I thought this was a "Gardening for Wildlife" forum, where we talk about supporting wildlife through the way we use our properties. Maybe it should be "Gardening For Only The Wildlife I Think Is Cute or Pretty".
I see a common pattern of animosity towards any creature that invades "your" territory or that instills fear..."Kill it, it's a nuisance." It is unacceptable to kill a snake because it's poisonous. Who is more deadly, the snake or you? You killed the snake and you aren't even on its menu. It is like our fear of sharks, but who is more murderous? We kill millions of sharks a year.
Is it so surprising that people are experiencing more contact with wild animals? Is it so surprising that a coyote would snatch a woman's dog right from the doorstep? It was probably starving, desperate. We are like a festering disease, just invading everywhere, spraying the world with pesticides, laying animal traps everywhere, cutting down trees, bulldozing habitats.
No wild animal is a pest or a nuisance. Not even the invasive creatures. They are here because of us. Everything is our doing and the attitude of fear and entitlement is outrageous. Not every predator that shows up in the daytime is rabid and should be killed. And the ones that are is due to the unbridled pet population and irresponsible owners who don't vaccinate. Once again, back to the destructive human habits.
If you all want to "Garden for Wildlife," do it a favor and treat them all equally. If you're afraid of critters, then don't have a garden. No creature deserves to die for your fear.
