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Community Corner

Monroe, CT: It's a Zoo Out There

Monroe may not have the most wild animals of any town in the state, but its gotta have the most wild-animal reports. Here's what happened in one six-day period.

Like wild animals? Forget the zoo, just visit Monroe:

Unwelcome Neighbors

July 31, a Greenlawn Road resident reported that a woodchuck had burrowed under the foundation of his house. It had set up housekeeping and was dining on his flowers.

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Animal Control responded and dissuaded the homeowner from trying to trap it or filling in the entry to its den. Woodchucks usually have more than one entrance to their den and they are phenomenal diggers able to tunnel up to 50 feet a night. A guide to living with woodchucks was provided.

On Aug. 3, a resident on Oakwood Drive reported skunk activity. Animal Control responded and discovered a skunk had taken up residence under a shed.

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It was recommended that the skunk be left alone. When it leaves its den in the fall, the homeowner can create an "exclusion" to keep it from coming back. An "exclusion" is basically a wire fence buried in the ground some two feet down, to prevent an animal from tunneling past it. Full instructions were left with the homeowner.

Tip: Skunks should not be trapped and removed because of the chance babies could be left behind in the den and starve to death.

Bird Matters

On Aug. 2, a Cedar Lane resident reported large numbers of crows perching in her yard while they devoured food scraps and munched on bones. She was concerned that a neighbor might be throwing out food scraps in the yard which could draw a number of animals. Animal Control is investigating.

Also that day, a Hammertown Road resident discovered a hawk with an injured wing on her front porch. After it remained there for several hours, she called Animal Control for a rescue. However, when the officer arrived, the bird had taken off of its own accord.

Later, a woman on Alpine Road called to report bats roosting in her chimney. An investigation proved the intruders to be not bats, but Chimney Swifts, an endangered species. Chimney Swifts are small, dark birds.

Wildlife Reports

On July 28, a woman called on her cell phone to report seeing a cougar cross in front of her car on Pepper Street at around 8 p.m. It was determined to be a bobcat sighting. The area is a frequent crossing spot used by Monroe's known bobcat population

That same day a resident on Turtle Brook Terrace called in a complaint of damage by a beaver. His property in the Northbrook condos was flooding. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection was notified. Venting the beaver's dam was recommended.

Lost and Found

Over the past week four dogs and one cat were lost and found uninjured. One Siamese cat was found on Barn Hill Road. Its owner is yet to come forward. One cat was lost from its Academy Road home in Trumbull. Be on the look out for an 11-month–old black and white, domestic shorthair, neutered male. If found contact Animal Control.

There were three complaints of dogs running loose. All owners were found and issued warnings.

Casualties

On July 28, a raccoon was hit and killed by a motor vehicle on Cutlers Farm Road at Rails to Trails. Another raccoon injured on Great Oak Farm Road had to be put down. Since there was no exposure to other animals or humans, no rabies testing was required.

On July 29, a third raccoon was killed on East Maiden Lane by a motor vehicle.

A homeowner on Scenic Lane caught a bat in his house on July 28. It had to be sent to the state lab for rabies testing. The results were negative.

A brindle-colored female cat was killed by a motor vehicle on July 29. The owner could not be located. And no cats had been reported lost matching the description.

On July 30, a homeowner on Summit Drive reported a raccoon in her backyard. Animal  control responded, but was unable to locate the animal.

The same day a dead fox was reported in the backyard of a Longview resident. The carcass was removed. No rabies testing was required because no humans or animals had contact with the fox.

On Aug. 2, a sick or injured raccoon was reported on Main Street at Hillcrest Road, but the animal disappeared into the woods.

Later, a Wheeler Road resident returned home to discover a dead deer in his yard. It had obviously tangled with a motor vehicle. Animal Control had to disperse half a dozen turkey vultures having lunch before the carcass could be removed. Monroe is home to several species of the birds.

Driving Tip: Slow down and look to the right for animals about to cross. The life you save may have fur and family.

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