As days pass and the drought in California continues, homeowners, businessmen,
and farmers are feeling the effects of the dryness and the
water conservation policies. However, people are not the only ones suffering from the dry
conditions. The wildlife in the area is also suffering to the point of
Here are just a few ways in which the wildlife in the area is changing,
sometimes permanently, because of the extreme drought conditions:
Human-wildlife interactions - Animals that normally would stay away from humans in the California
forests are searching for resources in a wider range, bringing them into
close contact with humans. Mountain lions and bears are just a few of
the species that have been venturing closer and closer, two species that
also pose a threat to human safety. The state is encouraging residents
to avoid feeding wildlife that wanders into the communities.
Low-flow rivers and fish - Fish such as salmon, which normally migrate great distances during their
lives, are having a hard time moving through areas where the water levels
are not high enough for survival. The state and conservation agencies
are working hard to ensure that fish species such as salmon and trout
are able to access the resources they need for survival, but endangerment
is still a serious threat.
Young squirrels jump from nests for food - In December, the Los Angeles Times reported that baby squirrels were
leaving their nests to search for food and could not find their ways back
home. One nonprofit took in more than 2,200 orphans in 2014. Although
squirrels often have been one of the most abundant forms of wildlife in
communities throughout the nation, drought trends are making it more difficult
than ever for young wildlife to make it to adulthood.
Mojave crisis affects many species - In the Mojave Desert area, the wildlife has historically relied on interspersed
marshes for water. Now, those areas are drying up and the lack of access
to any water is weakening the wildlife there. Many animals are accustomed
to surviving with very little water, but they can't make it when their
limited resources start drying up completely.
Risk of disease - Every species in the state faces an increased risk of contracting disease
and infection without diverse water resources. More animals are relying
on a single source of water for survival, increasing the risk of infection.
Animals that can't move to better resources struggle to survive.
Like all changes in the natural world, the extended drought in California
has a domino effect on everything from the soil makeup to the future generations
of wildlife. To help preserve these precious limited resources, The Eco
Plumbers has been sending efficient toilets that save millions of gallons
of water per year.
If everyone in the area makes an effort to use less water and install high-performance
and water-saving technologies, the combined effort can and will slow down
the depletion of resources. Use less water for the welfare of your household,
your state, and the wildlife that calls California home.