We need to respect fact that the island’s wild animals were here first.

The call came in from a concerned citizen, ”Officer, there’s a bear or some wild animal in my backyard!”

“No, ma’am” the officer replied, “I believe there’s a house in the bear’s front yard.”

There’s no “chicken-or-egg” question here; wildlife populated the island long before human settlement.

After just two weeks of volunteering at the West Sound Wildlife Shelter on the north end of the island, I’ve become aware of the detrimental results of human/wildlife interaction.

Birds and mammals hit by cars, owls poisoned by mice that had eaten a De-Con type poison, an eagle wounded by gunshots.

An easy way to appreciate the diversity we have is to learn some wildlife tips.

That will help islanders gain a better understanding of the hospital and education work of the Wildlife Shelter.

Another way to help out is to is purchase the Wildlife Shelter’s 2011 calendar our island school kids are currently selling outside our grocery stores.

Steve Neff

Bainbridge Island