> > Well, I do know that if you meet a nocturnal animal moseying about
> in
> > the daytime and if it's not because you've disturbed it, then it may
> > have rabies. When a raccoon was out one afternoon, we were warned
> to
> > turn around and leave the area until the ranger could assess the
> > situation.
> >
> > catbead
Sometimes the animal is sick but VERY often it can be a momma out foraging.
In spring and summer nursing mothers often forage at odd times. It takes a lot
out of them to provide milk for 4 or 5 babies and they must feed often to keep
it up. Sometimes too it is a nearly-grown youngster that just doesn't know
any better.
I urge folks not to jump to conclusions about critters, esp. skunks and
raccoons and other usually nocturnal critters. Remember, YOU might not always keep
to a regular sleep schedule. They don't either.
One good example are the skunks at Aquinnah on Martha's Vineyard. They are
always visible during the day...because they have learned to beg for food from
humans.
A sick animal almost always looks sick...runny eyes or nose or mouth,
scraggly or missing or matted fur...pacing in circles... bumping into things or
falling over. Sometimes they may come near you without noticing you are there.
Those are the ones to get away from fast and inform authorities about them.
Otherwise I say live and let live. Often rangers, animal control officers or
police are quick to destroy animals because they figure it is easier to kill
one raccoon that may or may not be sick than to have humans saying there are
dangerous animals around and building up public uproar and media-induced panic.
Sometimes I think that these 'panics' are more detrimental to the environment
and to the human psyche than the occasional sick animal.
Anyway, not to preach, but it's the environmental educator in me. I just hate
to see other creatures suffer unnecessarily.
We have all discovered wonderful outdoor experiences through letterboxing. We
can teach others how fun and exciting and NOT scary the outdoors can be :-)
Happy and WILD boxing!
-Kim (Rustypuff)
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