People need to realize these (squirrels) are wild animals, even if they seem tame, Francis said. I’ve never had a call about a squirrel.

However, he did say that he has received complaints about pigeons in the past.

Pigeon problems occur anywhere you have a city, Francis said.

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Mr. Nelson said the correct name for the pigeon is the Rock Dove, and in their native habitat they nest in cliffs. He said the architecture of the buildings in large towns resembles cliffs, explaining pigeons’ attraction to them.

Mr. Nelson said there are new chemicals acting as deterrents, forcing pigeons away from nesting or roosting on building structures.

He said pigeons are smarter than people realize. Francis said he has tried putting chemicals and fake snakes on the ledges in the parking garage to condition pigeons not to land there.

However, a couple of days later you come back and find them sitting on the snakes, Francis said.

Mr. Nelson said he has received calls from SIUC regarding a variety of animals, ranging from possums to raccoons, beavers, squirrels, and deer.

We are getting a lot of calls on bats now, said Mr. Nelson.

He said some of the older buildings on campus have colonies of bats in them. He said in the intense heat the upper portions of the buildings get too hot, and the bats are falling next to the building or going down into them.

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They suffer heat stress like any other animal, Mr. Nelson said.