MISGUIDED "RESCUES" PROMPT REMINDER: LEAVE YOUNG WILDLIFE ALONE

Young wildlife is often seen in spring and early summer, but young animals are best left alone where their parents can tend them.

A resident was hiking for several hours in a forested area northwest of the Bonner Peaks subdivision, exploring the edges of fire damage from the recent Picnic Rocks fire, when her dogs discovered a tiny bear. Assuming it was an orphan due to the fire, she carried it out.

She walked more than an hour back to her residence and called a wildlife officer, who retrieved the bear from her home, where it was huddled in a pet carrier. He debated whether to put it back where it was found or take it to a rehabilitator. Because the bear (estimated to be eight to ten weeks old), weighed only 4 lbs., the bear was taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in hopes it can gain enough weight that it can be released later. Due to its size, it may have to wait until next winter for release, when it will have a better chance of survival.

“If you find a baby animal, and you don’t see any signs of the mother, contain your pets, and leave the baby animal alone where it is. Mark the spot, then call the Division of Wildlife (DOW) for the next step,” said Troy Florian, the wildlife officer who retrieved the tiny cub. “Sometimes due to circumstances, we may have to take orphaned wildlife to a rehabilitator, but it often has the best chance of survival if left alone and reunited with parents.”

Southwest of Denver at an office park, workers had a great view of nesting owls. When the adult owls weren’t seen one day, the workers took up observation posts below the nest to watch for the mother’s return. The concerned workers were oblivious to the factor that the continuing human presence and activity might keep the mother owl away indefinitely. As wildlife officers arrived at the scene, the would-be rescuers were placing a ladder and attempting to remove the baby owlets from the nest. When told that the owls needed to remain in the nest, the workers accused the wildlife officer of not caring about the young owls. After the constant watchers left the area, observations were made from a distance and the mother owl returned to care for her young.

Spring is the season when many wildlife babies come into the world. As people venture outside in the warm weather of early summer, they may find wildlife babies in their yards or open space areas. As tempting as it may be to “help” young wildlife by picking it up, or by trying to give it food or water, for wildlife babies, there is no substitution for their natural parents.

It is not unusual to find a newborn animal without an adult animal nearby. Deer, elk and other mammals often leave their young while they go off to feed, relying on the newborns' natural camouflage and ability to lie perfectly still to protect them. Adults will stay a short distance away so they do not attract predators to the location of the young. People should not assume that just because they don't see the parents the young ones were abandoned. The adults may avoid returning to the area as long as humans are present, so hovering too close can be harmful for the young wildlife.

If you find young wildlife while you are hiking in wilderness or open space, enjoy a quick glimpse and leave the animal where it is. If you find young animals in your yard, keep pets out of the area. Curious dogs and cats are a great risk for fragile young wildlife. When hiking in areas that allow dogs, keep them leashed to be sure they don’t encounter ground-nesting birds or other wildlife babies where they may do harm.

Each spring people are quick to scoop up baby wildlife and bring them to rehabilitation facilities, veterinary clinics or Division of Wildlife offices. "The best thing to do, if you are concerned the young is abandoned, is to quietly observe the situation for several hours from a distance using binoculars. Don’t hover so close that the wild parents are afraid to return to the area," advises Wildlife Officer Susanne Tracey. "If 12 hours go by and the mother does not return, it’s possible the newborn was abandoned or the mother is dead. If you are certain that the animal parent is dead (if hit by a car, for example) report it to the Division of Wildlife. Do not move the animal yourself.”

Licensed wildlife rehabilitators can spend time and energy to keep a young bird or animal alive until it is old enough to be released into the wild, but it is essential that baby animals learn survival skills from their parents. Young animals that have been confined for any length of time, and later released, have a harder time surviving in the wild.

In cases where newly hatched birds have fallen from their nest, return them to the nest if you can do so safely, or place them on a high branch to keep them away from pets. Newly hatched birds will have little or no feathers. Keep in mind that when young birds begin to fly, they often spend time on the ground before they perfect their flying skills. If this appears to be the case, leave them alone and let them learn.

Most birds have a poor sense of smell and the parents will not abandon a bird touched by humans. If you cannot reach the nest, you can make a temporary nest from a small strawberry basket or open box or margarine container lined with dryer lint or paper towels. Do not use grass; the moisture can make the bird’s temperature drop. Hang the basket as high as you can, near the original nest. The adult birds will hear the baby’s calls and feed it until it is old enough to fly.

Never give a bird water; most birds do not drink directly, but get moisture from the foods they eat. Dropping liquid in their throats can obstruct their breathing tube and kill them.

WILDLIFE LAWS YOU SHOULD KNOW

It is illegal in Colorado to possess most species of native wildlife. Cute baby raccoons and skunks will grow up to be big problems if you “adopt” a foundling. You can be ticketed and the animal will be taken away.
In addition, human-raised and hand-fed animals rarely can be returned to the wild because they have imprinted on humans or because they lack survival skills. Licensed wildlife rehabilitators are trained to use methods that will give a wild animal the best chance of surviving upon release.

If you are tempted to keep a baby bird, DON'T! Migratory birds, including songbirds, are protected under federal law. Possession of a bird, its nest or eggs without a permit is illegal. It is illegal to attempt to rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife without proper state and federal permits. Contact the DOW if you are aware of wildlife that needs to be cared for by a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area.

Despite the fact that wildlife is usually best left alone, there are instances in which people find injured or orphaned wildlife that needs help. If this happens, call the DOW for assistance.

For more information, visit the DOW web site at www.wildlife.state.co.us  or call 303/297-1192.

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