Out There: Stories from the Woods

By Christopher Miller

In these last couple weeks leading up to the “official first day of summer,” images are emerging around social media of young wildlife (baby animals) making their first appearances into the world.

From the Pacific northwest through the Dakotas, Michigan, and even our fair state, local game officials are spreading the word to “leave baby animals alone.”

Wildlife rescue operations are being flooded with calls from well-intentioned, though often misguided people across Pennsylvania assuming that wildlife babies are orphaned.

The best thing to do in these situations is to leave the baby where it is found.

While some young animals appear to be abandoned, usually they are not and mother is nearby watching over them or foraging for food. Young animals are purposely secluded by adults to protect them from predators. And yes, the “parent” will return to its young.

Anytime a young animal has human contact the chance of overall survival decreases significantly. Wildlife can lose their natural fear of humans, making it difficult to ever live normally in the wild.

In fact, the only time a baby animal should be approached would be if it is an unnatural situation. A good example of this “unnatural situation” would be the baby bird I came across sitting in my driveway a couple years ago.

It blended in so well with the gravel and dirt around it that I nearly missed it. I donned gloves to attempt to mask my scent, picked it up and moved it under a neighbor’s lawn ornament for safety. I checked the next day and the bird was gone.

There is also a risk people will contract diseases of parasites such as fleas, ticks, and lice.

Not only disease, but a hefty fine of up to $1,500 can be imposed for illegally possessing animals from the wild.

The best thing to do if encountering a fawn in a forest, or a nest of robins above your front door (such as our case) is to let nature take its course and leave it alone.

I agree, the baby animals are cute, cuddly, and fuzzy…but please be respectful and steer clear.

For those who find wildlife that truly needs assistance, a listing of licensed wildlife rehabilitators can be found on the Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators website here: https://pawr.com/