Encountering the local springtime wildlife

Spring has officially sprung, and with the warmer weather and beautiful blooms come increased encounters with wildlife — especially babies. Some of them may be orphaned or injured and in need of help, but most often, baby wildlife should be left alone. In fact, they are much more likely to survive without our interference. Moreover, wild animals can pose significant health risks to us.

To determine whether a baby animal is truly an orphan and in need of help, we need to consider their age, species and behavior. People often assume any baby animal found on its lonesome is an “orphan,” but some species are left alone by their parents most of the day in camouflaged locations to avoid attracting predators.

If you come across a hunkered-down fawn (baby deer) or a nest of baby rabbits in your lawn, for example, the mother is likely close by and still caring for her young. In general, unless you see signs of injury or illness or a deceased mother nearby, you should let them be.

Baby birds are frequently encountered on the ground during the spring, and people often impulsively “rescue” them without adequately assessing the situation. Fledglings are adolescent birds that have recently left the nest. They are fully feathered, but often have shorter tails and may be found hopping around, unable to fly. Their parents are likely nearby and will continue to feed and protect them while they learn to fly. Unless a fledgling is obviously injured or in immediate danger, intervening is likely to do more harm than good. Nestlings, on the other hand, which are featherless (or nearly featherless) baby birds, are too young and vulnerable to be out of the nest. They should be returned to the nest if at all possible.

While baby wildlife may look cute and cuddly, they are wild animals and are not only petrified of us, but also have the potential to injure us and spread disease. Unless a wild animal is in immediate danger, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, government wildlife agency, humane society, or other wildlife professional before touching or attempting to capture it, and please, please: Do not attempt to raise or rehabilitate any wild animal yourself!

If you find yourself needing to transport an injured or orphaned animal to a triage center or rehabilitator, place the animal in a dark, quiet container (such as a cardboard box) with holes for ventilation and do not handle it, try to feed it, or offer any water (unless instructed otherwise by a licensed rehabilitator).

Let the experts take it from there, as they are that animal’s best chance of survival and eventual return to the wild.

Feel free to contact the Mendocino Coast Humane Society at (707) 964-7729 with any questions related to orphaned or injured wildlife in our region and we will do our best to help. Special thanks to Woodland Wildlife of Mendocino for their guidance and years of wonderful work.