Although the heat of summer persists, wildlife encounters still occur.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department wants to pass along a few reminders to avoid conflicts with wildlife and how you can help keep wildlife wild.

Here some tips for around the home:

*Do not feed wildlife; this occurs intentionally and unintentionally in neighborhoods throughout Arizona.

*Keep pet food and water inside and trash cans secured.

*Keep pets contained; remember not to let them in the yard if wildlife is present. If taking pets on a walk, they should be on a leash.

*Remove things that attract wildlife such as food, shelter and water.

*Plan your landscaping appropriately: the trees and plants you use may create great shelter and food sources for wildlife.

*Remember that a simple bird feeder can attract other animals besides birds, such as javelina. It can also attract smaller animals that could be potential prey for larger unwanted animals.

*A bird feeder should be at least six feet above the ground and away from trees, decks or planters. It is always a good idea to have a device attached to the feeder that can catch the seed and keep it from falling onto the ground.

*Install outdoor lighting; this may frighten wildlife from your home.

*Make possible den sites or shelters, including crawl spaces under homes, unavailable by blocking them with fencing or other devices.

*If allowed in the area where you live, use fences and walls at least six feet high, with the bottom buried a few inches underground.

“In our state we have dealt with wildlife issues involving everything from deer to javelina to bears,” says Larry Phoenix, area field supervisor.

“We have learned that most human/wildlife conflicts in urban areas occur because humans are intentionally or unintentionally providing food, water or shelter to wildlife.

“Urban wildlife can cause property damage, and in some cases, become aggressive towards people, and the last thing we want to do is remove or kill an animal because of human behavior that could have been avoided.”

Reducing conflicts between people and wildlife must be a neighborhood or community effort to be truly effective.

If one person in a neighborhood is still feeding wildlife, that person is attracting the animals to the whole neighborhood.

“Work with your neighbors,” Phoenix said. “Create a community-wide effort. Remember to help keep wildlife from coming into conflict with people, because when that happens, everyone loses.”

For more information, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department website at www.azgfd.gov