RVers: Keeping Wild Animals Wild

Spring is a fantastic time to observe animals in the wild. They are coming out of hibernation and they are hungry. Many campers make the mistake of feeding them in order to get a \”better viewing.\” This can be very detrimental to both animal and camper. Beaudry RV offers the following tips for handling wildlife appropriately:

Bears. Make use of bear-proof containers (bear boxes). All deodorant, toothpaste, French fries and other foods must be removed from all vehicles overnight. Bears have an extremely sensitive sense of smell which has led to their notorious reputation for breaking into vehicles. Bears are also known for charging campers for their food as well as swiping the dinners for unsuspecting campers. The lack of bear proof containers can result in very satisfied bears and very hungry campers. And the more human food that bears consume the more they expect to receive it. It leaves them aggressive and creates a potentially dangerous situation for campers and bears alike.

Bear canisters can be used to prevent bears from stealing food (leaving campers hungry). The more human food bears consume…the more aggressive they become. Springtime often leaves campers with the desire to photograph a mother and cubs, but allowing them to take food leaves them with a feeling of entitlement to human food. And this creates a dangerous situation for both the bears and the campers.

Foxes. While there aren\’t many reports of human attacks by foxes…the fox is a scavenger. And they have been known to swipe small animals (cats and dogs, etc.) from campgrounds. Feeding foxes only entices them closer to the campsite and increases the chance of scavenging among campsites. Wild animals eventually learn to expect humans to provide food if the situation presents itself consistently. This makes them more likely to scavenge among human food stores in campsites. For viewing of foxes look for dens in covered spaces like culverts or water drainage pipes.

Early morning and evening is when fox cubs explore. Always keep your distance and do not feed them. These are wild animals and they must develop their natural hunting/scavenging skills in order to survive. When tourist season ends animals who have learned to depend on humans for food will die.

Squirrels. Squirrels are not typically considered a problem or a danger, but those who see them as adorable little creatures that will eat from their hands are often the victims of squirrel attacks. Squirrels have very sharp teeth and often have fleas that are carrying the bubonic plague (making squirrels common transmitters of the disease).

Squirrels. Most people don\’t consider squirrels a problem. Campers can often be found throwing breadcrumbs and/or snacks to entice the little animals closer. But squirrels often bite and they often carry diseases. Campers who get close or allow squirrels to eat out of their hands are often the victims of squirrel attacks. Squirrels have very sharp teeth and they are also often transmitters of bubonic plague which is carried through fleas. To view squirrels just watch them in their natural habitat, but keep your distance. The can be seen almost anywhere. They live in a variety of habitats. They are active throughout the day and are frisky animals that are fun to observe.

When it comes to wildlife it is important to remember that they are wild. Campers should feel responsible for ensuring that they do nothing to limit the wildlife\’s ability to survive in their natural habitat. Feeding animals in or around the campsite creates a dangerous situation not only for campers in the area, but for the animals that depend upon the development of their natural hunting and/or scavenging skills in order to survive.

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