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What is Human/Wildlife Conflict?

Mikayla Frierson • August 3, 2022

What is human/wildlife conflict, and how can we prevent it?

Rescuing Ocala Wildlife - A 501c3 Wildlife Rescue in Ocala serving Central Florida communities

     As Florida's population expands, humans are bound to encounter more wildlife. Animals that we used to only see while hiking or camping, such as Black Bears or bobcats, have become our neighbors, taking strolls down suburban streets. It can be startling to come into contact with these wild animals, especially with many common misconceptions about their behaviors (like that bobcats will jump out of trees and attack adult humans unprovoked....they won't!) Many conflicts with wildlife occur either from fear, or from frustration when an animal has acted normally, but is perceived as a nuisance. Understanding wildlife and learning their foraging, hunting, sleeping, and mating behaviors can help us learn how to coexist peacefully with them.

     At Rescuing Ocala Wildlife (ROW), we do not trap or remove nuisance wildlife, or involve ourselves with wildlife that is behaving normally but has been perceived has nuisance. However, we are always happy to take the time and have a conversation about what an animal is doing that is causing a problem, to try to find a creative solution that leaves both parties safe and happy. The majority of wild animals entering a property do so because they are hungry or thirsty, and can be deterred by simply removing and securing attractants in the area. Attractants include easily accessed garbage cans, bird feeders or bird baths, garden beds, cat food, or live stock. It is essential to also never feed wildlife.

     Florida's native wildlife play an essential role in our ecosystem, so preventing conflicts, and deterring entry into human territory is vital for their survival. If you have wildlife on your property and wish to humanely deter them from coming back, visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife website for more tips and information here: https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/tips/

Rescuing Ocala Wildlife - A 501c3 Wildlife Rescue in Ocala serving Central Florida communities

Why DID the Turtle Cross the Road?

By Mikayla Frierson • January 3, 2023
Chances are, you have seen a turtle or a tortoise crossing the road or stopped at some point in the middle of the street. If you are lucky, you may even live in an area with signs similar to the one pictured above that are intended to remind drivers to slow down and brake for turtles. But why do we see turtles and tortoises on the road so often? While the obvious answer may seem like habitat loss as we build roadways that cut through what was once open fields and low-laying wetlands here in Florida, some species of turtles will lay on the warm asphalt on cloudy days or just after it has rained, as a way to source extra heat. At particular times of the year, like during mating and hatchling season, there will be an influx of turtles on the road as they go out and search for mates, and juveniles set out to find their territory. If you can stop your car in a safe area (please don't endanger yourself!) and help a turtle across the road, always cross it where it is already heading. Even if it is in a parking lot or an area that seems entirely without resources to us, turtles and tortoises know where they want to go and are incredibly stubborn! If you place it back in the opposite direction, it may be safe for now, but it will likely attempt another crossing in a few minutes. Also, NEVER lift a turtle by its tail when moving it, as you could damage its spinal cord. Instead, if you find a snapping turtle or softshell turtle, try scooping it up with your car mat or a piece of cardboard and keeping the head pointing away from you. Unfortunately, many people that hit turtles with their cars do not stop, leaving them to suffer for sometimes days on end. If you find a turtle or tortoise who has been hit by a vehicle or is otherwise injured, you can call us at 352-234-6098. If you can, it is best to get the turtle off the road by putting it in a cardboard box, or wrapping it in a towel or sheet until you can get it to help. Sometimes, turtles have cracks in their shells from old injuries that are now healed, but if you are unsure if an injury requires immediate attention or is an old scar, we will gladly answer those questions, too!
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