Hobbies And Interests
Dangers to Wildlife
Handling wildlife poses a threat not only to humans, but also to the wildlife being handled. Frequently, animals are handled because they are believed to be abandoned. However, many species of wild animals will leave their young for as many as 10 days. During that period, they will still observe the baby and, often, will return at night to nurse. An animal's best chance for survival is being left alone. Furthermore, feeding wild animals can cause them to become dependent on humans, thereby reducing their chances of survival in the wild.
Risk of Injury
Wild animals pose a serious risk to your health. These animals are not domesticated, and their behavior is very unpredictable. Interaction with humans, especially involving confinement, causes a severe rise in their stress levels. This stress leads to a "fight or flight" reaction that can result in aggressive behavior. This behavior can put you at risk for attacks that can result in bites, cuts and broken bones. For example, raccoons have razor-sharp claws that can produce severe lacerations. The risk of attack should not be ignored due to the limited size, young age or previous behavior of a wild animal; they are all equally unpredictable.
Risk of Disease
Wild animals also pose a danger for transmitting diseases and parasites to you. Rabies is one of the most dangerous of these diseases. The virus, which attacks the brain of warm-blooded animals and humans, can survive months before symptoms present. However, the wild animal can pass the virus to you even during this phase. You do not have to be bitten, as the virus can be spread through open wounds or direct contact with your eyes. Without proper medical treatment, the disease is fatal. Furthermore, infected animals will often become even more aggressive, increasing the danger when handling them. Reptiles and snakes are natural carriers of the salmonella bacterium, which can be shed in their feces. You can contract salmonella simply by handling these animals. Finally, wild animals often carry dangerous parasites, including roundworms, hookworms and threadworms.
Handling Precautions
If you must handle a wild animal, there are several steps you can take to limit your risks. You should never attempt to handle a wild animal without training in the handling and restraining of the given species. You should always seek medical attention for all injuries, including bites and scratches -- no matter how minor they may be. Always wash your hands and clothing after handling a wild animal. Finally, Always utilize appropriate safety equipment and protective clothing.