Seeing young wild animals alone is common at this time of year. Although some would like to “rescue” these animals, don’t. Wildlife parents are doing their part to make sure their babies survive.
Here are some rules of thumb from the Nebraska Parks and Games Commission regarding babies of wildlife:
- Young birds without feathers and nests with eggs uncovered on the ground should be placed back in the tree. The parents take care of the little birds covered with feathers that are on the ground; leave them alone.
- A solitary fawn may appear abandoned or injured, but the mother often does not eat or drink. Don’t move it. The longer the mother fawn is separated from her, the less chance he will be reunited with her. Know that it is normal for a doe to leave her young behind to avoid detection by predators. Predators can see the doe while she is feeding, so she leaves the fawn hidden and leaves the area to divert attention from the fawn’s location.
- Baby rabbits are left unattended for much of the day and night. Mother rabbits do this to avoid attracting predators to the nest. If you see the rabbits, leave them alone.
- Do not attempt to breed wildlife babies as pets. As the animals mature, they become more independent and follow natural instincts to leave and establish their own territories. Rescued animals are ill-prepared for life in the wild.
- Most wildlife babies are protected by state or federal law, and it is illegal to possess them.