James White
Have a nuisance?Im 4 hire
Young Wildlife Belongs In The Wild
Rescuing Young Wildlife-You May be Doing More Harm Than Good!
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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Each Spring, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives numerous phone calls from citizens who, with the best of intentions, have “rescued” a young wild animal believed to be in jeopardy. Many people do not realize that by “rescuing” a young animal they are, in fact, endangering its life and compromising its chance of survival.
Typical calls are in reference to “orphaned” fawns, birds that have fallen from nests, or baby rabbits. Young wildlife may seem to be abandoned and helpless when in all likelihood their mothers are close by. Many species, such as the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, will leave their young alone only to return to them under the cover of darkness. White-tailed Deer commonly hide their fawns in deep grass, coming back hours later to nurse and care for them. The baby bird that has fallen to the ground is likely under the watchful eye of its mother overhead. In almost every instance, the best chance for a young animal is for it to be left for its mother to find. Most species do not respond well to human care and, if they survive, do not assimilate well back into the wild. Also, it is important to remember that wild animals of any size can be dangerous, especially a protective mother. Please leave wildlife in the wild.
Young animals are very cute and it’s often hard to resist the urge to care for them. But remember, by interfering with nature, more harm than good may be done. Their chances of survival are much better if left in their natural surroundings to be raised by their mothers. After all, there is no substitute for the care that a mother can give.
Rescuing Young Wildlife-You May be Doing More Harm Than Good!
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ANNAPOLIS, MD — Each Spring, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives numerous phone calls from citizens who, with the best of intentions, have “rescued” a young wild animal believed to be in jeopardy. Many people do not realize that by “rescuing” a young animal they are, in fact, endangering its life and compromising its chance of survival.
Typical calls are in reference to “orphaned” fawns, birds that have fallen from nests, or baby rabbits. Young wildlife may seem to be abandoned and helpless when in all likelihood their mothers are close by. Many species, such as the Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, will leave their young alone only to return to them under the cover of darkness. White-tailed Deer commonly hide their fawns in deep grass, coming back hours later to nurse and care for them. The baby bird that has fallen to the ground is likely under the watchful eye of its mother overhead. In almost every instance, the best chance for a young animal is for it to be left for its mother to find. Most species do not respond well to human care and, if they survive, do not assimilate well back into the wild. Also, it is important to remember that wild animals of any size can be dangerous, especially a protective mother. Please leave wildlife in the wild.
Young animals are very cute and it’s often hard to resist the urge to care for them. But remember, by interfering with nature, more harm than good may be done. Their chances of survival are much better if left in their natural surroundings to be raised by their mothers. After all, there is no substitute for the care that a mother can give.
