Agency partners with U of I Extension to develop new online resource

SPRINGFIELD – A new website designed to help residents live and deal with wildlife around them is now online, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Acting Director Sam Flood announced today.

The “Living with Wildlife” website (http://livingwithwildlife.extension.uiuc.edu) is a collaborative project between the IDNR and the University of Illinois Extension and is designed to increase Illinois residents’ appreciation of native wildlife, to be a tool to assist people with human-wildlife conflicts, and to make people aware of any applicable Illinois conservation laws. The site also makes it easier for biologists, agencies, and organizations to answer questions about Illinois wildlife and to resolve problems with wildlife.

“Illinois’ wildlife is a valued resource, and on those rare occasions when conflicts arise, one of the biggest problems homeowners have is tracking down factual information in a timely fashion,” said Flood.  “The ‘Living with Wildlife’ website provides the necessary information for handling all types of problems—and is available 24/7/365.”

“This website should help answer almost any question someone has about wildlife in their area and the appropriate steps they should take if they are experiencing a problem.  It’s a wonderful tool that we encourage people to use at their convenience,” said Laura Kammin, Extension Specialist, Wildlife and Natural Resources.

The first step in solving a nuisance wildlife issue is determining what is leaving evidence of their visit (tracks, scat, burrow holes, damage to buildings, damage to plants, etc.). After solving that mystery, bone up on the life history of the potential culprit though detailed pages including everything from habitat, distribution, and abundance to damage prevention, control measures and public heath information. Then visit the sections of the site that provide information on how to prevent problems with urban wildlife and how to solve a problem with wildlife in your home.

“By understanding wildlife food, water and shelter requirements, and how simple modifications can eliminate a problem area, landowners can create a setting in which they can sit back and enjoy watching wildlife on their property,” said Dan Ludwig, IDNR Division of Wildlife regional wildlife biologist.

Content on the website at http://livingwithwildlife.extension.uiuc.edu is divided into the following sections:

• Identify the Animal Causing a Problem
• Seasonal Behaviors of Wildlife
• Prevent Problems with Wildlife
• Solve a Problem with Wildlife
• Directory of Illinois Wildlife
• Do I Need a Permit?
• Public Health and Safety
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Sick, Injured or Orphaned Wildlife
• Report Unusual Wildlife Sightings to DNR
• Ask a DNR Wildlife Biologist

Developed by the Department of Natural Resources and University of Illinois Extension, the “Living with Wildlife” website was funded through a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Wildlife Restoration Grant. Additional input was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (APHIS, Wildlife Services) and Illinois Departments of Public Health and Agriculture.