by Art Jones
During the late spring and early summer many Conservation Officers get calls about "orphaned" wildlife. The calls come from people who believe they have found young animals or birds that have been abandoned by their parents.
Chances are the young animal has not been abandoned. It's more likely the parent is out searching for food or approaching humans have frightened the parent away and it will not return as long as people are around. Unless the parent is found dead near the baby, it's almost guaranteed the adult will soon return to the young bird or animal.
Although young birds and animals may be cute, it's best to leave them where you find them.
"Sometimes people find a young bird or animal and think it will make a nice pet," says Saskatchewan Environment Conservation Officer Rob Hanson.
"Raising a wild animal can also be expensive. For example, a deer fawn can drink up to four litres of milk a day. Often the size of the animal and the expense of keeping it means it is then released into the wild but because it was raised by humans it won't know how to feed itself and it will likely die. A human raised animal will also lose its fear, making it an easy target for hunters or other predators."
In most cases adopting a wild animal is the result of an act of kindness or a belief the animal is in desperate need.
Environment's Hanson says, for example, deer fawns are among the most fearless creatures you will encounter.
"For the first three weeks a doe will leave the fawn hidden in the grass while she feeds or rests," says Hanson. "Fawns show no fear of humans and will sometimes even follow a human. If this happens gently push on its shoulders until it lies down, then leave. It is extremely rare for a doe to leave a fawn that has human scent on it. If the fawn is lost the doe will call out for it and they will find each other. In most cases birds should also be left alone. However, if you do find a young goose or duck that is obviously lost it can be taken to the nearest marsh and released.
If a young bird has fallen out of the nest then return it to the nest or leave it, as they usually fall out when first learning to fly. But the bottom line is, if you see a baby animal you should leave it alone."
Every year Conservation Officers across the province get calls from people who have raised an animal they thought was abandoned by its parent.
Then once it gets too big or too much of a handful, they want the officer to do something with it.
If possible, these animals are taken to a Captive Wildlife Facility or Zoo. Sadly, if there are no facilities that are interested in taking the animal, and as it cannot care for itself in the
wild, the animal may have to be euthanized.
Environment's Hanson also says people should avoid young raccoons and skunks because they can be dangerous and are possible carriers of rabies and other diseases. Raccoons can also carry a parasite that can be transmitted to humans.
Saskatchewan Environment does not issue permits to allow people to keep animals taken from the wild; instead you could face a penalty. Only licensed zoos and wildlife rehabilitators are allowed to keep wildlife.
If you are concerned about a young animal, bird or eggs and no parent has been seen for several days, contact your local conservation officer for assistance.
For more information contact;
Rob Hanson
Conservation Officer
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-0037
rhanson@serm.gov.sk.ca
Or
Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
During the late spring and early summer many Conservation Officers get calls about "orphaned" wildlife. The calls come from people who believe they have found young animals or birds that have been abandoned by their parents.
Chances are the young animal has not been abandoned. It's more likely the parent is out searching for food or approaching humans have frightened the parent away and it will not return as long as people are around. Unless the parent is found dead near the baby, it's almost guaranteed the adult will soon return to the young bird or animal.
Although young birds and animals may be cute, it's best to leave them where you find them.
"Sometimes people find a young bird or animal and think it will make a nice pet," says Saskatchewan Environment Conservation Officer Rob Hanson.
"Raising a wild animal can also be expensive. For example, a deer fawn can drink up to four litres of milk a day. Often the size of the animal and the expense of keeping it means it is then released into the wild but because it was raised by humans it won't know how to feed itself and it will likely die. A human raised animal will also lose its fear, making it an easy target for hunters or other predators."
In most cases adopting a wild animal is the result of an act of kindness or a belief the animal is in desperate need.
Environment's Hanson says, for example, deer fawns are among the most fearless creatures you will encounter.
"For the first three weeks a doe will leave the fawn hidden in the grass while she feeds or rests," says Hanson. "Fawns show no fear of humans and will sometimes even follow a human. If this happens gently push on its shoulders until it lies down, then leave. It is extremely rare for a doe to leave a fawn that has human scent on it. If the fawn is lost the doe will call out for it and they will find each other. In most cases birds should also be left alone. However, if you do find a young goose or duck that is obviously lost it can be taken to the nearest marsh and released.
If a young bird has fallen out of the nest then return it to the nest or leave it, as they usually fall out when first learning to fly. But the bottom line is, if you see a baby animal you should leave it alone."
Every year Conservation Officers across the province get calls from people who have raised an animal they thought was abandoned by its parent.
Then once it gets too big or too much of a handful, they want the officer to do something with it.
If possible, these animals are taken to a Captive Wildlife Facility or Zoo. Sadly, if there are no facilities that are interested in taking the animal, and as it cannot care for itself in the
wild, the animal may have to be euthanized.
Environment's Hanson also says people should avoid young raccoons and skunks because they can be dangerous and are possible carriers of rabies and other diseases. Raccoons can also carry a parasite that can be transmitted to humans.
Saskatchewan Environment does not issue permits to allow people to keep animals taken from the wild; instead you could face a penalty. Only licensed zoos and wildlife rehabilitators are allowed to keep wildlife.
If you are concerned about a young animal, bird or eggs and no parent has been seen for several days, contact your local conservation officer for assistance.
For more information contact;
Rob Hanson
Conservation Officer
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-0037
rhanson@serm.gov.sk.ca
Or
Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
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