The NCWRC conducted a survey of animal control offices (ACOs) in 2013 to learn about volume of wildlife-related calls, types of wildlife services provided and what resources we can provide to address wildlife-related issues and requests.

The majority (92%) of responding ACOs expressed interest in a NCWRC newsletter, as well as training opportunities on general wildlife problems(73%), species-specific information (61%), and wildlife rules and regulations (59%). The majority were also interested in providing wildlife-related resources, such as information on Wildlife Damage Control Agents (WDCA), to callers (see Figure 1).

Species generating the most calls to ACOs statewide are raccoons, followed by bats, opossums, foxes and coyotes. Skunks made the top five species list in the Piedmont while snakes, not surprisingly, made that list in the Coastal Plain. Spring was the busiest call season for 47% of the

ACOs, followed by summer (36%).

Wildlife-related calls represent less than 10% of the call volume for the majority (64%) of survey respondents. Based on results of our survey, we recommend that by keeping a consistent call record, that includes date and animal species, ACOs can track trends in wildlife-related call volumes, easily identify areas where most phone calls originate and which species are generating the most calls. This information helps guide education and information efforts.

The survey indicated some ACOs provide trapping and removal services for wildlife. As a reminder, if ACOs trap and remove wildlife, State Law requires a depredation permit issued by the NCWRC. If wildlife is captured incidentally and the wild animal appears healthy, it must be released on-site. Reasons given by ACOs for trapping included: rabies concern, property damage, wild animal observed in area or getting into garbage or birdfeeder.

ACOs can refer callers experiencing property damage or wildlife in their dwellings to the WDCA list (see last page for web-link). Wildlife getting into garbage cans, bird feeders or observed on a person’s property is not cause for removal by Animal Control, WDCAs, or NCWRC personnel. For these situations, advise callers to remove all food from bird feeders, secure garbage can lids with bungee cords or latches, clean up outdoor grills after each use and never feed or approach a wild animal. These are effective measures to prevent negative human-wildlife interactions and help reduce call volumes.

Highl ights f rom Sur vey of Animal Control Of f ices

Figure 1. ACO interest in providing wildlife-related.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Wildlife Notes for Animal Control

Spring 2014 Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1

Welcome to the 1st edition of the “Wildlife Notes for Animal Control”

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) welcomes you to our inaugural issue of “Wildlife Notes for Animal

Control.” This newsletter was created specifically for Animal Control Officers and will be published twice a year in spring and fall.

We hope you find this newsletter helpful in providing information that you can use, as well as information that you can provide the

public. Inside this newsletter you will find topics on wildlife, wildlife behavior, wildlife-related rules and laws, and sources of

information that you can add to your municipal or county website.

Because the raccoon is the wildlife species that generates the most phone calls statewide, it is the first animal featured in our special section highlighting a different species each newsletter.

The breeding season for North Carolina raccoons is typically from February through March in the Mountain region and through April in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain. Young are born from April through June or about 63 days after a female is bred. Average litter size is two to five young. Young begin following the adult female at 8-12 weeks; they are dependent on her for 3½ months and leave to establish their own home range at 9 months.

Today, raccoon populations are abundant in North Carolina and their natural range includes cities and towns. Contrary to popular belief, healthy raccoons can be out during the daytime. Raccoons are responding to the abundance of food found day and night in neighborhoods and have become accustomed to, and therefore less frightened of, the humans they encounter.

Most raccoons do not have rabies. Animals that appear sick may appear so for many reasons, including injury, parasites, stress or diseases other than rabies, such as distemper. Injured or sick raccoons cannot be rehabilitated in NC. It is best to leave them alone.

A rabid raccoon will show characteristics of being sick, often through aimless wandering, lethargy, uncoordinated movements, weakness in the hind legs, paralysis, or unprovoked aggression, including attacking inanimate objects. As stated earlier, healthy raccoons can be active during the day.

Non-lethal options for dealing with nuisance raccoons and other wild animals include:

1. Eliminate food sources by:

- securing garbage cans with a bungee cord, ratchet strap or latch;

- feeding pets indoors or remove leftover pet food once your pet is done eating;

- taking down bird feeders and cleaning up seeds;

- prohibiting the intentional feeding of wildlife.

2. A strand of electric wire effectively prevents a raccoon from entering a garden,

compost pile, or chicken coop.

3. Cover up or seal all potential entries into or under buildings, porches, stairs and

decks.

4. Clean up overgrown vegetation and fallen nuts or fruit.

Lethal Options:

1. If trapping season is open, trap and euthanize the raccoon yourself (a trapping license is not required for landowners) or hire a

licensed trapper. See back page for trapping seasons and trapper contact information.

2. If trapping season is closed and extensive property damage has occurred, hire a certified Wildlife Damage Control Agent or

obtain a depredation permit from the Wildlife Commission and trap and euthanize the raccoon.

If property damage has not occurred, non-lethal options are the recommended first step.

Featured Creature: Raccoon

Kimberly McCargo

Soon phones will be ringing with folks calling in about what to do with “orphaned” wildlife.

The best message:

“Leave it alone for 24 hours to allow the adult female to return.

Do not pick it up; do not try to feed it; leave it where it was found.”

It is best to leave wildlife alone:

Capturing and handling young animals can stress them, sometimes fatally.

Young animals, if alone, are not necessarily abandoned. Many animals do not

stay with their young and only return to feed them.

Wildlife can transmit diseases, such as rabies.

It is illegal to keep wildlife without a permit.

Fawns: Does hide their fawns while they feed. Although the fawn is alone,

the doe will return several times a day to nurse it, staying only a few

minutes.

If you are concerned about a fawn, leave the area and return the next day.

Does are vary cautious and will not return to the fawn if they sense danger,

such as a person near-by.

If a fawn is in the exact location when you check on it the following day and

bleating loudly, or if a fawn is lying beside a dead doe, do not take the fawn

into your possession. To find a local permitted fawn rehabilitator, contact

the NCWRC at (919) 707-0050 or go to our website at: www.ncwildlife.org/injuredwildlife.aspx

Birds and Rabbits:

If the nest is close by, a young bird (nestling or fledgling) or rabbit can be put

back in the nest. The adult may return to care for it. It is a myth that adults

will abandon young that have been touched by humans. Do not try to

rehabilitate the rabbit or birds on your own, as this is not only illegal, but may

cause injury to the animal.

Other wildlife:

For other species, if no adult returns or the adult female has been found dead, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator at:

www.ncwildlife.org/injuredwildlife.aspx or call 919-707-0050.

Due to rabies concerns the newborn, young and adult of the following

species cannot be rehabilitated: coyote, skunk, fox, raccoon, and bat.

Spr ing has sprung and wi ld l i fe have had young……….. .

Amy Gosnell

Harold Fitz

The WDCA program allows trained and certified individuals to issue wildlife depre-

dation permits to North Carolina residents having wildlife damage problems.

Depredation permits are needed to hunt or trap and lethally remove wildlife outside

of the season.

The NCWRC offers a WDCA workshop that provides you with the rules and

regulations that govern the WDCA program, information on euthanasia, safe

handling of wildlife, and a variety of other information that will be useful for WDCA’s. Agents must pass a closed book

Certification examination and a criminal background check prior to being certified. Once you have received your certification

in the mail you may begin operating in a WDCA capacity.

For additional information go to:

www.ncwildlife.org/ProblemWildlife/WildlifeDamageControl/ WDCAProgramWorkshop.aspx or call 919-707-0061

Attending a two-day workshop is a certification requirement.

Remaining 2014 workshops: June 11-12 (full)

October 8-9 (open)

What is the Wildlife Damage Control Agent (WDCA) Program ?

Furbearing wildlife causing extensive property damage during the trapping season?

Contact a licensed trapper: www.ncwildlife.org/Trapping/ContactaLicensedTrapper.aspx & search by county and species.

Furbearing animals are certain wildlife species that can be trapped during the regulated trapping season.

For information on species you can trap & trapping season dates go to www.ncwildlife.org/Trapping/

Wildlife causing extensive property damage outside the hunting and trapping season?

Contact a Wildlife Damage Control Agent: www.ncwildlife.org/Trapping/WildlifeDamageControlAgent.aspx

For tips on reducing conflicts with wildlife go to: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Trapping/HaveaProblem.aspx

Found an injured or orphaned wild animal? For information and licensed rehabilitator contacts go to:

www.ncwildlife.org/InjuredWildlife.aspx

Problems with a raptor, waterfowl or other bird species? All birds are federally protected. Call USDA Wildlife

Services at 866-487-3297, ext. 225.

Want to learn more about a particular wild animal species? http://www.ncwildlife.org/Conserving/Species.aspx

Photo Credit: AAAnimal Control

Wildlife resources are just a click away. Links to list on your city or county webpage.