WATSONVILLE—Tens of thousands of residents have already been displaced due to the CZU August Lightning Complex fires—and those are just the humans.
Wildlife experts are calling for people to be on the lookout for animals fleeing from the fires, which are currently 13% contained. As the forest burns, wildlife are abandoning their homes and seeking safe shelter.
Native Animal Rescue (NAR) is urging people to bring their domesticated animals inside at night. This will safeguard them in case wild animals are forced to pass through. Residents are also encouraged to put out buckets of water for the wildlife (not food) and to give them as much space as possible.
“They are scared, exhausted, and have lost their homes—they need to rest and refuel,” NAR wrote in a Facebook post, which so far has over 3 million views and 50,000 shares from all over the world. “We love our wildlife… please spread the word.”
Amy Redfeather of NAR said that so far, the organization has not received any injured animals. This may be due to the fact that the fires are not too fast-moving; animals are perhaps finding routes to safe areas of the forest.
However, NAR does expect that some residents will encounter animals in distress once they return to their properties in the coming weeks.
“Hopefully, it won’t be too late by then,” Redfeather said.
Several of the organization’s rehab volunteers, who care for native animals at their homes in Boulder Creek, have had to return the animals to the main center in Santa Cruz. This will somewhat disrupt the animals’ rehabilitation, Redfeather explained.
The organization is also dealing with people calling about domesticated animals, which NAR does not deal with. For all issues regarding domestic animals—from dogs to alpacas—residents are asked to contact the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.
Redfeather said that NAR currently has enough volunteers. However, they are taking monetary donations and some in-kind donations such as towels.
Native Animal Rescue is located at 1855 17th Ave., Santa Cruz. To report an animal in distress call 462-0726.
