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News Release: For Immediate Release
May 16, 2003
WIDESPREAD MISTREATMENT OF WILD ANIMALS — CALIFORNIA TAKES ACTION
Contacts: Patrick Foy (916)-358-2938; Doug Updike, Senior Wildlife Biologist (916) 445-3652;
Lorna Bernard, Bear Campaign Coordinator, (916) 653-0991
"Keep Me Wild™ - Stash Your Food And Trash!"
New Campaign On Behalf of Wildlife
To Counter People Ruining Animals With Human Food And Garbage
News Conference and Volunteers To Launch Campaign
by California Department Of Fish And Game
10:30 A.M. Tuesday May 20, 2003, South Lake Tahoe Library 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
Successfully growing populations of California black bears, coyotes, mountain lions and deer are now falling victim to unnecessary conflict and even destruction for a surprising reason - increasing access to human food and garbage. Providing food constitutes mistreatment of wildlife, and is a threat to human safety and property, according to the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) which is mounting a new campaign to stop it.
"If wild animals become addicted to sources of human food, they'll do anything to get more, and lose their natural fear of humans," said Doug Updike, senior wildlife biologist with the DFG. "These powerful animals may do anything to get more easy pickings. People fear for their own safety and property, and deadly conflicts occur."
"Keep Me Wild™ - Stash Your Food and Trash" is the slogan of the new campaign on behalf of wildlife, being mounted by DFG staff and volunteers. It will initially focus on urgent geographic areas of concern including Lake Tahoe, where the campaign is being launched, and also the Mammoth Lakes, Monrovia and San Diego areas. A combination of community meetings, brightly colored "Keep Me Wild" posters and stickers, a new website http://www.keepmewild.org, and public service advertising will be used to appeal to and educate residents, campers and tourists about how to prevent wildlife access to human food and garbage.
In one respect, the problem is a result of good news. The population of California black bears in the state has nearly doubled in the last 10 years to an estimated 25,000 to 35,000. Other wildlife populations are similarly thriving across the state. Alongside is California's human population which averages 5 million more people each decade, many of whom do not realize the proximity of wildlife, and how to treat them.
"It's a people problem, not a wildlife problem," said Banky Curtis, a 30-year veteran wildlife biologist and Regional Manager of the DFG's Sacramento Valley and Central Sierra Region field office. "Wild animals naturally seek food wherever they can find it, and they're extremely good at it. People have to be responsible with their excess food and garbage, and take simple measures not to ruin our growing wildlife."
At the start of California's main outdoor season, occasioned by warmer weather and the Memorial Day weekend, the "Keep Me Wild™" campaign advises simple but effective ways to prevent wildlife access to human food and garbage, and tips on how to respond to wild animals. "Bears addicted to human food can become smash and grab thieves," said Updike. "Mountain lions and coyotes can leap and snatch pets. Deer venture on to highways. Let's prevent these tragedies."
The campaign is a pre-emptive approach by the DFG to prevent the need to issue warnings and respond to complaints of residents. Local volunteers and DFG staff will unveil the campaign, seek to inform journalists, broadcasters and their audiences, and fan out into the local community of South Lake Tahoe with informational materials.
Many local communities and organizations have also taken measures to counter the problem, some more successful than others. Residents who are knowledgeable about the problem, combined with bear-proof containers, have been successful at lowering the number of wild animals being mistreated and becoming addicted. Hazing and relocating wild animals which have become addicted to human sources of food have not been particularly successful, according to Updike. The animals simply move on to bother others, or return after a short while.
The public can find more information from the following sources
Website: http://www.keepmewild.org
California Fish and Game wardens
Park rangers
Law enforcement officers
Garbage collection company
Town council / administration
KEEP ME WILD™ NEWS CONFERENCE BY CA DEPT OF FISH AND GAME
"THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND
STATEWIDE - AND THE SOLUTIONS"
Wildlife Experts, Maps, Photos, Video, Examples to be provided
Refreshments will be served.
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2003
South Lake Tahoe Library
1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe
May 16, 2003
WIDESPREAD MISTREATMENT OF WILD ANIMALS — CALIFORNIA TAKES ACTION
Contacts: Patrick Foy (916)-358-2938; Doug Updike, Senior Wildlife Biologist (916) 445-3652;
Lorna Bernard, Bear Campaign Coordinator, (916) 653-0991
"Keep Me Wild™ - Stash Your Food And Trash!"
New Campaign On Behalf of Wildlife
To Counter People Ruining Animals With Human Food And Garbage
News Conference and Volunteers To Launch Campaign
by California Department Of Fish And Game
10:30 A.M. Tuesday May 20, 2003, South Lake Tahoe Library 1000 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe
Successfully growing populations of California black bears, coyotes, mountain lions and deer are now falling victim to unnecessary conflict and even destruction for a surprising reason - increasing access to human food and garbage. Providing food constitutes mistreatment of wildlife, and is a threat to human safety and property, according to the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) which is mounting a new campaign to stop it.
"If wild animals become addicted to sources of human food, they'll do anything to get more, and lose their natural fear of humans," said Doug Updike, senior wildlife biologist with the DFG. "These powerful animals may do anything to get more easy pickings. People fear for their own safety and property, and deadly conflicts occur."
"Keep Me Wild™ - Stash Your Food and Trash" is the slogan of the new campaign on behalf of wildlife, being mounted by DFG staff and volunteers. It will initially focus on urgent geographic areas of concern including Lake Tahoe, where the campaign is being launched, and also the Mammoth Lakes, Monrovia and San Diego areas. A combination of community meetings, brightly colored "Keep Me Wild" posters and stickers, a new website http://www.keepmewild.org, and public service advertising will be used to appeal to and educate residents, campers and tourists about how to prevent wildlife access to human food and garbage.
In one respect, the problem is a result of good news. The population of California black bears in the state has nearly doubled in the last 10 years to an estimated 25,000 to 35,000. Other wildlife populations are similarly thriving across the state. Alongside is California's human population which averages 5 million more people each decade, many of whom do not realize the proximity of wildlife, and how to treat them.
"It's a people problem, not a wildlife problem," said Banky Curtis, a 30-year veteran wildlife biologist and Regional Manager of the DFG's Sacramento Valley and Central Sierra Region field office. "Wild animals naturally seek food wherever they can find it, and they're extremely good at it. People have to be responsible with their excess food and garbage, and take simple measures not to ruin our growing wildlife."
At the start of California's main outdoor season, occasioned by warmer weather and the Memorial Day weekend, the "Keep Me Wild™" campaign advises simple but effective ways to prevent wildlife access to human food and garbage, and tips on how to respond to wild animals. "Bears addicted to human food can become smash and grab thieves," said Updike. "Mountain lions and coyotes can leap and snatch pets. Deer venture on to highways. Let's prevent these tragedies."
The campaign is a pre-emptive approach by the DFG to prevent the need to issue warnings and respond to complaints of residents. Local volunteers and DFG staff will unveil the campaign, seek to inform journalists, broadcasters and their audiences, and fan out into the local community of South Lake Tahoe with informational materials.
Many local communities and organizations have also taken measures to counter the problem, some more successful than others. Residents who are knowledgeable about the problem, combined with bear-proof containers, have been successful at lowering the number of wild animals being mistreated and becoming addicted. Hazing and relocating wild animals which have become addicted to human sources of food have not been particularly successful, according to Updike. The animals simply move on to bother others, or return after a short while.
The public can find more information from the following sources
Website: http://www.keepmewild.org
California Fish and Game wardens
Park rangers
Law enforcement officers
Garbage collection company
Town council / administration
KEEP ME WILD™ NEWS CONFERENCE BY CA DEPT OF FISH AND GAME
"THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND
STATEWIDE - AND THE SOLUTIONS"
Wildlife Experts, Maps, Photos, Video, Examples to be provided
Refreshments will be served.
10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2003
South Lake Tahoe Library
1000 Rufus Allen Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe
