Five important reminders when finding ‘orphaned’ wildlife While enjoying the outdoors this spring and summer, you’ll likely encounter young wildlife. Although it may be tempting to help a lone baby animal, experts warn intervening can often do more harm than good — and may be illegal.
Ashley Long, Ph.D., associate professor and Caesar Kleberg Endowed Chair in Wildlife Ecology in the Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, emphasized the need to understand wildlife behavior before acting.
“Many of the natural adaptations and behaviors we see juvenile wildlife display can be easily misinterpreted as requiring human intervention,” Long said. “This often leads to unnecessary human and wildlife encounters that are potentially harmful to the animal, unsafe for people, and even against state and federal laws.”
To help protect young wildlife and ensure they thrive in their natural habitat, Long offered five key tips to remember when you find wildlife that appear to be orphaned.
1. It’s illegal to keep wildlife without a permit According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the state agency responsible for managing and protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat, possessing wildlife without a permit is illegal.
2. Wildlife parenting looks different than human parenting “In the wild, adults often leave their young alone while they search for food or to protect the young from predators,” Long said.
The doe will return from foraging throughout the day to nurse. However, she stays away for long periods to prevent attracting the attention of predators that would harm her young.
If a human comes across a lone fawn, Long said it’s unlikely the mother abandoned it. The doe is usually nearby and will return when it’s safe.
3. Young wildlife must learn survival skills Take baby birds, for instance. As they grow flight feathers while still in the nest, the nestlings flap their wings to build muscles necessary for sustained flight.
“Young birds that have recently fledged often spend time on the ground or hopping from branch to branch before they get the hang of things,” she said. “They’ll progressively take longer flights and eventually develop the strength and coordination needed to fly longer distances and at greater heights.”
4. Good intentions can sometimes cause negative outcomes Some young wildlife may hunker down rather than flee when approached. This behavior can be mistaken for abandonment or distress, but it is often a survival tactic.
According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a study conducted by a statecertified wildlife rehabilitator found that, in some years, more than 40% of the fawns brought to them for care were not orphaned or injured. Instead, someone took these fawns from their mothers by mistake.
“Many believe mother birds never leave their nest unattended, but that’s not true,” Long said. “Adults must leave the nest to forage for themselves and their young, remove waste, and gather materials if the nest needs maintenance.”
She said leaving the nest can also help reduce the risk of attracting predators and aid in chicks’ temperature regulation. And, as the babies get older, their parents’ absence encourages them to fledge.
Interrupting these natural patterns could have unintended consequences.
5. Know when and who to call for help in Texas Around a home, if residents spot a baby animal in a flower bed or a bird out of its nest, it’s best to leave the animal alone and secure any pets, such as dogs, that may bother the young or prevent the mother from returning.
However, when wildlife are in a place where they might be harmed or put people at risk, witnesses should notify a Texas game warden.
“For example, if you find a fawn near a roadway or place of business, contact a game warden so the fawn can be safely removed,” she said. “In cases warranting intervention, game wardens should always be the first point of contact for concerned residents.”