Courtesy Photo A fox is seen walking around an enclosure at Nature’s Kingdom Conservation in Herron.

ALPENA — Michelle Sobeck, owner of Nature’s Kingdom Conservation in Herron, says that wild animals are more active this time of year as they prepare for winter.

Nature’s Kingdom Conservation is a nonprofit animal rehab licensed through the federal and state governments. Sobeck said that not only does she have wildlife guests, she also has lifelong residents at the sanctuary.

Sobeck explained that people may begin to see more animal activity at their properties as winter approaches.

“People are seeing more animals as they are fattening up for winter,” Sobeck said. “Birds are migrating as well.”

She added that residents may see more wild animals getting into cat and dog food as they are getting more desperate for food. She said that many small mammals will enter a semi-hibernation period through the winter months.

Sobeck explained that many animals, especially young animals, don’t make it through their first winter. She stated that the high mortality rate among young, wild animals is likely due to the lack of resources during the winter or “they don’t know how to hunt properly.”

Owls, for example, have an especially hard time as food resources dwindle in the cold months of Michigan, according to Sobeck.

“One out of three owls will make it,” she added.

Currently, Sobeck is caring for a “teenage bobcat” whose mother was hit by a vehicle. Sobeck said that bobcats usually stay with their young for almost a year after birth. If she had not taken the bobcat into her care, the animal would likely have died before spring, according to Sobeck.

“I’m trying to teach it to hunt,” she added.

Sobeck explained that she puts mice in the bobcat’s enclosure to encourage it to hunt for its food.

As winter approaches, Sobeck stated that Michigan residents may start to see small mammals try to burrow under sheds and such. She explained that putting out a radio can deter them from successfully creating their dens.

For individuals wishing to relocate small mammals that are trying to burrow on their property, Sobeck suggested using live traps.

For those who are concerned about skunks spraying their dogs, Sobeck also recommends using a radio to deter them or making noise (such as clapping) before letting a dog out into a yard.

Sobeck said that raccoons are a growing issue for homeowners because they have become dependent on humans for food and are large animals. Likewise, foxes can be an issue for chicken owners.

“Foxes are almost like dogs … they are so brave,” Sobeck said.

Sobeck explained that foxes like to kill chickens and will take them to bury elsewhere. However, she suggested using a radio to deter foxes from getting near a chicken coop.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.