1st Response Wildlife - Tucson's Humane Animal Trapping & Removal Services

Coatimundi Trapping and Relocation by 1st Response Wildlife

Question: Coatimundi, have you ever seen one? if not, but you find you have damage from digging around your home, peels from fruit from your fruit trees on the ground, in and around your home, ranch, or business, it may not be a skunk, a raccoon, a rock squirrel, or an armadillo, it may be a Coati!

Coatimundi, a member of the raccoon and ringtail (Arizona’s State Mammal), family, are diurnal, which means they typically feed, forage, and move during the daytime.  For this reason, if you are in southern Arizona and are driving or hiking through wooded areas, open grasslands, or scrub desert, you may have seen them-probably from a distance.  One of their distinctive features is their long tail, often seen held straight up as they travel in bands of upwards of 15-25.  Larger packs have been noted, but just to see a group of animals walking with what looks like walking sticks sticking straight up in the air for the first time, is really something to see.  It is not uncommon to encounter a single Coati that has made a home for itself in a neighborhood or location where there is plenty of food.  Below are two videos of a solo Coati that lives in Madera Canyon and has become so familiar with the animals around it that it walks through a flock of turkeys unfazed to get a drink of water.  Meanwhile, in the observation area above this location are a dozen tourists with cameras filming the whole thing.  Clearly, this Coati feels right at home!

Here she is calmly walking up and taking a drink out of a bird feeder

 

 

Coatimundi (Coatis) range from Central America up into Southern Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.  The species we have here are white nosed Coatis and are slightly different than those south of Mexico into Central and parts of South America. Males are usually loners, with the exception of mating season but, the young and female Coatis are very social and often live and forage together as a band for a majority of their lifetime.  In Central and South America, Coatis are often domesticated and, once they bond with their owner, they transfer their social bond to their band and are loving and loyal to their new “family.”

Coatis eat almost anything.  Fruits, insects, small rodents, snakes, cactus fruit, eggs, and young birds make up a large portion of their diet. Their long nose is very sensitive to smell and it comes in handy when grubbing for insects, small rodents, or edible roots. Coatis can climb for food, to escape danger, and may choose climb and den in a crevice of a large tree.  Their front legs are shorter than their back legs and when they are walking toward you it looks like their front legs are a little bowlegged.  The front feet have long unretractable claws that are used for digging, self- defense, and it is a really unlucky dog that tries to mess with a male coati that decides to stand its ground or a female defending her young.  The scratches to the face and eyes of a dog that takes a Coati on can be very serious.

Raccoons are far more prevalent in the city of Tucson and the surrounding developments than Coatis and Coatis are more prevalent on the outskirts of the city-in open land and on ranches and farms. It is a toss-up as to which species is seen more, raccoons or Coatis.  Since raccoons come out at night and Coatis inhabit the fringes of urban areas, there are many residents of southern Arizona who have never seen either of them. Hands down, however, raccoons are more obvious in the amount of destruction they cause because they are well adapted to live in urban areas and happily live and raise their young around populated areas, in attics, sheds, and homes.  (There are 10's of thousands of feral cats in and around Tucson which are fed by cat lovers.  Raccoons also may be seen more frequently because they often compete for cat food that is left out for a feral cat(s) and, while around the home, help themselves to plants, or destroy other items in the neighborhood. Coatis, being more prone to travel in large bands, need more open space and will cause damage and dig around plants and cause havoc in other ways.

1^st Response Wildlife recently trapped a Coati that was being a nuisance and, relocated it to an area that was comfortable in terrain, food and water, and with plenty of room to forage and create a new home.

Below is a picture of a white nosed Coati in a trap.

 

 

Above is a picture of a Coati being a little shy, snuggling with a towel in the trap and wrapping its tail around it for more warmth. Below is the video.

 

Here is another short video of the Coati being released.  This video is fairly short but, note the length of the tail and imagine looking out over an open area and seeing 15-25 tails that long moving through the desert, desert grass or scrub!  Quite a sight.

 

 

If you have a Coati, raccoon, or ringtail that are creating a nuisance around property you manage, your home, or feel your children or pets would be safer if you chose an option for removal and relocation, give 1st Response Wildlife a call.

 

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), coyotes, snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, opossums, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), ringtails, exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Rowdy Ringtails Identified and Relocated by 1st Response Wildlife

Ringtails, Arizona’s state mammal, are curious, beneficial in that they feed on rodents, insects, and other prey, but they are not often seen because they are nocturnal.  They are a relative of the Coatimundi and Raccoons, also found in and around Tucson and southern Arizona but, their small size and shy nature allow them to live around homes, business, in and around rocky areas, without being observed. If you have not seen Arizona’s state mammal, the Ringtail, then you also are among thousands of Tucson residents who have never seen a Ringtail or may even be unaware that they happily live here in Arizona. 

Ringtails are uniquely equipped for night hunting of mice, insects, bird eggs, and the occasional snake.  Their small and slender bodies also make it easy for them to squeeze into attics, restaurant roofs, commercial businesses, and sheds in search of shelter as well as people food.  1^st Response Wildlife has trapped several Ringtails in commercial buildings where the food left in trash bins in employee break rooms, and/or happily consuming buns and other leftovers in/around fast food restaurants where night time access can offer easy feeding opportunities.  They can climb up the side of a Santa Fe home/wall, trees, and their feet can turn almost 180 degrees.  All which describes a great little mammal; nocturnal hunter, one that can climb and is able to squeeze into small spaces, lives happily in attics, buildings, rock formations, sheltered desert areas, is adaptable, and, as a rodent and insect eater, fills a valuable niche in the desert circle of life.  Also known as “Miner’s cats,” these little guys have a long history, here in Arizona are really beneficial to have around-even if you have never seen one.

1^st Response Wildlife most recently responded to a call from homeowners who had nightly noises in their attic. Night-time flashlight investigation, by the homeowner, around the property and scanning of the roof revealed what looked like a small cat with large eyes and a tail with black rings. At first, it was thought that there were Coatimundi living in and around the home.  However, the fact the noises were at night, the scuffling, and scurrying sounds were not those of a large animal, helped confirm the noises were not being made by a Raccoon, Coatimundi, or birds that somehow had gotten into the attic. When the constant night time noise did not stop, 1^st Response Wildlife was called, consulted, and an effort was launched to identify the intruder(s) and remove/relocate.

1^st Response Wildlife helped the homeowners talk through the possible animal species that they were hearing and, after an inspection, confirmed that, indeed, the homeowners had Ringtails happily living in their attic. In this particular instance, although Ringtails are great to have around, the night time noises and feces left in the attic were regarded as a nuisance and it was requested that they be trapped and relocated safely and humanely.

1^st Response Wildlife trapped a pair of Ringtails and set them up for release in a location that is a favorite haunt for this nocturnal mammal.

In the pictures below, this roudy male and female Ringtail are pictured in traps where they were live-trapped and are being fed while a location, suitable, but far removed from their attic abode is being selected. It should be noted that Ringtails are mostly solitary animals and being able to trap a pair (male and female) in the same transaction is rare. 

First the female. (Note the large eyes, typical of nocturnal animals.)

Then the male:

In the YouTube video, below, you can see both the female(first) and then the male, being released in a rocky outcropping where there is plenty of food (mice, insects, and Kangaroo rats, etc.), and also water close by.  Note that, after a few days of feeding them in preparation for release, both Ringtails are reluctant to leave the protection of their transfer traps and, in fact, it takes a little extra effort to encourage them to leave the comfort and protection where they have been housed. https://youtu.be/c0iGSoNTK6g

If you hear noises in your attic, walls, or see an animal or reptile that you cannot identify and believe it might be bothering you, your family, business associates customers or renters, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call and let Josh discuss with you what you might have and what could be a good solution for living with, or removing and relocating the animal, reptile, or amphibian.,

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), coyotes, snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, opossums, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), ringtails, exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

RARE Photos and Video of Humane Bobcat Family Relocation-by 1st Response Wildlife

Bobcats are a common sight in and around southern Arizona and greater Tucson.  In fact, Arizona is one of the few states where bobcats are comfortable living and raising their families in urban areas, around homes, businesses, golf courses, and resorts.  Some resorts, for example, believe having a family of bobcats walk through their grounds adds to the allure of their property and their support of nature.

When bobcats, however, decide to have their young in close proximity to a home where there are young children, small dogs, or even in an attic, then 1^st Response Wildlife is often called for a consult to determine if and how a business or homeowner should react.  In some cases, there is no action required but, in other instances, an agreement is reached for the mother and kittens to be humanely live-trapped and safely relocated.  The primary goal of a mother bobcat is to find a safe location to birth and raise her young to an age where they can fend for themselves.  Choosing an attic, a protected area on a roof, a den in the desert above flood stage on the side of a wash, under a porch, or in a shed where there is an opening, are all pretty common locations chosen.

What follows is an extremely rare series of pictures and videos of a mother bobcat and her three kittens that had chosen a birthing location within 50 feet of the back door of a residence where three small children and two small dogs played and spent hours within a few feet of where the kittens were hidden.  The mother instructed the kittens to remain hidden while she hunted for food but, the fact that children and pets could walk right up to the hiding place without knowledge of the kittens, placed them in some danger from a mother returning with food and possibly reacting in a protective way to their presence.

After a discussion with the homeowner, 1^st Response Wildlife was contracted to live-trap, remove and relocate the family unit.

Here is a picture of the hidey-hole where the three kittens were hidden, safe from coyotes, other bobcats (usually male bobcats which might want to kill them in order to protect their territory), people, hawks, or even javelina.

Here is a picture of the first two bobcat kittens that were removed from the hidey-hole by 1^st Response Wildlife using bite proof gloves.

After they were caught, the mother came back to check on their whereabouts and she was live-trapped as part of the process for family capture.

Here is a picture of the third bobcat kitten, again, captured with bite proof gloves after it came out and got itself isolated in a spot it could not get out of by itself. (note, even at this age, the size of the kitten's claws.)

Once the three kittens were caught, they were reunited with their mother in a large transfer enclosure complete with food and water-in preparation for transport to a safe location where they would be released, over a few days, back into the wild.

Here is a picture of the family, back together, in the transfer enclosure ready to be relocated.

Here is a picture of a safe location where the enclosure will be placed and then the mother will be allowed to search and find a new home to raise her young.

Here is a picture of the transfer enclosure with the family inside in the safe and protected location.

Here is a picture of the family inside the enclosure in their new location with the relocation process well underway.

 

1^st Response Wildlife provides a humane service for live trapping and relocation of animals that are creating a safety issue or are causing a nuisance in and around someone’s property or business.  In mid to late summer, fall and winter, for the most part, this entails capturing an individual Coatimundi, Raccoon, Bobcat, Ringtail, Opossum, Skunk, Coyote, or even a domestic animal, such as a cat or dog.  These relocations are relatively straight forward because the individual animal is creating a problem and can be live-trapped and relocated miles from the property where it is creating a problem.  In the case of a domestic animal, a trip to Animal Control for adoption is an immediate solution.

In the case of families of animals, however, relocation is not a simple, live-trap, transfer, relocate, and release situation.  The Arizona Game and Fish Department is very clear on how it wants Licensed Wildlife Service Companies to handle family re-locations. Foremost, a consideration for the health and safety of all members of the family is paramount. They must stay together, be moved to a safe location in proximity to water, a food source, and, to a protected environment.  The release process 1st Response Wildlife uses to ensure these guidelines are followed, happens over several days and the family has to be monitored and the mother allowed to become acclimated to the sights, sounds, smells and surrounding area.  This is called a “soft release.”

For this family of bobcats, a “soft release” was planned and, for probably one of the “first times ever,” the activity and guidance of the mother bobcat was caught on camera and presented below.  The family was moved to a safe location where food and water was presented for 3 days and then, on the third night, the door to the enclosure was left slightly ajar so the mother could explore the surrounding area, find a spot she felt comfortable moving the kittens to and then return and guide them to their new home.

A trail camera was set up to capture the mother in the process of relocating the family.  

In the YouTube videos below, you can see this happen over time. In this first one you can see the mother outside the enclosure looking around, checking the area and, as she leaves the viewing area, probably checking for food sources such as pack rat nests etc.. (note how narrow her sides are-common for a nursing mother.) 

https://youtu.be/gtt4DraQ8IU

After she has looked around, she returns and calls to the kittens. You can see the eyes of the kittens still in the transfer enclosure.

https://youtu.be/UYPiG6cA_5Y

The first kitten is called, walks under the mother’s legs and they leave together.  Looking inside the enclosure, you can see two sets of eyes remaining.

https://youtu.be/v3GxuYxWj1s

The mother returns and the second kitten leaves with her.  Now, all you can see is just one set of eyes left in the enclosure.

https://youtu.be/ogFjx7SyQak

The third and last kitten (curiously) comes out of the enclosure and walks to the right of the picture.  The mother does not enter the picture here but, she does collect this third kitten and the relocation of the family is complete. 

https://youtu.be/eGUe9irqb6Y

About an hour later, a Javelina enters the picture and thankfully the entire family has successfully relocated and is safe.

https://youtu.be/1ynjmYEKIjg

1^st Response Wildlife uses this same process on other Wildlife families where the determination is made that relocation is in the best interest of the family and the particular area the mother has chosen to birth and raise them.  Care is taken to ensure the safety of the family and the situation with the business or homeowner is satisfactorily addressed.  This series of photographs and videos is unique because the actual relocation by the mother was captured in real time.  It also demonstrates the care taken by 1^st Response Wildlife and the mother bobcat in scouting and then safely finding an acceptable and safe location, following a proven process that ensures the bobcat family and, in this case, the homeowner are satisfied with the relocation.

If you would like help with any Nuisance animals, noises in your building, see or hear something in or around your home, business, or property and would like help identifying it, humanely removing it, with the assurance it will be relocated to live in a safe environment, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call to discuss your options.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), coyotes, snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, opossums, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), ringtails, exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Coyote-Well On Its Way To Becoming a Chupacabra, Captured By 1st Response Wildlife

Coyotes in Southern Arizona are a fairly common sight.  Often you can hear them “singing,” at night if they have their next meal cornered.  For the most part, coyotes seen in and around urban areas have become quite comfortable living in close proximity with humans.  The challenge this presents, of course, is that an unattended small pet often becomes a target for coyotes, with stories each year of coyotes killing cats, small dogs, chickens, and pet rabbits.  The term, Anthropogenic, is used to describe a situation where humans have had an effect on nature.  This term is often used to describe how urbanization of what formerly were open spaces, has caused coyotes to adapt to humans, buildings, and man-made habits and structures instead of historical environments around southern Arizona that only had cactus, trees, desert, and creosote. 

Coyotes, living in urban areas, such as Tucson, South Tucson, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Vail, Saddlebrooke, and Catalina, because of their adaptive nature have expanded their food source from wild animals, road kill, and rodents to garbage, pets, and, in some cases cat/dog food from well meaning citizens who leave food out for feral cats.  Hunting range, limited by structures and homes can reduce hiding places for prey and increase the potential for a meal that might be easier to obtain that hunting down and chasing a bobtail or jack rabbit in the open desert.  This absence of fear has encouraged urban coyotes to the extent that they have been known to team-stalk someone walking their dog – where one coyote will approach from the front and the second and third will come up behind the dog walker and little dog(s) in an attempt to obtain an easy meal.  Often, coyotes can become bold and do not necessarily run away when they encounter humans.  Some might think this is because they mean to attack, but it may only be because former encounters with humans didn’t result in anything hurtful-reinforcing a comfort level that is not seen in other wild animals.

Recently, 1^st Response Wildlife was called to investigate and possibly trap a coyote that had been seen repeatedly around a heavily populated area.  What was of particular concern by the Property Management Organization was that one particular coyote consistently was approaching the residents/renters and had been observed as close as 5 feet.  It was also reported that this particular coyote did not look well and, in fact had begun to look like it was on its way to becoming a “Chupacabra.”  (A Chupacabra, if you Google it, was once thought to be a scary mythical animal that attacked at night and was eventually named a goat-sucker/Chupacabra because it attacked domesticated animals, was hairless, and somewhat emaciated=scary)  Scientists eventually realized that the term Chupacabra and the appearance of the animals documented were really just a coyote, a wild dog, or even a fox, with all having lost their hair due to Mange and, were probably too sick to chase normal wild prey.

There are three types of mange and all are caused by small mites called Sarcoptic mites which burrow under the skin, resulting in the animal scratching the area and eventually, as the mites spread, an animal becomes weaker and loses its hair in the areas where the infestation/mites reside.  In the worst cases, in addition to losing hair, the animal develops bacterial infections as well – resulting in a very scary looking and smelly “beast,” of mythical folklore. Untreated, the mites keep burrowing in the host animal and can be transferred from one animal to another but are unique to the type of host animal.  So, if a coyote has mange, also called Scabies, the mange is easily transferred in the den, where the coyotes come in close contact to each other, or to a dog that may have contact with a coyote but escapes.  If a human were to come in contact with that particular canine mite, while some mites could be transferred to the human and cause some itching, a canine mite cannot survive on a human host and will eventually die.

Below are a couple of internet copied pictures of animals (Chupacabras) that are examples of the end state of what mange can do. (They are but two of dozens that can be found and are shown here for comparison purposes to the pictures of the coyote in question-further in this blog.)

 

After an inspection of the area where the coyote had been reported/seen and, as a result of numerous eye-witness descriptions of a rather ugly/sickly/scary looking coyote, 1^st Response Wildlife set some traps that are specific to canines. 

The beauty of these traps is that they are not designed to catch cats, Javelina, bobcats, raccoons, or coatimundi.  They also do not harm the animal but, hold it until a trapper can arrive, transfer it to a carrier and move it to another location.  With respect to this particular coyote and, based on all the reports, 1^st Response Wildlife was fairly certain that this was probably a fairly sick coyote, with mange, that would need to, after capture, be taken to a rehabilitation location for inspection by a veterinarian.  (Left alone in the wild, the Property Management Company and the residents/renters who had encountered the coyote at close range, reported that, it did not look like a healthy coyote and, its lack of mobility suggested that, without medical attention, it might not survive.  In the mean time, however, they were all worried about the safety of their pet dogs and cats many of which were walked 2-3 times a day.)

Here we see the first picture of the captured target coyote.  It has not been hurt and is just waiting for help.

Here we see the coyote, transferred to a carrier for transport to a rehabilitation facility. (Note its undernourished condition and the absence of hair on the rear end of the animal above the tail.)

Here is a close up of the right hindquarters of the target coyote clearly showing all the hair missing with a full blown case of mange.  This animal, without help, certainly is on its way to looking like one of the Chupacabras pictured above.

The following day (animal was captured late in the evening), the animal was transported to a rehabilitation center which logged it into their facility where date, time, location of acquisition took place (for Arizona Game and Fish Department's records) and an assessment was made by a veterinarian. Thankfully, the animal was not harmed and there was a place in Tucson to take it for evaluation and follow through.

If you are a homeowner, business owner, Property Management Company and you find that you have a nuisance animal in or around your property, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call to discuss options for dealing with it or humanely removing it.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Animal Education, Animal Capture, Animal Trapping, Animal Rescue, Animal Relocation-1st Response Wildlife Does It All!

Southern Arizona, the Sonoran Desert, and greater Tucson are homes to a number of wild animals.  Many are beautiful, when observed in the wild, but can be a threat to small pets, children, and a nuisance to a business or residence.  The Arizona Game and Fish Department has very clear guidelines for approaching situations where an animal or reptile is observed on and around property.  Whenever possible, the protocol is to observe, accommodate, film, and appreciate our wildlife-but not disturb.

However, if you, as a homeowner, a business owner, a Property Management Company, or a renter, feel that an animal, reptile, or even a dog has become destructive, a nuisance, or a threat to yourself, your family, or a pet, please consider giving 1^st Response Wildlife a call to discuss your options.

The general rule of thumb, 1^st Response Wildlife follows, is to first listen, understand, and investigate a concern.  Information and education about a particular animal may be all that is necessary to put one’s mind at ease.  However, if an animal or reptile turns out to be an orphan, is living too close to a home, burrowing under sheds, decks, and/or is destructive or threatening in nature, then a plan of action which often includes an open free style capture, trapping the animal, or even rescuing it, may be the best response.  In most cases, nuisance animals, reptiles, and birds, will be relocated to a safe but distant location from where they were captured. (Birds, rescued/retrieved from a chimney, often will be released immediately, in the area where they were captured-after the chimney/entry point has been sealed up, to ensure they remain in their home area but do not venture back down into an open-ended chimney stack.)

The list of animals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds which 1^st Response Wildlife works with customers to better understand and direct the recommended plan of action, is quite extensive.  With the exception of protected species and those which need special one-time permits from Arizona Game and Fish Department to remove and relocate, services available to homeowners, businesses, Property Management Companies, and renters include Education, Capture, Trapping, Rescuing, Relocation, and seminars about:

Animals and Reptiles of Arizona, Bobcats, Raccoons, Ringtails, Coatimundi, Foxes, Skunks, Squirrels, Pack Rats, Harris’ Antelope Squirrels, Kangaroo Rats, Rabbits, Gophers, Round Tailed Ground Squirrels, Lizards-exotic and regional, Colorado River Toads (aka Sonoran Desert Toad) Tortoises, Bats, Gila Monsters, Owls, Buzzards, Ducks, Hawks, Rattlesnakes-any species, Gopher Snakes, King Snakes, Night Snakes, Long Nosed Snakes, exotic snakes (which may have been released), Coyotes, Dogs, other former pets-Peacocks, Iguana, etc..  Special permits can be obtained by a homeowner or business for specific bird and animal removal or deterrents, but it is best to check with 1^st Response Wildlife and AZGFD for larger animals, such as Javelina, Puma, Bears, Badgers, etc.

Part of the service 1^st Response Wildlife offers, in addition to its primary work directly with animals, is giving seminars on reptiles or animals in Arizona, as well as helping homeowners, businesses, and Property Management Organizations better understand how to live with our diverse population of animals and reptiles.  Frequent discussions about how to snake-proof your home, how to keep rock squirrels, mice, and skunks from returning to your property, and in-depth property and building inspections to point out and close up points of entry for unwanted “guests,” is a key part of "a day on-the-job" for 1^st Response Wildlife.

If you have small children, animals or feel that animals, reptiles, or birds, native to the area should not be living as close to your family or business as they are currently, please give 1^st Response Wildlife a call to discuss safe and humane ways to work to potentially relocate them.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

 

Marana’s Founders’ Day Visitors Enjoy Seeing Native Reptiles

March 7^th, Marana’s Heritage Conservancy celebrated its 36^th annual Founders’ Day celebration at Ora Mae Harn Park, 13250 N. Lon Adams Road in Marana.  1^st Response Wildlife had a booth at the park where it exhibited 7 rattlesnakes, two non venomous snakes, a Gila monster and 1^st Response Reptile and Animals of the Sonoran Desert Guide Books for visitors to see.

1^st Response Wildlife’s booth was located in the “kids,” section of the exhibits, nestled between the Martial Arts/Gym exhibits, in front of the climbing wall and next to the snow cone booth.  Families, couples, Firemen, Policemen, and other interested parties took time to view the rattlers in their locked displays, page through the Guide Book's pictures, ask questions and, for those more adventuresome, hold and get their picture taken with one of the non-venomous snakes.

1^st Response Wildlife brought representative examples of 7 of the rattlers, native to Arizona some of which, however, are not found in the immediate area surrounding Tucson or Marana.  The fact that visitors could view and ask about the various reptiles from different parts of Arizona made it more interesting than just seeing the common varieties to the immediate area.  In addition, since 1^st Response Wildlife is in the business of trapping and relocating nuisance animals, as well as reptiles, lizards, and exotics, many visitors commented on finding value in being able to page through the 1^st Response Wildlife Animal Guide Book, which have pictures of a majority of the animals common to Arizona, some not seen either in the area, or rarely seen at all because they are primarily nocturnal.

The exhibit below had the following on display: Venomous snakes-Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Arizona Black Rattlesnake, Speckled Rattlesnake, Sidewinder Rattlesnake, Black Tail Rattlesnake, Mojave Rattlesnake, and Tiger Rattlesnake.  Venomous Lizard-Gila Monster. Non-venomous-Northern Mountain King Snake and Gopher snake. (Note the venomous snakes have locks on the displays, but to the right, in the front, is a simple glass enclosure with the Gopher snake in it that is secure, but not locked.  This is because this particular Gopher snake is one of the “education,” reptiles and has proven to be gentle. In the back left of the exhibit, you can see the 1st Response Wildlife Guide Books on the table.)

 

 

Several children and some adults asked and were allowed to experience holding and taking pictures with one or more of the non-venomous Gopher and Northern Mountain King Snakes.  These snakes remained friendly and provided visitors with an experience of getting up close to a reptile without fear.  Here we see an adult getting a chance to handle a gopher snake.  The following picture is of a child getting to know a gopher snake.

 

 

All in all, it was a good, but long day for visitors and, certainly there were a number of children who expressed interest in reading this blog to find out more details on reptiles and animals of the Sonoran Desert.

If you have any nuisance animals, reptiles, or even exotics that you find on your property and would like help in understanding what can be done to discourage them, or would like to have them removed, please do not hesitate to give 1^st Response Wildlife a call.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 

1st Response Wildlife Gets Help from the Monsoons in Identifying a Raccoon as the Culprit in Damaging Crops

Raccoons, Coatimundi, Skunks, Rock Squirrels, Badgers, Javelina, Deer, and even Pack Rats, are notorious for digging around structures, gnawing on plants, and, in some of the cases, a few of these animals can climb or reach up to eat fruit.  Summertime has lots of calls coming in to 1^st Response Wildlife to evaluate, educate the business or home owner on which animal is being a nuisance and, if necessary, relocate it.  One of the challenges of this business is trying to help the customer identify which of the variety of “critters,” that are found in the Sonoran Desert, is actually the guilty party.

Technology is playing more of a role in helping identify what is digging around structures, what is destroying plants, and disturbing animals, or making holes in buildings. If the animal can be observed, motion detector pictures taken, or helpful phone camera shots of the destruction forwarded before a trip is made to meet with the business or home owner, it reduces the time between identification and lure/bait selection, if relocation is warranted.  This becomes especially helpful if the customer is calling from a distance of greater than, say 50 miles, because bringing the wrong equipment, lure/bait, snare or tools, could warrant another trip and time-to-remedy the situation will have been extended.

Since the greater Tucson area, Pima, Pinal, and Cochise Counties have such a plethora of active animals this time of year, the more information that the business or home owner can supply to help narrow down what is causing problems, before the initial visit, by 1^st Response Wildlife, the better.

Recently, such a situation presented itself.  A business owner called 1^st Response Wildlife with a report of an animal digging, stripping fruit trees, and disturbing young plants.  Located over 100 miles from Tucson, a one-way trip without pin-point knowledge of what could be causing the problem could have been an expensive exercise.

Here are a couple of pictures of what was happening.  From the first picture, it is not really clear what is digging, nor, from the second picture-which shows a protective tube around tender plants has been lifted, can the animal be identified or what sized equipment should be brought down for an on-site evaluation.

Fortunately, the business owner was able to snap a few pictures of the type of digging and destruction-above and then, the clincher- helped specifically by the Monsoon rains, was that, the rains made the ground soft enough so that the animal causing the problem left these footprints, below.  Clearly they show it as none other than a masked marauder-Raccoon.  An alternative suggestion had been Coatimundi, but, based on experience and other factors, it was pretty clear Coatis were not involved here.  (There also had been some thought, before the footprints were discovered, in talking with the business owner, about other larger animals to consider, Deer, Javelina, etc. but, with these prints, it was pretty clear what identification 1^st Response Wildlife was going to make.)

 

The equipment was chosen, the lures/bait packed and, based on discussions with the business owner, it was determined that the nuisance animal, when captured, would be relocated.  Using the right sized equipment and focused on areas of disturbance, the Raccoon was humanely captured, relocated and the business owner will no longer have it bothering his plants.

If you have digging or disturbances, inside or out, it is helpful if you can see and snap a picture of the animal causing a nuisance to your business or around your home.  In some cases, it may be better if the animal is left alone and the area is secured in such a way as to make it difficult for it to bother your property but, in other instances, for all concerned, it would be beneficial to relocate it.  In either case, if you have, what you think is a problem, please do not hesitate to call 1^st Response Wildlife.

Thanks for considering 1st Response Wildlife 

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, hawks, ducks, squirrels (ardilla), peacocks, coatimundi (gato solo), skunks (mofeta), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children or have an exotic sighting in your neighborhood. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Animal Removal & Relocation ~ Ringtail

Ringtails - (Bassariscus astutus)

The Ringtail is Arizona’s State mammal.  While Arizona claims them as “its” mammal, ringtails range widely in the west and are found in California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, Texas, and east to Alabama.  They have also been reported in Ohio where, it is believed they may have “arrived,” after hiding out in a train car, at one time.

Ringtails are not cats, but are related to Raccoons and Coatimundis. They get their name from their bushy tail that is “ringed,” with black and grey/white rings. They have slim elongated faces with bulging eyes, with stripes around them-which are very helpful in night hunting.  They never get as large as a raccoon so they can easily squeeze into smaller entrance holes or openings than what I typically see when a racoon is causing problems.  (Miners often mentioned them in their stories, calling them “miner cats,” because they found ringtails could be domesticated and were excellent mousers.) Here in the Sonoran desert, raccoons and coatis appear to be more prevalent because raccoons and coatis are larger and they often travel in groups of 3 – 5 for raccoons, and bands of 10-15 for coatis. Although there are quite a few ringtails right here in the greater Tucson area, many Arizona residents have never seen one in the wild.  

Ringtails, except when they mate and are raising their 1-2 young, are loners and live in rock outcroppings, around riparian areas in stumps, or other protected areas which can include an attic. 

Ringtails are voracious hunters and will eat mice, small birds, lizards, snakes, pack rats, as well as berries, fruits, and nuts. They can climb any tree, wall, fence, and most rocks.  Their back feet can be rotated to almost 180 degrees, which makes it easy for them, in either a vertical or horizontal pursuit of their next meal.

Ringtails are typically not considered a “nuisance animal,” but, in my professional career, I have found, in greater Tucson, several occasions where I was called to hotels, restaurants, schools, and businesses that felt something was making homes in their roofs, and even in attics.  For example, in one recent year, I trapped and released over 2 dozen ringtails from places where the business,or home owners were concerned about the ringtails which were either living or feeding inside their establishment and wanted to have them humanely removed.  If ringtails are in your attic or, in the case of a business-the ceiling, you can hear them moving around and, until you call 1^st Response Wildlife, you may not know if you have pack rats, raccoons, or even a bobcat. 

This ringtail, pictured above, along with the second one pictured below was considered a “nuisance,” because it had found a way into a food kitchen and, together with the second ringtail, was getting comfortable helping itself to anything it could find.  After I captured them, there was some work to close up points-of-entry because, even though I released the two of them some distance from that business, it would be very easy, as it is with many animals, for them to go back to that location and pick up where they left off foraging on prepared food.

After release, I took these two pictures of the ringtails.  They are gorgeous animals and, as you can see they blend in with the background, even when you know where they are-which is another reason why they are rarely seen in the wild.

If you are in need of 1st Response Wildlife's Services, just give Josh a call 24/7 at:

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Thanks, Wildman Josh :)

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Arizona Game and Fish Urban Wildlife & 1st Response Wildlife

AZ Game and Fish Urban Wildlife

I believe one of the most important parts of my responsibilities as a licensed humane trapper and relocation expert of animals, reptiles and birds of the Sonoran Desert, is helping my customers understand the rich mix of animals, reptiles and birds we enjoy.  I do not automatically hurry to capture and remove animals that are not injured or sick without talking to my clients about their individual situation and what they are experiencing with some animal that is found in and around their business or home.

Working closely with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, I carefully consider and discuss what is occurring and then, with my clients discuss the principles that the state of Arizona has in place to deal with an animal or reptile.  In many cases, a business owner or home owner can, with a little education, learn how to either live with, accommodate, or discourage an animal from being a nuisance and, one of the best resources I use is to refer them to the Arizona Game and Fish Urban Wildlife web pages, where there are extensive videos, discussions and suggestions concerning the wildlife in Arizona. 

This website, http://www.azgfd.com/w_c/urban_wildlife.shtml represents a great compendium of information and also represents the commitment that Arizona has to helping you co-exist with the animals we find here.  Along with my blog, I find that my clients are more comfortable with my approach, suggestions and, if I really do need to remove, relocate, or capture and take an animal or reptile to a rehabilitation center, everyone involved, including the critters, have a better outcome.

I communicate with Arizona Game and Fish on a regular basis and, in fact, their regulations in managing wildlife require that I keep them informed about my work as well as report and seek counsel on an ongoing basis so they can better understand what I see happening with wildlife, where it is happening, and how our wildlife management can be improved.

For more information about my approach to helping you with your wildlife questions, nuisance animals, or injured or sick critters, rattlesnakes, and bats, feel free to contact 1^st Response Wildlife, www.1stResponseWildlife.com, or my cell at 520-260-9517.  If you want to read more in-depth explanations and descriptions of our extensive animal and reptile population and find ideas on how you can co-exist with them, you will find that the Urban Wildlife section of the Arizona Game and Fish website, above, is an excellent resource.

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), exotics, and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Raccoon Babies ~ Removal & Relocation ~ 1st Response Wildlife

1st Response Wildlife received a call awhile back to remove some raccoons from a client's attic (although they probably just heard the sounds and scratching). When they got up there they actually found 3 orphaned baby raccoons and they were moved to a Rehab Center until the reach full size.  At that time they will be released back into the wild. Here is a photo of them...they are obviously just a tad bit camera shy! ;)

Be Sure to give 1st Response Wildlife a call if you hear noises in your attic or crawl space!

Cell: 520-260-9517 (Hours 24/7)

 

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Coatimundi Animal Removal & Relocation to a Licensed Rehabilitation Center

This adorable coatimundi unfortunately will never be able to be released back into the wild. It was being fed on a large property for a long time and lost it's ability to forage on it's own, so now it must be cared for at a licensed rehab center for the rest of it's life.  This is one example of why it's not a good idea to get wild animals dependent on humans on their food and survival.  If you come across wildlife that you suspect that have become dependent on humans for food, call 1st Response Wildlife and they will quickly and professionally remove and relocate them for you.

Call Josh (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), badgers, coyotes, Javelina, Possums, exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Josh Waling, Humane Wildlife Catch/Release

Licensed Animal Trapper in Arizona

Cell: 520-260-9517

Hours of Operation: 24/7

Location: Tucson, Arizona (surrounding areas)

Email: [email protected]

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and relocates and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla), rock squirrels, Colorado River Toads (Sonoran Desert Toads)coatimundi (gato solo), ringtail, skunks (zorrillo), gophers, coyotes, badgers, Javelina, exotics, and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

Scroll down to follow me and see posts with photos, videos, and educational information on the wonderful animals, and reptiles that call southern Arizona their home. 

Thanks, from 1st Response Wildlife~Josh!

Animal Removal Services ~ Raccoons

Have you ever heard sounds in the attic? Those sounds might be raccoons and you should call 1st Response Wildlife to take care of this nuisance wildlife animal for you right away. Here is picture of a raccoon family that was taken out of an attic and is now headed for relocation in a safe place.

If you think you have raccoons, ringtails or other animals in your attic, please call 1st Response Wildlife (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

 

 

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, bats, squirrels (ardilla) , coatimundi (gato solo), exotics, and domestic cats and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!

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Tucson Humane Wildlife Animal Trapping & Removal

Hi, my name is Josh Waling and I have loved animals since the day I was born. I live in the heart of the Sonoran Desert-Tucson, Arizona, which is one of the most unique places in the world. We have as much indigenous wildlife as the Peruvian and Amazon jungles. I have been catching and handling exotic reptiles for over 25 years. I've been humanely trapping nuisance wildlife here in the Sonoran Desert for 10+ years and I love my job. I get to help sick, injured or orphaned animals find their way back to the wild. I also like to educate the public about our animals here in the Sonoran Desert to help both people and wildlife live together harmoniously. My passion is reptiles, but I have found a love for working with all animals including bobcats, skunks, rattlesnakes, coyotes, ringtails, raccoons, coatimundi, badgers, javelina, and even domestic dogs. So, I hope everyone will enjoy following my adventures. Check out the posts, videos and pictures below to see what I've been up to lately. :) Since I have a GoPro head mounted camera, and a number of field cameras that capture photos and video day or night, if there are any animals or reptiles you would like to see that I haven't posted, feel free to email me.

 Give me a call if you need help with any animals that may have found their way onto your property and need to find a way back to their home, ask for an education session or just call for information on animals you would like to know more about. I would be happy to chat with you and, if you need my services, I will be there in a timely and professional fashion to remove them from your home and help them find their way back to either nature or a proper rehab facility. Thanks!

Josh's Cell (24/7 Hours): 520-260-9517

Thanks. Josh

Josh Waling is a humane Licensed Animal Trapper who catches and releases wildlife, removing animals including bobcats (lince), snakes, rattlesnakes (serpiente de cascabel), raccoons (mapache), skunks, coyotes, pack rats, gila monsters (monstruos de gila), rabbits (canejo), owls, pigeons bats, squirrels (ardilla), coatimundi (gato solo), coyotes, badgers, possums, javelina, ringtail, rock squirrels, exotics, and dogs. He delivers service that is professional and fast and he is available 24/7.  Give him a call the next time you hear unusual noises in the attic or crawl spaces in your home or if you see wildlife eating your vegetation, creating nests, and raising their young too close to your pets or children. 520-260-9517 Thanks!