Help Reduce Hazards That May Threaten Wildlife
By Diane Tipton
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Information Officer

Most people are naturally inclined to help a wild animal in trouble. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices often receive calls reporting stressed or injured animals, for example a deer with a puncture wound, owl with a broken wing, or an abandoned elk fawn.

In some cases, there is nothing wrong with the animal. It is natural for deer and elk to leave newborns for extended periods of time. What appears to be an orphaned animal may not be and FWP urges people to leave newborn wild animals alone. FWP will not accept, hold or rehabilitate deer and elk. This policy is a precaution to reduce the possible spread of any undetected cases of chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease that affects deer and elk.

In other cases, animals may be injured in ways we can help to prevent.

For example, FWP game wardens Randy Arnold and Jack Austin were on the Musselshell River when they found a large beaver trapped in an abandoned well. They used a rope they were carrying to fashion a loop, lassoed the beaver and then slowly dragged it up the side of the well to freedom. The well should have been covered to prevent an animal, or even a child, from falling in.

In another case, a bull elk was foraging on the Kootenai River upstream from Libby at a site where phone lines running along the railroad tracks were being removed. The bull's antlers became entangled in a huge bundle of telephone cable. It took FWP and railroad personnel three hours to free the animal. They tranquilized him to remove the wire and ultimately had to saw off the bull's antlers because the cable was so tightly wound around them. Other than suffering some social shame from the loss of his antlers so early in the winter season, the bull did just fine. However, wire, whether rolled or half buried along abandoned fence lines, can be a significant wildlife hazard.

Though the creatures in these examples survived, other wild animals are injured and sometimes killed by hazards humans can control. A number of wild animals each year are injured by dog attacks. Keeping a dog under control, especially in the spring when newborn wildlife is most vulnerable will help.

Here are additional ways to help reduce potential dangers to wildlife.

• Avoid approaching or pursuing wildlife, especially if they are close to potential hazards such as a dwelling, fencing or industrial sites. They may easily startle and injure themselves or you.

• Observe speed limits and watch for highway wildlife crossing signs. On rural roads give wildlife the right of way.

• Avoid discarding paraphernalia such as fishing line, fishing hooks, plastic six pack wraps, white plastic bags etc. that may choke or entangle wildlife

• Whenever possible, roll up barbed wire from abandoned fences or other farming, ranching or industrial uses.

• Fill or securely cover abandoned water wells and deep holes. They are a hazard to wild and domestic animals, as well as children.

• Be aware that small holes such as window wells and irrigation valve holes can be a death trap for small mammals, amphibians and birds.

• Always unplug outdoor extension cords from outdoor sockets and take care with power generators and similar equipment. Both wild and domestic animals are curious and can become entangled, shocked or killed if they come into contact with power cables and wires.