The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has one piece of advice on how to help baby wildlife this spring—leave them alone.
The DNR said wildlife are well-adapted to live in the wild, and baby animals will be at much greater risk of dying if they are removed from their natural habitats.
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“Many wild animals hide their young for safety. These babies are not abandoned; they have been hidden by their mother until she returns,” said DNR Wildlife communications representative Rachel Lincoln. “So, if you find a baby animal, leave it be.”
Here’s what to expect to see outdoors as young animals get acclimated to their world:
Birds
Bird nests and eggs are protected under federal law, making it illegal to touch, move or possess any part of the nest or eggs without a proper permit.
Baby birds sometimes fall from their nests while learning to fly, but their parents will continue to feed and care for them even when they are on the ground.
A baby bird on its own is not abandoned. The DNR said its parents will be back.
If you move a baby bird, the parents may not be able to find it.
The DNR said that keeping dogs, cats and children away from baby birds can help.
Mallards often build nests in landscaping and gardens. A hen mallard will lay her eggs over several days and then start incubating them. After the ducklings hatch in about a month, the mother will lead them to the nearest water.
Canada geese are attracted to short grass where they can find bugs to eat. Canada geese are protective parents and aggressively guard their eggs. The DNR recommends that people avoid nesting areas, but if that’s not possible, they should use an umbrella and gently scare the birds away by opening and closing it.
Fawns
According to the Michigan DNR, white-tailed deer mothers hide their fawns in hidden places for the first few weeks after birth. Fawns can be camouflaged by their spots, and have very little scent, so the mother stays away for up to eight hours at a time to keep the fawn hidden away from predators.
If you see a fawn alone, the DNR said not to touch it and to leave the area quickly. If you leave your scent behind, it may attract predators.
Mother deer will return to her fawns when she feels it is safe. If people or dogs are nearby, she will stay away longer.
Bunnies
Mother rabbits also leave their nests unattended to avoid attracting predators. Like deer, baby bunnies on their own are rarely abandoned. The mother bunny will return to the nest when she feels safe to return.
The DNR said the best way to help baby bunnies is to keep cats, dogs, children and other predators away.
