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发帖数: 18873 | 1 美国伊利诺斯州的小城奥尔尼以其白化松鼠而闻名。没有人知道这一
切是怎么开始的，但在1943年，白化松鼠的数量达到了最高峰，大约有1000只。现在，
这一数目稳定保持在200只左右。
奥尔尼市每年都会对松鼠进行计数，以确保其种群健康。白化松鼠可以在所有的公共街
道、人行道和大路上任意行走，如果开车轧死一只白化松鼠，将被罚款750美元。1997
年，市议会修改了禁止狗随意跑动的条例，将猫也包括了进去。白化松鼠受到奥尔尼市
市民的衷心爱护，甚至警察局的徽章上都有一只白松鼠。
http://www.ci.olney.il.us/visitors/white_squirrels
/white_squirrel_history.php
“Our most unique attraction is our famous white squirrels. You do not have
to visit any one place to see them. As you drive through town, make sure to
look around. They are running everywhere from our local park to the
community neighborhoods. The white squirrels are an important part of our
small community and are treated well by our local residents. Take the time
to visit the Olney City Park and you will see people feeding the squirrels
on most days. As an annual event, we invite visitors to help with our
squirrel count that is conducted the first, second and third Saturdays of
October.”
“ Feed and water the squirrels generously. Additional food offered by
residents is essential to maintain the squirrel population. Appropriate
supplemental food would be corn, beans, nuts, seeds, berries and fruits.
Greasy, fried and salty foods are not appropriate. In the spring the
squirrels eat buds and sprouts of trees which are their primary foods, but
more volunteers are needed to feed the squirrels their appropriate diet,
especially in the crucial winter months. Water is also crucial in the dry
summer months.
While driving be watchful of squirrels near the roadway, and slow down
in areas of large concentrations of squirrels. Many of these areas are
marked with “Squirrel Crossing” signs. Traffic fatalities continue to
account for the loss of many healthy squirrels.
Predators such as cats need to be controlled. Chapter 6 of the City of
Olney Municipal Code restricts dogs and cats from running at large. The
Richland County Animal Control Officer should be contacted for nuisance cats
and dogs. This chapter also protects the squirrels from being taken from
Olney. The word “take” as defined in the code has many meaning such as
capturing, trapping or harassing.
More nut and fruit trees need to be planted to help with a natural food
source. Residents with mature nut bearing trees should be reminded these
trees do the squirrels no good if their nuts are raked up in the fall and
thrown away with the leaves. Fallen nuts can be a nuisance or even unsafe at
times, but if the nuts must be picked up, residents are asked to place them
in a nearby location that may be less objectionable such as a fence row or
given to someone who is willing to feed the squirrels. The mature nut trees
act as a grocery store for the squirrels which is only open for a short
period of time during the year. Olney needs more nut trees to support the
needs of future generations of squirrels. Studies have shown when there are
fewer trees there are also few squirrels.
Additional squirrel houses would help shelter squirrels in severe
weather and while raising their young. There are several places in town to
purchase squirrel houses. Information on specific places to purchase a
squirrel house can be obtained at City Hall. City Hall also has squirrel
house plans if residents prefer to make their own.
Avoid cutting down trees during the times which babies are in their
nests. Squirrels are usually born in February or March and do not leave
their nests until May. The second litter of the year is usually born in July
or August and do not leave until October. If at all possible, avoid cutting
trees in February, March April, July, August and September.
If a baby squirrel appears to be abandoned by its mother, residents are
asked to leave it for a period of time because it might be possible to
reunite the baby with its mother. During this waiting period, the area
should be free from children, pets and other predators. The period of time
the baby should be left to wait for its mother will depend mostly on weather
conditions. Also, during this time a wildlife rehabilitator should be
called for assistance. Belinda Henton continues to hold a wildlife
rehabilitation permit through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
and can be contacted concerning orphaned white squirrels.”
松鼠的天堂啊 |
