SUNY Oswego has proven to be a college which embraces its students’ love for nature. Across campus students are provided with opportunities to connect with the natural world. Such opportunities include nature classes across different majors, events and speakers. One such speaker who visited campus was Robin Wall Kimmerer, known for her book, “Braiding Sweetgrass.” Kimmerer is also a large advocate for the identity of wildlife to be recognized. Additionally, there is the preservation and care that goes into Rice Creek.

With Oswego taking such care of spreading awareness to preserve ecosystems and the dignity of the natural environment, there are several opportunities for students to protect the plants and animals locally. But what happens when nature comes to the campus?

Several students have noticed wildlife or injured animals on campus. Recently there have been several reports of a fox on the campus grounds, often being fed by students. In one report the fox was identified as “a juvenile fox less than six months old that shouldn’t be away from its mom at this point.”

The fox was around a cat that “looked too well groomed to be a stray.” Lost pets, especially cats, have also become a concern as autumn and winter bring shifting temperatures..

 In a report by SUNY Oswego student Max, “The fox was unafraid of students or the cars.” University Police had been called to the scene in hopes of finding protection for the young fox. However, they were unable to act due to a lack of policies on wild animals unless the animal has rabies or is a danger to students, which would result in the animal needing to be put down.

In a different incident, another student, Karissa, reported a large hurt bird on campus, 

“I saw a limping goose on campus and it was obviously injured. I tried to call for someone to assist but our school area is outside the town jurisdiction so they weren’t able to assist. I then tried to find a number of someone who’d be able to help within the proper jurisdiction but was unable to,” the student said.  

The injured goose was located around the main campus area near Penfield Library and Hewitt Hall, a high traffic area for students. 

“I felt so bad and had to go off to class knowing that natural selection [will] get rid of it,” Karissa reflected. 

In events where nature has the ability to gain help from people who care, but are unable to do so due to a lack of resources, what should happen next?

University Police have several policies in place to help deal with wildlife situations. In the case of an injured pet, University Police will make “reasonable attempts to contact the owner or a responsible handler.” For wild animals found injured on campus, University Police “may act directly to control the situation.”

All information about University Police dealing with wild animals can be found under Policy 806. 

“Yes. We want to emphasize that our policy addresses both public safety and animal welfare,” University Police said in an email. 

Members are trained in handling animals that pose a direct threat to the public, including incidents of biting or traffic hazards. If there is an emergency, a shift supervisor will be contacted to secure resources from an allied agency in order to fit the need of the concern.