 |
|
| |
View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
GTG
Was lost but now am found
Joined: 30 Dec 2002
Posts: 2387
Location: Peoria, Arizona, originally from Rocket City, USA
|
 Posted: 2/12/2003, 9:41 pm Post subject: The struggle to share a developing desert |
 |
 |
|
|
Taken from today's Arizona Republic -
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0212urbanwildlife12.html
| Quote: |
The struggle to share a developing desert
By Angela Cara Pancrazio
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 12, 2003
As subdivisions reach farther into the desert, more homeowners are doing more communing with nature than they bargained for. And some are paying a price.
Lou Howell spent $1,400 on veterinarian bills after his dog, Chester, tangled with a coyote in their northeast Mesa neighborhood and lost.
Chester, a small dog, survived his brush with nature. But, Howell said, "he's uglier than he was before."
Dozens of calls come in daily from across the Valley that indicate native wildlife feels quite at home with what humans are building in the desert. Lush golf courses stocked with water holes, backyard pools landscaped with rocks, and non-native vegetation attract small critters that are the perfect prey for coyotes, hawks and foxes.
Even Canada geese now stay year-round.
On a recent morning, Arizona Game & Fish Department duty officer Richard Wiggins fielded calls of a raccoon in a tree, a javelina munching on a pricey cactus, and two coyotes near a golf course in Ahwatukee Foothills, one gripping a cat in its jaws, the other with a rabbit.
The Mesa regional office, where officers keep logs, counts anywhere from 55 to 120 wildlife complaints a month. Most calls involve peripheral areas of the Valley: north Phoenix, north Scottsdale, northeast Mesa, Apache Junction, south Gilbert, south Chandler, Ahwatukee Foothills, north Peoria, Sun City and Sun City West.
Development now stretches so far into the desert that tract homes border swaths of state land and the Tonto National Forest in Chandler, Apache Junction and northeast Mesa.
But homes closer in also are seeing an increase in wildlife. Preserves, parks, alleys, canals, washes and golf courses give animals access to city neighborhoods.
None of it surprises Randy Babb, an Arizona Game & Fish biologist.
"There's no reason these people wouldn't be visited by coyotes and another host of wild animals," Babb said as he straddled a narrow wash between the desert of Usery Mountain Park and a new subdivision butting up against it in northeast Mesa. "Everything people don't like - rattlesnakes, Gila monsters, foxes, you name it - are living right there."
He dropped on his haunches and in less than a minute spotted javelina and coyote tracks. He lifted one rock and out crawled a venomous centipede. He peeled back another rock and a recluse spider creeped out. It was poisonous, too.
"It's not a matter of if," Babb said. "It's a matter of when."
Joe Yarchin, an urban wildlife specialist with Game & Fish, said the push to urbanize the Sonoran Desert puts humans in the middle of a rich wildlife habitat.
That means more visits from animals, whether a coyote in the neighborhood, a javelina in a front yard or a bobcat leering from atop a backyard block wall. This time of year, wildlife is more visible because of cooler daytime temperatures and the upcoming reproductive season.
Males are setting up territories, mating with females, and the parents are seeking den sites. When they begin to have their young in February and March, adults feel the pressure to do more hunting, Yarchin said, adding, "There may be an increase in pets taken."
Fountain Hills, north Scottsdale, Cave Creek and Carefree are now part of a mountain lion's home range.
Over the past few years there have been several mountain lion sightings in the northern fringes. Yarchin believes it's the same mountain lion, who has had cubs. They make a circle from the Tonto Forest through the McDowell Mountains and loop back out through Fountain Hills.
Babb and Yarchin say the meeting of humans and animals means a few rules have to be followed. First, never feed or touch wildlife.
"There's a pattern," Babb said. "People start feeding and the animals associate people with food. The animals become increasingly bold."
Don't leave pet food out. Remember that small pets are prey for coyotes, bobcats and the great horned owl. Younger children should always be supervised by adults.
When it comes to protection, Yarchin and Babb agree that bobcats are a non-issue. Much like the coyote and javelina, simply let them know you are there.
"They're skittish, they have a radius they won't break. They are likely to kill chickens and rabbits."
Reach the reporter at angela.pancrazio@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8126.
Find this article at:
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0212urbanwildlife12.html
|
Then followed up with this informative piece,
Taken from today's Arizona Republic -
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0212urbanwildlifebox12.html
| Quote: |
Urban wildlife
Feb. 12, 2003
Dealing with the problem
If you are concerned about urban wildlife around your home, here are steps to take to reduce the problem.
Do not feed wild animals.
Remove pet food from outside your house.
Eliminate availability of birdseed.
Keep shrubbery trimmed and clean.
Walk your dog on a leash. Accompany your pet outside, especially at night.
Provide secure shelter for poultry and rabbits.
Actively discourage coyotes from visiting your neighborhood. Do not be submissive in your behavior.
Whenever you see coyotes, make loud noises to make them leave.
Report a wildlife occurrence to the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (480) 981-9400.
Source: Arizona Game & Fish Department.
Find this article at:
http://www.arizonarepublic.com/arizona/articles/0212urbanwildlifebox12.html
|
GTG
_________________
Good things come to those who walk. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Daddee
I once was a slug.
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 2815
Location: Mesa, AZ
|
| Posted: 2/13/2003, 10:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
It's sad but true. People want to live where the land is cheap and the scenery is good - but they don't take into account that there are all kinds of critters that share the exact same viewpoint. If you're prepared for it, it isn't a big deal, but if you're not - it can be big trouble.
Unfortunately, the desert is a little more dangerous than the forests of the NE or NW - we have quite a few more critters that are downright dangerous, and far less visible.
The constant struggle between man and nature continues.
_________________
"Only small minds want always to be right."
- Louis XIV
"...haven't you lived long enough to know that two men may honestly differ about a question and both be right?"
- Abraham Lincoln |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mike t
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 175
Location: Gilbert, Az
|
| Posted: 2/13/2003, 11:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Sometimes I just don't get it. Why would you want to discourage wildlife as the second article suggests? To me, the whole point would be getting closer to nature. Sure, it makes sense to keep pet food picked up, to not instigate confrontations with wild animals, and to keep an eye on your pets and kids. On the other hand, so many people want to move out to the desert, then obliterate it, or "make it better". I don't know.....
_________________
Mike T
---------------
less is more |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Daddee
I once was a slug.
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 2815
Location: Mesa, AZ
|
| Posted: 2/13/2003, 12:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Do you remember the big stink a number of years ago? A number of people were being told to move to the desert because of respiratory illnesses of different sorts. So they came to the desert for the dry and relatively clean air.
Eventually more people started to notice that this was a nice place to live - so they came too. Except that they thought it was too "brown" and planted all kinds of trees and grasses that reminded them of home. Well, pretty soon the valley was full of all the pollen and other stuff that the original residents had moved here to try and escape.
"60 Minutes" even did a piece on it in the late 80's.
Hardly anybody wants to live "with" nature. They want to live "near" nature, as long as it doesn't intrude on them. And as long as it is the type of nature they want to see - like desert cottontails and jackrabits or desert tortises and lizards or doves and wrens. All that "nasty" nature just doesn't belong in their neighborhood you know.
Maybe they should just enclose their house in a big glass bubble.
_________________
"Only small minds want always to be right."
- Louis XIV
"...haven't you lived long enough to know that two men may honestly differ about a question and both be right?"
- Abraham Lincoln |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
cactuscat
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 459
Location: Phoenix
|
| Posted: 2/13/2003, 12:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
| mike t wrote: |
| Sometimes I just don't get it. Why would you want to discourage wildlife as the second article suggests? To me, the whole point would be getting closer to nature. |
I totally agree! As far as I'm concerned, so what if a few little foo-foo doggies get eaten up - I'd rather have coyotes around than pomeranians any day!  I keep my cats indoors so they're safe from all kinds of dangers - as anyone who really loves their animals should.
I don't know if it's the same one that the article mentions, but several years ago I saw a mountain lion at McDowell Mt. Park. That was one of the best and most exciting moments I've ever had in the outdoors!   |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
evenstar
Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 5548
Location: SCW by way of CA
|
| Posted: 2/13/2003, 3:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Love to hear the coyotes yip-yip-howl at night. See lots of coyotes around here. Gotta be paradise for them, plenty of water and cottentail.
_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ck1
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 1331
Location: Mesa
|
| Posted: 2/13/2003, 9:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Out here (Broadway/Sossaman)...we have a few coyotes nearby, have seen many on runs near the house...however, those silver haired slow moving creatures are much more common...and dangerous..
_________________
-Colin
"The Journey is the Destination" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
paintninaz
Joined: 06 Jan 2003
Posts: 3515
|
| Posted: 2/14/2003, 7:53 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
| ck1 wrote: |
| ..however, those silver haired slow moving creatures are much more common...and dangerous.. |
....I didn't think Hooli made it over to your neighborhood that often.... 
_________________
~Tracy
Friends make the bad times good and the good times unforgettable. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
evenstar
Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 5548
Location: SCW by way of CA
|
| Posted: 2/14/2003, 8:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
| paintninaz wrote: |
....I didn't think Hooli made it over to your neighborhood that often.... |
| ck1 wrote: |
| and dangerous.. |
 GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR 
_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Daddee
I once was a slug.
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 2815
Location: Mesa, AZ
|
| Posted: 2/14/2003, 11:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
| Quote: |
....I didn't think Hooli made it over to your neighborhood that often....
|
WoooHooo! Now that is a GREAT zing on Hooli! I wish I would have thought of it first....
_________________
"Only small minds want always to be right."
- Louis XIV
"...haven't you lived long enough to know that two men may honestly differ about a question and both be right?"
- Abraham Lincoln |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
evenstar
Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 5548
Location: SCW by way of CA
|
| Posted: 2/14/2003, 4:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
| Daddee wrote: |
I wish I would have thought of it first.... |
First you gotta learn to just think
_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mike
What box?
Joined: 30 Dec 2002
Posts: 3134
|
| Posted: 2/14/2003, 4:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
| paintninaz wrote: |
| ck1 wrote: |
| ..however, those silver haired slow moving creatures are much more common...and dangerous.. |
....I didn't think Hooli made it over to your neighborhood that often.... |
Hooli has hair??
_________________
[/size] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
evenstar
Joined: 03 Jan 2003
Posts: 5548
Location: SCW by way of CA
|
| Posted: 2/14/2003, 4:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Another jackass heard from 
_________________
John Richardson and Richie Rich, El Perro de Playero
http://members.tripod.com/~evenstar/index.html
http://www.arizonahikers.com
When the Man waked up he said, "What is Wild Dog doing here?" And the Woman said, "His name is not Wild Dog anymore, but the First Friend, because he will be our friend for always and always and always. Take him with you when you go hunting."
--Rudyard Kipling, from Just So Stories, 1902 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mike
What box?
Joined: 30 Dec 2002
Posts: 3134
|
| Posted: 2/14/2003, 4:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
 
_________________
[/size] |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Arizonaheat
Got Supes Juice?
Joined: 04 Jan 2003
Posts: 1741
Location: Mesa, AZ
|
| Posted: 2/14/2003, 9:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
|
|
Ck1 must be talking about Seizure World and Fountain of the Sun.  
_________________
Our lives are not determined by what happens to us but by how we react to what happens, not by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
Back to top
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
Home
Board
AZH Gear
FAQ
Search
Members
Articles
Calendar
Gallery
Register
Profile
Log in
Hosted by Gartman
Technical Services.