Good thing to remember, leave wild life alone.
Calm seas,
Writer, naturalist, mentor
Catherine French
805.570.0432
We are given only so many days, make each one count.
Begin forwarded message:
From: CDFW News <noreply+feedproxy@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: June 4, 2018 at 6:10:34 PM PDT
To: cfrench1366@xxxxxxx
Subject: California Fish and Wildlife News
Reply-To: CDFW News <CDFWNews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
California Fish and Wildlife News
CDFW Reminds the Public to Leave Young Wildlife Alone
Posted: 04 Jun 2018 10:06 AM PDT
Spring and early summer is the peak time for much of California’s wildlife to
bear their young. With this in mind, the California Department of Fish and
Wildlife (CDFW) is asking well-intentioned members of the public to leave
young wildlife alone.
It may be hard to resist scooping up a young wild animal that looks
vulnerable and abandoned, but intervention may cause more harm than good.
Young animals removed from their natural environment typically do not
survive. Those that do make it may not develop the skills necessary to
survive on their own in natural habitat. When this happens, the only
alternative is a life of captivity in artificial conditions.
“It is a common mistake to believe a young animal, especially a fawn, has
been abandoned when found alone,” said Nicole Carion, CDFW’s statewide
wildlife rehabilitation coordinator. “But even if the mother has not been
observed in the area for a long period of time, chances are she is off
foraging, or is nearby, waiting for you to leave.”
Such behavior is common across many species. A female mountain lion may spend
as much as 50 percent of her time away from her kittens.
Fledglings, or young partially feathered birds, found alone and hopping along
the ground in the spring or summer, are actually trying to learn to fly.
Though it is tempting to pick them up, what they really need is space and
time to master flying. The best course of action is not to draw attention to
them, advises Carion. You can help by keeping pets away until the bird has
left the area.
If a young animal is in distress, or you are unsure, contact a wildlife
rehabilitation facility and speak to personnel for advice.
Most wildlife rehabilitators are only allowed to possess small mammals and
birds. Although some wildlife rehabilitators are allowed to accept fawns,
injured or sick adult deer should be reported directly to CDFW for public
safety reasons. Injured, orphaned or sick bears, elk, bighorn sheep,
pronghorn antelope, wild pigs or mountain lions should also be reported to
CDFW directly.
Anyone who removes a young animal from the wild is required to notify CDFW or
take the animal to a state and federally permitted wildlife rehabilitator
within 48 hours. These animals may need specialized care and feeding that is
best done by trained wildlife care specialists.
It is important to note that wild animals – even young ones – can cause
serious injury with their sharp claws, hooves and teeth, especially when
injured and scared. They may also carry ticks, fleas and lice, and can
transmit diseases to humans, including rabies and tularemia.
To learn more about how to live and recreate responsibly where wildlife is
near, please visit CDFW’s Keep Me Wild website at
www.wildlife.ca.gov/keepmewild.
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Media Contacts:
Nicole Carion, CDFW Wildlife Branch, (530) 357-3986
Lesa Johnston, CDFW Education and Outreach, (916) 322-8933
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