Encountering Young Wildlife

Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY

Fawn (Alabama Cooperative Extension)

Watching wildlife is a really fun and exciting activity.  It can be very enjoyable to watch wildlife in their natural state in our surroundings.  This time of year can be especially exciting because the young wild animals can be seen.

If we are outside, we may come across young wild animals that appear to be abandoned or orphaned.  The big question is what should we do about it?

First and foremost, do not bring the animal in your home for care.  This may be the worst thing you can do for these young animals.



Young animals that appear orphaned or abandoned are generally not.  In most cases, the animal's parents are nearby and waiting for you to leave the area.  Many different species of wildlife will leave their young for several hours and return for short periods of time.

Wild mother rabbits, for example, will leave their young during the daylight hours, and only come back to feed the wild bunnies about twice a day.  At approximately 15 days old, wild bunnies are weaned and eating on their own.

Young deer, called fawns, can often be found alone because they do not flee from danger until about 14 days old.  Like with rabbits, deer will leave their young and come back to feed it twice a day.

Providing care to wild animals is illegal unless you have state and federal permits.  In addition, young wild animals need very extensive and specific care.  For example, some hatchling birds require feedings every 15 minutes for 14 hous a day with very specialized food.

If you suspect young wild animals have actually been abandoned, orphaned, or even sick, do not immediately try to capture it.  Instead, monitor the animal from a distance.  A young animal that looks well-fed with bright eyes and clean fur or feathers is probably not orphaned, and not in need of unnecessary care.

If you suspect the animal does need care, contact the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife and let conservation officers and wildlife biologists handle the animals.

It is for your own safety that we stress caution around wildlife.  Wild animals have the ability to carry diseases, as well as injure you and themselves if you try to handle them.