BostonPeter
Coexisting with wild animals
Here on Cape Cod there are over 450 species of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals. These include the ones that delight us: humpbacks, osprey, chipmunks, cottontails, turtles and great blue herons. Then there are the vilified: bats, fishers, opossum, voles, raccoons, rats, skunks and snakes. And, of course, the most maligned and misunderstood of all: the coyote and the fox.
One of my valued contacts in Maine wrote to me today and I realized he's no fan of the coywolf; I am, but I respect the proper distance with this animal. At one time or another, all of the animals I've mentioned have been hunted, captured or exploited by humans for food or just for fun.
Times have changed. People are beginning to recognize the important part these species play in the delicate balance of our ecosystem. People have begun to appreciate the wildlife that surrounds us instead of fearing or hating the presence of wild animals.
My friend Heather, a wildlife rescuer, took the above photo. More people observe these animals with awe and appreciation, shooting them with a camera, not a gun. Unfortunately right now we have a legally-sanctioned Coyote killing contest right here in Barnstable.
Most wild coyotes and fox fear humans. They are not ruthless predators. Their diet consists of mostly fruits, seeds, small rodents and amphibians. They are nature's clean-up crew.
If you kill coyotes and foxes, the rodent population surges. If the rodent populations surges, you have introduced more ticks and diseases like Lyme into the environment.
Coyotes and foxes struggle to survive in this harsh world wanting shelter, food and an opportunity to raise their young. Just like us.
Let's learn to incorporate diversity in all its forms from the glorious whale to the humble field mouse to the coyote and its brother, the eastern red fox.
Coexisting with wild animals
Here on Cape Cod there are over 450 species of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals. These include the ones that delight us: humpbacks, osprey, chipmunks, cottontails, turtles and great blue herons. Then there are the vilified: bats, fishers, opossum, voles, raccoons, rats, skunks and snakes. And, of course, the most maligned and misunderstood of all: the coyote and the fox.
One of my valued contacts in Maine wrote to me today and I realized he's no fan of the coywolf; I am, but I respect the proper distance with this animal. At one time or another, all of the animals I've mentioned have been hunted, captured or exploited by humans for food or just for fun.
Times have changed. People are beginning to recognize the important part these species play in the delicate balance of our ecosystem. People have begun to appreciate the wildlife that surrounds us instead of fearing or hating the presence of wild animals.
My friend Heather, a wildlife rescuer, took the above photo. More people observe these animals with awe and appreciation, shooting them with a camera, not a gun. Unfortunately right now we have a legally-sanctioned Coyote killing contest right here in Barnstable.
Most wild coyotes and fox fear humans. They are not ruthless predators. Their diet consists of mostly fruits, seeds, small rodents and amphibians. They are nature's clean-up crew.
If you kill coyotes and foxes, the rodent population surges. If the rodent populations surges, you have introduced more ticks and diseases like Lyme into the environment.
Coyotes and foxes struggle to survive in this harsh world wanting shelter, food and an opportunity to raise their young. Just like us.
Let's learn to incorporate diversity in all its forms from the glorious whale to the humble field mouse to the coyote and its brother, the eastern red fox.