THE SEVERITY OF THE DROUGHT IS EXPECTED TO BE PARTICULARLY HARD ON WILD LIFE POPULATIONS. THE RECENT RAINFALL TOTALS AREN’T EXPECTED TO SLOWDOWN THE ENCROACHMENT OF ANIMALS FORAGING FOR FOOD IN RURAL AREAS AND CITIES. WILDLIFE RESCUE SERVICES ARE ALREADY SEEING NUMBERS OF CALLS USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH LEANEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR IN THE FALL. THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT IF RAIN FALL NUMBERS REMAIN LOW THE REST OF THE SEASON, THAT ANIMAL RESCUE SERVICE WILL BE OVERWHELMED. EXPERTS ARE URGING RESIDENTS NOT TO LEAVE OUT PET FOOD OR WATER AND TO DISCOURAGE DEER WHICH ATTRACT LARGE PREDATORS.
