Flooding Displaces Wildlife: Safety Tips from WEPTT

Due to the inclement weather patterns we've been having lately, many of our homes are being flooded and disrupted, so are the homes of the animals around us. It should be expected to see many displaced animals, especially ones you would never guess you would see around your home such as snakes, caimans etc.

Please understand that these animals mean no harm, and they certainly do not intend on staying. Like many of us, their intention is to survive. They do not want to be there as much as we do not want them to be. THEY WILL LEAVE ON THEIR OWN.

Instead, Wildlife and Environmental Protection of T&T (WEPTT) has these tips. If you encounter an animal: 1) Leave it alone – Do not approach the animal because a cornered animal will defend itself. Take a picture if possible so we can identify the animal accurately. 2) Call WEPTT at 773-3956 or 497-3373 so we can properly identify the animal and advise you what you can do or if expert assistance is required. 3) Do not try to move the animal or get close to it without first identifying the animal with an expert and finding out if its possible and safe to do. They also guide and assist you in contacting officers of the Wildlife Section. 4) Most importantly, do not kill the animal. It does not want to be in your home as much as we do not want it to be there. Not only is killing the animal unnecessary, chances are, it is against the law since the animals are prudent to a sustainable bio-diverse environment that is already disturbed by the floods.