Tucked away in the middle of Appalachia, Ohio University’s campus is home to a multitude of creatures. Squirrels dart across roads and sidewalks, herds of deer graze at seemingly every street corner and birds fill the silence with their songs. These aren’t just cute animals. They should serve as reminders that our campus is home to more than just students and professors. We share this space with so much wildlife, and it is our responsibility to protect it.
As a freshman, I have only been on campus for a few weeks; however, I have already noticed that campus animals are treated as background props far too often. Litter is constantly left behind after weekend gatherings and campus events, students drive recklessly through streets and I have witnessed on several occasions students trying to feed the animals food from the dining halls.
Since the animals on campus have become acclimated to humans, they are more likely to approach people. As a result, it’s easy for students to believe it’s okay to disturb them. Certain actions while interacting with animals might seem harmless in the moment, but interacting with the wildlife can yield severe consequences, and therefore, I believe it should be avoided completely.
As a result of trash left behind on campus, animals that encounter litter could become entangled or poisoned. Not only is the trash dangerous, but over 800 deer-related crashes have occurred in Athens County since 2018, and some have been due to reckless driving by students. Currently, deer are especially active since the fall months are their breeding season.
When it comes to feeding wildlife, entire ecosystems are affected. Animals risk becoming sick or even starvingsince most human food does not contain the necessary nutrients the species live off of. Even if they were to survive, they simply aren’t made to digest the food we eat.
Essentially, all of these actions can and have resulted in the death of animals. When we disrespect the life around us, we are chipping away at the beautiful nature that makes OU’s unique campus.
Being a good community member means taking steps to care for the animals in their natural habitats. If we want to continue enjoying a campus that is alive with movement, sound and connection to nature, we must put effort into keeping it safe.
Here are a few small steps we can take as students to help protect our wildlife:
Stop littering and start cleaning up. Trash doesn’t just harm the campus’s appearance; it can also endanger animals that mistake it for food. Help address this issue by bringing an extra bag or two to campus events and collecting waste.
Resist feeding the wild animals. Although it might be tempting, it does far more harm than good.
Drive and bike with awareness. Especially at night, slowing down and paying attention can prevent accidents with animals crossing the road.
Join campus organizations to advocate for the wildlife that surrounds us. There are several options when it comes to student groups that are dedicated to protecting the environment and wildlife.
Getting involved is a simple way to make a difference. Wildlife is precious, and it is a privilege to live alongside nature on our campus. Students at Ohio University should take action to maintain this balance, keeping our campus clean and safe for our four-legged neighbors.
Molly Sullivan is a freshman studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Molly about their column? Email them at ms888024@ohio.edu.
