Wildlife encroaching on the property and in the homes of humans is an unfortunate side effect of our ever-expanding cities and the loss of animal habitat. Most homeowners would want to remove and relocate the animals without causing injury or diminishing their chances for survival once back on their own, but this principled approach can be a tricky and complicated business. Here are the three categories of wildlife relocation to consider if planning to remove uninvited guests.
1. On-Site Release
This method is the most intuitive approach, and works well for wildlife found on the homeowner’s outdoor property. On-site release means that, after the homeowner has determined that the particular wildlife poses no danger to itself or humans, the animal is deemed welcome to stay and is then returned to the exact spot on which it was found. The assumption here is that the wildlife is already acclimated to the surroundings and prepared for any threats it might face in the area.
2. Relocation
This is the most likely method of removing wildlife, especially if the animal in question has been captured within the home. To relocate wildlife means to transport and insert the animal any distance away from where it was discovered, whether it’s releasing the animal just outside the front door of the home or dropping it in a nearby forest preserve.
There are a number of important considerations to take into account when planning to relocate wildlife humanely: Will the animal be able to find an appropriate food source in the new area? Are there predators inhabiting the area with which the animal might not be able to cope? Are there any diseases potentially lurking in the area that could endanger the animal, or is the animal itself a disease carrier? Will the inclement temperature of the new area affect the animal’s chances for survival? Will the animal be intruding on the territory of a relative, resulting in a fight?
It’s not only imperative for the homeowner to keep the animal’s health in mind by asking questions such as these, but also to think about the health of the animal’s family. By relocating wildlife, the homeowner is possibly splitting up a family, thereby putting any young offspring at risk of perishing without their parents nearby.
3. Translocation
This method refers to the transport of wildlife to a location outside of its natural home range. The idea of translocation varies greatly between species, as some wildlife is specific to a relatively tiny area, while other animals can easily thrive when placed in any spot throughout the continent. There are also a number of laws pertaining to the transport of animals, be they wildlife, pets, or livestock. In California, for example, it is illegal to relocate or translocate any wildlife of any kind, so it’s best for homeowners to be aware of regulations and possible penalties that may affect their efforts.
In all three cases, research is required to make certain that the wildlife relocation is done humanely and poses the least amount of risk to the animal. Remember to keep human contact with the animal at a minimum so as to reduce the stress placed upon it, and try your best not to ever make the animal feel threatened. If a homeowner is unsure at any point, it’s never a bad idea to bring in some expert help to ensure the animal can resume a healthy life back in the wild. And remember, the best way to avoid dealing with wildlife relocation at all is through employing proper preventative measures around the home.