Raccoons usually cover their eyes when they’re scared and trying to hide. This may not seem like a particularly intelligent behavior, but it may be a sign that they’re among the smartest animals on Earth. Small children often exhibit this same behavior, “hiding” by covering only their eyes . When scientists studied this tendency inContinue reading “Raccoons cover their eyes to hide… because they’re geniuses!”
Tag Archives: ethics
A peaceful end for suffering wildlife
Some wildlife rescues choose not to share stories about animals that can’t be saved, because they don’t want to upset the public. While I respect that, I believe there’s bittersweet beauty in all we do, even in the cases that end in death. The reality is that most of the calls I’ve received this yearContinue reading “A peaceful end for suffering wildlife”
Hunters Kill Wolves to “Protect” Deer
Whitetail deer are severely overpopulated in the United States, having increased from 300,000 deer in 1930 to 30 million deer today. This is bad news: deer overpopulation harms humans by contributing to auto accidents, harms forests by causing local ecosystem collapse, harms livestock when deer spread diseases that can wipe out an entire herd, andContinue reading “Hunters Kill Wolves to “Protect” Deer”
Wild Animals Don’t Need Love
Good people, with good intentions, sentence animals to death every day with improper care. It’s terrible not just because the animals suffer, but because their well-meaning caregivers suffer, too. Rehabilitating wildlife properly takes more than just love and dedication, and more than you can learn from a weekend crash-course on Google. To actually thrive onContinue reading “Wild Animals Don’t Need Love”
Why Do Rehabilitated Animals Have Ear Tags?
A lot of people are uncomfortable when they see ear tags on the animals here at For Fox Sake. And, believe me, I understand why. Animals in rehabilitation are not pets or livestock; they are meant to return to the wild one day. And it would be horrible to cause unnecessary pain to an animal.Continue reading “Why Do Rehabilitated Animals Have Ear Tags?”
Don’t Befriend Raccoons
It’s not uncommon for people to attempt to befriend wildlife. They start by leaving food on their steps, then offering food by hand, then eventually petting and even holding the animal. It sounds like a magical experience, but this temporarily rewarding moment can be a death sentence for the animal. Raccoons in particular are atContinue reading “Don’t Befriend Raccoons”
On Following the Law, Even When it Hurts
I dedicate my life to caring for Tennessee’s native wildlife, and specialize in foxes, skunks, and raccoons, but unfortunately, there are hard limits on which animals I am allowed to save. In Tennessee, a fox, skunk, or raccoon can not be accepted for rehabilitation if it is over six months of age. This is becauseContinue reading “On Following the Law, Even When it Hurts”
Sick. Not “Friendly.”
Pretty much everyone wishes they could befriend a wild animal. It’s not at all uncommon for people to be excited when a wild fox or raccoon seems to randomly approach them without fear. It’s human nature to project that the animal is seeking comfort or companionship, and to fantasize about being able to provide exactlyContinue reading “Sick. Not “Friendly.””
Predators Aren’t Evil
We don’t call rabbits cruel when they eat clovers. We don’t call squirrels cruel when they eat acorns. We don’t call our children cruel when they eat cereal, or even call our dogs cruel when they eat beef bones. Yet predators, in nature, get a bad reputation. I have seen people who consider themselves toContinue reading “Predators Aren’t Evil”
Why Won’t Rehabbers Answer Me?
It’s terrifying to have a wild animal in need of help, but to be unable to reach someone who can provide the care it needs. It’s no wonder that people sometimes get frustrated and even infuriated with wildlife rehabilitators, who might take hours or even days to return a phone call. Many people envision wildlifeContinue reading “Why Won’t Rehabbers Answer Me?”
For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue 