This morning, I started down my driveway to get the newspaper. That's when I heard noises and turned around to see what had to be a herd of either hogs or javelinas (couldn't see them very well enough from where I was) up toward the back driveway on the upper part of the property. I've seen a lot of damage from rooting activity on the corner of the property that has the "dry" (not so dry this year) creek, so I suspected they might be around. Now, I've been hearing about mountain lions this year also. Earlier in the spring somebody reportedly hit one with a car or truck on the main road in this area that goes toward the lake. Three San Antonio parks (natural areas, actually) on the NW side are now closed because of mountain lion sightings. I figure, these wild animals could have started moving away from some drought-stricken areas trying to find food over the last couple of years. Now they're reproducing like crazy with more favorable weather and getting more visibility due to encroachment near more densely populated area. I hope somebody traps or shoots the hogs or whatever they were (but of course, no careless shooting in the neighborhood...people and pets might get killed). I usually oppose killing of wildlife, but those wild nonnative hogs are different...unbelievably destructive animals. If you've ever seen the results of their rooting in wild areas or in somebody's yard, you'd understand. I might add that my kitties are acting kind of apprehensive this year...I think they sense that some dangerous predators are around somewhere. Animals have such an acute sense of smell.
This message was edited Jul 17, 2007 9:12 AM
Wild animals...delayed effect of the drought?
They sure do, and hearing too, my cat hears people approaching long before I know anything, I can always tell by her widening eyes and stiff ears.
They are really amazing.