Alien Invaders: Invasive Species in Wisconsin

Invasive Species are non-native plants, animals, or pathogens that rapidly take over a new location and alter the ecosystem.  They can alter ecological relationships among native species and can affect an ecosystem’s function and economic value, as well as human health; all reasons why the WI Department of Natural Resources take special interest in these “alien invaders”.

Humans play a major role in creating conditions where plants and animals can aggressively invade and dominate natural areas in three ways:

  • Introducing exotic species (from other regions or countries) who lack natural competitors and predators to keep them in check
  • Disrupting the delicate balance of native ecosystems by changing environmental conditions — e.g., building roads) or by restricting or eliminating natural processes (fire for example); in such instances, even some native plants and animals can become invasive
  • Spreading invasive species through various methods, such as:
    • Moving watercrafts from waterbody to waterbody without removing invasive plants and animals;
    • Carrying seeds of invasive plants on footwear or pet’s fur
    • Mowing along roadsides
    • Importing firewood and leaving in campgrounds
    • Driving and biking with invasive seeds in tire treads

The ending result in the introduction of invasive species is the loss of diversity of native species; over 42% of the species on the Federal threatened and endangered species list are at risk primarily because of invasive species.

Check out this link to see more information and to view all the invasive species that Wisconsin is concerned about.

Aliens @ WINC
What invasive species has WINC received at our center?  See below.

Mute Swan
Red-Eared Slider*

*Note: Due to many people having these animals as pets, and many pet stores carrying them, WINC does not accept red-eared sliders – if you have found one please contact your local humane society

Mute Swan & Mirror
A mute swan, in our care in 2006.