Don't Release Non-Native Species into the Wild

Have you ever seen a tropical bird flying around Denver, or caught a strange-looking fish in a mountain stream?  It happens — but it shouldn’t.  Sometimes people think releasing an animal back into the wild is a kind way of letting it go free — but this is far from the truth.  In fact, when you release a pet or laboratory specimen into the wild, it generally is either not adapted for Colorado’s climate, or never learned the necessary skills to fend for itself, or both.  Further, non-native species can harm the ecosystem in a variety of ways, from spreading foreign parasites and diseases to altering native species’ gene pools.  Therefore, if you have an unwanted animal, consider donating it to a shelter (if a pet animal) or see about donating it to a classroom or a local museum or aquarium.  You can find out more information about the hazards of releasing non-native species into the wild by visiting the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Don’t Turn it Loose webpage.  You can also search our library’s web catalog for further information on non-native and invasive species and their effects.