By Alexandra Salerno
Editor-In-Chief
Safety and Security works with Maintenance and the Wellness Center to deal with wildlife problems on campus, according to Vito Czyz, director of safety and security. Czyz wants students to be prepared when coming in contact with animals on campus.
“Generally, security receives the report, and we consult maintenance depending on the type of report,” Czyz said. “If there’s an issue regarding student health like testing an animal or a student coming in contact with an animal, the Wellness Center gets involved.”
According to Czyz, Safety and Security has received calls from students who have sighted skunks on campus.
“We’ve received calls regarding a skunk around Fal. They’re (skunks) looking for food. It’s their habitat.”
Czyz said the population of animals on campus is average, and students should call security if an animal looks or acts strangely and never chase animals. He urges students not to prop open doors because it could allow animals inside.
“We want to get the message out that people should not throw food on the ground,” he said. “(They should) throw food in garbage cans. Garbage and food is what they’re attracted to so when they smell it, they’ll come looking for it.”
In order to obtain a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator license, Karen Miles, a St. Bonaventure security officer, and Jerry Wolf, a St. Bonaventure maintenance worker, took the (DEC) Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Exam in September. Both passed the exam.
“Both (Miles and Wolf) are certified, and we are waiting for their licenses to come,” said Czyz.
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, licenses are issued to qualified individuals to act as an agent for a property owner or lessee. The license allows Miles and Wolf to take, temporarily possess, transport and release wildlife at any time whenever the wildlife becomes a nuisance, destroys property, or menaces an individual or domestic animal.
salernak10@bonaventure.edu
