Georgia DNR: How to avoid potential wildlife conflict situations

  • Simply seeing a fox is not a cause for concern. Foxes can easily adapt to humandominated environments, so it is common for conflict to arise from sharing space with people. CONTRIBUTED
    Simply seeing a fox is not a cause for concern. Foxes can easily adapt to humandominated environments, so it is common for conflict to arise from sharing space with people. CONTRIBUTED
  • As Georgia’s suburban and urban environments continue to grow, more humans and wildlife are interacting. These interactions can be positive, like enjoying birds at your birdfeeder, or negative, like a skunk or squirrel eating your birdseed. CONTRIBUTED
    As Georgia’s suburban and urban environments continue to grow, more humans and wildlife are interacting. These interactions can be positive, like enjoying birds at your birdfeeder, or negative, like a skunk or squirrel eating your birdseed. CONTRIBUTED
  • Raccoons may appear cute and cuddly, but they are wild animals to be respected and left alone. CONTRIBUTED
    Raccoons may appear cute and cuddly, but they are wild animals to be respected and left alone. CONTRIBUTED

    While most Georgians treasure seeing backyard wildlife like songbirds and squirrels, the sentiment might fade if you find wildlife digging through your trash can or tearing open bags of pet food on your carport.

    Let’s look for ways to avoid the conflict. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, wildlife invades our space in most cases because it has access to a food source, and that is something we can easily prevent.

    “Most wildlife species will take advantage of easy-to-get food source opportunities, but that is not what is best for wildlife,” says Kaitlin Goode, Urban Wildlife Program Manager for the Wildlife Resources Division.

    “When we make efforts around our home to ensure that we are keeping unnatural foods inaccessible, we are protecting our safety, our homes and our pets, and also protecting wildlife.”

    Following are some basic tips:

    • Keep items such as grills and pet food off-limits. Clean and store grills when not in use, keep pet food indoors, and feed pets indoors.

    • Refill bird feeders less frequently and in small amounts.

    • Make trash cans inaccessible. Keep lids securely fastened or store trash cans in a secured location until the morning of trash pick-up.

    Safety tips for pet owners:

    Most wildlife are not interested in humans or pets. However, there are times when wildlife and pets have negative encounters.

    Large dogs can be viewed as a threat to wildlife with young.

    Small dogs and cats can be viewed as potential food sources. Securing attractants that bring wildlife into your yard can minimize the risk for you and your pet. Here are some other helpful tips to minimize negative interactions:

    • Keeppetsinsideor leashed when outside.

    • Monitor pets when they are outdoors, even in a fenced-in yard.

    • Be alert when walking at dawn or dusk with pets.

    • Carry an air horn or noise maker when walking pets.

    Resources for resolving human-wildlife conflicts, including fact sheets, tips on managing land for wildlife, a list of professional nuisance trappers, wildlife rehabilitator information, and much more, can be found at GeorgiaWildlife.com/preventing-wildlifeconflicts.

    Georgia DNR
    Georgia Department of Natural Resources