Protecting Florida’s wildlife as they become more active in spring
From black bears to alligators and manatees – the Sunshine State is home to a wide range of wildlife and many of them will begin nesting, mating and feeding during the spring season.”We don’t want to try to keep them as pets – any wild animal really should stay wild,” director of Swamp Girl Adventures Reptile Rehabilitation Kimberly Titterington said.Titterington said Florida’s continuous growth is bringing a lot of changes.”So you may have a possum, raccoons or even squirrels that those trees used to be there before and now they’re not, and they’re trying to adapt,” Titterington said. “A lot of those in spring are going to be having babies and their way of adapting is sometimes moving into the human realm.”Officials say if you come across Florida’s wildlife, give them space. “Animals generally are not going to try to approach you unless they feel threatened or there’s a reason for them to approach you,” spokesperson for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lisa Thompson said.Anyone who feels threatened by an animal is advised to try hazing them.”Making yourself sound loud and intimidating to the animal, so making noises, banging pots and pans, yelling,” Thompson said.Thompson said remove anything outside your home that animals could potentially eat. “If you’re talking about bears, coyotes, raccoons, that would be trash,” Thompson said. “So if you live in bear country, you want to try to use bear-resistant, bear-proof trash canisters.”Whether it’s the hatching sea turtles on the beach or the gopher tortoise crossing the road, the experts say just admire them at a distance.”Just try to be patient and kind,” Titterington said. “Try to seek good resources and not just act on something before understanding it – try to co-exist with wildlife as best we can.”The FWC says it is illegal to disturb or harm wildlife. Report incidents online or call 888-404-FWCC (3922).
From black bears to alligators and manatees – the Sunshine State is home to a wide range of wildlife and many of them will begin nesting, mating and feeding during the spring season.
“We don’t want to try to keep them as pets – any wild animal really should stay wild,” director of Swamp Girl Adventures Reptile Rehabilitation Kimberly Titterington said.
Titterington said Florida’s continuous growth is bringing a lot of changes.
“So you may have a possum, raccoons or even squirrels that those trees used to be there before and now they’re not, and they’re trying to adapt,” Titterington said. “A lot of those in spring are going to be having babies and their way of adapting is sometimes moving into the human realm.”
Officials say if you come across Florida’s wildlife, give them space.
“Animals generally are not going to try to approach you unless they feel threatened or there’s a reason for them to approach you,” spokesperson for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Lisa Thompson said.
Anyone who feels threatened by an animal is advised to try hazing them.
“Making yourself sound loud and intimidating to the animal, so making noises, banging pots and pans, yelling,” Thompson said.
Thompson said remove anything outside your home that animals could potentially eat.
“If you’re talking about bears, coyotes, raccoons, that would be trash,” Thompson said. “So if you live in bear country, you want to try to use bear-resistant, bear-proof trash canisters.”
Whether it’s the hatching sea turtles on the beach or the gopher tortoise crossing the road, the experts say just admire them at a distance.
“Just try to be patient and kind,” Titterington said. “Try to seek good resources and not just act on something before understanding it – try to co-exist with wildlife as best we can.”
The FWC says it is illegal to disturb or harm wildlife. Report incidents online or call 888-404-FWCC (3922).
