Learning to Coexist

Hundreds of different species of animals have coexisted in the hillsides and open fields of our communities.  As we bulldoze and cement these areas to make room for more homes and bigger roads, animals of all types (coyotes, mountain lions, skunks, raccoons, opossums, feral cats, mice, foxes, gophers, lizards, and dozens more) are displaced and involuntarily forced to live among us.  When their homes are destroyed and their fields and forests filled with our homes, they have no choice but to try to live among us, sleeping in our crawl spaces, mating outside the windows, foraging for food in our yards.

The vast majority will die, finding themselves no match for the human society thrust upon them. Others will involuntarily become “urban” wildlife, trying to stay one step ahead of the cars, the traps, the poisons, and the host of other man–made dangers.  As we enter the 21st Century, our hopes for a peaceful and harmonious future must include a gentler relationship with these animals. A simple and yet important way we can do this to treat them with compassion whenever and wherever we encounter them. With a little patience, a good dose of compassion, old–fashioned common sense, and a few simply and non–lethal tricks, you will be able to keep your garden intact, the garbage lid on, and get a good night’s sleep. After all, it’s their world too.