Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists are urging Texas residents affected by Hurricane Harvey to use caution during recovery efforts. Animals and wildlife seeking shelter from floods might be found hiding in debris as residents return for post-hurricane cleanup.
“People should be aware that snakes and other wildlife, including skunks and raccoons, may approach or enter yards and houses seeking cover or higher ground,” John Davis, TPWD wildlife diversity program director, said in a press release.
As the flood waters recede, Davis said displaced wildlife will return to their usual habitats.
Residents should be aware that snakes and other animals may seek shelter in debris piles and caution should be used during cleanup efforts.
Displaced alligators, snakes, bats, deer and snapping turtles and other diverse wildlife make the Houston-area home.
“A snake in the yard is not a cause for panic,” Davis said. “They don’t want to be there, either, and if left alone will usually leave on their own. You’re more likely to come upon a skunk, a mound of fire ants or a wasp nest in a brush pile than a venomous snake. If you do have an encounter with a problem snake, seek help from local animal control or licensed snake removal experts.”
Residents have been reporting alligators in homes and yards as they return to their neighborhoods.
Jonathan Warner, TPWD alligator program leader, offered advice for encounters with alligators.
“Alligators are wary of people, but keep your distance,” Warner said. “Never approach, harass or feed an alligator. When water levels recede, the alligator will likely disappear as well.”
Davis said it may be some time before short-term and long-term impacts to wildlife as a result of the storm can be assessed, but stress that wildlife populations are fairly resilient.
TPWD officials are urging residents to focus any rescue efforts on helping people in dangerous situations, rather than displaced wildlife, who are “equipped by nature to take care of themselves in most situations.”
Tips and precautions about encounters with wildlife are available on the TPWD website.
For more information on disaster assistance programs and loans, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/ or contact your local FSA office.