Current Event

            "Urban growth encroaches on habitats of wild animals" .
            
             Due to the explosive growth of Baton Rouge wild animals have been losing their habitats. Lately there have been more and more calls to Animal Control to come pick up wild animals. Last week they received a call about a thirty pound nutria in someone's backyard. Within the last year Animal Control has picked up more than 1,000 animals. Wild animals are having to deal with loss of habitat and threat of dogs and other pets. One of the biggest threats they face, though is people feeding them because it causes them to form a dependence on humans. Leslie Lattimore is one of 40 people in Louisiana who is licensed to rehabilitate wild animals. She works night and day to nurse wild hurt animals back to health, all on her own money. Bluebonnet Swamp is one haven for wild animals, but even here they can encounter problems. .
             I think this is news because Baton Rouge is growing at a rapid pace and soon there will be no place for these animals to go. They will be forced to move out of there habitats. As they infringe into our territory, they will probably die because of human interaction such as being hit by cars, pets, etc. They might eventually become endangered around here. These animals are important to our environment and we cannot lose them. .
             In my opinion, Baton Rouge should start designating more areas like Bluebonnet Swamp were wildlife can survive. If this would happen animals would not have to come into populated areas to look for a home and food and people would not feel threatened by them. They should also educate people on the importance of these animals to our world.