The Arizona Game and Fish Department says a dry winter has presented challenges for wildlife in our mountain ranges.
“All of our wildlife is looking for water. Normally, when we have our regular monsoon precipitation there’s area where water collects and wildlife can use that area throughout the drier months. And we didn’t have that this year and they’re working down to water catechumens,” said Karen Klima, a terrestrial wildlife manager for the agency.
Klima says catechumens catch rainfall and store water, then disseminate the water into a drinking vessel for wildlife.
Even without adequate rainfall, Klima says wildlife can manage.
“Our desert wildlife are amazing, they adapt very well and they’re used to this dry weather. Now, are they used to going an entire season without water? Probably not. But they are very adaptable. They know how to care of themselves. They know where to find water. They don’t even need to go to free water, they get water from the food that they eat.”
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