FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 17, 2006:

WILDLIFE BABIES -- PLEASE LEAVE THEM ALONE!

ROSWELL – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish receives numerous calls each year from concerned individuals who find what they think are orphaned or abandoned wildlife young.   Some of these people pick up the animals and take them to local veterinarians, zoos, or their local Department of Game and Fish offices. While these individuals have no intention of harming the young animals, people need to realize that picking up the babies greatly decreases their chances of survival.  

Deer, antelope, and elk all leave their young alone while they move off to forage for food and water. The young are normally left in areas that provide good cover and relative safety. The fawn or calf may be left alone for several hours or more depending on cover, distance to food and water, and other factors including human presence. The mothers will return to their young when they feel that it is safe to do so. It's not uncommon for people to find fawns or calves lying hidden in the grass or brush, especially during the spring and summer months.   Keep in mind that mom is probably somewhere in area and will return to take care of the fawn or calf. If you find a young fawn or calf, leave it alone, don't touch it, and by all means don't pick it up.   Leave the general area and eventually mom will return. The only exception to picking up a fawn or calf is if they happen to be found in the middle of a road or other areas where they have a higher chance of being injured or killed. In these instances carefully move the animal out of harm's way and then leave it alone.

Another problem concerns young birds, especially raptors or birds of prey. Numerous young hawks, kites and owls are turned in at Department offices throughout the state every year. Many of these birds are found in people's backyards or in neighborhood parks during the spring or early summer. Most of the time these young birds have ventured out of the nest or are learning to fly and often end up on the ground during the learning process. Once again, the best thing to do is leave them alone. In cases where the young birds are in immediate danger from cats or dogs, the best thing to do is place them back into the nest tree.   If placing them back into the tree is not an option, place them in a box with shredded newspaper and contact your local conservation officer or Department of Game and Fish office.

Picking up young wildlife leads to numerous problems beyond the health of the animal. Wildlife rehabilitation centers and local zoos can't handle many extra animals.   Many of these young animals that are picked up and turned in have to be hand-raised which usually means that they can never be returned to the wild.  

Another mistake people make when picking up fawns or calves is feeding them regular cow's milk which lacks the necessary nutrients needed by these young animals.   Many of the animals fed regular milk develop ‘scours' which can lead to dehydration and death even if the fawn or calf makes it to a wildlife rehab center or zoo.   

The best thing that you can do if you find wildlife that you think is orphaned or abandoned is to contact your local conservation officer or Game Department Office.   Let a conservation officer take care of the animal and make the decision on what action to take.   Furthermore it is unlawful to pick up game animals or any protected species, of any age, without a proper permit or documentation from the Department of Game and Fish.

Think about it if you find a young deer or antelope fawn or elk calf or other baby wildlife.   Your actions may not only affect you, but also the animal you think you are rescuing.

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