Stop, create space, and identify the situation
Most encounters improve when people stop moving toward the animal. Give it room to leave, keep an escape route open, and bring children and pets close to you.
Do not run toward or corner wildlife
Sudden pursuit can trigger flight, defense, or a chase response. Avoid standing between an adult and young, between an animal and cover, or near a den or food source.
Secure pets and food
Leash dogs, bring small pets indoors, and remove pet food, garbage, bird seed spills, and outdoor cooking scraps when wildlife repeatedly visits homes.
Use alerts for hazards, not rumors
A WildPins caution alert should describe an observable safety issue: an injured animal in the roadway, aggressive behavior, a blocked trail, a damaged enclosure, or another immediate hazard. It should include a time and broad location, expire when no longer relevant, and avoid sensational claims.
When to call professionals
Contact local authorities or wildlife professionals for an animal trapped in infrastructure, a serious road hazard, a suspected rabies exposure, an animal inside an occupied building that cannot safely exit, or repeated dangerous behavior.