News Release Archives - May 2008
May 19, 2008
Leave Baby Wild Animals Alone
The month of May tends to bring excitement to many North Dakotans, none more so than youngsters with the anticipation of the end of another school year. Many show their enthusiasm by scurrying to play outside, sometimes straying outside the comfort zone but always under the watchful eye of a parent.
Likewise, the same can be said for young animals. Often, well-intentioned humans want to pick up and provide for what appear to be orphaned baby animals. Patrick T. Isakson, nongame biologist with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said more often than not young animals are not abandoned or deserted, and the mother is probably watching nearby.
“First and foremost, it is illegal to take animals out of the wild,” Isakson said. “Secondly, young wildlife are purposely placed into seclusion by their mothers to protect them from predators. It is common practice to think they are left behind, but they are not. The best thing you can do is to leave them alone.”
Deer fawns especially look like they are abandoned. “The mother is most likely close by waiting for you to leave,” Isakson said. “A doe will visit and briefly nurse her fawn a couple times a day because short visits reduce the chances of a predator finding the fawn.”
Whether it is a young fawn, duckling, cottontail rabbit or a songbird, anytime a young wild animal has human contact its chance for survival decreases significantly. Captive animals later returned to the wild will struggle to survive because they do not possess learned survival skills.
Handling wildlife is also risky, Isakson said, as wild animals can transmit a variety of diseases to humans, and aggressive actions are typical of mothers protecting their offspring.
The only time a baby animal should be picked up is if a young songbird is found on a doorstep. If that is the case, the young bird should be moved nearby to suitable habitat.
Citizens should also steer clear of adult wildlife, such as deer or moose that might wander into urban areas. Crowding stresses animals, and this could lead to a potentially dangerous situation.
Also, motorists are reminded to watch for deer along roadways. June is one of the peak months for deer vehicle accidents because young-of-the-year animals are dispersing from their home ranges. With deer more active during these months, the potential for car deer collisions increase.
Will open a new window (pop-up).