People call Colorado Parks and Wildlife each year to report “abandoned” wildlife, or attempt to pick up or feed young animals because it appears they need help. Despite the well-meaning concern, there is no substitute for an animal’s natural parents and it is often more harmful when people try to “save” them themselves or through a wildlife rehabilitation facility.
It’s normal for adult animals to leave their young while they seek food, and baby birds are often learning to fly near their nests, for instance.
“Baby mammals are scentless in order to prevent predators from finding them,” said Janet George, CPW senior terrestrial biologist. “When humans touch these animals, they are imparting them with a scent their adults will not recognize or even fear. This can result in true abandonment of healthy offspring.”
People and pets can be harmed by wildlife as well, via disease, transmission of rabies, distemper, fleas and ticks that carry disease, etc. People are advised to enjoy a quick glimpse, leave the animal alone and keep pets away, or observe the animal with binoculars from far enough away that animals are unaware humans are in the area.
“If 24 hours go by and the parent does not return, or the young animal appears sick and weak, it is possible the newborn was abandoned or the parent is dead,” said Jenny Campbell, CPW customer service expert. In cases like these, call the local CPW office; the Durango Wildlife Division can be reached at 247-0855, and all Colorado office locations and contact information are listed at http://bit.ly/2c5dZj3.
“Whatever you do, don’t try to keep the animal as a pet,” said Donna Ralph of Ellicott Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. “It is illegal to keep wild animals in captivity unless you are a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.”
Animals raised by humans are rarely returned to the wild due to underdeveloped survival skills, and should be submitted to wildlife rehabilitation immediately to increase the chances of successful reintroduction to their natural environment.
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/1J6pSmD.
This article was updated on June 7, 2017 to correct the headline.