Wildlife Rules Following Ivan

Wildlife can act oddly and turn up in the most unlikely places during and after a major storm such as Hurricane Ivan.

That’s not uncommon, says an Extension wildlife expert. What is important is how humans act when these strange encounters occur.

High water and heavy winds can displace or destroy wildlife habitat temporarily, resulting in many different species showing up where they’re not supposed to be, according to Dr. Jim Armstrong, Alabama Cooperative Extension System wildlife specialist and Auburn University associate professor of forestry and wildlife sciences.

Several years ago, in flood-ravaged Elba, for example, Armstrong received several frantic calls from homeowners who had encountered snakes in the upper stories of houses.

“When water receded, the snakes were still there --- not an uncommon situation at all,” he says.

Animals that are most susceptible to the effects of storm damage tend to be the ones people would prefer to see the least --- reptiles and amphibians. Displaced mammals such as deer and raccoons are also common sights after a storm of flood.

The species least susceptible to storm damage tend to be the most mobile, such as birds. Even so, it’s not uncommon to turn up nests of birds that managed a soft landing after being blown out of a tree. The same holds true for infant squirrels that manage to survive tree falls by clinging to the exposed sides of falling trees.

As you move around damaged homes or landscapes following a storm, the best rule of thumb is to keep your eyes wide open, Armstrong says.

“Don’t put your hands or feet where you can’t see --- look first, use your eyes.”

Also, while it may sound heartless, Armstrong says it’s also wise to leave injured animals where they’re found.

“It’s tough ignoring a baby squirrel,” he says. “It’s easy to sit behind a desk and say this. If my daughters were with me and I ran across an injured animal, I probably wouldn’t do as I say.”

Still, Armstrong says it’s important to remember that these species have survived hurricanes and other environmental disasters for eons.

“They’re pretty resilient, and their populations will rebound with time,” he says.

Rescued animals that are returned to the wild face a distinct disadvantage. While release into their original habitat afford them their best chance, they are nonetheless seriously handicapped for not “having developed natural fears and cautions necessary for survival,” he says.

One other factor worth considering: Alabama law now requires people to obtain permits to rehabilitate abandoned or injured animals. However, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, the state’s game authority, is increasingly reluctant to issue permits because of concerns about disease such as rabies and distemper.

Armstrong and other wildlife experts are still uncertain how much damage was caused to animals habitats by the recent hurricane.

“Any time you’re dealing with downed trees or flood, you’re going to see some habitat loss.”

While nonendangered species will recover from this loss in time, Armstrong is concerned about some endangered species such as the beach mouse, a native of the storm-ravaged Gulf Coast.

“In those sorts of cases, you’re dealing with restricted, critical habitats most vulnerable to the effects of storms and other calamities,” he says.

Armstrong says it may be years before scientists can determine the storm’s long-term effects on beach mice and other endangered species. Ironically, while downed trees can result in habitat losses in some cases, they may provide opportunities for other species, he says.

[Source: Dr. James Armstrong, Alabama Cooperative Extension System Wildlife Specialist and Auburn University Associate Professor of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, (334) 844-9233.]

Posted by Jim Langcuster at September 21, 2004 04:49 PM | TrackBack