Living with wildlife
- Possums in the ceiling
- Can people catch diseases from native animals?
- Are pesticides and insecticides harmful?
- Feeding native animals
Although much of our native wildlife is nocturnal, people often have close encounters with native animals in the bush and even in their neighbourhoods.
Remember native animals are wild animals whether you see them in natural areas or your own backyard. Always treat them with caution. If you get too close to some animals, chances are you will get hurt.
As the suburbs overtake natural areas, animals are sometimes forced to live in close quarters with people. While we are privileged to be able to observe fascinating native animals at such close quarters, living with wildlife has its own special problems.
Native animals play an important role in keeping our environment healthy. Bats, birds and skinks reduce the number of insect pests, and bats and birds help pollinate trees. But what can you do when your native animal neighbours cause you problems?
Here are some of the more common problems people encounter with native wildlife and suggestions on ways to cope.
Possums in the ceiling
Brushtail possums are fairly territorial and will happily take up residence in your roof if tree hollows are not available.
The key is to find out where the animal is getting in and make your repairs at night while the possum is out feeding. Provide a nesting box as an alternative. If you cannot manage, call in the professionals. Check your local phone book for professional possum removal companies.
Can people catch diseases from native animals?
Yes, people can catch diseases from animals including domestic pets. Be careful not to handle or pat native animals.
Much has been written about bats carrying lyssavirus. Only trained wildlife carers should handle bats. Anyone scratched or bitten by a bat should seek immediate medical attention.
Are pesticides and insecticides harmful?
Some chemicals used to control pests in crops and gardens can seriously harm our native animals.
Research has shown that pesticides become concentrated in animal food chains. Animals towards the top of the food chain such as birds of prey are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of pesticides.
Insecticides can harm native animals such as blue-tongue lizards and spiders which feed on insects.
Before you use chemicals in your garden, check with the experts about safe ways to control household and garden pests without harming our native animals.
Feeding native animals
People get a lot of pleasure from interacting with animals, so it is natural to try to entice them with food. Children especially develop strong feelings for native animals when they get close to them. But there are so many problems associated with feeding wildlife that nature conservation agencies do not encourage this practice.
Native animals can become pests
Animals that are fed can become a pest. Kookaburras, kangaroos, dingoes and cassowaries are some animals which have injured or attacked people after being fed.
Feeding native animals can also put them at risk—they can become dependent on unnatural foods and can more vulnerable to attack from predators when they are feeding.
Nature has a delicate balance. When you feed animals, you encourage them to breed in unnaturally high numbers which the natural environment cannot sustain.
Fed animals can lose the ability to find and capture their own food. This can cause population explosions and can reduce the animal's chances of survival if the artificial food source is removed.
Keep wildlife wild—for your sake and theirs, don't feed native animals.
You can enjoy native animals and get close to them without feeding them. In the long run, you will do less harm to yourself and to the animals.
Nature knows best. The best food for native animals is the food they find themselves. Human foods can often be harmful and deprive animals of much-needed nutrients which only natural foods provide.
Encourage native animals into your backyard without feeding them by:
- installing a birdbath—enjoy watching the birds but don't harm them
- planting flowering native shrubs and trees to attract birds, flying foxes and butterflies.
Last updated: 26 October 2009