NORTHEAST WISCONSIN – As wildlife becomes more active this time of year, Clark Delzer is reminding residents that human intervention can often do more harm than good when it comes to young animals.
Delzer says it’s not uncommon for well-meaning people to come across young wildlife and assume they’ve been abandoned. In some cases, individuals will take animals from their natural habitat in an attempt to care for them. However, Delzer emphasizes that this can significantly reduce the animal’s chances of survival.
“Sometimes people will take these animals out of the wild and try to foster parent them,” Delzer said. “And actually, science would tell you that the best chance of survival for these critters is with their own parents.”
According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, many species intentionally leave their young alone for extended periods while they search for food, a behavior that can be mistaken for abandonment. Delzer says this is especially common with animals like deer and rabbits, whose young are often left hidden and unattended for much of the day.
While most situations call for leaving the animal alone, Delzer notes there are exceptions. If there is clear evidence that a parent is no longer able to return, such as a mother being struck and killed on a roadway, the public is encouraged to contact DNR wildlife staff for guidance.
“Obviously, there are some occasions where the mother might be hit on the road, and if that’s a very obvious situation, you can call our wildlife staff on that one,” Delzer explained.
DNR officials stress that removing wildlife from their natural environment should always be a last resort and only done under the direction of trained professionals. In many cases, intervention not only disrupts natural development but can also lead to long-term survival challenges for the animal.
Residents who encounter wildlife and are unsure what to do are encouraged to contact local DNR offices or licensed wildlife rehabilitators before taking any action.
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