What should you do when a wild animal makes its way into your house or yard?
A lot depends on what kind of animal, where it is and if they could put family members or pets in danger.
If the โwild animalโ in your house is of the small rodent variety, call an exterminator or visit a hardware store for humane traps. Then search for the ways the critters may have made their way in to your home and seal them.
A bobcat in your back yard will probably leave within a few hours. Itโs only a problem if your small pet was out there and is now missing. Donโt go out to look. Of course, if the bobcat doesnโt leave in a reasonable amount of time, say a day, donโt try to chase it out. Call Arizona Game & Fish for help. Any wild animal that gets into your house could be dangerous. This includes rattlesnakes, javelina, bobcats and others. If you can get out of the house, do so, and call the Arizona Game & Fish Department at 628-5376.
The Tucson Wildlife Center runs a wildlife hospital and will pick up and, if possible, rehabilitate injured animals. They are open every day. Call them at 520-290-9453.
Game & Fish officers or the Tucson Wildlife Center can also be called if you find unattended babies (never touch them).
Those babies are probably not really unattended, but waiting for their mother to come back with food. You donโt want to meet mother if you are hanging around her babies. But if you are unsure whether their mother is nearby, call for help instead of touching the babies.
By the way, baby javelinas may be cute, but their bite is ugly. Donโt try to pet them. An injured animal could be dangerous or sick. Let the experts deal with it.
Game & Fish personnel are law enforcement officers who try to keep both humans and wildlife safe. They know the best ways to handle wild animals that have found their way into an unfamiliar environment.
Learn more at azgfd.comย and tucsonwildlife.com
