Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Dear Readers,
Frequently, I receive letters with questions and concerns about urban wildlife. Here in Orange County, many residents don’t expect to see coyotes, opossums, skunks, raccoons, bobcats, deer, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, etc. But the fact is, they are all here, along with many other amazing species and unfortunately, the first reaction most people experience is fear; and that usually leads to problems.

Nevertheless, the most basic rule of thumb for safe and harmonious co-existence regarding the wildlife we share our cities with is to learn about them. Alas, there are very few places one can go to get up close and personal, from an educational perspective, with indigenous animals.

Most zoos are not interested in local wildlife. Their enclosures and habitats are filled with exotic animals such as tigers, giraffes, polar bears and penguins. Though learning about all the animals of the earth is enjoyable and interesting, I believe it is equally important to learn about feathery, scaly, and furry next-door neighbors as well.

My favorite local zoo is the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. The facility, which is located at Big Bear Lake, serves as a type of foster home for wild animals that have been injured, or kept illegally as pets. When possible, the zoo personnel rehabilitate and release the critters that luckily end up on their doorstep. Sadly, however, many of these animals have been seriously maimed by human beings and can never be returned to the wild. In these cases, a permanent home with wonderful care will be theirs, and by living at the zoo, these creatures provide humans the chance to learn about how special and integral to the balance of nature all living things are.

The zoo is a relatively short drive out to the San Bernardino Forest, and makes a great day trip or mini-vacation. It is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with general admission being only $12. Children 3-10 years old, active and retired military (with ID), and senior citizens are only $9.00, and kids under 3 years old are free. It is located right across the street from Bear Mountain Ski Resort at 43285 Goldmine Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA.

Taking a trip up to the local mountains and spending an afternoon at the zoo is always fun, but if you can, plan on being there any Saturday in December between 11 AM and 2PM. You will be in for a treat. The animal park is having a special holiday festival, complete with "Santa Claws."

For more information about this upcoming event, call the Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo at
909-878-4200 or visit http://bigbearzoo.org/.

Many of you may recall that I have written about the Big Bear Alpine Zoo (formerly the Moonridge Animal Park) before. This amazing facility has lost its lease on the land where they have been located since 1959. They are working hard to raise enough money to build a new facility on the North side of Big Bear Lake and transfer all of their orphans. Few organizations have taken on the huge responsibility of helping to educate the public about indigenous wildlife, and fewer still offer a refuge to those animals who have suffered the consequences of venturing too close to human beings. If you are interested in volunteering or helping the zoo in any way, please write to the Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo at info@fobbaz.org or call the number mentioned above.

Mountain Lions near City

Dear  Marie:

I am moving into a home that borders the Cleveland National Forest and I have just learned that Mountain Lions may pass through the developed area.  One of the reasons I was attracted to this location was because of the semi-rural atmosphere.  But, I never expected to be sharing the land with Cougars!  What kind of danger am I getting myself and my family into?  Also, I have a Cocker Spaniel.  Will I be able to leave him outside?  I am really concerned. 

Sandra

Dear Sandra,

The area you are moving to has quite an assortment of wildlife.  Though there are occasional mountain lions that pass through, you’ll probably never actually see one.  You should however,  plan on encountering coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, skunks, opossums, raccoons, numerous birds of prey, and many other interesting animals.  As long as you are aware of these animals and follow simple, common sense safety precautions, you should never have any problems. 

I would strongly recommend that you keep your Cocker Spaniel indoors unless you are physically outside with him.  Though it is true that he would be easy prey for a Mountain Lion, the chances of one of these big cats coming through your yard are remote.  Nevertheless, smaller predators, such as coyotes, can easily scale residential fences and take small dogs as prey.  Please use extra caution with him and any other pet you have.  Never let him run loose on community trails or in parks, no matter how tempting this may be. 

Some general safety rules for you and your human family members are these:

·        Never leave small children unattended outside, even in a fenced yard.

·        Talk to older children about local wildlife.  Teach them to stay away from wild animals, even those that look somewhat docile.

·        When hiking, jogging, walking, or biking, have a buddy go along too.  If children are participating in these activities, never allow them to lag behind or get too far ahead.

·        Pay attention to your surroundings.  Walk in the center of paths rather than along the edges.  Listen for the sounds of rattlesnakes and other animals that may be resting under bushes and shrubs.  If you hear suspicious noises, go the other direction.

·        Do not feed wild animals or attempt to make them pets.

·        Stay away from baby animals.  Their parents are usually close by and can be very protective and aggressive if you attempt to handle their young.  

·        Keep your home landscaping from getting dense and providing shelter for wild animals.  

Again, it is very unlikely that you will have any interaction with Mountain Lions; but you will, no doubt, come in contact with an array of other wild animals.  You will have to take steps to avoid potential nuisances and dangers that stem from inhabiting the same area with these creatures.  Don’t consider this a problem.  You are very lucky to be able to enjoy the beauty of “The Wild.”  

Hawks in the City

Q. I was wondering if you could post an article on hawks in Garden
Grove. I am worried about people letting out little dogs and cats that
could get eaten. There is a hawk right outside my house now looking
for food, and I never knew hawks would be around a residential area.
Plus, he got real close to my back patio looking at my bird. I think
he wants to eat him. I think it is very important to be aware so
people can protect their pets. Everyone I spoke to around here did not
know there were hawks, and these are people who have lived here for 55
years.

A. You might be surprised to read this, but hawks (and owls, kestrels,
falcons, turkey vultures and eagles) have lived happily in all of the
residential cities of Orange County for as long as the cities have
existed, and long before that, too.

Often, you'll notice a lot of these beautiful raptors as you drive
along the freeways. They enjoy sitting at the tops of tall light posts
where they can observe the surrounding area in search of small rodents
and birds. They can also be spotted when they are bullied by flocks of
crows and other birds who don't appreciate having a predator in their
midst. These scuffles are usually very noisy; so when you hear some
noisy birds in the air, look up and most likely you'll see a hawk
getting ganged up on by a smaller, very brave birds.

Red-tailed hawks, red-shouldered hawks, Cooper's hawks and American
kestrels are some of the more common predator birds in the area. If
you're really lucky, you might see a beautiful Osprey in the spring,
when they sometimes nest in coastal parts of Orange County. Turkey
vultures, though not predators, can be spotted soaring in the skies.
Their long, two-toned wingspan is noticeable as they glide in big
circles, searching for roadkill. Golden eagles, which are often
confused with hawks, are rare in the cities, but are still seen on
occasion. If you'd like to get a good look at a golden eagle, your
best bet is to take a trip into the foothill areas of Orange County.
They are a majestic and beautiful sight to behold.

Large owls and hawks can indeed carry away small cats and dogs. This
is yet another reason why cats should be kept as indoor pets and dogs
should not be left alone in back yards all day and night.

Owners of pet birds should ensure that their feathered companions are
placed in fully enclosed aviaries when allowed to enjoy the outdoors.
Not only does this protect them from predator birds, but it also keeps
them safe from neighborhood cats and wild birds that could be infected
with parasites or diseases.

Hawks and other birds of prey are important to the ecosystem. They do
an amazing job keeping rodent populations under control, which in an
urban setting is really helpful. They rarely have an interest in dogs
and cats; however, this isn't an issue if pet owners make sure that
their pets are maintained responsibly.

Sadly, most of our local birds of prey seem to be having a tough time.
Ornithologists who have been studying local species have noticed a
steady decline in their numbers. Though there is a lot of speculation
as to why this is happening; drought and loss of habitat because of
wildfires and human activity are likely the main causes.

One species, the Cooper's hawk, seems to be adapting to all of the
changes – and thriving. This particular species has figured out how to
live well in the urban setting, and its population is growing. I
wouldn't be surprised if the hawks you've noticed in Garden Grove are
Cooper's hawks. From late September to March, Cooper's hawks from "out
of town" fly to the county because of the mild climate, so the species
becomes even more noticeable.

If you'd like to learn more about local birds, I would recommend
getting your hands on a field guide with color pictures and a pair of
binoculars. Once you spend some time watching these creatures, you'll
realize they are great and interesting neighbors to have.