A moose walking through campus might sound like something out of a children’s book, but for Keene State students, it is very much a reality.
“Keene State is a rural campus that has an abundance of wildlife,” Campus Safety Officer Ian Matheson told The Equinox. “We often see foxes at night, along with other small mammals and a few community cats.”
While seeing wildlife might feel like a novelty, some animals like moose or black bears can pose a threat if not approached cautiously.
Karen Seaver, an environmental studies, geography and sustainabiliy lecturer, said most sightings happen in the spring when animals are more active.
“This time of year, it’s common for bears to be out and about looking for food,” Seaver said. “They’re following their noses.”
She added students often forget they share the space with wild animals.
“If a bear gets into a trash can once and finds pizza or leftover wings, it’ll come back. It remembers,” she said. “That’s why it’s so important not to feed wildlife or leave food out.”
If you do see a bear or moose on campus, Matheson stressed one main thing: Keep your distance.
“While they might be cute and fluffy, they can often be spooked by you approaching them,” Matheson said. “If they decide to charge, usually only if they or a baby is threatened, try to get a large object like a tree, car or building between you and the animal.”
Seaver echoed this advice: “Don’t run, don’t yell. Back away slowly and calmly. Most of the time, they’ll want nothing to do with you.”
In rare cases when wildlife becomes a threat, students should call 911 or campus safety at (603)-358-2228.
Matheson said campus safety officers regularly respond to animal-related calls, ranging from squirrels and bats in residence halls to more serious cases involving injured animals.
They also work closely with the Keene Police Department, New Hampshire Fish and Game and local wildlife rehabilitators to handle incidents.
“We’ve been called before about a pesky critter who decided to have a late-night snack and got their head stuck in a can,” Matheson said.
Both campus safety and fish and game emphasize education. Wildlife safety is covered during student orientation, but Seaver encourages students to stay updated.
“We have tons of resources online,” she said. “The more people know, the safer everyone, including the animals, will be.”
Matheson said the worst thing to do is panic.
“Animals sense our emotions more than we realize,” Matheson said. “The best way to keep a situation calm is to keep yourself calm. Back away slowly and warn others of any wildlife, especially if it’s a skunk.”
Aisling Kavanagh can be contacted at
akavanagh@kscequinox.com
