Baby season is upon us.
This is a very busy time of the year. Baby wildlife are becoming a more familiar sight as housing developments and new businesses are going in at a steady rate to our area. Every year dozens of baby animals are unnecessarily removed from the wild by well-meaning citizens. Rarely are they orphans.. The challenge for us is to balance out the tendency to want to help them with an understanding of their needs. These animals are much more adapted for survival than we realize. So, while it's appropriate to help a young animal that falls victim to free-roaming dogs and cats, automobiles, gun-shot, building sites etc. etc.. We always need to be aware that we may cause more harm than good when we go to help.
How to know when an animal needs help:
First try to determine whether the animal is hurt or sick.
 |
Is it shivering, vomiting or bleeding? |
|
Does the critter have any apparent broken limbs? |
If the answer is YES to any of these questions, then it does need assistance.
If the answer is NO to the questions, then try to figure out if the critter is orphaned.
Spring is a very busy time for wildlife parents, who typically leave their young alone, sometimes for long periods of times throughout the day. This does not mean that the parent is not nearby and very conscious of its young.
Fawns wandering and crying are an indication that the mother has been hurt and has not returned. If you are sure the mother has not returned for several hours and the fawn is so young and weak that it will let you pick it up, bring the fawn to us for care. If the fawn is older and stays around the area, it may need help getting enough food and water. If the mother deer has given birth in your yard make sure that there is a spot the mother can move the little one out when it gets strong enough. Always observe the little one from afar as the mother will not come in to claim her baby when humans are to close. Anyone who comes upon a fawn should leave it alone and go away so its mother can feel free to return. Only if the fawn is obviously emaciated or injured, or there is a pack of dogs roaming the area, should it be touched. If a mother is found dead and the fawn orphaned call us for help.
When you see a deer with a broken leg or other injury, leave the animal alone unless it can't stand up, and is just down, call the Northwest Raptor Center at 360-681-2283. If the animal is getting around with a broken leg, leave it on its own. Even though the injury may take a long time to heal, this is far preferable to the trauma of chase and capture.
When in doubt, call the Northwest Raptor Center at 360-681-2283