TPW says leave flooded wildlife alone
Most wildlife can take care of themselves after a flood, which is why the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is urging folks to take commonsense precautions when they see them.
Although major rain storms hit Southeast Texas last week, parts of Harris, Montgomery and Liberty counties are still dealing with the aftermath of the worst flooding in Greater Houston since Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
While residents have been displaced, snakes, armadillos, skunks and raccoons also have been attempting to seek cover or higher ground while the floodwaters recede.
According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the storms also coincided with the arrival of newborn wildlife in the region.
“Regardless of weather conditions, various species of wildlife have been known to have encounters with people year-round across the state, but areas impacted by recent floods could see an increased wildlife presence,” according to a department statement.
Texas wildlife officials added that the critters are equipped by nature to take care of themselves in most situations.
“The compulsion to help or investigate an animal that looks abandoned can be overwhelming, but interference could harm its chances of survival,” the department said. “While most of these animals are picked up by well-meaning people, it is important to realize that many such human-animal encounters are unnecessary and can even be detrimental to the wildlife concerned.”
Instead, leave animals that could have been displaced by the recent flooding alone and focus on helping people instead, wildlife officials said.
If you see displaced animals, the Texas Parks and Wildlife offers these tips:
• If you find yourself with a wild animal in need of help, try to keep it in a warm, dark and quiet place, but do not attempt to give it food or water unless directed to do so by someone qualified to determine the animal’s condition. If you determine that the animal is orphaned or injured, refer the animal to a local licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
• If a blown-down nest is relatively undamaged and the young birds or eggs are unharmed, replace the nest into the tree from which it fell or in a nearby tree. The parents should continue to tend the nest. A badly damaged nest may be placed into a strawberry basket or other appropriately sized basket before placement in a tree.
• If you encounter what appears to be an abandoned deer fawn, the mother may be away foraging. If the fawn is not crying, is not covered with fire ants, the eyes are not swollen and not visibly wounded, do not handle or disturb it. Human presence will only cause stress for the fawn.