Urbanization Leaves No Place to Run

September 9, 1996

Greensboro, NC: Though industrial and residential expansion have been good for the North Carolina economy, many long-time residents are finding themselves displaced. Rapid urbanization has overtaken their homes, and their new neighbors are not always friendly.

"Because of the great diversity of habitat types, North Carolina cities are probably home to more wildlife species than are most rural towns," said Dr. Bob Williamson, a natural resources specialist with the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Program. "It is almost impossible to live anywhere in North Carolina without seeing or hearing some form of wildlife on a daily basis."

Williamson explains that the large presence of wildlife in cities is a result of human encroachment on traditional wildlife habitat. "As wildlife habitat disappears, so too do its inhabitants. Some species, however, have adjusted extremely well by adapting to man-made environments such as crevices on buildings and bridges, or parks, gardens, and sewer systems."

One such hardy creature is the raccoon. Raccoons are frequent nocturnal visitors in many neighborhoods, and more often than not, they pose no threat to humans and their pets. However, because they are wild animals without the benefit of vaccination, they are more susceptible to dangerous diseases like rabies.

Reported cases of rabies have more than doubled over the past three years in North Carolina. Furthermore, on a national level, 43 percent of rabid animals reported in 1992 were raccoons in the mid-Atlantic and northeastern states. The raccoon's vulnerability to rabies and its presence in an environment inhabited by humans make evident the need for public awareness.

"Understanding is the key to solving problems involving wildlife," said Williamson. "Wildlife will live in virtually any place that offers the four basic habitat requirements: water, food, shelter for protection, and cover to raise their offspring. If you feel that wildlife are becoming a nuisance where you live, the best thing to do is to reduce an animal's access to their necessary habitat. Sometimes, this is as easy as making sure that the lid on your garbage can is sealed."

In spite of efforts to avoid such situations, sometimes people find themselves in confrontation with a wild animal. Most often, when confronted with a human, a wild animal will run away, and many nature lovers will enjoy the opportunity to observe an animal in such proximity. However, if the animal doesn't run away or acts oddly, a person should be cautious.

"If an animal is nervous, aggressive, or unusually friendly, it should not be approached," said Williamson. "Also if the animal displays excessive drooling and foaming at the mouth, or if it is a nocturnal animal appearing during the daytime, it might be rabid. In such cases, notify the local animal warden or health department so the animal can be captured. Do not attempt to catch the animal yourself."

Rabid wild animals also pose a threat to pets. For this reason, pet owners should make sure that their pets are vaccinated against rabies. This includes cats as well as dogs, since more cats than dogs were reported rabid for eight of the last ten years.

Finally, since contact with wild animals is the main way people and their pets are exposed to rabies, people should avoid any direct contact with wild animals Ü especially raccoons, skunks and bats.

"Misunderstanding is the root of many frustrations and fears that people maintain about wildlife," said Williamson. "Separating myths from facts allows people to appreciate and enjoy wildlife, instead of fearing and mistrusting it."

For more information, please contact Dr. Bob Williamson, NC A&T Cooperative Extension Program, (336) 334-7956.