By FRANK CAMPA
Mo. Dept. of Conservation
This is a very important time of year for wild animals. This is the time of year when reproduction is happening; baby animals are being born. Therefore, this is also the time of year when wildlife numbers are at their highest.
This also makes the young of the year highly susceptible to outside influences, such as domestic pets (dogs and cats) and people. Birds fall out of nests before they are ready to fly. Young rabbits are found in small depressions in yards. Young raccoons are found when dead trees are cut down to be removed. Fawn deer are seen without their mothers being present. These are only a few of the more common examples that we as conservation agents get calls on every day this time of year.
Most of the time, when humans come across these baby animals, we do not see the mother so we believe she is not there, and most people assume the worst has happened and that she is dead. That makes these young animals "orphans" and compassionate people unfortunately quickly intervene. I say unfortunately because the one who is best suited to raise a wild animal to maturity so it will continue on through its full life-cycle is its mother.
Most young wild animals that are spontaneously "adopted" by humans simply do not survive until adulthood. If they are fortunate enough to live, the young wild animals have then lost a substantial amount of fear of humans and their domestic pets. Then, if the animal is fortunate enough to be released to the wild, its chances of survival are minimal.
Please keep these facts in mind the next time you or your friends feel compelled to "rescue" what is believed to be an orphaned animal. The mother is in fact alive and most likely close by (no exceptions).
Do not rationalize that its mother was the roadkill you saw a mile down the road. That might not be its mother. If you do pick it up, it most likely will die. Its best chances are in the wild.
It is strictly illegal to pick up and possess wild animals in captivity. Unfortunately, most animals that do live are not released to the wild and are made pets. Know that raccoons carry a brain worm in their feces and a high percentage of skunks carry rabies.
What do you do if there is a young wild animal in immediate danger? Simply remove the threat and leave it alone in its immediate location. If the young animal is in the middle of a road, simply move it off to the side away from traffic.
The mother will not abandon its young because you have handled it. Would you abandon your children if they smelled like a skunk temporarily?
If your dogs or cats have created the problem, simply put them up for a while to give the young wild animal time to progress on its own.
Last, but not least, some species of wild animals reproduce at a fairly high rate, including prey species such as whitetail deer and rabbits. If a high percentage of them lived, they would double their population each year, causing very real problems in our homes and neighborhoods. Unfortunately, several will perish due to natural causes and predation.
So, the next time the idea of picking up a wild animal to "save" crosses your mind, remember to leave it alone.