One of the best perks of living in Lake Saint Louis is getting to share our community with wildlife. 🦆🐍

In the last few days, we’ve had two good reminders of that. On April 30, the Wentzville Fire Protection District helped rescue ducklings that had fallen into a storm drain. Then, on May 1, a Lake Saint Louis police officer helped a resident safely move a snake from their front door wreath.

As the weather warms up and animals become more active, please take a little extra care when you’re out and about:

• Look around before you step, mow, trim, or move outdoor items. Wildlife may be resting, nesting, or tucked into landscaping, wreaths, garages, storm drains, or under outdoor furniture

• Drive a little slower and stay alert. Especially near neighborhoods, parks, lakes, wooded areas, and roads where animals may cross unexpectedly

• Listen for unusual sounds. Peeping, rustling, chirping, or other unfamiliar sounds may be a clue that an animal is nearby and needs a little extra space

• Give wildlife space. If you come across an animal, try not to crowd it or handle it unless necessary for safety. Distance is often the best help

• Call the right professionals if needed. If an animal is injured, trapped, or creating a safety concern, reaching out to the appropriate local professionals is often the safest next step

A little extra awareness can help keep us safe and protect the wildlife that makes our area feel like home.

Helpful resources:

Missouri Department of Conservation: https://mdc.mo.gov

University of Missouri Extension: https://extension.missouri.edu

Humane World for Animals: https://www.humaneworld.org/.../avoid-hitting-deer-and-other