Don't Rescue Young Wildlife

Living with Wildlife

Leave Young Wildlife Alone

Young wildlife don't need to be rescued.

You may see more young wildlife during spring months in Colorado, including baby deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, rabbits, foxes and birds. Each spring, Colorado Parks and Wildlife receives an increase in office visits and calls from people who report that they’ve "rescued" a young animal — but people do more harm than good by taking in what they believe to be orphaned wildlife. As wildlife become more visible in backyards, open spaces and on trails in the spring, CPW asks people not to disturb young wildlife.

Is it Normal for Young Wildlife to be Alone?

Most young wildlife do not need rescuing

Nature has prepared them to survive without human intervention. In most cases, human interaction does more harm than good.
Adults leave to find food

t’s normal for adult animals to leave their young in safe places while they go forage for food — often for long periods of time. Young are safer when left alone.
Parents are almost always nearby

You may encounter a baby animal that seems alone or “abandoned.” Usually, the parent is nearby but out of sight, listening for any distress from its baby.
Finding birds on the ground

Feathered baby birds are “fledglings” and are often seen on the ground near their nests. If a young bird outside the nest has feathers, it’s practicing flying, its parents are still feeding it — and it should be left alone. If it has no feathers, it’s fallen out of its nest and could use your help. Return it to the nest if it’s safe to do so. Or place it in a box or basket with grass or paper towels and place it near the nest (you can also secure it in the nearest tree where you found it). The parents will hear its cries and continue to feed it. Do not try to feed it or keep it as a pet.
Parents protect from predators

Generally, baby animals have only a very light odor, which helps keep them hidden from predators. When a human touches a baby animal, they leave behind a scent that the animal’s parent(s) won’t recognize: This can cause parents to truly abandon healthy offspring.

Living with Wildlife

What Should You Do?

If you find young wildlife:

If a wild animal appears sick or injured to you but has no clear injuries, leave it alone.
Quietly observe the animal from a distance — but don't hover so close that its parents are afraid to return. If 24 hours go by and a parent does not return, call CPW for help: It’s possible the newborn was abandoned or the parent is dead.
Do not approach the animal.
Don't move the animal yourself. Moving a young animal can have negative consequences and cause undue stress to the baby and its mother.
Don’t feed the animal
Keep your dog on a leash on trails.
If you find a featherless baby bird on the ground, return it to the nest if it’s safe to do so. Or put the bird in a box or basket with grass or paper towels and place it near the nest (you can also secure it in the nearest tree where you found it). The parents will hear its cries and continue to feed it. Do not try to feed it or keep it as a pet.

Report an Abandoned Animal or Wildlife Concern

Concerned citizens are welcome to call their local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office for reports, or Operation Game Thief if they wish to remain anonymous.

Call an Office

Call the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Denver Headquarters at 303-297-1192, or any CPW Office, if you suspect an animal is injured or abandoned or to report incidents of feeding or other illegal wildlife activity.

Find an office

Operation Game Thief

If you wish to remain anonymous, contact operation game thief at 877-265-6648 to report incidents of feeding or other illegal wildlife activity. Rewards may be offered if the information leads to a citation.

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