WILDLIFE
ground rimmed with fur above. The mother leaves for up
to two days returning only at dawn and after dusk, keeping
predators away from her young. They have not been abandoned
and do not need intervention. He advises that if a sick,
injured or aggressive animal is spotted, and is not on private
property, call 911 and request for an officer to assist.
THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY
Like it or not, birds like the black vulture are protected
and cannot be harmed or molested. As scavengers, they are
beneficial to the environment, playing an important role in
our ecosystem.
“The most frequent calls that come in spring are typically
snakes.” Sgt. Lloyd says. “It is critical that the public not
release them.” Most people dump exotic species when they
get too large. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Service holds
amnesty events for those wishing to surrender these types of
non-native exotics.
The safest place in the city to view nature at its best is at the
Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens where you can get up close
to see gopher tortoises soaking in the sun.
“There are two, occupied osprey nests, one perched in >>
28 Port St. Lucie Magazine
DEBRA MAGRANN
Mother rabbits leave their nests during the day to protect their babies.
DEBRA MAGRANN
An armadillo, which is an introduced species, emerges from its burrow to
forage for a meal of beetles, grubs and other insects.
/www.harborcb.com
/www.portstluciemagazine.com