What to do when there are wildfires and you find a distressed animal in your garden?
It's been very dry lately, so forests catch fire quickly. Just like people, animals possess a sharpened sense of danger. Therefore, when a wildfire occurs, most animals can sense it and either run away or find refuge by standing in streams. Smaller animals seek cover under rocks, or by burying themselves in the dirt.
Animals have ways to escape, like flying, running, or hiding. But changes in where they live and find food will create problems for a long time, especially when they are very territorial, like long-tailed macaques, and when their habitat is destroyed, they have to look for a new place to live. When fires are near kampungs, you might see animals in your yard looking for safety. During droughts, animals may venture beyond their usual territory in search of water. Provide water during this time.
Here are some guidelines about how to help wildlife:
Animals have ways to escape, like flying, running, or hiding. But changes in where they live and find food will create problems for a long time, especially when they are very territorial, like long-tailed macaques, and when their habitat is destroyed, they have to look for a new place to live. When fires are near kampungs, you might see animals in your yard looking for safety. During droughts, animals may venture beyond their usual territory in search of water. Provide water during this time.
Here are some guidelines about how to help wildlife:
- Let them rest: If animals are running from a fire, they're scared and tired. Don't chase them away. Be patient and let them rest.
- Do not come near them but stay out of sight, wildlife see people as predators and seeing you may scare them or stress them out.
- Don't feed them, but provide water: feeding wildlife isn't a good idea, it makes them depend on humans. Place water in shallow bowls and clean bowls every 2 to 3 days to avoid bacteria growing in it and spreading diseases among wildlife.
- Keep pets inside: This helps to keep pets and wildlife safe, avoiding conflicts when wildlife appears in your pets territory.
- When driving on roads near fires, be cautious of wildlife crossing the road to avoid the fires. Do not scare them; instead, give them space to cross safely. Use your warning lights to warn other drivers.
When there's not much food, animals can find their own sources. Even if it means they have to travel long distances, that's their natural way. Especially long-tailed macaques can travel long distances.
Feeding them human food causes problems. They get used to it and depend on people. Wild animals suffer when they eat human food instead of what they should. When people feed animals, they lose their fear of humans and the skill of forage for food. This makes them more likely to get hurt. sick, or killed and when it concerns macaques, they will keep coming back.
If you see a wild animal that needs help, call the authorities. But before you try to help, make sure they really need it. Trying to catch a resting animal will scare them, wasting energy they might need to continue their journey. So observe them from a distance.
A wild animal might need help if:
Feeding them human food causes problems. They get used to it and depend on people. Wild animals suffer when they eat human food instead of what they should. When people feed animals, they lose their fear of humans and the skill of forage for food. This makes them more likely to get hurt. sick, or killed and when it concerns macaques, they will keep coming back.
If you see a wild animal that needs help, call the authorities. But before you try to help, make sure they really need it. Trying to catch a resting animal will scare them, wasting energy they might need to continue their journey. So observe them from a distance.
A wild animal might need help if:
- Obvious signs of injury: Burns, blood, wounds, limping or anything that shows they are hurt.
- Accidents: If they've been hit by a car, caught by a pet, they might need help.
- Unusual behavior: If they seem 'sleepy' or don't respond when you come near, or if they seem dizzy, disoriented, or stumble and fall when they move, they are in trouble. They might have been inhaling too much smoke.
- Baby animals in distress: If it's a baby animal and has been crying for a long time, is all alone, or is shivering and not moving much, it needs help.
If you have observed any of the signs mentioned above, please contact the authorities in your country and wait for assistance. Keep in mind that wild animals are not pets, and they may react aggressively in stressful situations, even if your intention is to help. It is best to leave it to the experts.
Written by a concerned Monkey Guard.