California Drought May Exacerbate Wildlife-Human Encounters

By John Heatherly

A remarkable flurry of animal activity! A bear attack, mountain lions on the move, and sadly, orphaned animals, all occurring as a result of California’s ongoing drought (according to some.) Others believe that animals are resourceful enough to easily navigate the effects of a drought and that these perceived anomalies are not indicative of real problems. AOL has the story and has spoken to a number of people on the ground in California. Do you plan to spend time outdoors in Cali this Summer or Fall?

LOOMIS, Calif. (AP) — The scarcity of food in the wild has been blamed for unusual animal activity during California’s drought including a recent bear attack, mountain lion sightings and an uptick in orphaned animals.

But the devastating four-year drought that’s dried up streams and vegetation isn’t the sole cause, state officials and experts say. Instead, they say the drought is exacerbating long-term trends and natural animal behaviors in a state that is becoming increasingly developed.

Pools and lush gardens in residential areas are attractive to animals forced out of their normal homes. The construction of roads and business developments, along with man’s increased …read more

Source:: Patriot Outdoor News