and herbicides can leach into the groundwater or
run off into streams and lakes and, eventually, the ocean.
Fertilizers are one of the primary sources of nitrogen in
groundwater. Too much nitrogen damages water quality,
decreasing the oxygen that keeps aquatic animals alive.
Nitrogen in drinking water is also toxic to babies and some
farm animals. Ask your garden supply store about organic
fertilizers and integrated pest-management techniques, which
are more sensitive to the environment than traditional lawn
chemicals. Better yet, cultivate native vegetation or
wildflowers instead of a grass lawn.
Pesticides
What is poisonous to animals considered "pests" is often
also poisonous to animals considered "wildlife"—as well as to
people and companion animals. If you must use a pesticide,
always choose the least toxic one. For instance, pesticides
based on boric acid are relatively nontoxic to birds, fish, and
aquatic invertebrates. Pesticides based on plant oils (such as
neem oil, garlic oil, and sabadilla alkaloids) are less toxic
than many common pesticides. But take care when using any
pesticide, since most pesticides, even the least toxic, kill
beneficial insects and microbes.
Household Cleaners
Many commercial cleaning products have harmful chemicals, so
choose organic and natural cleaners.
| Instead of
using: |
Use: |
| Glass
cleaners |
Vinegar and
water |
| Paper
towels |
Reusable sponges
and cloths |
| Petroleum-based
dish washing soaps |
Soaps derived
from vegetable sources |
Fishing Lines
Never leave fishing lines unattended in the water or caught
on trees or shrubs because they can injure, ensnare, or be
swallowed by animals.
Food and Garbage
Food or garbage thrown out of car windows attracts animals
to roads, where they can be hit by cars. Containers are equally
dangerous. Animals can get caught in plastic rings from
six-packs of soda and beer, so cut them up before throwing them
away.
Wide-mouth food containers also become dangerous traps—with
the bait included. Animals get their heads or legs stuck; some
die from ingesting plastic packaging. So recycle and dispose of
trash properly.
Outdoor Cats
Keep your cat indoors or safely confined. Cats allowed to
roam outside often kill birds and small mammals. They are also
at risk of being hit by cars, attacked by other animals, and
exposed to diseases.
