Wildlife Research on Campus

Recently, students may have noticed signs posted around campus stating “Do Not Disturb Traps.” As the signs state, the traps are a part of research being conducted on squirrels by the Urban Wildlife Research Lab, led by Dr. Tommy Parker.

 

Some students have been unsettled by the traps on campus.

 

“The thing is, the squirrels have a right to be here,” said Josiah Brock, a junior philosophy major. “And they have been here since long before any of us decided to build our gargantuan concrete structures. So why can’t we just leave them be?”

 

However, Parker said that the traps are necessary to his research. He is working with a graduate student and a few undergraduate students. The group is trapping animals in order to gain information on all wildlife on campus.

 

According to Parker, wildlife research examines how animals interact with their environment. Parker’s research specifically examines “how wildlife adjusts to urban environments.”

 

The traps allow the research team to take measurements, examining body weight, age, reproductive health, sex, etc. and note the location the animal was caught. Once this information is taken, the animals are released back onto the campus.

 

Parker emphasized the importance of following the orders of the signs. He advised students to be aware of the potential dangers of confronting the trapped animals.

 

“[The] traps that [the] animals are in are very comfortable,” said Parker. “These animals are wild.” He said they could cause injuries if approached by humans.

 

Some students agree with Parker that the animals should be left alone.

 

“All it takes is one person not trained in wildlife handling messing with the traps to potentially hurt themselves or the animal,” said Liz Young, a recent equine business graduate of U of L.