Wildlife Pro Network

The Wildlife Pro Network is, as the title suggests, a social-networking community of wildlife damage maangement professionals and those interested or related to the industry. The site was started by Robb Russell, webmaster and web site designer who is also a wildlife damage management professional himself.

I am writing about this group for a couple of reasons. First, Mr. Russell's vision helps improve the professionalism of the industry by fostering communication and the exchange of ideas and techniques. The fact is wildlife damage management is still a relatively young profession when compared with traditional pest control. Where pest control typically uses chemicals, wildlife damage professionals must use mechanical means, such as traps, catchpoles, one-way doors etc. to control wildlife. The diversity of skills needed to be effective at wildlife damage management is truly immense as one needs to know about building design, animal behavior, ladder safety, bio-hazard safety, baiting, trapping, and light carpentry, not to mention all the customer relations experience.

The second reason for discussing the Wildlife Pro Network is that Mr. Russell has asked the Internet Center for Wildlife Daamge Management to participate in podcasts on various issues relating to the industry. The last podcast we did covered raccoon latrine cleanup. We are presently working on an industry protocol for such clean up, which we hope will protect consumers and professionals who do this kind of important but dangerous work.

In conclusion, if you are a wildlife damage management professional, I suggest you join the Wildlife Pro Network. It can only help your business. If you are not a professional, then be glad that Mr. Russell has started it because its existence raises the chances that the wildlife control company you hire will have the knowledge needed to do the job right.

Stephen Vantassel, CWCP, ACP.