Since wilderness spawning was implemented i see more and more hearthfires on my route, which lower the animal level (DO NOT WANT). As we know the game is still, and wilderness spawning does by no mean make it better, very noobunfriendly. So most of these newbies play for one day, but their hearth fire lowers the animal level forever/until someone leaves theft scents...
Quick solution to this would be making hearthfires from chars that are inactive, as in didnt login for a week or so, not lower the animal level anymore. They should however maintain all of their functions and start to spread civ as soon as the char becomes active again(if it ever does..)