Most of us in the Phoenix area have had a run-in with wildlife. But mild winter weather and a lack of rain means reports of human and wildlife encounters are on the rise.
Coyotes, bobcats, javelina, oh my. These animals are increasingly becoming comfortable entering human environments. Darren Julian is the urban wildlife specialist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
"Just water in a desert is gonna be an attractant for all kinds of species," Julian said.
And since we’ve had so little rain, they’re finding other sources.
"Think about all the golf courses that we have in our communities. Green grass, ponds, things like that. Think about this time of year, we’ve got an influx of migrating birds, ducks, waterfowl, things like that that are coming in. So those are always gonna be high locations for prey species," Julian said.
Julian also says if you’re feeding feral cats, for example, to remove the food after they’ve eaten.
"Feeding feral cats is definitely a concern. If you are feeding feral cats and stuff though, do it at a certain time of day every day so those cats get conditioned to coming in, eating the food and then pick the remaining food up," Julian said.
It is illegal to feed wildlife except for birds and tree squirrels. Julian also says it’s important not to allow predators like coyotes to get comfortable in your neighborhood.
A few tips from Arizona Game and Fish:
- Don’t feed wildlife. It is unlawful to feed wildlife (except for birds and tree squirrels) in Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties per ARS 13-2927. Some cities and less populated counties have also adopted ordinances against feeding. Check your local city and county ordinances.
- Remove pet food, water bowls, garbage and other attractants from around your home and put them in a secure location inaccessible to wildlife.
- Feed your pets inside and never leave them unattended, especially at dusk and dawn. Predatory animals may opportunistically see small pets as a food source. Keep domestic livestock and poultry in a secure area. Don’t feed feral or “neighborhood” cats.
- Don’t let animals such as coyotes get comfortable in your neighborhood — spray them (from a safe distance) with a hose, throw pebbles in their direction, light up the area at night, or bang pots and pans to keep the animals moving.
- Secure garbage containers and eliminate odors by cleaning trash cans with a 10% chlorine bleach solution. Put out trash containers on the morning of pickup, not the night before.
- Keep an eye on small children.
The department’s Living with Wildlife web page has tips for what to do if you encounter a wild animal (these may differ depending on the species).
