Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/10/2009 09:42 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 12/09/2010 11:52 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Welcome to the Country~by Charity Maness
So you’ve decided to move to the country where we have animal relocation for all sorts of animals, reptilian, bipedal and quadrupeds alike. Remember those darn rattlers I was warned about when Wyatt first moved me to Tombstone? Though I must say they are not on my list of favorite creatures, evidently they made the top of someone’s list for there is indeed a rattlesnake relocation program in effect here in the foothills. Seems that if you don’t want your curious toddler or your cute family pet injected with venom potent....
enough to do some serious harm to them, you have the option of calling a rattlesnake relocation specialist. No, I do not happen to have that number handy. I do though have strategically placed shovels and I know how to dial 911. Did you know the fire department will show up lickety split to your home for this reptilian emergency? Way cool.
We also have mountain lion relocation. Seeing as how my home is probably sitting right on top of what was once his ancestral hunting grounds it’s nice to know there are still open areas and mountainous hunting grounds that these creatures can be transported to and live a long healthy life.
There’s relocation for birds, skunks, bats, bees, raccoons, bear, deer, and rabbits. I’m certain I missed one or two. But the point is, we still employ the trap and release relocation plan, complete with the use of a variety of cages.
In Colorado they too have relocation plans for their wildlife. Though this one particular relocation technique is quite inventive and passes on the utilization of cages.
Imagine you are enjoying a peaceful afternoon out on the prairie soaking up the sun and listening to the quiet breeze gently blowing through the tall grass when all of a sudden in the distance you see a large vehicle swerving erratically through the prairie. As it gets closer you note that it looks like a large parking lot sweeper. What in the world is a parking lot sweeper doing in the middle of the prairie? As it gets closer still you notice its erratic swerving is actually intentional as it purposefully drives to a prairie dog burrow, positions itself directly over the hole and turns on its powerful suction. Quickly sucked out of the hole and into the belly of the machine are thwump, one, thwump, two, thwump, three poofy prairie dogs. The machine moves to the next hole. Thwump, thwump. Again and again. It is the Colorado Prairie Dog relocation vacuum truck. I search the vehicle for an ACME sign, certain that I am viewing a Looney Tunes vehicle in action. But alas, no sign, I guess this is just how things are done in Colorado.
Makes one wonder how they get the prairie dogs out when they get them to their new home…hit reverse?
Until next time…welcome to the country!
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