La Paz firefighters have responded to between 125 and 140 calls involving animals found outside their natural habitat since temperatures began rising this spring, according to Fire Department Commander Juan Jesús Ruíz Redona.
The displaced animals are not limited to snakes. Crews have also handled pelicans, hawks, skunks, and other species that wander into residential areas, patios, and beaches as the heat pushes them to seek water, shade, or food in urban zones. Firefighters either relocate the animals to suitable habitats or transfer them to wildlife authorities for specialized care.
A Small Force Handling a Growing Workload
The La Paz Fire Department currently operates with 46 active firefighters spread across 14 units. The force was recently bolstered by nine newly hired, paid recruits. Even with that addition, the department’s roster is thin for a municipality that spans desert terrain and a growing urban footprint along the Sea of Cortez coast.
Wildlife calls add a significant burden to a department that also handles structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies. Each animal relocation requires trained personnel and time, particularly when venomous species like rattlesnakes are involved.
What Residents and Visitors Should Know
As daytime temperatures in La Paz push past 35°C (95°F) heading into summer, snakes and other wildlife increasingly turn up in yards, garages, and near swimming pools. Rattlesnakes are the most common venomous species in the region, though other desert reptiles and mammals also pose risks.
Commander Ruíz Redona’s department handles wildlife relocations at no cost. Residents who encounter a displaced or injured animal should call the La Paz fire department directly rather than attempt to capture or move the animal themselves. Improper handling of venomous snakes is a leading cause of snakebite in Baja California Sur.
The pattern of rising wildlife calls tracks with La Paz’s annual warm season, which typically accelerates in May and peaks in August and September. During those months, animals that normally stay in arroyos, desert scrub, or coastal mangroves move into developed areas looking for resources.
This story was first reported by BCS Noticias.