MILES CITY – Montanans love wildlife and are concerned for their well-being. But when it comes to baby animals, that concern can lead to a tragic conclusion.
Every year FWP gets hundreds of calls from people with the best intentions, but when they pick up a baby animal, they put its life in danger. Many calls this time of year involve deer fawns, but reports also frequently cite squirrels, chipmunks and birds.
Many times, when young wildlife looks abandoned, it is a safety strategy of the mother. A mother will distance itself from its young for many hours at a time to help to keep predators away.
People should never pick up an animal prior to communicating with wildlife rehabilitators. These professionals have the information necessary to best help that animal, including how to transport it if necessary.
"When being handled they pick up human scent, and for certain species like rabbits and deer, that can cause issues when reuniting with the parent," said Ali Pons, wildlife center program manager for FWP.
Human scent could make the animal's mother abandon it. Fawns are born without a scent to make them safer from predators, and their mother, who has a scent, may keep her distance to potentially distract a predator from focusing on the offspring instead of the doe.
Deer and rabbits are the most likely to abandon their young after human handling. Due to disease and other concerns, the wildlife center at Helena's Montana WILD does not accept either species except for humane euthanasia purposes.
If you find a baby animal, Pons advises:
- Try to give it space and assess the situation. Wildlife parents will stay away if they sense humans or other predators in the area.
- Don't touch it or move it unless it's in immediate danger, and it is safe to do so.
- Call your local wildlife rehabber or MT WILD's Wildlife Center. They can give advice on next steps. Pons pointed out that the internet does not always have the most accurate information for these cases.
If you love these animals, remember that wildlife is born to be wild.