The struggles of urban wildlife
We’ve long understood the challenges urban wildlife face, but this past season brought those struggles into sharp focus. It revealed not only what drives animals to our Wildlife Care Center, but also how everyday human actions—and subtle changes to the environment—can have profound impacts, often unnoticed until an animal ends up in need of urgent care.
- A significant portion of our admissions this year, 31% to be precise, were due to interactions with domestic animals. A closer look reveals that cat attacks alone accounted for over 22% of our most frequent admission circumstances.
- Glass strikes accounted for 7% of the patients we admitted this summer. While these incidents may seem like unfortunate accidents, many are entirely preventable and will only increase as we transition to fall migration patterns.
- Almost 1 in 5 admissions were orphaned wildlife—typically songbirds, raptors, and small mammals.
- During the current high nesting season, 29% of our patients were categorized as displaced, birds and small mammals (often babies) uprooted due to habitat destruction, property maintenance, or other environmental changes.
Reflecting on the season, it was defined by an immense wellspring of care: the unwavering dedication of our staff and volunteers who showed up day after day. As we head into the quieter months of autumn and prepare for the cycle to begin again, the lessons from this season will guide our work moving forward. Wildlife isn’t separate from us—they are our neighbors.
By Travis Koons, Wildlife Care Center Director. Photo by Rich Kolbell. For more information, visit www.birdallianceoregon.org
