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It's that time of year again! The animal kingdom is full of babies so we need a refresher on what to look out for.
While most of the time people just want to help, in given situations everyone needs to be conscious of what is best for the baby wild animal. A lot of the time that means leaving the baby be.
Here's some helpful advice to mentally go through before you intervene!
If you have to chase it to catch it, it most likely doesn't need your help.
A lot of the time the baby animals you find "abandoned" are not abandoned at all. There are many different tactics that parents use to keep their baby safe, one being to stay away as much as possible to keep their scent off the baby and safe from predators. For example, if you have ever found a baby deer laying without its mother, the mom decided that was a good spot to hide it for the day and she'll be back that night. Or if you find a nest of baby bunnies all by themselves, that's exactly what is supposed to happen!!
Do not make orphans. No one can raise the baby better than its parents. Even if we humans have the best intentions there is nothing that compares to its own parents.
Baby birds you find on the ground from their nest just means the are a fledgling and learning to fly. They will get fed by their parents on the ground or you can just place it back in its nest.
Most of the situations you come across can be cross referenced online to see what best practices are. If you are still concerned and would like another opinion find a local expert like a wildlife rehabber or naturalist here at the nature center to ask!
If the animal, baby or not, appears to be physically injured contact a wildlife rehabilitation center ASAP to see what can be done. Sometimes the animal can be saved, and sometimes nature has to take its course.
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is not a wildlife rehab center. We do not have the proper licensing for handling/caring for any injured wildlife other than birds of prey (Hawks, Owls, Eagles, & Falcons)
As always we appreciate people caring so much for wildlife and the outdoors and we want people to be as educated as possible when it comes to animal welfare!
Happy Spring!
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