[ODFW-News] ODFW: Leave wildlife in the wild

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Tuesday, May 31, 2005
 
ODFW: Leave wildlife in the wild
 
SALEM - As Oregonians gear up for the start of the outdoor season, ODFW
officials today offered a strong reminder to those who come across baby
deer, bear, raccoon, and other apparently 'orphaned' wildlife.
 
"It may or may not be an orphan when you find it, but if you remove any
baby animal from the wild, it certainly becomes one and its chances of
survival decrease quickly," said ODFW Conservation Planner and Wildlife
Biologist Holly Michael. "Our motto is, 'if you care, leave 'em there.'"

 
Michael noted that deer, elk and other game animals often stash their
young while foraging during the afternoons. Hikers, bikers and other
outdoor enthusiasts each spring encounter what appear to be "orphans"
and attempt to rescue the animals by removing them from their habitat.
Officials say that, unless the death of the adult animal is witnessed
first-hand, no baby animal should be presumed orphaned.
 
"Baby animals need their parents to teach them important survival
skills, like finding food and escaping from predators," Michael said.
"Animals raised by people never learn these skills, and are ill-equipped
to survive on their own in the wild. They often perish shortly after
release."
 
Wildlife officials offered the following tips for some of the more
frequently "rescued" Oregon wildlife species:
 
* Baby birds: Nestlings (baby birds not fully feathered) can be gently
and quickly returned to the nest. If the nest is out of reach, place the
bird on an elevated branch or fence, out of the reach of children and
pets. Leave the area so the parents can return.
 
* Deer: Fawns often are left for several hours at a time, but are well
adapted to their surroundings. Unless you see the parent killed, it is
safe to presume the doe is nearby. In fact, your presence could be what
is keeping the doe away. 
 
* Raccoons and squirrels: Animal rehabilitation facilities in suburban
and urban areas get overloaded with squirrels and raccoons each spring.
Raccoons are a major transmitter of diseases dangerous to people and
pets, including a virus that can cause permanent blindness in humans.
Both species are highly adaptive animals, and many babies that appear
too young to make it on their own are capable of surviving, especially
in suburban and urban environments where food is plentiful and predators
are few. 
 
* Seal pups: Like deer, seals often leave their young for hours at a
time while foraging. People should maintain at least 100 yards between
themselves and seal pups, and remember to keep their dogs on leashes.
Female seals will not return to their pups if people are in the
vicinity. 
 
Individuals who have questions about baby wildlife should contact a
local ODFW office, an Oregon State Police Game Program office, or a
local wildlife rehabilitator or care center.
 
"People who try to help wildlife by removing them from the wild often
cause the death of the animal they're trying to help," Michael said.
"While it is sometimes difficult to resist the urge to help an animal
that appears in need, it's often best to let nature take its course." 
 
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