iN PHOTOS: Residents help urban wildlife during drought, wildfires in Thompson-Okanagan

Drought and wildfire activity is impacting wildlife in the Thompson-Okanagan and some local residents are trying to help.

With several fires burning in and around the region, displaced bears, deer and birds are showing up in backyards to access food and water sources.

Vernon resident Laura Patterson has had birds, deer, racoons and the occasional bear and bobcat stop by her property to eat and drink this summer.

“We have water sources all over our gardens as well as many native plant species for food sources,” she told iNFOnews.ca in a message. “The water sources are bird bath height. My husband fills them daily and sometimes twice on the crazy heat days.”

In recent years, extreme heat events and wildfires are causing more heat exhaustion and severe dehydration in wild animals, according to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC who takes in animals from all over the province.

Every summer, more wildlife including birds and bats are being found on the ground panting and lethargic with sunken eyes from dehydration. Bird nestlings are getting injured prematurely jumping out of heated up nest boxes and fledglings are straying too far from parent birds in search of shade and water.

Residents can help by putting out bird baths and feeders, ensuring they are cleaned regularly to prevent diseases, and creating shady places on their properties, while keeping a safe distance from any wild visitors that wander through.