We are concerned with preserving natural wildlife while also ensuring the safety of park patrons and county residents. Being in a dense, urban environment makes occasional conflicts unavoidable, but we can and do co-exist.
Raccoons are very clever animals but are often seen as a nuisance. Catching a glimpse of this animal can be exciting but can also be alarming to some. There are some things to do, and some things not to do, to help keep raccoons wild and minimize conflicts.
Red foxes are one of the most common species of wildlife living in Montgomery County. They are highly adaptable and can be found in both suburban and urban environments. Ensuring that foxes are viewed as good neighbors has as much to do with our actions as it does theirs.
As the weather improves through the spring and summer, the chance of encountering snakes increases. When encountered, often non-venomous snakes are mistaken for their venomous counterparts and can create unnecessary fears. Education about these creatures is very important for people and for snakes, themselves.
Montgomery County’s patchwork of natural habitats and suburban, residential, and commercial development provides ideal edge habitat where deer thrive. As a result, in recent decades, deer populations have increased dramatically across the county and present county residents and visitors with challenging impacts. Here are some ways to help residents coexist with suburban deer and to reduce and prevent deer-related issues.
Find out more about Deer in Montgomery County
Find out more about Montgomery Parks Deer Population Management
Non-migrating (resident) Canada geese have become a problem for some people in urban and suburban areas. The environment there is so favorable, these birds have become a permanent fixture in some places.
Beavers can be perceived as beneficial, destructive or both. To some, beavers are just destroying trees. To others, beavers are creating wetland habitat and improving water quality.
Once a symbol of the American West, coyotes are now present in every state in the continental US, with Maryland and Delaware being the last areas in the country to be colonized.
The American Black Bear is the largest land mammal native to the State of Maryland. Once nearly eradicated from the State, by forest habitat degradation and indiscriminate killing, black bears have made a strong comeback largely due to conservation efforts and forested habitat improvements.
Be careful: Lyme disease is an infectious illness that is transmitted to animals and humans by the bite of a tick.