Animal sightings on NW

To many, NW would be considered quite the lively place. Its diverse student body along with the faculty and staff make it a place full of community, excitement and life. But what if it was more than just the people that make it so lively? What if there were other living things bringing excitement in their own way to campus? Well, as it turns out, the students aren’t the only living thing that has made NW a home. Around campus, there have been various sittings of wildlife, both fuzzy and scaly, that have set up camp outside our buildings and even, on rare occasion, have snuck inside our facilities. 

“I’m walking up the middle ramp because we have a break during worship practice and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a squirmy little creature, weaving its way from out of a pew.” says eye witness, Hope Wallace.

A snake has been sited in Christ Chapel. Luckily for the students who gathered together for worship after the worship team had finished practicing, the slimy little snake had been taken care of, but its presence left members of the worship team a bit nervous that there could be more.

“With utter terror to my eyes, I beckon none other than Josh Kuipers to take the vicious creature away.” Wallace says “With valiant effort and great haste, Josh steps on the snake and carries it out the front doors of Christ Chapel, never to be seen again.”

The snake problem is definitely not a college bingo card moment that Wallace or any other members of the worship team wanted to experience that day, but luckily for the team, and the rest of campus, this college is equipped with fearless leaders such as Kuipers who will boldly, fearlessly and heroically take on these wildlife dangers if they get too close for comfort. 

Aside from the snake invasion, there have also been sightings of a band of kittens, making camp outside the Theatre Building. These kittens have been around for quite some time now, and it is unclear whether or not they are considered to be friends or foes to the NW campus. There seems to be three different opinions that students and staff hold when it comes to these cuddly, scraggly little cats. People either love them and would put a bowl of food and water out for them every day if they were allowed, hate them and would like it if they could somehow drive them off campus for good, or are completely indifferent and don’t seem to care whether they stay or go as long as they stay outside and off of any tables or chairs. There have been rumors of those who would like the cats off of campus slowly poisoning the animals so that even if they don’t migrate elsewhere they won’t be roaming about campus anymore. Though this cannot be proven, it does spark a debate about whether or not this should be something anyone does to wildlife. Is it right to knowingly try and kill these little cats or should they just be left alone? 

Whether it is right to try and get wildlife off campus by slowly poisoning them or not, it is important to remember that wildlife will still be around no matter what because the outdoors is the animals’ home too. As for the wildlife that has snuck its way into NW’s buildings, it may be best to take precautions that keep the critters where they belong. “Spiritual warfare or a simple invasion? You tell me, but I don’t like it.” Wallace says. Many students seem to share this sentiment when it comes to animals in the buildings and furniture. It just isn’t where animals belong, so it’s best for them to stay outside.