Climate change, urbanization are increasing human-wildlife encounters

• Climate change symptoms like drought are increasing human-wildlife interactions in Georgia.
• Wildlife experts advise against removing animals from the wild, as it often does more harm than good.
• People should never feed wildlife, especially bears and alligators, as it can make them dangerous.

Symptoms of climate change, such as drought, can disrupt wildlife behavior and increase human-wildlife interactions. Wildlife experts advise against removing animals from the wild.

Todd Schneider, a wildlife biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, said extended droughts — which are occurring more frequently in Georgia — reduce the availability of food and water. As a result, animals such as black bears may wander into urban and suburban neighborhoods in search of resources.

“There have always been droughts and extremely rainy periods in Georgia,” Schneider said. “But it’s the frequency and sometimes the intensity. Hurricanes, at least in recent history, have increased in both number and intensity. We’ve been able to monitor that over the past several decades. They appear to be intensifying because of overall global warming, causing more sporadic weather patterns.”

Climate change is altering habitats, shifting species ranges and pushing animals closer to human-populated areas in search of food and water. As climate change intersects with rapid urbanization in Georgia, it intensifies pressure on ecosystems, leading to more frequent — and often negative — interactions between humans and native wildlife, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Key ways climate change is increasing wildlife encounters in Georgia include:

• Wildlife species shifting their ranges to find favorable conditions, often moving into areas populated by people.
• Extended droughts becoming more common, reducing available food and water and causing animals such as black bears to enter urban and suburban areas.
• Sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion along the Georgia coast threatening wetlands and forcing reptiles and other species to relocate.
• Warmer temperatures allowing non-native species to expand their ranges, often competing with native species and increasing human contact.
• Higher temperatures altering wildlife activity patterns, increasing the likelihood of human encounters.

Before attempting to rescue wildlife — including young birds, rabbits or fawns — experts warn human intervention often does more harm than good, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

“A lot of times people will see a baby bird that has fallen from its nest and start handling it,” Schneider said. “People have good hearts. If the bird is on the ground, chances are the adults are still feeding it. If people interfere, the adults may move on. If you’re nearby, the adult will remain hidden. It’s important not to pick up baby bunnies or similar animals. If you encounter a rabbit nest in the ground, the best thing to do is leave it alone.”

Schneider said wildlife rehabilitators receive a large number of animals mistakenly believed to be abandoned.

“People often pick up animals they think are injured or orphaned,” he said. “That can be very detrimental. Rehabilitators can only care for so many animals, and unnecessary intervention can affect overall wildlife populations.”

Removing animals from the wild can also reduce their chances of survival, Schneider said.

“When you rehab a young bird, it loses the training adults provide,” he said. “That affects its ability to survive. Many rehabilitated animals do not successfully return to the wild after being released.”

Jay Cantrell, a wildlife biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, said encounters between black bears and humans are becoming more common.

“Bear sightings happen fairly regularly in the Aiken and Augusta areas,” Cantrell said. “Bears definitely get people’s attention. They are quite capable of living in and around people and take advantage of food sources such as garbage, bird feeders and pet food.”

Cantrell stressed that people should never feed bears.

“Bears habituate very easily to humans,” he said. “If they associate people with food, they lose their fear. That can make them dangerous or perceived as dangerous. Bears and alligators, in particular, should never be fed.”

The best course of action when encountering wildlife of any age is to leave the area and avoid disturbing the animal for 24 to 48 hours, experts say. If the animal is still present after that time, people should contact a local Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division office for guidance at www.georgiawildlife.com/about/contact 

For South Carolina residents visit the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division office for guidance at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/ or call 803.734.3886.

People who are not licensed and trained in wildlife rehabilitation should not attempt to care for wild animals. Georgia law prohibits the possession of most wildlife without a permit. More information is available at georgiawildlife.com/living-with-wildlife.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Journalism Funding Partners.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@usatodayco.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.