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Wildlife in Boulder, Colorado |
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Boulder County, with its incredible diversity of protected wild lands has a healthy share of wildlife. Some of it is dangerous, most of it is not. Hikers rarely encounter bears or mountain lions, and some simple precautions can prevent encounters with rattlesnakes and ticks. The easiest are staying on trails and heeding warning signs. A few details on Boulder County wildlife, and important phone numbers:
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Ticks:
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Local naturalists recommend tick checks after spring hikes, since the creatures can carry human diseases. Many of the techniques people us to remove ticks-including flame or alcohol-are dangerous because they may trigger ticks to regurgitate, which can cause infection. Get a sharp pair of tweezers, grab the tick as close to its head as possible and pull gently.
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Rattlesnakes:
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Where mice and prairie dogs thrive, so do rattlesnakes. The reptiles, active from spring to fall, favor open grassy areas pocked with rocks for basking-places like the Boulder Valley Ranch and the northern part of the Foothills Trail. If you hear or see one, find the snake and move carefully around it. If you're alone, walk slowly or yell for help.
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Black bears:
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State biologists must shoot "problem" bears that continually raid trash cans, so people who feed bears deliberately or accidentally may hasten a bear's demise. To avoid bear encounters: Don't keep compost or bury garbage if you live in or near the mountains; don't fill bird feeders or feed pets outside; and talk or sing on the trail to avoid surprising a bear. If you encounter a black bear: Calmly walk away if the bear hasn't seen you. If it has, stop and back away slowly; don't run or make any sudden movements; avoid eye contact and speak softly to the bear. Fight back if attacked.
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Lions:
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Mountain lion encounters can be deadly-a cougar killed a 10 year old boy at Rocky Mountain National Park in 1997. Yet they're beautiful creatures, and some people would relish a glimpse. Experts urge hikers to not stop to watch a mountain lion. Other tips for avoiding encounters: Don't hike or run trails alone, especially during dawn and dusk; keep children close; and respect warning signs. If you encounter a mountain lion: Do not run; do talk or yell loudly; make yourself look bigger; walk away slowly without turning your back. If a mountain lion is crouching and staring intently, maintain eye contact with it, yell and throw things at it. If the lion attacks, fight back.
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Prairie dogs:
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Development in the Front Range has clearly displaced prairie dogs from former homes, and restricted them to isolated plots of land, some of which are owned by the city and County of Boulder. Some cities in the county restrict prairie dog poisoning. The state allows it, though activists are currently suing to stop the practice. Partly because of intense activism, many developers in the county are beginning to consider relocating prairie dog towns from areas to be developed, rather than poisoning them. Wild Places, a Boulder County organization, is one of the only local groups that will relocate and, when necessary, rehabilitate prairie dogs. Please call 303-581-9672 for more information.
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Woodpeckers:
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Homeowners can try to drive woodpeckers away with loud noises or visual repellents such as hawk silhouette mobiles or owl models. Repairing holes promptly may also encourage them to leave. Drumming often ends by July 1, however, so some homeowners may simply wait out the problem. For more information, call the Division of Wildlife hotline at 303-291-7227.
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Raptors:
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Several rare raptors nest in Boulder's public lands, and some agencies close trails and climbing routes from February through July. For closure information,
please call 303-441-4060 x 420, or see the following Web site:
http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/openspace/visitor/closure/closure.htm
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| Boulder Valley Humane Society: |
303.442.4030 |
| Colorado State Patrol: |
303.239.4501 |
| City Animal Control: |
303.441.3333 |
| Division of Wildlife Hotline: |
303.291.7227 |
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