The California Department of Fish and Wildlife does not allow wild animals to be relocated; therefore, the Department does not collect wild animals unless they are sick or injured and require medical attention. Relocated animals often have difficulty surviving in unknown environments, they have to compete with others of their kind that are already established in the place of relocation and can carry new diseases or parasites to an area where they did not exist before. It is possible to share space and coexist safely with native species. Visit our Human-Wildlife Conflict Program page for useful resources.
Report wildlife that causes harm to your property or pets to the CDFW online wildlife-related incident reporting system or to the regional office. Each owner will be required to remove any material or device mentioned above that is placed on the owner's property in violation of this chapter. Learn how the CDFW is conducting novel research to help make scientifically sound decisions about fish and wildlife in California. If the capture is made in accordance with sections 4152 or 4180, the person placing the trap or the owner of the land where the trap is placed or an agent of any of them must inspect and remove the trap.
The Human Dimensions of Wildlife Conservation Unit uses robust social science to investigate the role that people play in conservation and management issues. Failure to remove such materials or devices or to make such modifications within 24 hours of notification by the municipality will constitute a separate violation of this chapter. The CDFW is proud to work with agencies, organizations and volunteers to ensure quality rehabilitation of injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife in order to release it to nature. The Golden State is home to more plants and wildlife than any other state and has nearly 40 million people.
Wildlife that damages crops on the property can be captured or annihilated, but only in accordance with current regulations (below). No person may stop taking corrective measures to avoid contact or conflict with wild animals, which may include fixing or removing outdoor garbage, cooking grills, pet food, bird feeders, or any other food source or similar lure, after the municipality has recommended that they take such corrective measures. Any person who feeds or provides an attractant to a trapped, injured, or unweaned wild animal between the time the animal control agency or its designated agent receives notification of the wild animal and that agency picks up the wild animal. Wildlife Watch is a community model inspired by the Neighborhood Watch program that emphasizes respect for people and wildlife.
In addition, feeding wild animals alters their natural eating habits and can cause wild animals to be concentrated in artificial feeding areas, making them more susceptible to disease transmission. The ministers committed to reviewing their jurisdictional arrangements, including consulting with key stakeholders and interested community members, and, based on this review, eliminating any unnecessary legal impediments to land managers taking charge of the control and management of wild cats within 12 months, whenever possible.
