Wildlife Experts: 'If You Care, Leave it There'

People instinctively want to help the seemingly helpless baby animals they encounter as spring progresses toward summer, but it’s almost always best to leave them alone, according to wildlife experts.

The state Department of Environmental Protection is promoting that message in an “If You Care, Leave it There” publicity campaign, reminding people that most wildlife will do better without direct human intervention. 

Jay Kaplan, director of the Roaring Brook Nature Center in Canton, agrees.

“More often than not, the animal should be left alone,” Kaplan said. “It has a far greater chance of survival."

Baby birds, for example, are often seen hopping on the ground, seemingly in trouble, with no mother to be seen. But Kaplan said that young birds often hop on the ground for as long as a week after leaving the nest, and usually there are adults nearby.

Touching a bird can also cause harm, he said, not because of the myth that its mother will abandon it but because it will more likely be sensed by animals like dogs and cats.

It has been busy at the center this spring. On Wednesday, it received eight animal calls in just one hour. 

Many calls involved baby squirrels. Birds and rabbits are also commonly the subjects of calls, and one person recently drove an orphaned opossum to the center.

While there are times that animals do need help, Kaplan said he prefers that people call to get help in assessing a situation before touching an animal.

He said people can often takes measures other than direct intervention. If a bird is hopping on the ground, dogs can be kept leashed and cats kept inside.

In addition, the center does not have the capacity to take many animals. It is not allowed to take rabies “vector” species such as raccoons, foxes and skunks.

The DEP offers several tips for dealing with young wildlife as part of its campaign:

White-tailed Deer: For the first several days after birth, fawns instinctively freeze and lie motionless when approached. They are fed by the doe three to four times a day, with feeding time lasting about 15 minutes.

“It is best not to touch the fawn, but rather leave it alone for at least 24 hours to determine whether the adult is returning for feedings,”  Rick Jacobson, director of the DEP's Wildlife Division,  said in a press release.  “While waiting for the doe to return, it is important that both people and dogs stay away from the fawn.  A truly orphaned fawn will show signs of distress by walking around aimlessly and calling out for several hours.”

Birds: Keep pets away from the bird and watch it closely for at least an hour to see if the parents are returning to feed it.

If you find a young bird on the ground that appears not to have feathers, look for a nest.  If a nest is in a nearby tree or shrub and the bird feels warm to the touch, try to place the nestling back into the nest.  If the nest has fallen on the ground, make a new nest with a wicker basket and some dry grasses and hang the basket with the nestling in it in a nearby tree or shrub. 

Injured Animals: If you find an animal that is definitely injured or orphaned, remember to:

• Avoid direct contact;
• Keep pets and children away from the animal;
• Use heavy gloves to transfer the animal to a cardboard box or escape-proof container;
• Try to keep the animal in a warm, quiet place;
• Contact an authorized wildlife rehabilitator.

In Connecticut, there are approximately 250 authorized volunteer wildlife rehabilitators with the skills and training to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. If you need a wildlife rehabilitator, consult the list of licensed rehabilitators maintained by the DEP's Wildlife Division or call the division at 860-424-3011 during regular office hours. After hours or on weekends call the DEP Emergency Dispatch Center, 860-424-3333.

A good list with many wildlife rehabilitators listed from Fairfield County also can be found here.