Wildlife Protection

We promote coexistence with Ohio’s wildlife by advocating for protective policies at the state and local level and supporting conservation efforts.

Close-up of a wild feline with golden-brown fur, pointed ears, and piercing eyes.

  • OAA promotes coexistence with Ohio’s wildlife. Not only as a group of species with whom our citizens coexist in both rural and urban settings, but also as individual animals deserving of humane treatment just like the animals with whom Ohioans share their homes.

    Certain keystone species, like bobcats and coyotes, are particularly important to Ohio’s ecosystem as they are top predators and integral to a healthy ecosystem. These keynote species have been persecuted throughout our state’s history as our state’s population and communities have grown.

    Some of our state’s most treasured native wild species, such as the bobcat, were driven to extinction in the mid-1800s. It took decades for bobcats to begin to repopulate in the state. While their numbers have risen since the 1970s, thanks to their status as an endangered species within the state, their recovery is far from complete and in jeopardy as those protections were removed in 2014.

    OAA recognizes the way to promote coexistence with Ohio’s wildlife is to expand beyond the traditional wildlife constituency of sportsmen to include hikers, backpackers, bird and wildlife watchers, and photographers in determining wildlife management policy. The opportunity exists for a new approach in educating the general public and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on how we can coexist with wildlife and collaborate with partners and grassroots organizations to advocate for protective policies at the state and local level.

  • In 2022, OAA successfully advocated for the passage of H.R. 263, The Big Cat Public Safety Act. This bill was signed by President Biden, after passing the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming majority in July, and passing the United States Senate 100-0 this fall. This law ends the exploitation of tiger cubs in photo opportunities, and require private owners to register the animal(s) they already have, while forbidding them from breeding those animals or acquiring more. We are committed to continuing to protect the wildlife of Ohio.

    Federal and State Laws:

  • Staying vigilant to keep ban on bobcat trapping

    Bobcat numbers plummeted over a century ago, and the species was eliminated from Ohio by the mid-1800s. It took decades for bobcats to begin to repopulate in the state. While bobcat numbers have risen since the 1970s, thanks to their status as an endangered species within the state, their recovery is far from complete and currently remains in jeopardy as those protections were removed in 2014. In October 2017, an Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) research report warned of the unpredictable consequences of prematurely allowing a bobcat-trapping season. “While is it widely acknowledged that the population is rebounding in Ohio…there is little information about the status of the population, the numerical trends, the rate of population expansion,” the document goes on to state. “Such information is critical before decisions are taken on opening a trapping season.” In fact, there have been no more than 200 confirmed sightings of bobcats in the state.

    Despite these facts, in early 2018 ODNR proposed a regulation to leg-hold trap native bobcats, even though the status of their population is unknown. ODNR has contracted for a multi-year study led by Ohio University to determine Ohio’s bobcat population, yet ODNR was still willing to open the trapping season on this predator before they knew whether trapping would decimate the population. There is no economic benefit to a bobcat season, yet ODNR proposed allowing this cruel and barbaric kill method to be reestablished to cater to a small group of constituents. The proposed bobcat season would have allowed for a take of 60 animals; and at an average value of between $50 – $100 per pelt, the financial take would be at most $6,000. The economics do not trump the value of a healthy bobcat population, based on its critical role in keeping ecological balance and potential tourism dollars.

    Ohio’s animal welfare community, including OAA, attended monthly meetings of the Ohio Wildlife Council to monitor and testify in opposition to the bobcat trapping proposal. In addition to the hours of testimony, over 8,000 comments were submitted to ODNR in opposition to this inhumane and unscientific proposal. In addition to the inhumane killing of a vulnerable species, advocates made it clear that many of Ohio’s companion animals have been maimed or killed in leghold traps. 

    After many months of tireless advocacy, Ohio’s animal welfare community succeeded in killing the bobcat trapping proposal–a huge win for native wildlife in Ohio. What happened to Ohio’s bobcats in 2018 is an example of the overall attack on the dwindling wildlife populations in Ohio. Ohio’s animal welfare community must stay vigilant in its efforts to protect bobcats and other native wildlife, working to ensure that trapping is banned at the state and local levels.

  • Stop coyote and wildlife killing contests

    Since our country was founded, native wildlife such as bears, coyotes, mountain lions, wolves, and other carnivores have been viewed with antipathy and misunderstanding. This prejudice, which is often fueled by fear, has led to the killing of these animals by the millions. Killing contests are organized events in which participants compete for prizes — typically cash or hunting equipment — for killing the most and/or largest animals within a specified time period (The Humane World For Animals). Participants often dump the bodies, having no need for them after the prizes are awarded. Killing competitions are on the rise, allowing for inhumane methods of killing such as shooting, aerial gunning, poisoning, baiting, trapping, and even killing pups in their dens–all in the name of entertainment and to “protect prey populations.” For example, it is legal in Wyoming for a person to climb onto the back of a snowmobile and chase down wildlife, pursuing them until the wildlife drops from physical exhaustion, and then run the wildlife over relentlessly with the machine, injuring them until they die (see “A Death of Ethics”).

    Sportsmen will argue that coyotes need to be exterminated because they reduce deer populations. The study “Coyotes Don’t Reduce Deer Populations,” conducted by Dr. Roland Kays, a professor at North Carolina State University and head of the lab at North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, showed no evidence that coyotes have an impact on deer populations on a large scale across the nation. In fact, his study concluded that deer populations continue to increase nationwide. Dr. Kay’s study further concluded that reductions in coyote populations could lead to further problems if their social structure is interrupted. Removing a dominant coyote from an area can result in more coyotes swarming into an area and actually increasing predation on wildlife. Non-lethal methods general reduce livestock predation more effectively than lethal methods such as wildlife killing contests. Wildlife killing contests exist because organizers reveal them only on a need-to-know basis, and with good reason. If the general public knew, there would be an outcry.

    Coyote hunting – by any means – is legal year-round in Ohio. Geoff Westerfield, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, stated, “The Division of Wildlife does not endorse or prohibit group coyote hunts”.   

    Approximately one coyote is killed every minute of every day. Help stop the killing by promoting peaceful existence. Please join OAA, Project Coyote, National Coalition to End Wildlife Killing Contests, Animal Welfare Institute, and The Humane World For Animals in asking your local officials and ODNR Division of Wildlife to ban coyote/wildlife killing contests. You can also share Project Coyote’s brochure, Coexisting with Coyotes, with your local officials.

    New York has become the 10th state to stop the slaughter of wild animals for cash and prizes. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed critical legislation (A.2917/S.4099) ending wildlife killing contests for coyotes, foxes, bobcats, squirrels, raccoons, crows and other species in New York on 12/22/2023 (The Humane World For Animals Press Release). “Gov. Hochul has signed into law a critical, meaningful environmental policy, ending the wasteful use of our shared wildlife resources simply for cash and prizes,” said Brian Shapiro, New York state director for the Humane World For Animals. Nine other states have prohibited killing contests, including California in 2014, Vermont in 2018, Arizona, Massachusetts and New Mexico in 2019, Colorado and Washington in 2020, Maryland in 2021, and Oregon in September 2023.

  • Seeking alternatives that are non-lethal and humane

    Each year, millions of animals are caught and die in traps in the name of “nuisance” wildlife control. Contrary to the claims of wildlife removal companies, animals caught in traps will languish in pain for days before they are destroyed–by drowning, crushing, exposure, shock, or injury.

    In Ohio, backyard wildlife trappers often tell people that they will re-home the trapped animals to a farm or the woods – unfortunately, that is not the reality. Sadly, the end result is that these animals are captured and killed because Ohio law requires it. Further, the animal’s death is at a considerable expense to the homeowner without solving the actual problem as the structural weakness of the home or business still remains. 

    Naturally, animals often take advantage of an existing structural weakness to find a safe home for their families. By not addressing the structural weaknesses themselves, these harmful solutions described above do nothing to prevent other animals from quickly taking up residence in, around, and under homes and businesses.  

    The good news is that alternative, non-lethal techniques exist that utilize the animal’s biology and natural habits to evict and exclude wildlife. With the right information and supplies, you may be able to resolve conflicts with wildlife yourself by addressing structural weaknesses in your home or business. 

    If you need to hire a wildlife-removal professional, find one that uses humane, effective practices. Ask the company for an inspection and written estimate. During the on-site inspection, ask that they identify:  

    • The animals using the structure

    • All of the existing entry points as well as any potential entry points

    • Whether or not there are offspring

    • The process by which the company determined the answers to these questions.

    Companies should provide pictures to explain how the animal is using a structure and what needs to be repaired to ensure that the structure is wildlife-proof. Request specific details about how the intrusion or problem will be resolved and how the animals will be treated in the process. Will the animal be killed and, if so, why? Are there offspring that will be orphaned or abandoned? Will the company’s proposed method be a band-aid solution or actually resolve the problem for the long-term?

    If an animal is inside a structure, insist on the use of guaranteed eviction strategies such as one-way doors. Make sure that the company provides a full range of animal-proofing/exclusion services that carry at least a one-year guarantee against re-entry.

    Look for companies such as SCRAM! that are willing to take the extra time and effort to not only help property owners, but also help the animals. There exist safe, effective, and humane methods which safeguard the owner’s property while protecting the animals and maintaining a peaceful co-existence.

  • Protecting wildlife is essential for maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and the health of our planet. There are many ways you can make a positive impact. Here are some actions you can take to help protect wildlife:

    Your Voice Matters!

    • Write to your federal and state elected officials and encourage them to support policies that protect wildlife.

    Support Conservation Efforts

    • Many groups work on the ground to protect endangered species, habitats, and ecosystems. Supporting their efforts through volunteering can make a big difference. Many organizations may also offer adoption programs where you can "adopt" a species or individual animal. The funds go towards their protection and conservation.

    • Support local, national, and international efforts to create laws and agreements that protect wildlife, like anti-poaching laws and habitat protection initiatives.

    Reduce Your Environmental Impact

    • Plastic pollution is a huge threat to wildlife. Avoiding single-use plastics helps reduce litter in oceans and on land, preventing animals from ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic waste.

    • Be mindful of how much you consume and try to recycle whenever possible to reduce waste.

    • Choose eco-friendly products, buy locally, and minimize your carbon footprint by reducing energy use and opting for sustainable transportation options (e.g., walking, biking, using public transport). The more efficiently we use resources, the less strain we place on ecosystems.

    Protect Natural Habitats

    • Areas like forests and wetlands are vital to many species. Support local and global initiatives to preserve and restore these ecosystems.

    • Create a wildlife-friendly garden by planting native species that support local pollinators, birds, and other animals. Native plants provide food and shelter for local wildlife.

    • If you live near natural areas or are out in nature, be respectful. Avoid disturbing animals and plants, refrain from littering, and never feed wild animals.

    Combat Wildlife Trafficking

    • Raise awareness about the dangers of wildlife trafficking and the illegal wildlife trade. This includes the trade in animals for pets, products, or souvenirs.

    • Don’t buy items made from animal parts (e.g., ivory, furs, or shells) that contribute to illegal wildlife trade.

    Be Mindful of Your Food Choices

    • Overfishing is a significant threat to marine species. Look for certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label, which ensures sustainable fishing practices.

    • Industrial farming contributes to habitat destruction and pollution. Opting for a plant-based or lower-impact diet helps reduce demand for land and resources.

    • Choose organic, fair-trade, or sustainably grown products to avoid contributing to the destruction of habitats.

    Be a Responsible Pet Owner

    • Many exotic species that are released or escape into the wild can become invasive and harm local ecosystems.

    • Consider adopting animals from shelters instead of buying pets from breeders or stores that may not have ethical practices.

    Get Involved Locally

    • Many communities offer programs to monitor local wildlife or clean up natural areas. Join the effort!

    • If you see an injured or endangered animal, contact wildlife rescue organizations or local authorities. Find wildlife rehabilitators in your area on this list from the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

    • There are many opportunities to volunteer with wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and advocacy groups. This can include helping animals in need, restoring habitats, or conducting education programs.

    Educate and Raise Awareness

    • Use your voice on social media or in your community to spread awareness about wildlife conservation issues.

    • Teach others - Whether it's children or adults, help others understand the importance of protecting wildlife and the role they can play in it.

    Support Ecotourism

    • If you visit wildlife reserves, parks, or natural areas, choose ecotourism operators that prioritize conservation, animal welfare, and respect for local cultures and environments.

    • Stay away from activities that exploit animals, such as riding elephants or swimming with dolphins in captivity.

    Advocate for Climate Action

    • Climate change is one of the greatest threats to wildlife, affecting migration patterns, food availability, and habitats. Support efforts to reduce emissions and implement climate action policies.

    Every small action you take can contribute to the protection of wildlife. Together, we can make a big impact in ensuring that future generations inherit a planet rich with diverse species.

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