In every day life we see raccoons, deer, opossums and foxes. We aren’t paying attention and they die by getting hit by cars or eating poison or something that is bad for them. Every species of organisms has an important role in the Earth.
Raccoons help by maintaining healthy populations and distributing seeds. Coyotes are important because they keep deer, rodent and rabbit populations down. Opossums benefit ecosystems because they eat ticks, rats, mice and cockroaches, which is really helpful. They are also scavengers so they clean up road-kill. Foxes protect gardens from pests that can cause damage like insects, rodents and rabbits. Deer are very important because they are predators and prey. They are called a “keystone specie” because their feeding activity can directly and indirectly affect many plants and animals in an ecosystem.
These animals are all important to the ecosystem whether it is as a predator, prey, decomposer or a scavenger. People are at the top of the ecosystem, so we must protect the ecosystem. That is why we should help wildlife.
So how do we help wildlife? If you see injured wildlife, Bells Ferry Veterinary Hospital is a good place to go. Phone (770)926-5311. There is also an app called “Animal Help Now”. I also have some information on my website.
Rob Macmillan
July 2019 -Aroundabout Local Media.