Wildlife Rehabilitation
Every spring thousands of animals are born in the wild. With more and more suburban areas, young animals are increasingly born near humans and discovered without an adult animal nearby. Well-meaning people can upset the course of nature by taking young animals from their nests. Removing wildlife from its environment is prohibited by state regulations without proper handling permits. The apparent lack of an adult does not necessarily mean a young animal is alone. Adults often leave their young alone, safe in nests or dens while they forage for food, but rarely do they abandon their young. If a bird has fallen out of a nest, it is ok to gently return it to the nest. The best way to make sure an animal is truly orphaned is to wait and check it periodically. If you are unsure, place some strings or sticks across the nest. If such items are later disturbed, the mother has returned. In such a situation, leave the young animal alone. The adult will return after you leave the area. If the nest is not disturbed or after monitoring the young for several hours an adult does not return, please contact a licensed rehabilitator. The DNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife maintains a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators who have state or federal permits to care for wild animals. If you find an injured animal, contact a wildlife rehabilitator. The DNR, Division of Fish and Wildlife does not care for injured animals or transport them to rehabilitators.
When you see a white-tailed deer fawn that appears to be orphaned, the best way to make sure a fawn is truly orphaned is to wait and check it periodically. Before taking any action, remember the following:
- If the fawn is not injured, the mother is likely nearby.
- Leave the fawn alone and it’s mother will come and get it. Deer can take better care of their young than a human can.
- Human scent on the fawn will not prevent the mother from taking care of it.
- If you do not see any deer nearby, have someone keep a lookout nearby that can watch the fawn without being seen by the mother. In most cases, the mother will come back and get it after you leave the area.
While many young animals may look helpless, cute and cuddly, they can bite or scratch people who attempt to handle them. Some wild animals can carry parasites and infectious diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans. For example, bats can carry rabies, and raccoons can carry raccoon roundworm (which can be fatal to humans) as well as canine distemper.
Remember that wild animals are just that – wild animals – and should be left in the wild. White-tailed deer are protected by law and cannot be kept as a pet. Wild animal rehabilitation permits are issued to qualified individuals who take in sick, injured, or orphaned wild animals with the intent of releasing them back into the wild.
If you encounter an injured, truly abandoned or sick wild animal, do one of the following for assistance:
- Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator
- Call a licensed veterinarian for immediate assistance with a sick or severely injured wild animal.
- Call your DNR law enforcement district headquarters or regional headquarters
Find out how to become a wildlife rehabilitator.
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