Sightings of Wild Animals in Urban Neighborhoods

Wild (Urban) Things… Reclaiming their territory?

Many neighborhoods in Reno are being subjected to an animal invasion of sorts with increasing attempts by wild critters to reclaim their original territory. The frequency of such reports is noticeable. In the Hidden Valley area of Reno’s Truckee Meadows wild horses and occasional deer feast on lush lawns and expensive shrubbery while damaging sprinkler heads and leaving unwelcome ‘calling cards’! Well meaning residents accept these expenses and inconveniences considering them collateral damage as it were. Many residents do not! It is always a treat in certain parts of southwest Reno to see a huge owl high in a tree dodging pesky small birds very aware of feeding habits of their much larger cousins. In most cases these big guys are eventually driven off but not before reducing the number of birds and rodents in the area and an occasional curious cat or small dog in the process. Very large and well fed owls and hawks are thriving in all parts of our urban community as evidences of their successful hunting skills are frequently seen…mostly just feathers! It wasn’t a pretty sight one morning several years ago when a southwest Reno family put their pet rabbit out in their fenced-in back yard to munch on dew laden grass. Later when they went to collect the bunny there wasn’t much left to collect and in looking around they saw two bobcats figuratively saying “Thanks” while picking their teeth and smiling after the donation of such a fine meal! They were later seen several more times by neighbors, but not at mealtime! On her way to work not long ago my wife was stunned when she saw a coyote proudly strutting down the middle of Meadow Springs Drive with a doomed cat in his mouth! Coyote sightings are becoming more numerous in our area as are postings of missing dogs and cats on fences and light posts. Virginia Lake has a very large year-around population of birds of many feathers and it is fun to watch kids feed them on bread, grain and such. Sometimes they are completely surrounded by hungry, demanding Canadian honkers, ducks, pigeons, small birds and gulls, and quite often very small children are frightened by their demands. These critters have claimed Virginia Lake as their year-around residence and refuse to leave as long as they are being fed. On rare occasions, a huge white swan visits the lake and it is a treat to see it land, commence grooming while challenging the other ducks and geese to give him a wide berth. Picturesque! No doubt this beauty has a permanent home on the campus of the University of Nevada and is just ‘visiting’ at Virginia Lake with the thought of claiming it as a permanent residence.

---Author is Richard Gamble Pugh. Pugh is a published author (seven books) and recently wrote “Nevada Veterinarians: Profiles of Doctors in a Caring Profession through the History of Medicine Program at the U. of Nevada School of Medicine. It is a history of veterinary Medicine from it beginnings in Europe, in the US,and here in Nevada with oral histories of 15 long-practicing Nevada veterinarians.