We have been seeing a prolifiration of different wildlife species in the last few years. Some of these animals are not conducive of living with, near, or around people.
1. Wolves-When numbers are small and game plentiful, they stay remote. But when game gets scarce, and their number get higher, they get more aggressive. They kill and eat people. Groups and the Federal Government are protecting them. We are frequently having them come into our subdivisions and kill pets out side on lines, or in their dog houses inside fences.
2. Mt Lions-Same as the Wolves. Groups are protecting them, numbers are growing and habitat is shrinking. They are seen more and more in surberbia.
3. Wild Hogs-One sow can produce up to 32 offspring per year. They go anywhere they want, and eat anything they want. If they come into the suburbs they can and will attack people in their own back yards. Little is being done to slow their growth and dispercal.
4. Black Bears-Along with other states havee seen population explosions. Population densities prevent adiquate opertunity for hunters to harvest numbers need to slow or really affect population growth.
5. Grizzly/Brown Bears-Maybe not in the lower 48 states, but here in Alaska we are seeing a rising population. All the greenbelts in Anchorage have Brown Bears cruising them during the summer. Kids have been mauled while riding on bike paths. Joggers have been killed and eaten on jogging trails. Grizzy Bears are taking a heavy toll on the baby Caribou in the 40 mile Herd and the Nelchina Herd. Here around the Fairbanks area grizzlies have been known to break into garages for dog food. Tear the doors off sheds, and even walk into homes, looking for anything to eat.
As the population of people grows, and the availiable habitat for the wild one shrinks, the encounters will become more and more frequent. The encounters will also become more and more deadly for both sides. People will demand something be done. Eventually eradication in some areas will be the only answer. When a Coyote was running loose in New Yorks Central Park, the local officials were up in arms. That animal had to go. Wait till a herd of wild hogs decide to move in.
