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State wildlife official outlines urban wildlife calls, protective limits and homeowner expectations
Summary
A Department of Wildlife urban education coordinator presented local wildlife call data for the past year, explained which species are protected, clarified which agencies handle disease testing and livestock/wild horse issues, and recommended household steps to reduce human–wildlife conflict.
True, the Department of Wildlife’s urban wildlife education coordinator, told the board that coyotes were the top species in North Valleys calls (46 calls in the year sampled) followed by Canada geese and birds of prey, and that many reports are information requests or injured‑wildlife calls rather than enforcement matters.
"When we're looking at threats to our wildlife, we really kind of are the biggest threat — our urban development," True said, describing how development increases human‑wildlife conflict and urging residents to consider attractants such as chickens, fruit trees and unmanaged water features.
True clarified agency roles in response to resident questions: ground squirrels and Norway rats are treated as unprotected/pest species and typically handled by private pest control or the Department of Agriculture; the department does not generally relocate unprotected species and does not conduct rabies testing (that falls to the Department of Agriculture). He advised residents that the department publishes annual call data and that site visits by biologists occur for projects where protected species or important habitat are potentially affected.
Why it matters: Residents voiced concern about development impacts on migratory birds, big game and wild horses; True explained federal and BLM roles regarding wild horses and noted that US Fish and Wildlife coordinates on migratory bird protections when relevant.
Practical guidance: True suggested nonlethal deterrents and planning for chickens and gardens to reduce attractants, and advised that wildlife calls are logged and used for planning; he also encouraged residents to report sightings and animal‑welfare concerns using the department’s public contact systems.
The board did not adopt new wildlife policy; officials offered to follow up on specific habitat questions and provide contacts for federal agency coordination.
