Tiffany Brown
Staff Writer
The typical Upper Dorm Road traveler spots at least one deer during a typical journey to or from his residence hall.
During fire season, however, he or she is more likely to see several herds of seven or eight. He or she is also more likely to trip over raccoons and have to dodge dozens of squirrels.
So why the sudden wildlife population boom?
As fire season approaches every year, the Pepperdine campus experiences an onslaught of mountain-dwelling animals fleeing from oncoming blazes. Several students have felt the effects of this migration, finding that the areas outside of their apartments and residence halls have been transformed into feeding grounds for “homeless” wildlife.
“It’s like I’m living in a state park,” said senior Bunnie Poullard. “I went to take out my trash yesterday and was almost run down by a huge pack of deer.”
Department of Public Safety captain Cash Reed explained that the increase in the number of animals on campus is simply a result of natural instinct.
“Deer, raccoons, snakes and other wildlife learn to adapt to whatever is around them,” Reed said. “If there are more resources for them here on campus, they will come. As a result of the fire at Malibu State Park last week, several of the animals’ natural habitats were destroyed. They found a safe haven here at Pepperdine.”
Captain Lynn Mohr of Malibu Fire Station No. 88 agreed.
“The whole Santa Monica Mountain area is dry brush, so when there’s a big fire, wild animals are smart enough to know instinctively to run away,” Mohr said. “There is plenty of greenery on and around the campus; sprinklers also supply them with an ample supply of water.”
Although several students admit that the new residents create a more picturesque environment, some assert that the less-than-friendly animals outnumber the docile ones.
“I’m a little worried about how many raccoons are on campus now,” said senior Megan Shoji. “It’s gotten so that I can’t even walk past a dumpster at night without being hissed at by one of them. I was even chased once.”
Dumpster-diving raccoons aside, for some students there’s a bright side — at least parents will have something pretty to look at during Family Weekend.
09-30-2004