One of the biggest problems wildlife rehabilitators face every year is an over abundance of well-meaning people who pick up young animals they believe to be abandoned. In many circumstances the animals are able to be on their own, or they are under the watchful eye of a parent. To avoid “kidnapping” a young animal use the checklist for injured animals to see if the animal does need your help.
What to look for:
- a wild animal presented to you by your pet
- bleeding
- apparent or obvious broken limb
- a featherless or nearly featherless bird on the ground
- shivering
- evidence of a dead parent nearby
Don’t attempt to rescue an animal in the following circumstances:
- A fawn (baby deer) that is curled up in the grass and appears approachable. His mother is most likely out of sight but nearby and watching.
- A bird who is fully feathered on his body with evidence of tail feathers, hopping on the ground but unable to fly. This is a fledgling (adolescent bird) and his parents are probably nearby.
- A rabbit who is four inches long with open eyes and erect ears. At this age rabbits are independent from mom and able to fend for themselves. (Nests of younger rabbits should also remain undisturbed—moms have to leave to feed usually at dusk and dawn and will stay away to distract predators from the nest, but she will return to take care of the babies)
- An opossum that is nine to ten inches or longer, not including the tail—he is independent.
- A squirrel who has a full fluffy tail and is able to run jump and climb—he is also independent
- If you have questions regarding the age and independence of an animal contact South Dakota Game Fish and Parks at (605) 773-3381
Finally, you should know that mother animals have immense devotion to their young. A mother bird will often fake an injury to draw people away from her nest. A mother raccoon will take on a dog to protect her cubs. The idea that a mother won’t take a baby back if it has been touched by humans is wrong. If your child or pet brings you a baby that isn’t injured, and you can locate the area it was found—put the baby back. Keep your pets and kids away from the area. The mother will likely return shortly for her offspring.
