Wildlife Safety
As wildlife habitats become mixed with human habitats, sightings of wildlife babies and parents is beginning to become more and more common, especially during the Spring/Summer mating season (known as "baby season"). In some cases, these animals may be in distress or need relocating, but often handling, relocating and feeding wild animals can lead to negative consequences for the animals and potential exposure to communicable diseases for humans.
Oftentimes, we see an animal in a situation that appears precarious or troubling, but in many cases wild animals are able to survive in situations that seem dangerous to us. Humans have the best of intentions when they step in to "save" an animal, but according to Meghan Crawford, Community Engagement Biologist at MassWildlife, " (humans) are almost always kidnapping the young from their parents, impairing the young animal's chances of becoming a normally functioning adults that possess the skills to survive.* As a result, Crawford notes, wild animals brought into inexperienced human care have increased chances of injury and death both while in care and upon release. Crawford goes on to reassure us that a young animal without an adult may appear helpless, orphaned or abandoned but this is almost never the case
So why do we often see young animals alone without adults? In many cases adults distance themselves to draw predators away, and only return for short periods to feed them. For example, many of us have had a rabbit nest in our yard and almost never see the mother rabbit. And, we often see baby birds hopping around on the ground unable to fly. But they don't need our help-it's just a normal part of development.
What should humans do when they encounter wildlife? See below for information on common wildlife encounters.
1. What should I do if I find a healthy, baby animal without an adult nearby?
I found a baby bird on the ground walking and moving, seemingly uninjured (this is a fledgling).
I found a baby bird on the ground that is not walking (a hatchling or nestling) but seems healthy.
More on what to do if you find a healthy, baby animal.