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Ardsley Official Reminds Residents Of Wild Animals

ARDSLEY, N.Y. -- Ardsley Village Manager George F. Calvi reminds residents of wild animals.

Wild animals are present in Westchester, and Ardsley Village Manager George Calvi reminds residents to be safe.

Wild animals are present in Westchester, and Ardsley Village Manager George Calvi reminds residents to be safe.

Photo Credit: File

Thanks to development all around us and the reduction of their living spaces, indigenous woodlands creatures have become regular visitors to homeowners' backyards.

No longer are animal reports limited to sightings of raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, opossum or woodchucks. Deer are omnipresent, and coyotes are seen from time to time. There have even been reports of flocks of turkeys and the occasional red fox.

Beyond Ardsley in neighboring communities, reports have come in about the existence of red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures. None of this is surprising -- with the loss of habitat, these animals have been flushed into the open. They are part of the landscape, part of the ecosystem. They are going nowhere. And as any New York state Department of Environmental Conservation representative will tell you, many were here first, and they are protected.  However, if living amid the Wild Kingdom is not your cup of tea, there are many websites on the Internet which will detail how you can make your property less hospitable for these wild creatures.

This may come at a cost such as not planting so-called "deer candy" like hostas, roses and tulips, or those crocus bulbs that chipmunks thrive on. Or perhaps you may have to finally purchase that rigid trash can so raccoons don't feast on the garbage bags left curbside. I could go on; the point is, there is so much one can do, if there is a will. Nevertheless, if one has been physically threatened by an animal, call the Police Department. However, if a wild animal is sauntering through your yard or looks sickly, do not call the police. Please call and make a report to the animal control officer with the town of Greenburgh at 914-682-5300. 

For more information on coyote behavior, click here.  George F. Calvi Ardsley Village Manager

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