Ashley DeLaup's Mile High menagerie is packed with leopard frogs, beavers, muskrats, skunks, bald eagles, tiger salamanders, mule deer, not to mention all those pigeons, hawks, squirrels and raccoons.

She started work July 1 as Denver's first wildlife ecologist for the 4,000 acres under the Natural Areas Division of Denver Parks and Recreation. Her assignment: Encourage peaceful coexistence between Denver's wildlife and other residents.

The California native worked most recently at the Denver Zoo as an outreach coordinator.

"People are always surprised by the abundance of species in Denver, but when you think about the conditions we've created, it makes sense," DeLaup said. "There's water and there's tons of food in trash cans, bird feeders, fruit trees and gardens."

DeLaup talked about some of the wild animals that live within city limits:

* Predators: "When you have a lot of people, you have a lot of trash and a lot of rodents. If we didn't have predators like coyote and hawks, we'd have a rodent explosion."

Coyotes: "Coyotes are incredibly intelligent. They've migrated and can now be found in every major city in North America. They eat what's available, whether it's prairie dogs or pets. . . . Whenever there's a case of a coyote biting a dog it's usually because the coyote was fed by people."

Prairie dogs: "Over half of the prairie dogs in Denver have disappeared in the past five years, largely because of the loss of habitat. We need to find a place for them to live."

Seagulls: "Seagulls are very similar to coyotes. They're very opportunistic. Wherever there's water and food, they can survive." That's why, she said, you see them circling the parking lots of fast-food restaurants.

Turkey vultures: "Vultures are very playful and sociable, and they're protective of each other. They eat meat, but they're not birds of prey."

* DeLaup also offered some tips on getting along with wildlife:

Don't take baby animals and birds home. It's a death sentence for them.

Don't touch dead animals. They could be carrying a disease.

Don't feed wildlife. Don't leave pet food outside. "When you feed wildlife they become less fearful of people. . . . Also, human food is mostly unsuitable for animals. Feeding popcorn, french fries and bread to ducks doesn't provide a lot of nutrition."

Don't just watch the coyotes. Yell, blow a whistle, chase them - make them feel uncomfortable (they are naturally shy of humans) so they regain a fear of people.

lehndorffj@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5103

Learn more

* Denver wildlife ecologist Ashley DeLaup writes a monthly column on Denver's urban wildlife. Go to denvergov.org/ parks_recreation, then click on the "subscribe to monthly e-newsletter" tab.