Colorado Outfitters Association - Hunting, Fishing, & Outdoor Recreation Guides and Outfitters

DON'T PICK UP YOUNG WILDLIFE

LAMAR, Colo. - As spring turns to summer, young wildlife will be making their first tentative forays into the open, often near people. The Colorado Division of Wildlife reminds the public that the well-intentioned impulse to save animals that appear orphaned or abandoned can often lead to unintended consequences, including the death of the young animal.

"A human baby needs constant attention, but this is not the case with wildlife," said Lamar Area Wildlife Manager Travis Black. "In fact, female animals often leave their offspring alone for long periods of time. A person that decides to intervene is often the worst thing that can happen."

Black said that a number of concerned citizens have brought newborn raccoons, birds, pronghorn and other animals to Division offices recently because they thought the parents abandoned them.

Black suggests the best thing to do is leave the animal where it is and report its location to the Division of Wildlife. "Our trained personnel or volunteers will respond and make the determination about what is best for the animal," he said. "In most cases, the animal will be better off if we leave it where it is."

Deer and pronghorn fawns are naturally camouflaged, do not emit odors that attract predators and can lie very still for a long time. As a result, they are actually safer if their mothers leave them alone for a few hours and return to feed them later. Even a curious person watching the fawn from a distance could alert predators to the animal's presence or deter its mother from returning.

In the rare case when a wild animal does need human intervention, orphaned animals are taken to licensed wildlife rehabilitators, who are trained to use methods that will give a wild animal the best chance of surviving upon release.

However, even rehabilitation has risks. Only a small number of animals brought to rehab centers are able to return to a full life in the wild. Hand-fed animals often lose their fear of humans or fail to develop survival skills. In many cases, it is better for young animals to fend for themselves in their natural habitat.

"Every case is different, so it's best to let trained wildlife staff and volunteers respond and make a determination," Black said. "Once a human intervenes, the choices for the animal's future become more limited."

But what's good for a fawn is not necessarily good for a young robin. This is also the time of year when people may see young birds that have accidently fallen out of their nests or are struggling to fly, making them easy prey for predators like domestic cats. Black said that with birds, the right kind of intervention can be helpful. He recommends people make an effort to return the fledgling to its nest or a nearby branch if it can be done safely.

Migratory birds, including songbirds, are protected under federal law. Possession of a bird, its nest or eggs without a permit is illegal. It is illegal to attempt to rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife without proper state and federal permits.

Despite the fact that wildlife is usually best left alone, there are some instances in which people find injured or orphaned wildlife that needs help. Contact the Division of Wildlife if you are aware of wildlife that needs to be cared for by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

For more information on living with wildlife and laws concerning exotic pets, please see:
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/DontDomesticate.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Pets/ExoticPets.htm
http://wildlife.state.co.us/WildlifeSpecies/LivingWithWildlife/Pets/ExoticPets2.htm