Nature Takes its Course on a Wildlife Refuge

Although we’ve encountered people trespassing a bit beyond “Area Closed” signs on national wildlife refuges, recently we viewed a woman at least a half mile beyond the warning sign. 

We spotted this woman as we descended from a hillside after observing and recording wildlife information for the refuge biologist. The chattering of Sandhill Cranes alerted Chuck to a possible disturbance in their area on the refuge. Through his binoculars, he spotted the woman as she trekked back toward the road.

Encounter

“Good morning,” Chuck said when we later spotted her as she continued her morning exercise walk. “Was that you I saw on the refuge?”

“Yes,” she admitted. “I know I shouldn’t have been there.”

Chuck advised her that trespassing on a federal wildlife refuge is disturbing to wildlife and could be accompanied by stiff penalties. 

“I was willing to pay the price,” she said. “But there were wolves circling around some Sandhill Cranes. It just made me sick!”  

“Actually, those were coyotes,” Chuck told the woman. “And Sandhills are able to defend themselves. They can fly, too, if danger approaches too closely. Besides, coyotes need to eat, too.”

Coyote vs cranes

It brought to mind a scene described to us by another volunteer who witnessed a coyote stalking a Sandhill Crane couple. The cranes flared their wings and charged the coyote, sending the terrified animal fleeing in the opposite direction. “I’ve never seen a coyote run that fast!” said our friend.

Wildlife First

The woman’s intentions were admirable, but misguided. The purpose of a wildlife refuge is “Wildlife First.” That does not mean that all wildlife is protected from harm; it means that for the most part nature is free to take its course. 

On one occasion, as we sat with other volunteers watching wildlife on a refuge one evening several years ago, we observed an elk approach the pond with her calf. Nearby, a couple coyotes watched as well. It wasn’t long before one of the coyotes approached the calf, stalking it as predator to prey. As the cow elk chased the coyote up the hill behind the pond, the second coyote slunk toward the calf. 

For several weeks before this event, we had been monitoring the coyote den on the hillside. They had busied themselves capturing ground squirrels and trotting to and from their den. Recently, however, five pups had emerged from the den, frolicking and romping with each other. With growing mouths to feed, the adult coyotes now sought larger prey. 

As we witnessed the unfolding drama of elk family versus coyote family, we couldn’t decide which to root for. Each had young to raise. Each struggled with life and death issues. If we interfered, we could likely upset a balance of which we were unaware.

Not a zoo

Although the woman who trespassed onto the refuge was apologetic, she appeared not to understand that a wildlife refuge is not a zoo; it’s a cycle of life. While portions are monitored and protected, for the most part wildlife is free to exist with minimal human influence. The difficulty and duty for us, then, is to allow this process to continue.