Look, don't touch: Despite good intentions, 'rescuing' baby wildlife can lead to bad outcomes

It's officially spring, folks. And that means the peak of baby wildlife season is in full bloom. And it doesn't matter whether you're a backwoods hunter, hiker, bird watcher or sidewalk stroller: People are bound to see young wildlife when they venture outdoors during the spring and early summer. And there is a pretty good chance that they will see a baby animal—including goslings, ducklings, and fawns—that appears to be alone, with mom nowhere in sight.

While a well-intentioned human’s first instinct might be to rescue these adorable, fuzzy, and seemingly helpless creatures, Idaho Fish and Game has a simple suggestion to people who discover baby animals that appear to be abandoned: The best thing you can do for them is to leave them be.

Every spring, Fish and Game receives calls from well-intentioned humans who claim to have “rescued” baby animals that they assume were lost, abandoned, or orphaned. While these folks typically mean well, the sad reality is they are often doing more damage than good when they intervene—and typically, mom was not far away to begin with.

Here's the hard truth. Animal parents will periodically leave their young for an extended period of time for a myriad of reasons, whether it’s to search for food, to rest, or to divert attention from their vulnerable offspring, especially if they sense danger. When it comes to wildlife babies, wildlife mothers know best.

Mammals such as deer, elk, and pronghorn routinely leave their young in a secure location like a clump of sagebrush like in the photo below. It is normal for them to leave to feed and return later—sometimes several hours later—to quickly feed their young, then leave again. The young animals know instinctively to remain still and wait for their parent to return.

The same goes for flying critters. As baby birds mature, they often leave the nest in their efforts to hone their flying skills. Adult birds continue to feed their offspring until a point in time when their young can survive on their own...even if they fall out of the nest. 

If you find a baby bird, duckling, gosling, deer fawn, or other critter, the best approach is to leave it undisturbed. Then if you wish, contact your nearest Fish and Game office. Fish and Game employees are happy to take calls about apparently orphaned or injured animals, answer your questions, and when it is absolutely necessary, retrieve animals.

In addition, do not plan to raise wild animals on your own. Young wild animals require special care and feeding that is beyond what the average household is prepared to manage. Additionally, taking most species from the wild to raise in your possession is illegal in Idaho.

In the spring when wildlife baby boom is at its peak, you may have the good fortune to observe a nest of birds or a litter of young mammals with no adult in sight. Enjoy the sight, but remember it is best to leave young wildlife alone.

Living in the midst of Idaho's vibrant and diverse wildlife populations can be one of the most rewarding aspects of life in our state. Be sure to check out our Living With Widllife webpage to learn more. The page features all kinds of helpful tips on how to properly coexist when living among wildlife.